Artist Day
2025-12-20 | Great Marsh Institute, 28 MOORES RD, Elverson, PA, 19520, United States
Calling all photographers, painters, and artists! Saturday, December 20th the Great Marsh will be open dawn to dusk for all interested artists. Take a self-guided tour to paint, take photos, and enjoy the property.
If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to lori@greatmarshinstitute.org with your name and the time you plan to arrive. Check-in will be at the Farm House.
This event is free of charge but we humbly ask for a suggested donation of $20. Donate through our Paypal, Venmo, or make a cash donation at the door

Artist Day
2026-01-11 | Great Marsh Institute, 28 MOORES RD, Elverson, PA, 19520, United States
Calling all photographers, painters, and artists! Sunday, January 11th the Great Marsh will be open dawn to dusk for all interested artists (non-artists are welcome too). Take a self-guided tour to paint, take photos, and enjoy the property.
If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to lori@greatmarshinstitute.org with your name and the time you plan to arrive. Check-in will be at the Farm House.
This event is free of charge but we humbly ask for a suggested donation of $20. Donate through our Paypal, Venmo, or make a cash donation at the door

Bird Walk
2026-01-11 08:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | Great Marsh Institute, 28 MOORES RD, Elverson, PA, 19520, United States
Come join us at The Great Marsh Institute on Sunday, January 11th at 8:00 AM for our monthly bird walk. Please RSVP to lori@greatmarshinstitute.org. This will help us to organize and keep groups small. This event is free but donations are always welcome via our Paypal, Venmo, or cash donations at the door.

Star Party POSTPONED TO MARCH 13!
2026-02-13 17:30 - 20:30 | PA
Due to weather conditions we are postponing our first Star Party to March 13. We apologize for any inconvenience.
The sky’s the limit on February 13 as we open the GMI observatory to gaze at the stars. Bring your own telescope or see the stars and planets with GMI’s 11″ telescope. We’ll get started at sunset (5:30).
Please RSVP to lori@greatmarshinstitute.org. This will help us to organize and keep groups small, as well as give us a way to contact you in case the weather doesn’t cooperate.
This event is free but donations are always welcome via our Paypal, Venmo, or cash donations at the door.

Artist Day
2026-02-21 | Great Marsh Institute, 28 MOORES RD, Elverson, PA, 19520, United States
Calling all photographers, painters, and artists! Saturday, February 21st the Great Marsh will be open dawn to dusk for all interested artists (non-artists are welcome too). Take a self-guided tour to paint, take photos, and enjoy the property.
If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to lori@greatmarshinstitute.org with your name and the time you plan to arrive. Check-in will be at the Farm House.
This event is free of charge but we humbly ask for a suggested donation of $20. Donate through our Paypal, Venmo, or make a cash donation at the door

Bird Walk
2026-02-22 08:00 - 11:00 | Great Marsh Institute, 28 MOORES RD, Elverson, PA, 19520, United States
Come join us at The Great Marsh Institute on Sunday, February 22nd at 8:00 AM for our monthly bird walk. Please RSVP to lori@greatmarshinstitute.org. This will help us to organize and keep groups small. This event is free but donations are always welcome via our Paypal, Venmo, or cash donations at the door.

Woodcock Sit (WAITING LIST)
2026-03-08 18:30 - 20:00 | Great Marsh Institute, 28 MOORES RD, Elverson, PA, 19520, United States
RSVPs have exceeded our capacity, so we are placing anyone who RSVPs at this point on a waiting list. Thank you for your interest in the Woodcock Sit; please keep an eye on GMI’s events page for more nature events.
Enjoy an evening to observe one of the highlights of early spring migration. American Woodcock will be showing off their dazzling mating displays at dusk.
American Woodcock are known for their elaborate courtship displays. Males will venture out into open areas after sunset and set up a display area. Birds will initially call out with their “peent” calls to announce their presence to other Woodcock. Males will then take flight circling up to 100 meters high with a combination of specialized wings creating a twittering sound as well as vocal chirping. Birds then descend in a rapid circling motion to land in the exact spot they started from. Displays can last as long as 30 minutes.
Please arrive promptly and bring a chair so you can relax and see the show! RSVP to lori@greatmarshinstitute.org to attend. This will enable us to communicate about any weather-related changes and plan for the full number of attendees.
$5 Suggested Donation. Donate through Paypal, Venmo, or make a cash donation at the door.

Star Party (rescheduled)
2026-03-13 17:00 - 21:00 | Great Marsh Institute, 28 MOORES RD, Elverson, PA, 19520, United States
The sky’s the limit on March 13 as we open the GMI observatory to gaze at the stars. Bring your own telescope or see the stars and planets with GMI’s 11″ telescope. We’ll get started a little before sunset (6:30).
Please RSVP to lori@greatmarshinstitute.org. This will help us to organize and keep groups small, as well as give us a way to contact you in case the weather doesn’t cooperate.
This event is free but donations are always welcome via our Paypal, Venmo, or cash donations at the door.

Bird Walk
2026-03-15 08:00 - 11:00 | PA
Come join us at The Great Marsh Institute on Sunday, March 15th at 8:00 AM for our monthly bird walk. Please RSVP to lori@greatmarshinstitute.org. This will help us to organize and keep groups small. This event is free but donations are always welcome via our Paypal, Venmo, or cash donations at the door.

Great Marsh Open House (Artist Day)
2026-03-21 | Great Marsh Institute, 28 MOORES RD, Elverson, PA, 19520, United States
Calling all artists (and non-artists too)! Saturday, March, 21st the Great Marsh will be open dawn to dusk. Take a self-guided tour to paint, take photos, or simply enjoy the wetlands, woods, and meadows.
If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to lori@greatmarshinstitute.org with your name and the time you plan to arrive. Check-in will be at the Farm House.
This event is free of charge but we humbly ask for a suggested donation of $20. Donate through our Paypal, Venmo, or make a cash donation at the door

Great Marsh Mud Mosey
2026-04-11 08:00 - 17:00 | Great Marsh Institute, 28 MOORES RD, Elverson, PA, 19520, United States
Welcome to the Third Annual Great Marsh Mud Mosey which feature a 5Kish run throughout a very unique private property in Northern Chester County. The race proceeds will be donated to the Great Marsh Institute and ChesCo Search Dogs.

Saturday, April 11th, 2026
Sign up here!

Bird Walk
2026-04-19 08:00 - 11:00 | PA
Come join us at The Great Marsh Institute on Sunday, April 19th at 8:00 AM for our monthly bird walk. Please RSVP to lori@greatmarshinstitute.org. This will help us to organize and keep groups small. This event is free but donations are always welcome via our Paypal, Venmo, or cash donations at the door.

Great Marsh Open House (Artist Day)
2026-04-26 | PA
Calling all artists (and non-artists too)! Sunday, April, 26th the Great Marsh will be open dawn to dusk. Take a self-guided tour to paint, take photos, or simply enjoy the wetlands, woods, and meadows.
If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to lori@greatmarshinstitute.org with your name and the time you plan to arrive. Check-in will be at the Farm House.
This event is free of charge but we humbly ask for a suggested donation of $20. Donate through our Paypal, Venmo, or make a cash donation at the door

Great Marsh Open House (Artist Day)
2026-05-16 | PA
Calling all artists (and non-artists too)! Saturday, May, 16th the Great Marsh will be open dawn to dusk. Take a self-guided tour to paint, take photos, or simply enjoy the wetlands, woods, and meadows.
If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to lori@greatmarshinstitute.org with your name and the time you plan to arrive. Check-in will be at the Farm House.
This event is free of charge but we humbly ask for a suggested donation of $20. Donate through our Paypal, Venmo, or make a cash donation at the door

The Art of Bird Photography, 2026
2026-05-16 14:00 - 2026-05-17 12:00 | PA
Join us Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 17 as local bird photographer and hobbyist Hilary Vadner leads a 2-day workshop on “The Art of Bird Photography.”

On Saturday afternoon, May 16 from 2pm-4pm, we’ll meet in the Nature Center for a presentation on avian photography, techniques and tips.
Sunday morning, May 17, students will have the opportunity to bring their cameras and gear and reconvene at the Great Marsh for a morning of mentored practice with Hilary and bird spotting with Patty Werth of the Valley Forge Audubon Society. Join us at 8 am for in-the-field instruction and enjoy this spectacular, photo-worthy landscape.

Hilary is an avid photographer. Her work has been recognized by Wild Birds Unlimited BirdSpotter Contest; Friends of Heinz Refuge Nature in Focus Photo Competition; and published in Birds ’n Blooms magazine.
10 spaces available with a wait list
$50 suggested donation to the Great Marsh Institute
Sign up today!

Bird Walk
2026-05-17 08:00 - 11:00 | PA
Come join us at The Great Marsh Institute on Sunday May 17 at 8:00 AM for our monthly bird walk. Please RSVP to lori@greatmarshinstitute.org. This will help us to organize and keep groups small. This event is free but donations are always welcome via our Paypal, Venmo, or cash donations at the door.

Bird Walk
2026-06-14 08:00 - 11:00 | PA
Come join us at The Great Marsh Institute on Sunday June 14 at 8:00 AM for our monthly bird walk. Please RSVP to lori@greatmarshinstitute.org. This will help us to organize and keep groups small. This event is free but donations are always welcome via our Paypal, Venmo, or cash donations at the door.

Firefly Safari
2026-06-20 20:00 - 22:00 | Great Marsh Institute, 28 MOORES RD, Elverson, PA, 19520, United States
Join us for a firefly safari and see nature’s light show!
Did you know that Pennsylvania is host to more than 30 species of fireflies? Do you know why fireflies flash, where they live most of the year, and what we can do to support these beautiful creatures?
Join Pennsylvania Master Naturalist, Carl Manthey, for an educational discussion about the charismatic firefly species that live at Great Marsh. Then, bring a chair and a snack and relax and enjoy the wonder of nature’s light show or take part in a firefly safari to see what you can discover first-hand. In our safari we will carefully observe diverse flash patterns and catch (net) and identify firefly species based on flash patterns and morphology.
Bring a flashlight and sense of adventure!
If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to lori@greatmarshinstitute.org
This event is free of charge but we humbly ask for a suggested donation of $20. Donate through our Paypal, Venmo, or make a cash donation at the door

Great Marsh Open House (Artist Day)
2026-06-21 | Great Marsh Institute, 28 MOORES RD, Elverson, PA, 19520, United States
Calling all artists (and non-artists too)! Sunday, June 21st the Great Marsh will be open dawn to dusk. Take a self-guided tour to paint, take photos, or simply enjoy the wetlands, woods, and meadows.
If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to lori@greatmarshinstitute.org with your name and the time you plan to arrive. Check-in will be at the Farm House.
This event is free of charge but we humbly ask for a suggested donation of $20. Donate through our Paypal, Venmo, or make a cash donation at the door

Fungus Walk with the Philadelphia Mycology Club
2026-06-27 13:00 - 16:00 | Great Marsh Institute, 28 MOORES RD, Elverson, PA, 19520, United States
More than mushrooms, the woods and wetlands bloom with shelf fungi, rusts, and more of these organisms that play a critical role in breaking down plant matter, helping trees grow, and even eating bugs alive from inside. Join the Philadelphia Mycology Club for a walk (and take advantage of the recent wet weather) around the marsh and surrounding uplands to explore familiar and new fungi.
RSVP to bernard@greatmarshinstitute.org so we can keep track of numbers and get in touch in case of last-minute weather cancellation.

Bird Walk
2026-07-12 08:00 - 17:00 | Great Marsh Institute, 28 MOORES RD, Elverson, PA, 19520, United States
Come join us at The Great Marsh Institute on Sunday, July 12h at 8:00 AM for our monthly bird walk. Please RSVP to lori@greatmarshinstitute.org. This will help us to organize and keep groups small. This event is free but donations are always welcome via our Paypal, Venmo, or cash donations at the door.

Great Marsh Open House (Artist Day)
2026-07-18 08:00 - 17:00 | Great Marsh Institute, 28 MOORES RD, Elverson, PA, 19520, United States
Calling all artists (and non-artists too)! Saturday, July 18th the Great Marsh will be open dawn to dusk. Take a self-guided tour to paint, take photos, or simply enjoy the wetlands, woods, and meadows.
If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to lori@greatmarshinstitute.org with your name and the time you plan to arrive. Check-in will be at the Farm House.
This event is free of charge but we humbly ask for a suggested donation of $20. Donate through our Paypal, Venmo, or make a cash donation at the door

"Golden Hour" Photography at the Great Marsh
2026-08-01 17:30 - 20:00 | Great Marsh Institute, 28 MOORES RD, Elverson, PA, 19520, United States
Grab your camera and join hobbyist photographer Hilary Vadner and Valley Forge Audubon Society vice‑president Patty Werth for a relaxed, golden‑hour photography stroll through the scenic paths of the Great Marsh Institute. Evenings here can be spectacular, when the long evening light couples with the natural beauty of the marsh. Hilary will offer mentored, hands‑on photography guidance and instruction while Patty will help with bird spotting and wildlife identification, which may include not only songbirds but other enchanting marsh residents such as beavers, turtles, or snakes.

The walk will be unhurried, with the focus on observing and photographing birds and other natural highlights as they appear. For the best results in evening light, low‑light lenses are recommended if you have them.

This event is a follow-up to “The Art of Bird Photography” course that was presented in May, but you need not have taken that course to attend – all are welcome and encouraged to come.

Class size is limited to 15 people and registration is requested as well as a suggested donation of $20 to the non-profit Great Marsh Institute.

To register or for more information, please send an email to lori@greatmarshinstitute.org.
