Fern Hollow Nature Center

Winter Birding Hike — Fiddlehead Club: Adventure Series
2026-01-20 10:00 - 11:30 (America/New_York) | Fern Hollow Nature Center, 1901 Glen Mitchell Rd, Sewickley, Pennsylvania, 15143, United States
Bundle up and join us for a winter birding adventure in Sewickley Heights Borough Park! We’ll take an easy hike along peaceful forest trails as we listen for chirps and calls and try to spot bright red cardinals, fluffy chickadees, and other cold-weather birds.
Register Here!

Winter Explorers
2026-01-22 09:30 - 12:00, 2026-02-05 09:30 - 12:00, 2026-02-12 09:30 - 12:00, 2026-02-19 09:30 - 12:00, 2026-02-26 09:30 - 12:00, 2026-03-05 09:30 - 12:00, 2026-03-12 09:30 - 12:00 | The Ohio Township Community Park, 325 Nicholson Rd, Sewickley, Pennsylvania, 15143, United States
The 10-week drop-off program for bathroom-independent pre-schoolers ages 3-6 starts January 8th, 2026. All sessions will take place at The Ohio Township Community Park at 325 Nicholson Rd, Sewickley, PA 15143, while we prepare for our renovation. A generous grant from the Union Aid Society is available to provide financial assistance to Quaker Valley School District residents in need.
Due to attendance, all Explorers sessions will meet on Thursdays from 9:30am-12:00pm.
Each week of Explorers is a unique blend of hikes, nature lessons, and play that also foster early learning skills using the natural world, but with content geared towards older Preschool and Kindergarten-aged children. All explorers must be fully bathroom independent.
Children should come dressed according to the weather, bring a reusable water bottle, and a nut-free snack. Different variations of this program are offered throughout the year, providing unique experiences tailored to the changing seasons.
Member Fee
$315 for all 10 sessions or $35 per session
Public Fee
$365 for all 10 sessions or $41 per session
Register Here!

Winter Wonderland Hike — Fiddlehead Club: Adventure Series
2026-01-27 10:00 - 11:30 | Audubon Greenway Conservation Area of Allegheny Land Trust, Magee Rd, Sewickley, Pennsylvania, 15143, United States
Enjoy a calm winter walk through quiet woods and open meadows. Children will explore easy trails, listen for birds, and spot signs of wildlife while noticing how nature changes in winter.
Register Here!

Winter Explorers - CANCELLED
2026-01-29 09:30 - 12:00 | The Ohio Township Community Park, 325 Nicholson Rd, Sewickley, Pennsylvania, 15143, United States
This session of Explorers has been cancelled due to inclement weather and poor conditions. This event will be rescheduled to March 19th.

Quaker Valley Community Seed Swap
2026-01-31 10:00 - 13:00 | Sewickley Public Library, 500 Thorn St, Sewickley, Pennsylvania, 15143
Quaker Valley Community Seed Swap
January 31, 2026 | 10am-1pm | Sewickley Public Library

Fern Hollow Nature Center and Sewickley Public Library are excited to invite the Quaker Valley community to celebrate National Seed Swap Day with us! Bring your extra seeds, to swap or trade, and discover some new varieties for your garden.
Learn more from representatives of local organizations such as Big Sewickley Creek Watershed Association, Little Sewickley Creek Watershed Association, PA Master Gardeners, PA Master Naturalists, PA Master Watershed Stewards and others!
This event is FREE to all attendees participating in the swap. Just getting started? No problem- those without items to contribute can still take part with a donation in the amount of their choosing. (Proceeds to benefit local non-profits)
What can be swapped?
Seeds: ideally in pre-portioned envelopes or bags; please include any important info such as crop type, variety, year grown, etc.
Plants: extra plants, cuttings, or bulbs
Tools or Books: hand tools and pots, or other smaller gardening supplies; garden-related guides or books

Register Here!

Park Play & Bonfire Warm-Up — Fiddlehead Club: Adventure Series
2026-02-03 10:00 - 11:30 | Mary Roberts Rinehart Nature Park, 1400 Beaver St, Sewickley, Pennsylvania, 15143
Have fun playing in Mary Roberts Rinehart Park, exploring the open spaces, and enjoying outdoor activities. Afterward, gather around the cozy bonfire to warm up, relax, and share time with friends.
Register Here!

Fiddlehead Homeschool
2026-02-06 10:00 - 12:00 | The Ohio Township Community Park, 325 Nicholson Rd, Sewickley, Pennsylvania, 15143, United States
Winter Sowing

Our science programs encourage kids to get outside and explore nature through hands-on, engaging activities. To cultivate a sense of community and allow for students to develop meaningful social connections, homeschool families are invited to stay and have lunch on the grounds after dismissal.Bring a picnic or snack and explore.

Pop-Up: Snowshoe Hike
2026-02-06 16:30 - 18:00 | Fern Hollow Nature Center, 1901 Glen Mitchell Road, sewickley, PA, 15143, United States
In this drop-off program, kids are invited to join us for some after-school winter fun! We’ll learn a few basics about snowshoeing and then try it out ourselves in a unique chance to explore the meadow and Fern Hollow grounds on a guided hike!
No experience required. Snowshoes will be available for participants to borrow, or personal ones are welcome. Please note that children should be dressed and prepared to spend an extended period outside.
Learn More!

Frosty Forest Hike — Fiddlehead Club: Adventure Series
2026-02-10 10:00 - 11:30 | Tom’s Run Nature Preserve, Toms Run Rd, Kilbuck Township, Pennsylvania, 15143, United States
Homeschoolers will enjoy a fun, frosty walk through Tom’s Run Nature Reserve, exploring gentle trails, tall trees, and the quiet beauty of the winter woods.
Register Here!

Pruning & Planting 101
2026-02-11 18:30 - 20:00 | Fern Hollow Nature Center, 1901 Glen Mitchell Rd, Sewickley, Pennsylvania, 15143, United States
Take the guesswork out of pruning and planting. When do I prune my hydrangeas? Where do I cut the branch on my dogwood? How large do I dig the planting hole? Discover how botany can help answer all these questions, and more!
Member: $7
Public: $10
Register Here!

Fiddlehead Homeschool: Fossil Mania!
2026-02-16 10:00 - 12:00 | Fern Hollow Nature Center, 1901 Glen Mitchell Road, sewickley, PA, 15143, United States
Dive into a world of discovery with our lively environmental education program on fossils! Explore fascinating fossils from all over the globe, learn about ancient creatures, and uncover the secrets of our planet’s past.
This hands-on adventure is packed with interactive activities, making learning about fossils as fun as it is educational. This program is intended for children grades K-5th!
Member Fee: $16
Public Fee: $21
Register Here!

Quaker Valley Creekers Middle School
2026-02-18 15:00 - 16:30
Vernal Pools
Quaker Valley Middle School Room 308
3:05-4:40pm

Fern Hollow at the YMCA
2026-02-27 13:00 - 15:00 | The Y, 625 Blackburn Road, Sewickley, Pennsylvania, 15143, United States
Fern Hollow is excited to announce our partnership with the Sewickley YMCA. Our educators will provide 2 hours of nature-based programming at the Y on this Quaker Valley in-service days from 1:00-3:00pm.
The program is intended for grades K–5th.
Contact the YMCA to register!
Click Here For More Information!

Maple Magic: The Sweet Science of Maple Sugaring
2026-02-28 10:00 - 11:30 | Fern Hollow Nature Center, 1901 Glen Mitchell Road, sewickley, PA, 15143, United States
Join Fern Hollow staff as we learn about the history and science of maple sugaring! Discover how the process of Maple Sugaring has changed over time and has been perfected into a science. This program is intended for all ages, but youth under 16 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
This program blends American history, botany, chemistry, and physics into a fun, hands-on, and tasty experience. Try Fern Hollow’s exclusive “Sugar Maker’s Sundae” and spend the morning learning the importance of maple trees in Pennsylvania.
Register Here!

Fiddlehead Homeschool
2026-03-06 10:00 - 12:00 | Sewickley Heights Borough Park, Hallaway Road, Sewickley, 15143
Pennsylvania Frogs and Salamanders

Our science programs encourage kids to get outside and explore nature through hands-on, engaging activities. To cultivate a sense of community and allow for students to develop meaningful social connections, homeschool families are invited to stay and have lunch on the grounds after dismissal.Bring a picnic or snack and explore.

Houseplant Propagation Workshop
2026-03-11 18:30 - 20:00 | Fern Hollow Nature Center, 1901 Glen Mitchell Rd, Sewickley, Pennsylvania, 15143, United States
Explore the many ways to propagate houseplants in this hands-on workshop. Make your own leaf cuttings, learn how to air layer tropical plants and graft cacti in this fun and informative program.
Member Fee; $20
Public Fee: $26
Register Here!

Nature & Nurture Hike
2026-03-16 10:00 - 11:00 | Tom’s Run Nature Preserve, Toms Run Rd, Kilbuck Township, Pennsylvania, 15143, United States
Monday March 16 — Tom’s Run Nature Preserve
Monday, April 20 — Henle Park (Victory Garden of Leetsdale)
Monday, May 18 — Sewickley Heights Borough Park
The natural world provides so many opportunities, even for our “littlest explorers,” for discovery, imagination and problem-solving, as well as possible health advantages such as motor-skill development, improved immunity & regulation of sleep-wake cycles. In this new series of guided hikes, we are excited to share all of these benefits with children up to age 5 and a caretaker.
We will explore some of our community’s amazing parks! Terrain will range from easy to moderate, and total length will be determined by the participants, as these are geared to be child-led.
There will be story time and craft making to conclude our hike.
*All children must be accompanied by an adult*
Specific directions and meeting locations will be given to participants after registration.

Member Fee
$6 / session for 1 caregiver and up to 2 children

Public Fee
$9 / session for 1 caregiver and up to 2 children

Register Here!

Quaker Valley Creekers Middle School
2026-03-18 15:00 - 16:30
Aquatic Macroinvertebrates
Quaker Valley Middle School Room 308
3:05-4:40pm

Winter Explorers Makeup
2026-03-19 09:30 - 12:00 | Ohio Township Nature Center, 325 Nicholson Road, sewickley, PA, 15143, United States
This is the makeup event for the January 29th Winter Explorers inclement weather cancellation. This sessions will take place at The Ohio Township Community Park at 325 Nicholson Rd, Sewickley, PA 15143, while we prepare for our renovation. A generous grant from the Union Aid Society is available to provide financial assistance to Quaker Valley School District residents in need.
Due to attendance, all Explorers sessions will meet on Thursdays from 9:30am-12:00pm.
Each week of Explorers is a unique blend of hikes, nature lessons, and play that also foster early learning skills using the natural world, but with content geared towards older Preschool and Kindergarten-aged children. All explorers must be fully bathroom independent.
Children should come dressed according to the weather, bring a reusable water bottle, and a nut-free snack. Different variations of this program are offered throughout the year, providing unique experiences tailored to the changing seasons.
Member Fee
$315 for all 10 sessions or $35 per session
Public Fee
$365 for all 10 sessions or $41 per session
Register Here!

Vernal Pool Hike
2026-03-21 10:30 - 12:00 | Sewickley Heights Borough Park, Hallaway Road, Sewickley, 15143
Come join us in Sewickley Height Borough Park as we hike through the woods and look at some vernal pools. We will be looking for frogs, toads, tadpoles, birds, and all sorts of other wildlife. Let’s see all the life that Winter has been hiding from us!
Vernal pools are small ponds of water that form in wooded areas after the snow melts in the early spring. These temporary pools will last through the rainy season of the spring, and serve as a safe place for frogs, toads, and insects to lay their eggs.
Exploring vernal pools allows us to witness both the early stages of amphibian life cycles and other animals that may be attracted to the water source.
Register Here!

Little Explorers
2026-03-25 09:30 - 12:00, 2026-03-26 09:30 - 12:00 | Ohio Township Nature Center, 325 Nicholson Road, sewickley, PA, 15143, United States
The 6-week drop-off program for bathroom-independent pre-schoolers ages 3-5 starts March 25th, 2026. All sessions will take place at The Ohio Township Community Park at 325 Nicholson Rd, Sewickley, PA 15143, while we prepare for our renovation. A generous grant from the Union Aid Society is available to provide financial assistance to Quaker Valley School District residents in need.
Each week of Explorers is a unique blend of hikes, nature lessons, and play that also foster early learning skills using the natural world, but with content geared towards older Preschool and Kindergarten-aged children. All explorers must be fully bathroom independent.
Children should come dressed according to the weather, bring a reusable water bottle, and a nut-free snack. Different variations of this program are offered throughout the year, providing unique experiences tailored to the changing seasons.
Register Here!

Junior Explorers
2026-03-26 13:30 - 16:00 | Ohio Township Nature Center, 325 Nicholson Road, sewickley, PA, 15143, United States
The 6-week drop-off program for bathroom-independent pre-schoolers ages 3-6 starts March 25th, 2026. All sessions will take place at The Ohio Township Community Park at 325 Nicholson Rd, Sewickley, PA 15143, while we prepare for our renovation. A generous grant from the Union Aid Society is available to provide financial assistance to Quaker Valley School District residents in need.
Each week of Explorers is a unique blend of hikes, nature lessons, and play that also foster early learning skills using the natural world, but with content geared towards older Preschool and Kindergarten-aged children. All explorers must be fully bathroom independent.
Children should come dressed according to the weather, bring a reusable water bottle, and a nut-free snack. Different variations of this program are offered throughout the year, providing unique experiences tailored to the changing seasons.
Register Here!

Fiddlehead Club: Spring Break
2026-03-30 09:00 - 12:00 | Fern Hollow Nature Center, 1901 Glen Mitchell Road, sewickley, PA, 15143, United States
Join us for a fun Spring Break nature adventure! Children will explore the outdoors by hiking to the pond to search for amphibian eggs, discovering signs of new plant growth, and looking for animals waking up from winter hibernation. Through hands-on exploration and guided activities, kids will learn how plants and animals change with the seasons while building curiosity and respect for the natural world.

Member Fee
$24 per day

Public Fee
$30 per day
Register Here!
