On Saturday, May 13, 2023 from 1:00-4:00 pm, Muddy Paws Marsh, located at 4158 Penns Valley Road, in Spring Mills, PA. (Centre County) will host its 10th annual Frog Festival. This program is unique because it utilizes the many wetland habitats that are present on the property which helps the community appreciate the importance of these wetlands located in the Upper Penns Creek Watershed. This is a free family friendly program for children and adults of all ages, sponsored in cooperation with Penn State Extension’s Master Gardeners of Centre County program and the Penns Valley Conservation Association (PVCA). Although there are plenty of grassy trails to walk--please bring boots and/clothes and get ready to ‘get muddy’!
This annual event encourages all to learn about and enjoy nature through art, science, and play through hands-on ‘learning stations. Aside from the frogs, Dr. Jim Julian, an Ecological Program Specialist & Biometrician at the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will be the main event! He shares his love and knowledge of frogs through activities by showing and allowing others to see tadpoles/frogs/toads that are present at Muddy Paws Marsh, which are: Northern Spring Peepers, Bullfrogs, Green, Wood, Northern Gray Tree, and Pickerel Frogs as well as American Toads.
Muddy Paws Marsh is a Penn State Extension Master Gardener of Centre County outreach site. This distinction helps to gain support from many wonderful volunteers and partnerships. At this event there will be ‘learning stations’ throughout the 30 acres of wetlands where participants can engage with:
• Dr. Jim Julian educating about tadpoles and frogs;
• Centre Wildlife Care with some interesting amphibians and reptiles;
• Shavers Creek Environmental Center with some animals to learn about;
• Painting pictures of frogs and their habitat;
• Finding macro-invertebrates in the stream and learning about their importance;
• Learning about native and pollinator plants;
• Listening to some great music from local musicians;
• Learning about the construction of the Amish built barn and 10KW solar panels on the Muddy Paws property.
• There will be some food for sale at this event.