Mark your calendars and spread the word to family and friends about the annual Celebrate the Bloom event July 27 at the Jennings Environmental Education Center, 2951 Prospect Road in Slippery Rock, Butler County from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Nature walks, live music, artisan and food vendors, workshops, and demonstrations are just some of the fun activities this day offers.  Music is presented by Lonesome No More Productions/ Dennis McCurdy.

Participants can enjoy the many unique trails and wildlife found at the JEEC, with a special focus on the awesome relict prairie habitat.

Jennings Environmental Education Center is home to Pennsylvania’s only prairie, also the easternmost prairie in the country.

This 20-acre ecosystem is home to many unique native prairie plants, including the blazing star.  The end of July into early August marks the peak bloom time of this spectacular purple prairie flower and many other flowers.

It’s definitely an excellent time of year to make a visit to the Jennings Environmental Education Center.

The festival will include guided bird, butterfly, and wildflower walks, many engaging demonstrations, unique nature art for sale created by local artisans, and much more!

Adjacent to Moraine State Park, Jennings encompasses 300 total acres, three-quarters of which is covered by dense forest.

There are more than five miles of well-maintained and marked trails that run on either side of Route 528. Visitors can follow the trails and enjoy an easy hike that will take them through forest, stream, prairie, and wetland habitats. A variety of plants and animals are easily spotted along the trails.

225 native plant species were identified at the prairie habitat of Jennings in 1964. One of the most well-known of these is the Blazing Star, which can grow up to four feet high and features spectacular purple flower blooms on its stalk from top to bottom.

In addition to the Blazing Star, the prairie is also home to the endangered massasauga rattlesnake, a small shy reptile. Only 4 of 19 historic populations of this snake still exist in PA, making it a critically imperiled endangered species.

The event is produced in cooperation with 3MJC: The Moraine, McConnells Mill And Jennings Commission, Slippery Rock in Bloom, and Slippery Rock University.

Come for a day full of activities as we celebrate the only managed and protected prairie in Pennsylvania – and help to ensure it thrives for generations to come. Remember most activities are free and require no pre-registration. We hope to see you there!

For all the details, visit the Celebrate the Bloom website.  Visit the Jennings Environmental Education Center webpage for more information on other programs and upcoming events and activities.

(Photo: Jennings prairie bloom featuring the Blazing Star.)

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[Posted: July 7, 2019]

7/8/2019