The Great Marsh Institute

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Elverson, PA
The Great Marsh Institute

Supporting scientific studies, educational opportunities, and protecting the unique Great Marsh in no

07/25/2026

On Saturday August 1 join photographer Hilary Vadner and Valley Forge Audubon's Patty Werth for a relaxed, golden‑hour photography stroll. Check out our event page to learn more and register. Registration is required and the group size is capped at 15, so don't wait! https://greatmarshinstitute.org/event/golden-hour-photography-at-the-great-marsh/

07/17/2026

Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) is in bloom, with globe-shaped inflorescences that bees enjoy. I'll include a shot from a previous post as a reminder of how they'll look (more like buttons) closer to the fall.

07/15/2026

Don't worry, this purple martin nestling was only out for a few minutes to get banded before getting put back in the nest. The bands will help researchers track the birds as they spread out and find their own nest boxes as adults.

Want to see the purple martins? Drop by the marsh for a bird walk or an open house (see our events schedule for detail).

Thanks to Willistown Conservation Trust for leading the banding.

07/13/2026

Great Marsh Institute is thrilled and grateful to announce that the mini grant program (administered by and funded by ) has awarded us $15,000 for our efforts to restore the biodiversity of sections of the marsh degraded by invasive plant species. We chose a large patch for this photo with director Bernard "Billy" Brown, GMI board president Jim Moore, and Schuylkill Highlands' program manager Estelle Wynn Dolan. We look forward to sharing the results over the next few years as we restore areas like this to diverse wetlands.

Get in touch if you'd like to help in any way.

07/06/2026

= When we trapped for crayfish the last time, one of our traps was ripped open and the bait eaten by... something, but most likely the that regularly craps (with p**p full of crayfish shell) on the footbridge over the stream where we set the trap.

**t

07/02/2026

The battle wages on against invasive water caltrop (a.k.a. Trapa natans and water chestnut (not the kind you eat)) in the beaver pond. A few years ago we had to treat a major outbreak. The big pointy seeds can remain viable for 10+ years, and this summer we've been tracking down and pulling the plants where they've been popping up in small patches.

06/29/2026

We're taking a look at crayfish at the Great Marsh, and the first round of trapping turned up some of what we think are white-river crayfish (Procambarus acutus). Other critters end up in the traps, such as this little pickerel.

06/24/2026

More than mushrooms, the woods and wetlands bloom with shelf fungi, rusts, and more of these organisms that play a critical role in breaking down plant matter, helping trees grow, and even eating bugs alive from inside. Join the Philadelphia Mycology Club for a walk (and take advantage of the recent wet weather) around the marsh and surrounding uplands to explore familiar and new fungi.

RSVP to [email protected] so we can keep track of numbers and get in touch in case of last-minute weather cancellation.

06/23/2026

Swamp rose (Rosa palustris) covers dozens of acres of the Great Marsh, often in hummocks amid sedge marsh or in denser thickets mixed in with cattails. Right now it is blooming. Enjoy.

06/22/2026

On Saturday the fireflies were 🔥with 10+ species seen and a great presentation by citizen scientist Carl Manthey. Keep an eye on our calendar for more great events exploring the biodiversity of the Great Marsh.

Address

34 Moores Road
Elverson, PA
19520

Website

http://www.greatmarshinstitute.org/

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