How long is the program?

The Meadow Magic session is approximately three hours and is scheduled as a Saturday class.

The program is taught by Mary Anne Borge, a naturalist, photographer and educator who edits Butterfly Gardener Magazine.

Is this suitable for children?

Yes—classes are family-friendly and designed for all ages, though young children should be supervised on uneven terrain.

Will I be able to identify plants by the end?

You’ll learn practical ID tips for common meadow species and successional markers, but mastery takes repeated field practice.

Can I collect seeds or plant material?

No—collecting from the preserve is discouraged; instructors encourage photographing and recording rather than removing plants.

Do I need prior plant ID experience?

No prior experience is required; the class is an introductory, hands-on field session appropriate for beginners.

Meadow Magic at Bowman's Hill: Learn Native Plants in New Hope | Guided Tour | Workshop

Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve sits on the banks of the Delaware River near New Hope, Pennsylvania, and its Meadow Magic program unlocks a living classroom within the preserve's four-acre meadow. In this three-hour Saturday session, participants of all ages learn to identify native wildflowers, grasses, sedges and rushes while tracing the meadow's successional stages and the wildlife that depends on them.

The scene is immediate: a broad, sunlit swath of native grasses punctuated by color—golden asters, blue vervain, milkweed and eastern red columbine—where pollinators work like clockwork and seed heads sway in late-season wind. This is not a manicured garden but a managed habitat: you’ll hear why managers mow, burn or let patches go fallow to maintain the open conditions that support meadow specialists. The program highlights practical stewardship—how to start a meadow, choose local ecotypes, and avoid ornamental species that can escape into wildlands.

Instructor Mary Anne Borge brings field-tested knowledge and a photographer’s eye; she edits Butterfly Gardener Magazine and leads community projects including Lambertville Goes Wild. Her talks combine close-focus plant ID with broader ecosystem context, showing how sedges and rushes pocket moisture and how native forbs feed caterpillars and birds. Expect hands-on time with flowering stems, seed heads and a conversational pace that welcomes questions and plant-spotting practice.

Knowing Native Plants is part of an annual series at the Preserve that doubles as training for the Native Plant Advocate Program. That makes Meadow Magic both a stand-alone introduction and a practical foundation for volunteers, land managers and gardeners aiming to build resilient habitat. For visitors, the preserve’s meadow feels both wild and curated: curated in intent, wild in ecology. It’s a counterpoint to nearby suburban yards and a lesson in long-term land care.

Practical details are straightforward: this three-hour program meets at Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve in New Hope, Pennsylvania. Wear sturdy footwear for uneven ground; bring a notebook, camera and insect repellent. The program is ideal for hikers, gardeners, educators and families curious about native-plant restoration. Whether you’re looking to recreate meadow conditions at home or to better read the landscapes you visit, Meadow Magic offers an exacting, generous introduction to one of the region’s most productive habitats.

During spring and summer classes you’ll notice a shift in the species list: early sedges and ephemeral spring wildflowers give way to tall grasses and nectar-rich summer bloomers that anchor insect life cycles. Instructors emphasize ethical foraging and observation—photograph and record, don’t remove—plus simple actions visitors can take: plant local genotype plugs, reduce lawn acreage and favor pollinator-friendly species. For anyone visiting New Hope, Meadow Magic is a compact, high-impact field school that turns a single four-acre meadow into a roadmap for resilient, climate-aware planting and stewardship.

About Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve

Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve in New Hope, Pennsylvania, is a native-plant preserve offering seasonal programs and guided walks focused on wildflowers and native plant communities.

The preserve presents a rotating schedule of educational experiences including a Preserve Admission option and the Knowing Native Plants series led by naturalist Mary Anne Borge. Series topics cover winter and spring identification, trees and ferns, flowering shrubs, spring ephemerals, invasive species identification, and plant classification to support seasonal learning.

Programs emphasize hands-on observation, seasonal plant recognition, and practical management techniques relevant to gardens and local habitats. Participants receive interpretive guidance from experienced naturalists and benefit from sessions designed for a range of skill levels. Visitors include gardeners, educators, families, and naturalists seeking focused study of Pennsylvania native flora near New Hope.

Sessions provide identification techniques, ecological context, and practical tips for managing invasive species and enhancing native-plant habitat. As a named wildflower preserve, Bowman's Hill documents seasonal highlights and posts program details to help visitors plan hikes, classes, and guided walks. For those seeking informed, naturalist-led exploration of native plants and seasonal wildflower displays, Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve offers specialized classes and thematic walks throughout the year.

Program descriptions list topics such as 'Wildflowers in Winter,' 'Trees in Winter,' 'Spring Ephemerals,' and invasive species management so visitors can choose sessions that match their interests and seasonal timing. Program leaders encourage observation, respectful access, and learning about plant identification and habitat support for local wildlife. Advance registration is recommended when available. Check official program listings.

Meadow Magic at Bowman's Hill: Learn Native Plants in New Hope

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