Great Marsh Institute

Nature Walk
2023-04-08 08:30 - 10:30 (America/New_York) | Great Marsh Institute, 28 MOORES RD, Elverson, PA, 19520, United States
Join Diana Cormack, a PA Master Naturalist, for a nature walk around the Great Marsh. We’ll look for spring wildflowers, identify native and non-native species and discuss their impact on this unique habitat. Please RSVP to lori@greatmarshinstitute.org. This will help us to organize and keep groups small.

Artist Day
2023-04-16
Calling all photographers, painters, and artists! Sunday, April 16th 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 or make a cash donation at the door.

Honey Bee Apiary Tour
2023-04-19 18:00 - 20:00, 2023-05-04 18:00 - 20:00
Join us for a brand new event: Honey Bee Apiary Tour and Honey Tasting, Walk & Talk, Q&A. Master beekeeper, Frank Ruthkosky, is the owner of Exton Bee Company and is the Apiary Inspector for the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. Frank has had honey bee hives on our property for the past 3 years. Join us at 6:00 PM for a walking tour of his working bee hives (the walk is about 2 miles round trip with an uphill climb). After the walk (at approximately 7:00 PM) there will be a talk, Q&A, and honey tasting in the Nature Center. Feel free to join for just the walk, talk/tasting, or both!
Please RSVP to lori@greatmarshinstitute.org to attend. This event is free of charge but donations are always welcome via our Paypal, Venmo, or cash donations at the door.

Bird Walk
2023-04-23 07:00 - 10:00
Come join us at The Great Marsh Institute on Sunday, April 23rd at 7:00 AM for our monthly bird walk. Note that the time has been shifted earlier this month. 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 or cash donations at the door.

Nature Walk
2023-04-23 16:00 - 18:00
EDIT: Due to thunderstorms on the forecast for this evening, we have decided to postpone this walk (previously scheduled for Saturday, April 22nd) and will instead be holding it tomorrow, Sunday April 23rd at 4:00 PM. We apologize for any inconvenience!
Join Diana Cormack, a PA Master Naturalist, for a nature walk around the Great Marsh. We’ll look for spring wildflowers, identify native and non-native species and discuss their impact on this unique habitat. Please RSVP to lori@greatmarshinstitute.org. This will help us to organize and keep groups small.

Nature Walk with Diana Cormack
2023-05-07 16:00 - 18:00, 2023-05-27 09:00 - 11:00
Join Diana Cormack, a PA Master Naturalist, for a nature walk and see what is blooming at the Great Marsh. Wood anemone, jack in the pulpit, spring beauty, wild geraniums, and May apples can all be spotted, as well as trout lily leaves and Canada mayflower that will bloom soon. Please RSVP to lori@greatmarshinstitute.org. This will help us to organize and keep groups small.

Artist Day
2023-05-20
Photo by Julie Amador
Calling all photographers, painters, and artists! Saturday, May 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 or make a cash donation at the door.

Bird Walk
2023-05-21 07:00 - 10:00
Come join us at The Great Marsh Institute on Sunday, May 21st at 7:00 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 or cash donations at the door.

Plant ID Walk: Native and Invasive Species
2023-05-28 12:00 - 14:00
Native plants aren’t the only flora found at the Great Marsh. Like many other wetland environments, invasive species are an ongoing problem for our unique ecosystem. Join Bradley Wrage, a self-taught naturalist, for a nature walk identifying and discussing the invasive species at the Great Marsh, how they affect indigenous species, and what resources are available to help. Please RSVP to lori@greatmarshinstitute.org. This will help us to organize and keep groups small.

Additional Notes from Bradley:
Main topic (focus of the walk, main species to make an example of)- invasive species currently harming the environment from a tropospheric perspective.
Tangential topics (if pertinent, will discuss but will ultimately focus on the invasives), invasive species propagation and an introduction to troposphere education, host species, overcrowding/ shading out. Indigenous species with their benefits. Aesthetics over health (environmental perspective). What wetlands provide. And finally what resources are available for the struggle against
Invasive list:

Allium vineale
Multiflora rosa
Elaeagnus umbellata
Lonicera (genus) save for Lonicera sempervirens
Pyrus calleryana
Phragmites australis
Celastrus orbiculatus

The main topic is going to discuss the inherent destruction these introduced species have caused in our environment. Additionally, a simultaneous talk will progress about the natives and their benefits.
There are many on the property, forgive me for not listing all.

Quercus palustris
Salix nigra
Rosa palustris
Viburnum genus
Cercis genus
Etc..

There will also be additional information, when prompted about the foraging capacity of various species with the focus on invasives.
The main goal is to endure a sense of realization about the invasives in the area as well as an appreciation for natives.

Artist Day
2023-06-25
Calling all photographers, painters, and artists! Sunday, June 25th 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 or make a cash donation at the door.

Bird Walk
2023-06-25 07:00 - 10:00
Come join us at The Great Marsh Institute on Sunday, June 25th at 7:00 AM for our monthly bird walk. Note that the time has been shifted earlier this month. 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 or cash donations at the door.

Bird Walk
2023-07-16 07:00 - 10:00
Come join us at The Great Marsh Institute on Sunday, July 16th at 7:00 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 or cash donations at the door.

Artist Day
2023-07-29
Calling all photographers, painters, and artists! Saturday, July 29th 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 or make a cash donation at the door.

Artist Day
2023-08-27
Calling all photographers, painters, and artists! Sunday, August 27th 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 or make a cash donation at the door.

5th Annual Work Party
2023-09-09 08:00 - 2023-09-10 16:00
Photo by Lori Moore
Join us September 9th or 10th for our 5th annual work party cleaning up the trails around the Great Marsh. Please bring your own tools (clippers, weedwackers, chainsaws and/or hedge trimmers etc) and RSVP for a time slot at: lori@greatmarshinstitute.org
The time slots are as follows:
September 9: 8am-Noon
September 9: Noon-4pm
September 10: 8am-Noon
September 10: Noon-4pm
Thanks for your help in advance.

Bird Walk
2023-09-10 08:00 - 11:00
Photo by Jim Moffett
Come join us at The Great Marsh Institute on Sunday, September 10th 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 or cash donations at the door.

Nature Walk
2023-09-24 15:00 - 17:00, 2023-10-08 15:00 - 17:00
Join Diana Cormack, a PA Master Naturalist, for a nature walk around the Great Marsh. Please RSVP to lori@greatmarshinstitute.org. This will help us to organize and keep groups small.

Artist Day
2023-10-01 08:00 - 17:00
Photo by Jim Moffett
Calling all photographers, painters, and artists! Sunday, October 1st 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 or make a cash donation at the door.

Arts at the Great Marsh
2023-10-14 11:00 - 16:00
Join Great Marsh Institute for our third annual Arts at the Great Marsh.
WHEN: Saturday, October 14th, 2023 – 11 AM – 4 PM
Rain or Shine
WHERE: Great Marsh Institute, 28 Moores Road, Elverson PA, 19520
Founded by GMI Administrative Assistant and Dance Artist, Mijka Smith, Arts at the Great Marsh works to expand environmental awareness and education through art. This year’s event will include vendors from the local community, live performance, and educational materials about the surrounding environmental landscape.
See presentation descriptions and participating vendors below.
Click for Digital Program

Live Performances & Lectures
Geology Presentation with Dorothy Merritts and Robert Walter (11 AM – Nature Center)
The world-famous geologist Paul Martin (1928-2010), born in Allentown, PA, did a fascinating project at Great Marsh while a post-doctoral fellow at Yale University in the late 1950s. Join Professors Dorothy Merritts and Robert Walter of Franklin and Marshall College to learn more about their research that builds upon Paul’s amazing discoveries, examine cores of sediment from the marsh that are filled with wetland plant seeds dating back 16,000 years, and look at paleo-seeds with microscopes set up in the Nature Center.
Read More

Pilates Demo with Movement Designed to Feel Good (11:30 AM – The Stage)
Offering a 30-minute beginner Pilates class. Participants are asked to bring their own mats.
charlotterosen.com

Herping the Great Marsh with Bernard Brown (12:15 PM – Nature Center)
The Great Marsh is crawling with snakes, turtles, frogs, and salamanders, but they can be hard to observe over hundreds of acres of muck and vegetation. Learn about efforts to study the Great Marsh’s herpetological diversity.

Dance Performances with Remix Dance Collective (1:00 PM – The Stage)
Offering live dance performances from Remix’s competitive training program.
remixdance.net

Swing Dance & Music
Join the Carsonia Gardens Swing Ensemble and CJ Whitmire for a beginner swing dancing demonstration and live music!
About CJ Whitmire

Participating Vendors
HilaryJanePics
Offering puzzles, metal prints of primarily bird images, made from personal photography portfolio.
Follow @hjanepics on Instagram

Barking Tree Pottery
Offering functional salt fired pottery.
barkingtreepottery.com
Follow @sbankertpottery on social media

Exton Bee Company
Offering free raw honey tastings, apiary tours, and honey available for sale (raw, comb, and infused).
extonbeecompany.com

Davis Witmer Visual Arts
Offering pen and ink sketches and prints.
daviswit.wixsite.com/doodlevis
Follow @doodlevis on social media

Natural Beauty Flower Farm
Offering weekly bouquet or flower arrangement deliveries, signups for floristry and gardening workshops, and information on special event services.
naturalbeautyflowerfarm.com
Follow @naturalbeautyflowerfarm on social media

My Mangia Mobile
Food truck offering high-quality Italian cuisine.

Elders Cut
Offering a variety of naturally flavored, authentic meads. Made by hand with real fruits, herbs, and flowers sweetened with the best raw local honey we can find.
elderscut.com
Follow @elderscutmead on social media

Bird Walk
2023-10-22 08:00 - 11:00
Come join us at The Great Marsh Institute on Sunday, October 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 or cash donations at the door.

Artist Day
2023-10-28
Photo by Jim Moffett
Calling all photographers, painters, and artists! Saturday, October 28th 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 or make a cash donation at the door.

Bird Walk
2023-11-12 08:00 - 11:00
Come join us at The Great Marsh Institute on Sunday, November 12th 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.

Artist Day
2023-11-26
Calling all photographers, painters, and artists! Sunday, November 26th 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
2023-12-16
Calling all photographers, painters, and artists! Saturday, December 16th 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.

Bird Walk
2023-12-17 08:00 - 11:00
Come join us at The Great Marsh Institute on Sunday, December 17th 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
2024-01-21 08:00 - 11:00
Come join us at The Great Marsh Institute on Sunday, January 21st 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.

Artist Day
2024-01-28
Calling all photographers, painters, and artists! Sunday, January 28th 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.
