Robbins Park Environmental Education Center

05/25/2026

A branch fell off your oak last fall. You've been meaning to haul it to the curb. It's been on the ground for six months.

In that time, it became an apartment building.

Year one: Fungi colonize the exposed wood. You can see the first brackets forming on the bark — small, shelf-like growths that are breaking down the lignin and cellulose inside. The branch is getting softer.

By year two or three: Beetle larvae have tunneled into the softened wood. Their galleries — winding channels the width of a pencil lead — aerate the interior. Woodpeckers find the branch and drill into it to extract the larvae.

By year five: A red-backed salamander has moved into one of the beetle galleries. She lives in the damp, rotting wood and hunts pill bugs, mites, and springtails on the surface. The branch is now a hunting ground and a shelter.

By year ten: The branch is mostly soil. The fungi, the beetles, the salamander, the woodpecker — they converted a fallen limb into nutrients that are feeding the tree it fell from.

🌿 A different way to see the branch:

- A fallen branch is not debris — it's a building under construction
- If it's not blocking a path, leave it where it fell
- The fungi that colonize it aren't disease — they're decomposers doing their job
- One fallen branch can support more than thirty species over its lifetime

You almost hauled it to the curb. Thirty species are using it now. 🌿

04/20/2026

NEW! Salamander Saturday is May 2 from 9:00 am to 11:00 am at Robbins Park Environmental Education Center for all ages! Learn the basics of Pennsylvania’s native salamander species. Then take a walk on the “sally side” through Robbins Park, where you’ll learn and observe some of the field techniques biologists use to survey and study these remarkable amphibians. Event is free but registration is required.
🦎 Register here: https://tinyurl.com/4hpuzz58

01/22/2026

Seeing wildlife on the trail? Here’s what it means and how to stay safe 🐾

There have been multiple coyote sightings reported along the Green Ribbon Trail near Ambler, and at the Wissahickon Waterfowl Preserve. While sightings like this can be surprising, coyotes are a normal part of the local ecosystem (even in highly developed areas like ours!)

Coyotes are wary animals that avoid people and large animals whenever possible, and are not considered a threat to people, children, or horses. Attacks are extremely rare, and most sightings are brief, with the animal usually moving along on its own.

That said, knowing how to respond helps keep both people and wildlife safe:

If you see a coyote:

• Stay calm, walk away steadily, and do not run.

• Give the animal space and avoid approaching or making eye contact.

• If needed, make yourself look larger and use your voice or noise (cheers, claps, or talking loudly) to encourage the coyote to move along.

• Avoid feeding wildlife or leaving food behind, which can cause animals to lose their natural wariness of people.

Why this matters for pet owners:

Coyotes and domestic animals can view each other as competitors or unfamiliar visitors, which is why calm, predictable behavior matters. Keeping dogs leashed (or picking them up, if they’re small) helps prevent them from approaching wildlife and allows you to manage interactions safely.

While coyotes do not pose a threat to horses due to their size, they can still be startled by sudden or unexpected movement from wildlife. Calm, steady behavior helps prevent a startled reaction and keeps riders, horses, and other trail users safe.

Our preserves may be surrounded by a highly developed region, but they are still living landscapes where wildlife moves freely. Respecting that wildness, through simple actions like leashing pets and giving animals space, helps keep everyone safe and enjoying the trail.

📸 Photo of a coyote taken by Kristy Morley

10/02/2025

10/02/2025

09/16/2025

S'mores & More is Thursday, October 16 from 5:30 to 7:00 pm at Robbins Park Environmental Education Center! Join us for a relaxing fall evening around the campfire. Roast marshmallows and make different types of s'mores. The nature center will be open to explore. Arrive early to take a self-guided leaf peeping walk around the park! Feel free to bring your dinner to eat in the pavilion before the event.
🔥 Register here: https://tinyurl.com/2fdyswk6

09/13/2025

A huge thank you to all those helpers and all those who stopped by for our 50th last weekend! Great see all the alumni supporters, teachers, current administrators and students, plus yummy ice cream! Cheers to 50 more years!

09/13/2025

Join UD C.A.R.E.S. on Saturday, September 20 at 8:00 am to clean up litter along Virginia Drive! Park at the Virginia Drive Wawa (1145 Virginia Dr, Fort Washington). Safety vests & gloves will be provided. This event is only for ages 12 and up, for traffic safety reasons. We hope to see you there! 👏 Sign-up: https://signup.com/go/ZuxQCqH

09/06/2025

Thank you UDEF for supporting RP! Trail cams have some fun phenomena teachers! Who wants some?

08/29/2025

We are celebrating 50 YEARS of Robbins Park Environmental Education Center! Join us on Sunday, September 7 from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm for an open house at the beautiful 38-acre park. Learn about the park's history and observe current day curriculum, projects and programs. Take part in family friendly crafts and games, play in the KSMF Nature Play Area, take a scavenger hunt along the different trails and habitats, and enjoy soft pretzels and the Sweet Briar Cafe ice cream cart!