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2023 Celebrate The Bloom! At Jennings Environmental Education Center A Rainy Success In Butler County

The following article first appeared in the Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition’s Catalyst newsletter.

The Jennings Environmental Education Center in Butler county is home to the state's only native prairie ecosystem and many unique native prairie plants, including the Blazing Star.

At total of 225 native plant species were identified in this 20-acre prairie habitat

The Blazing Star, which can grow up to four feet high, and features spectacular purple flower blooms on its stalk from top to bottom.

The end of July into early August marks the peak bloom time of this spectacular purple prairie flower and many other flowers.

The forecast was ominous – significant rain that could be accompanied by high winds, hail, and lightning.

Planning for Celebrate the Bloom! begins many months before the event and the potential for rain is always considered and emergency continency plans are developed – however, it never seems to “get real” until that forecast is staring you in the face a week before the event and decisions that affect people’s health and safety must be made.

It is said that adversity generates innovation …. being forced to look critically at an issue and determine if the most efficient, safe, and enjoyable approach to that situation is being considered and implemented.

This continually keeps projects and events fresh and relevant.

For example, Celebrate the Bloom! occurs in late July and features guided walks on the open, treeless prairie habitat.

Excessive heat was becoming more of an issue – to address it, in 2022 the festival implemented cooling stations - misting fans, water, hand fans and umbrellas are now strategically located throughout the festival.

With storms looming for Celebrate the Bloom! 2023, the planning team once again needed to look creatively at an issue.

Emergency plans were dusted off, critically examined, and shared. Solutions for keeping vendors relatively safe and dry were proposed – such as allowing vendors to operate out of their cars.

This required a significant change to the festival layout, but ultimately ended up working quite well by freeing up valuable parking spaces and reducing set up and tear down chaos.

Innovation was generated!

The rains came. A few vendors and musical acts canceled.

Festival set up was delayed for an hour and was ultimately quite soggy, but thankfully, there were no dangerous conditions. The rains let up by 10:00 a.m. and by early afternoon the sun came out and people came to see the prairie, listen to music, and visit the vendors.

With more rain predicted in the afternoon, the attendance ended up being about half of what was normally expected, but those that came had a thoroughly enjoyable experience and the prairie flowers did not disappoint.

The day featured: a morning bird walk with the Bartramian Audubon Society; Eastern Massasauga walk with Western Pennsylvania Conservancy; State Parks Resource Management Initiative with PA DCNR Resource Management Division, Wildflower Identification and Prairie Pollinators with Jennings educators; Prairie management with Jennings goats (and manager).

PA Forest District 8 brought and demonstrated their brush truck and other fire equipment.

Fresh baked goods from Anna’s and Cookies by Rene, and fresh salads from Georgetown Eats were enjoyed by many. A variety of vendors, including Kellar Farms Nursery, had beautiful plants for sale and live music added to the festive atmosphere throughout the day.

Despite the forecast and regular rain, Celebrate the Bloom! 2023 turned out to be quite successful. Many people stepped up to help and we appreciate the vendors and visitors that stuck with us!

At Jennings we are continually touched by the interest our community has in celebrating our unique habitats.

Celebrate the Bloom! 2024 will only benefit from the challenges faced in 2023 and will be better than ever!

Click Here to read the entire newsletter. Click Here to sign up to sign up for your own copy.

For more information on programs, projects, upcoming events and how you can get involved, visit the Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition website. Follow them on Facebook. Click Here to sign up to sign up for regular updates.

The Butler County-based Coalition was established in 1994 to restore land, water and wildlife resources in the Slippery Rock Watershed.

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