News & Events

This fall children, ages 5 and up, can experience the natural world from diverse entry points through Nature’s Explorers environmental education events to be held at the Dale-Engle-Walker property.

The Linn Conservancy, Bucknell University, and the Lewisburg Children’s Museum are partnering to present the outdoor classroom programs drawing on noted Bucknell professors, such as Chris Martine, Jeff Trop and Joe Scapellato whose expertise in their individual disciplines will lead children to new ways of seeing and being in the natural world.

These 90-minute Nature’s Explorers programs are scheduled on Saturdays beginning at 2 pm. Registration and a $7 fee are required for each session. Register on the Lewisburg Children’s Museum website at https://www.lewisburgchildrensmuseum.org/natures-explorers

September 10 – Botany
Chris Martine

October 8 – Geology
Jeff Trop

November 12– Creative Writing/Storytelling
Joe Scapellato

All sessions will be conducted at the Dale-Engle-Walker property rain or shine.

Living Crinoid

Fossil Crinoids

Discover and collect fossils from a quarry containing a rich trove of ancient life and learn about the natural history of our region.  The popular Community Fossil Dig, organized by the Merrill Linn Conservancy, returns on Sunday, September 25, from 11 am to 3 pm. Arrive anytime.

You can expect to find 390 million-year-old marine fossils. The most abundant are brachiopods and crinoids. Trilobites, bivalves, gastropods, cephalopods, corals, and bryozoans are not as common, but have been found here.

Geology professors and students from Bucknell will guide exploration and identification of your fossil finds.  They will have examples of common fossils on display.

Bring water, snacks, and sunscreen.  Hammer, chisel, and safety or sunglasses are optional.  A limited supply of equipment will be available to borrow. Please note: there are no modern bathroom facilities at the site.  At Spring Township Shale Pit on Shale Pit Road in Beaver Springs.  Questions? Call 570-524-2959 or email [email protected]

GPS coordinates: 40.45.695N, 77.13.724W.

Directions to Shale Pit Road, Beaver Springs:

• From Mifflinburg, take PA-104 south 4 miles to Penns Creek. Turn right onto Troxelville Road and continue 8.5 miles to Troxelville.  Bear left onto PA-235 for 2.5 miles. After Beaver Springs Dragway, turn right onto Middle Creek Road and continue 1.5 miles. Turn left onto Shale Pit Road and continue 0.5 miles. Fossil quarry will be on right.
• From Middleburg, take PA-522 west 9.3 miles to Beaver Springs. After Beaver Creek Tractor, turn right onto Ridge Road, continue 1 mile. Turn right onto Stage Road and continue 1 mile. Take a sharp right onto Shale Pit Road and continue 1.2 miles. Fossil quarry and parking will be on left.