Explore the sights, sounds of Soaring Eagle Wetland through hiking, nature drawing
Centred Outdoors will host free guided wellness events in the Soaring Eagle Wetland throughout the week of July 23, inviting the Centre County community to enjoy birdwatching, nature walking and nature drawing.
The Soaring Eagle Wetland, formerly named the Governor Tom Ridge Wetlands Preserve, sprawls 135 acres, including 55 acres of wetland. The location, which was established and donated to the Wildlife for Everyone Foundation in 2010, includes an ADA-approved accessible path and fishing platform on Bald Eagle Creek.
The guided hikes through the Soaring Eagle Wetland are offered on Sunday, July 23, at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and Thursday, July 27, at 9 and 11 a.m. Centred Outdoors classifies the 1-mile trail as “easy.”
On July 26 at 6 p.m., Centred Outdoors will also host “Wellness Wednesday: Nature Sketching at the Soaring Eagle Wetland.” The event is co-hosted by Strawberry Fields, an organization that provides community-based services for adults and children with disabilities.
Wednesday’s event will be led by local artist and Art Alliance of Central PA instructor Ann Taylor-Schmidt, who has taught an annual nature journal drawing workshop at Penn State for two decades. Centred Outdoors’ event page says Taylor-Schmidt will guide participants through “nature drawing as meditation,” inviting them to study their thoughts and questions about nature while drawing or writing.
Hikes and wellness activities are slated to last around an hour and a half. Centred Outdoors recommends that participants wear sturdy shoes and bring at least 32 oz. of water per adult to all events.
Those looking for more to explore can head across the road from the Soaring Eagle Wetland on the opposite side of the road, where the Galen and Nancy Dreibelbis Viewing Area features two shelters that allow visitors to spot uncommon birds while overlooking the wetlands. The area also features accessible viewing blinds, according to the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau.
Centred Outdoors’ program website notes that the entrance to the area is “not well-marked” and suggests participants look for Centred Outdoors flags and directional signs upon arrival. Participants should set their GPS to 6543 South Eagle Valley Road, Julian PA, and cross over the railroad tracks when first entering the lot.
Those needing transportation to the Wellness Wednesday event can reserve a ride through Centred Outdoors’ Van Service.
Participants in need of additional gear can reserve trekking poles, daypacks and child-carrying backpacks from Centred Outdoors’ Gear Library. Reservations should be made at least two days before the event, and guides will bring reserved items to the hike.
For more information about all upcoming guided outings, visit Centred Outdoors’ events page.
Grace Miller is a freelance writer for ClearWater Conservancy.
