BSWP 2021 Zoom meetings
View BSWP's May 2022 Zoom meeting.
The Society meets monthly from September through June on every second Monday of the month at 7:15 p.m. For now, our meetings take place via Zoom.
Members who have joined the BSWP e-mail list will be contacted and e-mailed an invitation (link and password) to each monthly meeting.
Directions to in-person meetings, when held
To Ford Mateer Classroom of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History:
The entrance to the parking lot, which is gated, is just past the Museum at the intersection of Forbes and Craig Street. The Ford-Mateer Classroom is reached through the Portal Entry in the rear parking lot area. Once inside the building, the room is located just beyond the Security desk on the left. In addition to the Museum parking lot, which costs $6, there are metered spaces on Forbes Avenue opposite the Museum and along Craig Street that are free after 6 p.m. From there you will cross the street and walk through the right side of the gates to the parking lot. Continue on the sidewalk to the rear of the building where you will see the sign for “Portal Entry” ahead.
If you do not park in the Museum’s lot, from Forbes Avenue, walk along the right side of the parking toll gates to the parking lot. Continue on the sidewalk to the rear of the building where you will see the sign for "Portal Entry" ahead.
Directions to the Carnegie Museum
http://www.carnegiemuseums.org/interior.php?pageID=36
Registration for Botanical Society field trips is not required. Everyone is welcome, including non-members. Trips last 3 to 4 hours but one can leave at any time. For questions, contact the field trip leader or Loree Speedy at (724) 518-6022 (cell) or loreespeedy@gmail.com. Add these BSWP field trips to your Google Calendar: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0?cid=Ym90c29jd3BhQGdtYWlsLmNvbQ
Tuesday,
November 18, 2025
11:30 AM (lunch), 12:00 Noon
Buttermilk Falls, Indiana County
Leader: Meg Scanlon; Cell: 724-612-6192
This site features an impressive 45 foot waterfall and scenic woodland. Between 1931 and 1956 the property was owned by Fred McFeely, grandfather of Fred Rogers of children's television fame. Mr. Rogers often visited the site as a child. Only one hour from Pittsburgh, a restroom, picnic pavilion, falls overlook viewing area, and a hiking trail are available at the falls.
Directions: Travel US22 east past Blairsville and ascend Chestnut Ridge. Turn right onto Clay Pike Road. This is about 2000 feet after a Dollar General on the right. Turn right onto Clay Pike Road S and continue for 1.5 mile. Turn left at a green sign for Buttermilk Falls Entrance (Valley Brook Road). Continue about ½ mile to the natural area’s entrance.
GPS coordinates: 40.41917, -79.06770 Google Maps Link to Buttermilk Falls
Sunday, December 21, 2025, 1:00 PM
Buena Vista Trail Access, Great Allegheny Passage, Allegheny County
Leader: Loree Speedy; Cell: 724-518-6022
Directions: The trailhead can be reached via PA48 in Boston, or PA51 south of Pittsburgh.
GPS coordinates: 40.27724, -79.79794 Google Maps Link to Buena Vista GAP Trailhead
To celebrate the winter solstice, we will head north along a sunny portion of the trail below wooded slopes.
This trip could be canceled due to unsafe driving conditions with ice and snow; to learn if the trip is canceled when weather conditions are uncertain, please call or text Loree at 724-518-6022 the day of the hike.
Thursday, New Years Day, January 1, 2026, NOON
NEW YEARS DAY Field Trip, Monroe Trailhead, Butler Freeport Trail, Butler County
Directions: From Pittsburgh: take PA-28 North to Exit 17 (PA-356/Butler/Freeport). At end of ramp, turn right to travel PA-356 for a little less than a mile. At the Sheetz, turn right onto Monroe Road and travel about 0.8 mile to the parking for the Buffalo Creek Nature Center on the left.
GPS coordinates: 40.7076, -79.7131 Google Maps Link to Buffalo Creek Nature Park
Start the New Year with winter botany along trailside and sandstone cliffs. Enjoying botany and nature on New Year’s Day is now a BSWP tradition!
This trip could be canceled due to unsafe driving conditions with ice and snow; to learn if the trip is canceled when weather conditions are uncertain, please call or text Loree at 724-518-6022 the day of the hike.