*Mengel Natural History Society 2007-2008  (3/10/08)

The By-Laws state: "The purposes of the Society are the stimulation of interest and study in natural history in all its branches, the promotion and diffusion of scientific knowledge, and the creation of the scientific spirit."

*  Monthly Meetings with Lecture
*  Field Trips for Wildflowers, Butterflies, etc.
*  Annual Wildflower Exchange and Give-away
*  Show & Tell plus Members’ Night for your participation
*  Occasional bus trips to museums
*  A place to meet other people interested in the natural world

The Society meets once a month from September though April at Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center. Usually the fourth Friday of the month. In November we meet jointly with the Berks Mineralogical Society (on a Tuesday) and in December we meet jointly with the Baird Ornithological Club (on a Friday). In May we meet at a local restaurant for a dinner meeting. Joint meetings may be held at another location. We also sponsor field trips.

The public is welcome at any of the activities. (Except two special field trips reserved for members only as noted.)
All lectures and field trips are free.

If you are interested in joining the Society, you may pay dues at any meeting or mail them in.
Download dues form as PDF (20 KB).

A two page brochure of Mengel information and programs for 2007-2008 is available in PDF format at:
Download 2007-2008 Mengel page 1 as pdf. (76 KB)
Download 2007-2008 Mengel page 2 as pdf. (84 KB)
 
 

.Saturday,  September 22, 2007  10:00 AM      FIELD TRIP
"Goldenrod Identification Walk at Rockland Botanical Garden"
Identify up to 12 local goldenrod species. Plus asters. Bring a lunch. Rt. 12 east (Pricetown Rd) 3 miles past where it intersects w/ Rt. 662.  Turn left on Forgedale Rd (Boyers Market). At Dryville stop sign turn left and immediately right in front of Dryville Hotel. Take the Fredericksville- Huffs Church Rd. 2.2 miles. Turn left on Hertzog School Rd. Go .5 mile to 55 Hertzog Rd on left. Use the second drive. Leaders John and Margaret Scott 610 682 2809.  johnscott302@aol.com

   ***   . Friday,  September 28, 2007           7:30 PM      PROGRAM
"Desert and Delta - Flora and Fauna of the Great Namib and Okavango" presented by Linda Ingram. A natural history snapshot of the Great Namibian Desert in Namibia and the Okavango Delta of Botswana. Contrasting extreme dry and wet habitats and the full complement of life each supports.  Focus on adaptations of plants, animals, and humans to their surroundings. McConnell Hall, Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center on PA-625 south of Reading.

    ***      .Sunday,  September 30, 2007            1:00 PM         FIELD TRIP
Gentian walk near Natural Lands Trust   Approximately 2 miles of easy walking then a bit of weedy bushwhacking. Wear foot wear for wet meadow walking. Meet at Maple Springs Swim Club on Rt. 345 in Birdsboro. From Exon in Birdsboro, go east on 724, turn South on 345 towards French Creek State Park. Swim club parking area is on left before entrance to D. Boone High School, carpool from there.  Limited parking at our access point.  Leader is Rich Bonnett 610 582 8656. You must be a Mengel member or join ($10) at trip.

.Friday, October 26, 2007          7:30 PM     PROGRAM
"Flora and Fauna of Florida" presented by Richard Bonnett, President MNHS
This program will present the best of Florida’s diversity gleaned from several trips to Florida. We will paddle quiet rivers, explore blue limestone springs, stalk through black swamps, stroll remote beaches to see fauna as diverse as gopher tortoise, colorful as Scarlet Kingsnakes, rare as Scrub Jays (for Fla), small as Oak Toads, and deadly as Water Moccasins’.  And the flora ain’t bad either!  A colorful Program.  Come and enjoy!   Program will be followed by our  Annual Seed Exchange and Give Away.

.Tuesday, November 13, 2007                   7:30 PM     PROGRAM
"Geological Adventures with the Mars Rovers - Current and Future" by Dr. Stan Mertzman of Franklin & Marshal College. Dr. Mertzman is working with NASA on this project. Tantalizingly, orbiting satellites found a wealth of circumstantial evidence amongst the surficial features on Mars that supports the presence of an aqueous fluid phase on the Martian surface at some time in the past. What could compositional and mineralogical data concerning the rocks on the surface of Mars tell us about the origin of Mars? This question is one which the rovers are trying to answer. Joint meeting with the Berks Mineralogical Club and held at the Reading Museum!

.Friday, December 14, 2007       7:30 PM   PROGRAM
"The Importance of Nest Boxes for Birds of Prey in a Geographical Area" by Paul Karner, a highly dedicated bird bander from the Pocono region with 145 Kestrel boxes in the field and a 50% occupancy rate.  In 2007 he banded over 250 Kestrel chicks and their parents.  His efforts in bird conservation were featured this summer in a half hour TV Outdoor Life program on WNEP Allentown.  He is also instrumental in establishing bird propagation (including Peregrine) on PP&L properties. He will share a wealth of experiences and results from years of volunteering to help with a variety of Birds of Prey. Joint meeting with Baird Ornithological Club.

.Friday, January 25, 2008        7:30  PM PROGRAM
"Member’s Night "   Don’t be shy about trying something new tonight.  Slide presentations are welcome but perhaps you’d like to read from a prepared text of a natural experience which impressed you, or a travel destination you would like to share but don’t have pictures.  Maybe a favorite poem that paints a natural picture. Member’s night is a good opportunity for members to experiment with a 15~ minute presentation or just a 5 minute reading. Many of our regular presenters started at Member’s Night.  Who will be next?
.Canceled due to weather! Friday, February 22, 2008    7:30  PM PROGRAM
"An Inside Look at the Herpetology of Pennsylvania" presented by Brandon Ruhe. Brandon has been studying a variety of Pa’s herps through various grants for the last 7 years. His research has included Spadefoot Toads, Jefferson / Blue Spotted Salamander Complex, Timber Rattlers and others.  Tonight he will present a grab bag of favorites.

.Early March, 2008  FIELD TRIP 
Vernal Herps  French Creek State Park. The date will be emailed as weather permits vernal herps to emerge. If you are interested in watching the best local natural event of early spring but are not presently on Lori Soraparuís Herp Helper email update; contact her at  and put ‘herp helper’ in the subject line.

.Friday, March 28, 2008     7:30  PM    PROGRAM  (Original page said March 21.)
"Costa Rica"   presented by Lori Soraparu. Lori is a high school biology and enviro-science teacher who last summer spent two weeks in Costa Rica doing field research related to biodiversity.  Most notably this included working with nesting Atlantic Green turtles and hatchling Leatherback turtles, both of which are endangered species. Join us as we learn about the conservation work she was involved in as well as the many animal and plant species she saw.

.Friday, April 25, 2008      7:30  PM   PROGRAM
"Tired of Winter?  Think Spring !"   presented by Frank Plucinsky. Now that winter has released its grip on Berks County, come out and enjoy this wonderfully crafted presentation of spring flora and fauna. Lecture followed by our annual Wildflower Exchange and Giveaway.

  Saturday, April 26, 2008      10:00 AM FIELD TRIP
"Butterfly Identification Walk" on Neversink Mountain Butterflies, birds and plants. We will view at a distance and for a good look we will capture some butterflies and put them in viewing jars so you can get a close look before releasing them. Meet at S. 10th and South Street Reading. Park on South Street. Joint walk with  Baird Ornithological Club. Leaders: Karl Gardner, 610-987-3281, Ryan Woolwine 610 777-2333, and Ken Lebo 610 856-1413.

.Sunday , May 4, 2008      1:00 to 5ish   FIELD TRIP
"Hidden Jewels of the deep woods"   Mengel Presidents quasi invitational open to first ten callers after April 4th.  This is an experiment in trust.  In order to attend this walk you have to be a Mengel member for the past 5 years and know the leader.  Restrictions are due to sensitive locations and species of wildflower.  If the plants remain undisturbed, this can become an annual event with a different group of attendees each year. Limit 10 people, no children. Leader is Rich Bonnett 610 582 8656, leave message after 8 AM.

    ***      .Friday, May 23, 2008            Friday 6:00 PM     Dinner Meeting
Annual Mengel Dinner at Airplane Restaurant, Restaurant to be selected in early 2008.
"Wandering and Hiking Switzerland" presented by member Peter Wolfe. What else needs to be said?  Switzerland!  Peter Wolfe!  Hiking! Program will follow dinner and election of officers at about 7:30 PM.

.Sunday , July 27, 2008     11 AM ? 4 PM     Open House (GARDEN)
Buckhollow Butterfly Garden Open House with Harold Lebo  610 582 3972.  Harold graciously opens his garden to what has quickly become an annual favorite and not just for butterfly enthusiasts.  He could also call the day, “Feathers, Florals, and Fine Flutter-byís”.  Come see what you’ve been missing!  There are always pleasant surprises waiting in the garden!  Directions and rain date to follow as date approaches.

  Saturday, August 2, 2008      10:00 AM FIELD TRIP
"Butterfly Identification Walk" near Lake Ontelaunee. We will view at a distance and for a good look we will capture some butterflies and put them in viewing jars so you can get a close look before releasing them. Meet at Dam Breast on RT-73. Joint walk with Baird Ornithological Club. Leaders: Karl Gardner, 610-987-3281 and Ken Lebo, 610-856-1413. The public is welcome. Free.

.Saturday, August 2, 2008      6:30 PM  to  ?
Picnic and Moth Night at Nolde Environmental Edu Center.  A joint event with the Baird Ornithological Club.  This event was very well attended last year even though the silk moths didn’t show. Let’s hope for a warm night this time.  Bring a picnic dinner and enjoy the Katy-dids with friends and family as our leaders bait trees and hang sheets to bring in the night insects. A flashlight would be helpful. Who knows what will turn up; perhaps the family of Barred Owls from last year?   Meet at picnic area behind Nolde Headquarters. Soft drinks will be provided.  Leaders are Ryan Woolwine 610 777 2333 and Ken Lebo 610 856 1413.

. Saturday,  September 6, 2008  10 AM    FIELD TRIP
“Butterfly Identification Walk”  We will view at a distance and for a good look we will capture some butterflies and put them in viewing jars so you can get a close look before releasing them. From Reading Museum go west on Parkside Drive South to Old Mill Rd. Turn right and continue a few blocks. Park on left in gravel lot near creek. Joint walk with Baird Ornithological Club. Leaders: Karl Gardner (610-987-3281), Ken Lebo, and Ryan Woolwine (610-777-2333). Bad weather will cancel (or reschedule). The public is welcome. Free.

To receive email notices of programs and field trips sponsored by the Mengel Natural History Society send an email request to
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