Botanical Society of Western Pennsylvania


BSWP 2021 Zoom meetings

View BSWP's May 2022 Zoom meeting.

April 2022 Meeting.

March 2022 Meeting.

February 2022 Meeting

January 2022 Meeting.

The 2020 and 2021 Zoom meeting video links can be found on the Activities page.


BSWP Meetings

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


BSWP Field Trips www.botsocwpa.org

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, October 21, 2025
11:30 AM (lunch), 12:00 Noon

Toms Run Nature Reserve, Kilbuck Township
Allegheny County 

Leader: Meg Scanlon; Cell: 724-612-6192

This 369-acre reserve is about 10 miles from downtown Pittsburgh and hosts large stands of mature maple, oak and American beech trees.  Visit here to learn more

Directions: Travel PA 65 North to Toms Run Road outside of Emsworth. This is a little less than a mile from the right intersection with Huntington Ave in Emsworth. Turn right onto Toms Run Road and continue a little over a mile to a parking area on the left.  

GPS coordinates: 40.52936, -80.11310    
Google Maps Link to Toms Run Parking

Sunday, October 26, 2025, 1:00 PM

Powdermill Nature Reserve
Rector, Westmoreland County 

Leader: Mark Bowers; cell: (724) 454-4012

We will walk the moderate Sugar Camp Trail; hiking boots recommended. Restrooms available at the Nature Center.

Directions: From Pittsburgh, take the PA Turnpike east to Exit 91/Donegal. At the end of the tollbooth ramp, turn left (east) onto PA 31. Follow PA 31 east for 2.7 miles. Turn left onto PA 381 North. Follow PA 381 North for 6.4 miles to the Nimick Nature Center on your left.

GPS coordinates: 40.16045, -79.27163   
Google Maps Link to Powdermill Reserve