Friends of Herrontown Woods

06/06/2026

Lots of events, and a freshly painted gazebo, at Herrontown Woods this weekend. Gratitude Yoga returns Saturday, June 6, at 11am for another summer of donation-based yoga. Then Sunday morning, May's Cafe, a Community Collage art project, and a special performance for the nation's 250th by the Princeton Storytelling Circle at 11am. Check HerrontownWoods.org for details.

04/30/2026

Enjoy coffee, tea, and baked treats at the Barden (a botanical art garden with 160 species of native plants) this Sunday, May 3, during our monthly May's Cafe, 9-11:30am. We now have a new Cafe Hut, thanks to board member Derek Reamy, and some fresh paint on the gazebo and shed. You can also go on a geology walk at 11am, and add your artistry to the Community Collage during the Cafe.

04/27/2026

What a treat to accompany students from the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA) on a walk through Herrontown Woods. Mariah and Rebecca had asked us to mentor them, then they led their friends in the program on a nature walk. Great idea, and great timing for spring wildflowers.

04/24/2026

Change in plans due to weather uncertainties and conflicting weather predictions. Earthday event cancelled. Instead, we'll gather around 10:30 this Sunday, April 26, for spicebush tea, and Steve Hiltner will lead a nature walk at 11. Dogwoods are collaborating with blackhaw Viburnums to generate a lot of blooms. 600
Snowden Lane, Princeton

04/17/2026

Great to meet the executive director of the Historical Society of Princeton, Elizabeth Monroe, and to help protect their lovely property on Quaker Road from the super invasive lesser celandine. It's one way of giving back for the help her staff have provided over the years as we research the history of the remarkable families that once lived at Veblen House in Herrontown Woods. As often happens when searching for invasive plants, we discovered many native wildflowers growing on the grounds of their Updike Farmstead, including trout lily, spring beauty, and a patch of downy yellow violet. Planning to stop by again to follow up and take a closer look at their historical exhibits on the first floor of the Updike farmhouse.

Thank you to botanist/naturalist (and founder of Friends of Herrontown Woods) Steve Hiltner for walking the grounds of HSP to identify and eliminate invasive species! We were happy to discover a beautiful (and native) trout lily on the lawn!

Read more about lesser celandine, which is invading many local landscapes, in Steve’s blog, Princeton Nature Notes: https://bit.ly/4vRleU7

04/15/2026

Join us this Sunday, April 19, 10am, for a spring wildflower walk led by native plant advocate Sarah Roberts. Lots of flowers just opening up in the Barden and along woodland trails. Sign up at the link.

"Have you ever seen a False Mermaid? It isn’t showy but it’s cute.” Part of the “Walk with Nature” Series, native plant advocate Sarah Roberts will share her delight in the discovery of spring's bounty of native flora and help fellow walkers begin to identify the distinguishing characteris...

04/09/2026

"Herrontown Woods: The People's Park," a beautifully composed film by PHS student Stephanie Liao, will be shown tonight Thursday, April 9 at the Garden Theater as part of a "First Take Shorts" series. 7:30pm

04/09/2026

Champion is back! The Barden's much loved rocking horse paid a visit last week to the blacksmith for a much needed new set of horseshoes. We adopted Champion years back after finding him on the curb along Aiken Ave. The Barden is a family-friendly botanical art garden with frogs and 150 species of native plants at Herrontown Woods. 600 Snowden Lane in Princeton.

01/04/2026

Wee hours of the morning, and chocolate chip cookies are headed for the oven. Must be Mays Cafe at the Barden in Herrontown Woods today, first Sunday of the month, 9-11:30. Coffee and baked treats. 600 Snowden Lane. Dress warm!