Churchville Nature Center
Useful Links & Citizen Science
This page is dedicated to helping direct the community to various wildlife & nature related resources in the area. Whether you found an injured animal, want to participate in citizen science, or are looking to rehome a pet, we hope this page is helpful to you!
Bucks County Department of Parks & Recreation
Did you know that the Churchville Nature Center is not the only recreational facility belonging to the Bucks County Department of parks and Recreation?
While we will always want you to come back to CNC, Bucks County is home to plenty of awesome facilities and parks that we recommend you check out. Click HERE to be taken the the county parks and recreation page to learn more about the various places to go that range from nature centers to parks, pools and historical sites.
Below are direct links to our sister nature centers, who we highly recommend visiting!
Citizen Science
Birding
Run by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, this is an international database of bird sighting. They are constantly receiving public lists/sightings of birds from various locations that give researchers a comprehensive look at populations, trends, habitat changes and migrations. There is an app available for ease of use for the amateur and professional birder alike. They run special event days such as the Global Big Day and help compile other projects. Everything from behavioral studies to the effects of climate change are analyzed through the data compiled here.
Held each December to measure populations of overwintering bird species, the Christmas Bird Count is the oldest nationwide citizen science study. The center's survey area includes all of our properties, Tamanend Park, Playwicki Farms and Village Shires. There are teams all over the area so check out the link to find the perfect area to join!
For several days each February, participants record birds for as little as 15 minutes. This data is uploaded online to provide real-time data for researchers to use. An easy and fun way to participate in science!
While you need to get certified through a simple test, participants record data on each bird's nest they have located. Data is taken every 3 or 4 days throughout the development from egg to fledgling.
A winter long survey where participants record birds that come to their yard as frequently as they want from November to April. Data uploaded to the site provides researchers with a means to track long term trends in distribution and abundance.
Invertebrates
A non-profit group dedicated to studying and preserving invertebrates with an emphasis on pollinators. They host several studies including Bumblebee Watch, PondWatch and several Western Monarch studies that all need citizen scientists to help them collect data. Xerces also links to other invertebrate related citizen science projects that are available through other non-profits.
Supported by the Xerces Society, this non-profit operates PondWatch a survey of migratory dragonflies as well as offers a dragonfly ID app and operates an online dragonfly database.
One of the leading groups for Monarch conservation, Monarch Watch provides a plethora of information and resources for monarch enthusiasts. The nature center participates in their Monarch Tagging Program, but you can also participate in it as well from home. Learn more at their website.
Reptiles & Amphibians (Herping)
A regional non-profit partnership focused on researching amphibian and reptile populations as well as working to restore vital habitat. They operate several projects and events to get involved with include ones on the bog turtle and eastern hellbender.
Run by the Fish & Boat Commission and MACHAC, PARS is a Pennsylvania wide atlas of all reptiles and amphibians within state borders. They record sightings uploaded by the public and organize/train volunteers to go out and participate in outings to broaden the scope of their data. PARS seeks to understand species abundance and conservation needs of our native herpetiles.
Injured Wildlife & Re-Homing Pets
Wildlife Rehabilitation Centers
Churchville is not a rehabilitation center and is not equipped to take in injured wildlife. Below are links for regional wildlife rehabilitation centers. Please contact them prior to bringing up injured animals or moving any animals suspected of being abandoned.
Aark Wildlife Rehabilitation & Education Center
1531 Upper Stump Road, Chalfont, PA 18914
215-249-1938
1531 Upper Stump Road, Chalfont, PA 18914
215-249-1938
Mercer County Wildlife Center
PO Box 161 Titusville, NJ 08560
609-414-2108
PO Box 161 Titusville, NJ 08560
609-414-2108
Pennsylvania Bat Rescue
The PA Bat Rescue group, located in Mertztown, rehabilitate bats throughout the state. They also provide public education on native bats and help direct the public to humane options for bat removal.
The PA Bat Rescue group, located in Mertztown, rehabilitate bats throughout the state. They also provide public education on native bats and help direct the public to humane options for bat removal.
Click HERE to find more wildlife rehabilitators in Pennsylvania,
or HERE to locate resources in other states.
or HERE to locate resources in other states.
Injured Wildlife Transportation
WIN Emergency Response of Pennsylvania
Wildlife in Need is a volunteer organization of wildlife rescuers. Their network across PA will capture and transport injured wildlife to rehabilitation centers around the state. They are not certified to capture deer, venomous snakes, or large carnivores.
Wildlife in Need is a volunteer organization of wildlife rescuers. Their network across PA will capture and transport injured wildlife to rehabilitation centers around the state. They are not certified to capture deer, venomous snakes, or large carnivores.
Re-Homing A Pet
If you are looking to re-home a pet, the links below are for the closest non-profits that specialize in the process.
Women's Animal Center
3839 Richieu Road, Bensalem, PA 19020
215-750-5252
Formerly the Women's Humane Society, they accept all common mammalian pets.
3839 Richieu Road, Bensalem, PA 19020
215-750-5252
Formerly the Women's Humane Society, they accept all common mammalian pets.
This is a turtle and tortoise protection organization that can connect you to a plethora of turtle rehoming organizations throughout the United States. Their site also has educational tools for husbandry/care.
Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary
Lancaster, PA
A reptiles only sanctuary, they will either accept your pet or help you find a new home through their networks.
Lancaster, PA
A reptiles only sanctuary, they will either accept your pet or help you find a new home through their networks.
Scales & tails Exotic Pet Rescue
Randolph, NJ
This group will help you re-home your reptiles, but do not typically take in pets themselves. They will take in ferrets.
Randolph, NJ
This group will help you re-home your reptiles, but do not typically take in pets themselves. They will take in ferrets.
Bucks County SPCA
The two local SPCA sites take in both abandoned and found pets including non-mammal ones. They are a non-profit organization connected to the larger global SPCA organization.
The two local SPCA sites take in both abandoned and found pets including non-mammal ones. They are a non-profit organization connected to the larger global SPCA organization.
For other options, consider searching online for a local pet/reptile forum to get in contact with owners who may be willing to help you out.
Petco has an adoption network that can help you find a new home for your pets. This includes cats, dogs, reptiles, etc... Visiting your local Petco is also a good option for rehoming pets as they may have a local network or availability invstore.
Helpful Resources
Local Resources & Help
Penn State Extension
The resources available on the Penn State Extension range from how to control invasive insects like spotted lanternflies to webinars on landscaping techniques. There is a plethora of knowledge available at their site.
The resources available on the Penn State Extension range from how to control invasive insects like spotted lanternflies to webinars on landscaping techniques. There is a plethora of knowledge available at their site.
Bucks County Beekeepers Association
If you find that a swarm of honeybees has taken residence on your property, don't sweat it. The BCBA offers free and humane removal services through local members who will come out to collect the swarmed hive. They also have resources for those looking to remove hornets or are looking to start their own local bee hives.
If you find that a swarm of honeybees has taken residence on your property, don't sweat it. The BCBA offers free and humane removal services through local members who will come out to collect the swarmed hive. They also have resources for those looking to remove hornets or are looking to start their own local bee hives.
Bucks County Conservation District
Great site for county specific issues, resources and guidance including invasive control, storm-water management, local permitting and planting native.
Great site for county specific issues, resources and guidance including invasive control, storm-water management, local permitting and planting native.
Game Commission
The Pennsylvania Game Commission deals with state mammal and bird population management. Questions pertaining to in-state hunting or ways to deal with nuisance wildlife can be found on their site as well as resources about native species.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission deals with state mammal and bird population management. Questions pertaining to in-state hunting or ways to deal with nuisance wildlife can be found on their site as well as resources about native species.
Fish and Boat Commission
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission doesn't just deal with concerns related to fishing/boating, but offers resources for local non-game wildlife including reptiles and amphibians as well as aquatic invasive species.
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission doesn't just deal with concerns related to fishing/boating, but offers resources for local non-game wildlife including reptiles and amphibians as well as aquatic invasive species.
PA Lyme Disease Resource Network
This group works to provide resources and information on how to prevent and treat Lyme disease.
This group works to provide resources and information on how to prevent and treat Lyme disease.
Useful Resource for Wildlife
USDA Plant Database
Excellent federal source for both native and non-native plants.
Excellent federal source for both native and non-native plants.
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Useful site for growing United States native plants. Determine range, growing conditions, use by wildlife, etc...
Useful site for growing United States native plants. Determine range, growing conditions, use by wildlife, etc...
Monarch Joint Venture
Site for Monarch butterfly specific resources, courses, and conservation efforts. site is run by a collective of different parties interested in pooling together their conservation efforts.
Site for Monarch butterfly specific resources, courses, and conservation efforts. site is run by a collective of different parties interested in pooling together their conservation efforts.
All About Birds
Resource site run by the Cornell Bird Lab that is.. all about birds! Check them out for ID information, news, and courses.
Resource site run by the Cornell Bird Lab that is.. all about birds! Check them out for ID information, news, and courses.
Invasive Species Resources
National Invasive Species Information Center
The NISIC branch of the USDA is a great resource to learn about invasive species within the United States, how the government monitors and controls them, and how you too can get involved and help.
The NISIC branch of the USDA is a great resource to learn about invasive species within the United States, how the government monitors and controls them, and how you too can get involved and help.
USDA APHIS
APHIS is the federal branch of the USDA that works to monitor, manage, and eradicate agriculturally significant invasive species and diseases. They have resource guides on identification and controlling methods.
APHIS is the federal branch of the USDA that works to monitor, manage, and eradicate agriculturally significant invasive species and diseases. They have resource guides on identification and controlling methods.
Asian Hornets?
It is currently VERY unlikely that an Asian "Murder" Hornet will be found in PA. Please click the link to the APHIS guide of insects that look similar to the Asian Hornet.
It is currently VERY unlikely that an Asian "Murder" Hornet will be found in PA. Please click the link to the APHIS guide of insects that look similar to the Asian Hornet.
Watershed Resources
Wiki Watershed
Created by the Stroud Water Research Center, this website provides both educational resources and citizen science for those interested in watershed preservation. On this site you can map your local watershed, ID macroinvertebrates of the Northeast, simulate run-off, and submit your own watershed data. Check it out!
Created by the Stroud Water Research Center, this website provides both educational resources and citizen science for those interested in watershed preservation. On this site you can map your local watershed, ID macroinvertebrates of the Northeast, simulate run-off, and submit your own watershed data. Check it out!
Phone & Tablet Apps
Wildlife Identification Applications
Merlin
A free bird identification app from the Cornell Ornithology Lab. A comprehensive ID app that allows you to upload a picture for identification or asks 5 questions to narrow your bird down to a select group of possible species. Lists for results are regionally specific.
PictureThis
A free app that will help you ID plants with photo recognition. There is a paid version you can purchase if you choose.
Seek
Another free ID app. Connected to iNaturalist, this app helps ID plants, animals and fungi. Always getting smarter, the more photos you take the better the AI gets.
Citizen Science Applications
iNaturalist
Are you a citizen scientist or want to be one? Then consider contributing to the iNaturalist network. The app will help you identify the species you take pictures of and records their location to help scientists studying biodiversity. You can create a project such as an area wide bio-blitz with this app on a desktop or laptop.
ebird
For amateur and professional birders alike, this app helps you contribute to bird research in a global database. Its easy to use and contributes to migratory and population research as well as research in everything from habitat loss to climate change. Free to use, but requires observers to be able to identify their sightings correctly.
Dragonfly ID
App connected to the Migratory Dragonfly Partnership, it helps you identify dragonflies and allows you to record them correctly on the Pond Watch website.
Disclaimer: The Churchville Nature Center does not receive any endorsement from the organizations or companies listed on this page, nor are we specifically affiliated with or endorse them. While we have reviewed these resources, we are not responsible for external websites or their content. We seek only to provide the public with the knowledge that these resources are available to them in compliance with our mission to promote preservation, education and responsible environmental stewardship.
Photo identification apps are not an exact science and can result in ID errors. In choosing to utilize these resources, you assume the responsibility of their use. Act responsibly in how/where you take pictures and whether you choose to use these applications for foraging means. Always be responsible when harvesting wild resources and make sure to do it in designated areas. The Churchville Nature Center does not allow foraging within our preserve.
Contact us:
215-357-4005 |
churchvillenaturecenter@BucksCounty.org
Churchville Nature Center
| 501 Churchville Lane
, Churchville, PA 18966
215-357-4005 |
churchvillenaturecenter@BucksCounty.org
Churchville Nature Center
| 501 Churchville Lane
, Churchville, PA 18966
©2024 Churchville Nature Center
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