Friends of Phillips Farm

05/18/2026

MAY BIRD: RUFFED GROUSE
Have you ever heard a low-pitched, accelerating drumming sound in the Phillips Farm woods in spring? That could very well be the sound of a male ruffed grouse beating its wings during breeding season. Listen here: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/ruffed_grouse
Learn more about ruffed grouse this month at park kiosks.

05/03/2026

SIGN UP FOR NATURE CAMP NOW! Camp runs June 8–12, 15–19, and 22–26, 9 am–3 pm each day. Children going into grades 1–5 can attend any 1 week, 2 weeks, or all 3. Register with the Moscow Department of Parks and Recreation at https://secure.rec1.com/ID/moscow-id/catalog or call (208) 883-7084.
Cost is $169.75 per week, and scholarships are available!

Find more information about camp at the Friends of Phillips Farm website: http://friendsofphillipsfarm.weebly.com

04/20/2026

The park gained almost 2,000 native plants on Sunday in the 6th annual Bluebird Planting! A million thanks to UI Prof Tim Prather and his impressive students for growing and planting blanketflower, Oregon sunshine, Clarkia, Idaho fescue, tall cinquefoil, and bluebunch wheatgrass. Thanks also to the Moscow High School student and other volunteers who helped plant. We appreciate all of you!

04/17/2026

Flowers spotted on today's walk in the park.

04/13/2026

Look for tidied apple trees on the east side of Virgil's pond. WSU has tentatively identified two of them: one a cross between McIntosh and Early Strawberry and the other a cross between McIntosh and Jonathan, both yummy! For people who use apple wood to smoke or grill foods, we have two piles of mostly dead prunings that are yours for the taking. Please share.

04/08/2026

This solitary arrowleaf balsamroot plant is hiding in plain sight near the park entrance. More are blooming in the park's "prairie remnant." Please don't pick the flowers! These plants take many years to produce any flowers at all.

04/02/2026

APRIL BIRD OF THE MONTH: TREE SWALLOW Tree swallows are back! The first "official" sighting of the year was on March 28. You can expect to see them at the park until early August. They will nest in cavities, sometimes commandeering our bluebird nest boxes for themselves.

03/08/2026

03/07/2026

WANTED: EDUCATIONAL COORDINATORS FOR PHILLIPS FARM NATURE CAMP, JUNE 2026
The coordinator and assistant coordinator plan and run our outdoor day camp for children going into grades 1–5. Camp runs June 8–12, June 15–19, and June 22–26. Submit a cover letter and resume to [email protected] by MARCH 23. For questions and to receive a detailed job description, call 208-310-2922 or email [email protected]

12/07/2025

Some beautiful young trees left the park today from our annual Christmas tree cutting fundraiser. Friends of Phillips Farm and the Moscow High School Environmental Club are grateful for the generous donations we received!