Peace Valley Nature Center A facility of Bucks County Department of Parks & Recreation

Fall 2014

Volume 35, Issue 4

Member Information

2

Service Projects & Volunteers

8

Events 3, 5, 6

3

Fall Session Teacher Natu-ralist Training

9

Pre-School Programs 9

Calendar Insert

Inside this issue:

Dates to

Remember

September 16-18 &

23-25– 1:00-3:00

pm; Teacher Natural-

ist Training

Naturalists Forays,

No Fee—Sun at 2pm

~ Oct. 12, 26,

November 9

October 11~1:30 pm

Spider’s Tea Party

October 24 ~6:30-

8:30 Gaggles of

Ghosts & Ghouls

October 24-

November 1~ Too

Good To Toss Sale—

10:00 am-4:00 pm

THE GOLDEN RATIO IN NATURE

Simple, but utterly amazing! The Golden Ratio, is the Fibonacci sequence. Each num-

ber is the sum of the two numbers that precede it, 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55 and so on. It

has been found that this appears to be a sort of built-in numbering system for the cosmos. It is

also known as the Golden Section, Golden Mean, Golden Number, Divine Proportion, Divine

Section, and Golden Proportion.

Leonardo Fibonacci discovered this sequence when calculating the ideal expansion of

pairs of rabbits over a one year study. Today we recognize this pattern and ratios as phi

1.61803…. This pattern can be seen on all scales on our known existence, from biological sys-

tems to inanimate objects. The Golden Ratio does not fit every structure, it is certainly the main

formula.

Some amazing examples are flower petals, seed heads, pinecones, shells, spiral galaxies,

hurricanes, faces, animal bodies, animal flight patterns and DNA molecules.

An example of flower petals is the lily., which has three petals,

buttercups which have 5, chicory’s 21, the daisy’s 34 and so on. The

Darwinian process describes the ideal packing arrangement, each petal

is placed at .0618034 per turn (out of a 360° circle). This allows for the

best possible exposure to sunlight as well as other factors.

The seeds of flowers also ex-

hibit this sequence. “Typically, the

seeds are produced at the center, and

then migrate towards the outside to fill all the space.” An ex-

ample of this is the sunflower and its spiraling patterns. Some

seed heads are so tightly packed that the total number can be

quite large—as high as 144 or more. Counting these numbers,

the totals tend to match a Fibonacci number. A “highly irra-

tional number is required to optimize filling (namely one that

will not be well represented by a fraction)”. Phi fits this quite nicely.

Pinecones are seed pods that are also arranged in a spiral

pattern. Each cone has a pair of spirals, each one spirals upwards in

opposing directions. When counting the number of steps, it almost

always matches a consecutive pair of Fibonacci numbers. This pat-

tern is also found on pineapples and cauliflower.

Dove Tales is a quarterly publication of Peace Valley Nature Center,

a facility of the Bucks County Depart-

ment of Parks and Recreation

COUNTY

COMMISSIONERS

Robert G. Loughery , Chairman

Charles H. Martin, Vice Chairman

Diane M. Ellis-Marseglia, LCSW

BUCKS COUNTY PARK BOARD

Gerald H. Crandley, Chairman

Todd Kowalski, Vice Chairman

William Wert, Secretary

Charles Raudenbush, Jr.

Ed Zielanski

Penrose Hallowell

Nelson E. Clements

Lowell Musselman

STAFF:

Director Naturalist:

Assistant Naturalist & Education Director

Gail Hill

Assistant Education Director/Volunteer Coordinator

Mary Jo Lisewski

Bookkeeper:

Viki Corbitt

Store Manager: Louise Lehman

FRIENDS OF PEACE VALLEY

NATURE CENTER

BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

President:

Pat Witek Vice-President:

Tim Hediger

Treasurer: Boyd England

Corresponding Secretary:

Directors

Cynthia Holllis Kathleen Fitzgibbon

Steve Berkson Ray Valukonis Anna Marie Chiofolo Carol Weston

Newsletter Editor:

G. Hill and Staff

The Bucks County Department of Parks

and Recreation does not discriminate on the basis of disability

in its programs, activities and facilities.

Peace Valley Nature Center

170 North Chapman Road

Doylestown, PA 18901-5504

215-345-7860

Fax # 215-345-4529

peacevalleynaturecenter.org

Welcome New Members

Sharon Clutton

Betty Lupo

Marcie Nisley

Luke C. Reimer

Michael Ryvkin

Jan Saltzman

John Sheehan

Linda Zan

Page 2 peaceva l leynaturecenter.org Volume 35, Issue 4

Friends of Peace Valley Nature Center Membership

Donations

Remembering: Sally Hess,

A long-time supporter, frequent visitor and friend of our founder Corey Jarin. Sally was a great person, she provided the nature cen-ter with ongoing support.

Dot Scheingold,

A fine artist, fantastic sense of humor, supporter and friend. We have many fond memories of Dot. Her attendance at events and get-togethers, years of teaching others how to make wonderful natural ornaments. What a talent!

Dr. Courtney Baker,

A long-time visitor, supporter, trail keeper and good friend. Court-ney was a wonderful person who shall be greatly missed. We shall miss our friends, Sally Hess, Dot Scheingold and Dr. Courtney Baker

IN MEMORY OF: Stanley Clemens

Reba & Marty Brooks

Sally Hess

Robert & Alice Vernon Devada & Ernest Littauer Ann R. Rainey Stephen & Amy Webb

Dr. Courtney Baker Lawrence H & Elizabeth Dunlap Foundation

Donations Bucks County Pomona Grange #22 Christopher D. Giranda Lisa Streetsmith

Volume 35, Issue 4 peaceva l leynaturecenter.org Page 3

October 25-

November 1

10:00 am-

4:00 pm

In the Solar Build-

ing—stuff just too

good to throw out that you may find mighty

useful and at bargain prices ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT AND SUPPORT OUR

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS

If you have any “good stuff ” that your would like to donate, please

bring it to the nature center. We do not accept appliances, clothing or

electronics.

Thank You!

Volume 35, Issue 4 Page 4 peaceva l leynaturecenter.org

42 years ago, Lake Galena was only what

remained of an abandoned lead mine with mixed commercial

results. Today, it supports a variety of activity like fishing and

boating but, perhaps most importantly, it is home to a diverse

array of wildlife species. The process of establishing that

diversity is known as ecological restoration. It takes a

lot of time and effort for human beings to restore an

area to its natural state. After all, we are trying to

mimic and successfully implement millions of years

of an ecosystem developing. Humanity can often

make mistakes and not realize how interrelated every

aspect of an environment is.

An excellent example of a mistake is the Dust Bowl of the 1930’s. For decades, farmers had applied European

techniques to the American Southwest and only planted one kind of “cash crop” in a certain area. When drought fi-

nally did hit, there were no native plants to act as a buffer against erosion and areas were rendered completely useless

for farmland. Another example includes the introduction of invasive species. Natural environments exist in a certain

balance with all of their plants, animals and physical features requiring each other to coexist. Through either careless-

ness or purposeful introduction, humans have added species that exist halfway across the globe and disrupted the bal-

ance.

We as a species can learn from our mistakes and the Peace Valley Park and Nature Center are a testament to

that. In the Center’s founding year of 1975 Director Carolyn Jarin planted “trees and shrubs, establish(ed) meadows

and planted gardens on an ongoing basis to create a more diverse landscape”. She recognized that need for diversity in

a natural environment, every Director since have worked tirelessly to keep the Nature Center in the most natural state

possible. By working to keep the center ecologically balanced, we will be able to enjoy this corner of our natural world

for years to come.

Sources Dove Tales Newsletter, Spring 2000, “Nature Center Celebrates A Quarter Century of Success” Conserving American Resources by Ruben L. Parson

By Summer Intern Branimir Trifunovic, Temple University

Peace Valley and Restoration Ecology

Things to Do At Peace Valley Nature Center Calendar of Events

peaceval leynaturecenter.org Page 5 Volume 35, Issue 4

OCTOBER

SPIDER’S TEA PARTY Saturday October 11~ 1:30 pm ~ NO FEE

Bring along your favorite stuffed pal and join us for tea (juice) and crumpets (snack food). We will

listen to some creepy stories and tales read by Mrs. Spider. We will then go out and search for

some real spiders and their relatives

SUNDAY NATURALIST FORAYS –OCTOBER 12—2PM NO FEE, Outdoor Adventure for explorers of all ages Bountiful Bugs Grab the bug boxes and sweep nets and we will explore the fascinating

lives of insects, where they are, who they are and what do they do?

WORKDAY—10-Noon; October 18 Help us maintain and spruce up the nature center, groups are welcome. If your group is planning on attending, please contact M. J. Lisewski at least one week prior to the workday.

GAGGLES OF GHOSTS AND GHOULS Friday

October 24, 6:30-8:30

FEE: $6 (members $3) Led by our somewhat Ghoulish teacher natu-

ralists, you will embark on an eerie walk through the trails of PVNC. Along the

way you may meet some “creatures” that will expose some of the myths about

the creepy and frightening nature of cats, rats, bats, snakes, ghosts and other

things that go bump in the night. After the walk, relax at our warming fire.

Walks are ongoing throughout the evening. No pre-registration necessary

Groups are welcome!

NOVEMBER

SUNDAY NATURALIST FORAYS –NOVEMBER 9 ~ 2:00PM NO FEE

Outdoor Adventure for explorers of all ages What’s That? - Who goes there? We shall hike the trails looking for autumn changes. What is happening as the season changes?

SEPTEMBER

VULTURE DAY—September 14—1:30-3:00 pm ~ learn about the importance

of these misunderstood birds. What is their role in the ecosystem? Why are they strange

to behold? These and other questions will be pondered.

TEACHER NATURALIST TRAINING—1:00-3:00 pm Sept. 16, 17 & 23-26 WORKDAY—10-Noon; September 20

Page 6 peaceva l leynaturecenter.org Volume 35, Issue 4

Tree branches also exhibit this sequence. As tree branches form or split, it grows two growth

points (branches). The branch then splits into two new branches, while the other one remains

dormant. This pattern is repeated for each of the new stems. Sneezewort is a good example.

Algae roots also exhibit this pattern.

Shells shape, a rectangle in which the ratio of the sides a/b is equal to the golden mean

(phi). This can be repeated into infinity– it also takes the form of a spiral. It is also known as

the logarithmic spiral. This shape abounds in nature. Spiral galaxies also follow this pattern.

“The Milky Way has several arms, each of them a logarithmic spiral of about twelve degrees.

Hurricanes also exhibit this logarithmic spiral.

Human and non-human faces provide examples of the Golden Ratio. The nose and mouth are each positioned at

golden sections of the distance between the eye and bot-

tom of the chin. Everyone is different, “but the averages

across populations tend towards phi”. An example of the

perceived perfection and beauty of a smile are those in

which the central incisors are 1.68 wider than the lateral

incisors, which are 1.618 wider than the canines, and so

on. Perhaps it is possible that we are primed to prefer physical forms that adhere to the

Golden Ratio. This is also most likely an indicator of reproductive fitness and health.

Our bodies as well as those of many animals also are consistent proportionately

with Fibonacci numbers. “The measurement from the navel to the floor and the top of

the head to the navel is the

Golden Ratio”. The meas-

urement of the eye, fins and tail of the dolphin also represent

this ratio. Starfish, sand dollars, sea urchins, ants and honey

bees also exhibit these tendencies.

The DNA molecule is 34 angstroms long by 21 ang-

stroms wide for each full cycle of its double helix spiral. Their

ratio is 1.6190476 which closely approximates Phi, 1.6180339.

The measurement numbers are in the Fibonacci s series.

Perhaps these examples are merely a coincidence and have no actual bearing on the natural world. There are many

theories to consider. “The famous Fibonacci sequence has captivated mathematicians, artists, designers and scientists for cen-

turies.

Resource: http://io9.com/5985588/15-uncanny-examples-of-the-golden-ratio-in-nature

GOLDEN RATIO, continued from page 1

peaceval leynaturecenter.org Page 7 Volume 35, Issue 4

Pseudogymnoascuc destructans, or White Nose Syndrome (WNS), is a fun-gus that is sweeping through our nation killing millions. Its victim- bats. The fungi grows on bat muzzles, causing a tickling sensation to the nose; something we may think is more like a minor irritant, how-ever, this tickling sensation effects hibernating bats and causes them to wake up. Every time they wake up, they deplete precious fat stores, therefore, this ultimately causes starvation.

Due to WNS, America has lost around 80% of its bat population. Why is this bad? Not only are some of the most effected bats already on the endangered species list (Indiana and Grey Bats) but bats also have a long reproductive cycle and only have one baby at a time. The death rate is higher than the birth rate.

Farmers are noticing the most impact through their crop yields. Bats eat a variety of bugs including, potato worms, cucumber beetles, and tomato hornworms. With so few bats those bugs, among others, end up eating a large portion of craps that otherwise would have ended up in our markets to feed us.

Pseudogymnoascuc destructans, or White Nose Syndrome (WNS), is a fungus that is sweeping through our nation killing millions. Its victim- bats. The fungi grows on bat muzzles, causing a tickling sensation to the nose; something we may think is more like a minor irritant, however, this tickling sensation effects hibernating bats and causes them to wake up. Every time they wake up, they deplete precious fat stores, therefore, this ultimately causes starvation.

Due to WNS, America has lost around 80% of its bat population. Why is this bad? Not only are some of the most effected bats already on the endangered species list (Indiana and Grey Bats) but bats also have a long reproductive cycle and only have one baby at a time. The death rate is higher than the birth rate.

Farmers are noticing the most impact through their crop yields. Bats eat a variety of bugs including, potato worms, cucumber beetles, and tomato hornworms. With so few bats those bugs, among others, end up eating a large portion of craps that otherwise would have ended up in our markets to feed us.

Fortunately, something is being done about WNS. The US Fish and Wildlife Services is doing research as to how to prevent WNS from spreading and are constantly learning and making new discoveries re-garding bat health and maintenance. You can also help! By building or setting up bat boxes in your area, you can encourage bats to make this unin-fected box their new, clean home; a place free of fungi. You can also help bat populations by avoid-ing hiking and exploring in caves or areas bats live during their hibernation period to prevent unneces-sarily waking them up.

With luck, we can restore the bat populations and prevent White Nose Syndrome from wiping out all of these wonderful and helpful creatures.

WHITE NOSE BAT SYNDROME IN PENNSYLVANIA AND EASTERN UNITED

Page 8 peaceva l leynaturecenter.org Volume 35, Issue 4

Service Projects & Volunteers

Service Group Projects

30 members of Unami Middle School National Junior

Honor Society (and 4 chaperones) completed stream cleanup

and woodchipping projects. Thank you to Honor Society Presi-

dent Maddie Greer for coordinating the project!

Central Bucks West High School Key Club attended several

service days at the nature center. Thank you to Ryan Insley for

organizing the Key Club projects.

Local Daisy Troop helped clean litter along trails and waterways

Thank you to all who attended group volunteer work days on May 31st and July 19th!

Eagle Scout Projects

Eric McGarry of Troop 187 constructed new pond study tables next to Polly Pond.

John Kernaghan of Troop 175 extended the post-and-rail fence and removed invasive plants in

the bird feeding area beside the nature center.

WORKDAYS

September 20 & October 18 10:00 am– Noon

Join us as we work to improve the grounds of the nature center. There will be jobs for children and adults. Groups are welcome. If you have gloves please bring them, there

shall be some adult size gloves for use. Long pants are recommended. Please let us know if you plan on

coming.

Contact Mary Jo Lisewski at 215-345-7860 or mlisewski@co.bucks.pa.us

Page 9 Volume 35, Issue 4 peaceva l leynaturecenter.org

Teacher Naturalist Training Tuesday, Wednesday & Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday

September 16, 17 & 23, 24, 25, 26

1:00-3:00 pm NO FEE—pre-registration required

Do you enjoy the outdoors?

Do you enjoy children and learning?

Join us for 6 sessions that will bring environmental education to life.

You will learn techniques and programs for pre-school and elementary students.

Completion of this training and subsequent program observations could lead to a

part-time paid teacher-naturalist position.

Information or to Register contact Gail Hill 215.345.7860 ext. 103 or ghill@co.bucks.pa.us

Preschool Programs Ages 2-6 years ~ Fun & Educational Outdoor Walk &

Activities

ADVANCE REGISTRATION & PAYMENT ARE REQUIRED: To register, send title of program, child’s name, age, parent or accompa-

nying adult’s name, phone number and fee to: Peace Valley Nature Center ~ 170 N. Chapman Road Doylestown, PA 18901

The fee is not refundable one week prior to the start of the program. Please make checks payable to Friends of PVNC. Your payment will secure and confirm your registration.

10:00-11:30 am

Tuesdays ~ September 16, 23, 30, October 7, Foul Weather Date Oct. 14

FEE $55 (members $45) Limit 2 children per adult

Kit Crew

Ages 2-3 with caregiver

Class size: 5 Kits; Under 2 years, no fee

Snack and a great story!

We then venture outside for a discovery walk

focusing on the theme of the story. We then

return to the nature center to make an age-

appropriate craft to take home.

Search for animals’ homes and hideaways. Discover the fasci-

nating world of worms, learn about a mouse and it’s habitat.

Who does live in that tall, tall grass?

Gosling Gang

Ages 4-6 with caregiver

Class size: 8 Goslings; Under 2 years, no

fee

A story, snack and walk on the wild side!

We will investigate the world of insects,

spiders and such, trees and their leaves.

We will explore pond life by dipping into the pond to dis-

cover who lives there.

Great Outdoor Adventures!

BABES IN THE WOODS

10:00-11:00 am~Ages 8 months to 2 years FEE: $40 (members $30)

Tuesdays ~ September 16, 23, 30, October 7, Foul Weather Date Oct. 14

Class Size: 5 Babes and their caregiver—Awaken the senses of your babe with a

great outdoor experience. These nature awareness classes focus on age appropriate

walks. Experience the wonders of Peace Valley Nature Center.

We had a great time this summer. From insects to stream study a variety of topics were ex-

plored. Games and activities complimented the daily subjects. Preschool children ages 2-6 ac-

companied by their parents participated in hands-on discovery. Elementary age children ex-

plored the diverse habitats of Peace Valley Nature Center.

One day classes featured geology and cooking outdoors. A week-long day camp was held at

Tohickon Valley Park. We explored the creek, as well as the geology of the area, swam in the

pool, worked on our navigation skills and other activities games and skills.

2014 Summer Nature Adventures

peaceval leynaturecenter.org Page 10 Volume 35, Issue 4