Berks Nature is the leading agent for the conservation of the environment in Berks County.
As a 501(c)(3) non-profit conservation organization, Berks Nature has been serving the Berks County community since 1974. Land preservation, water protection, trail management, community gardens, education programs, State of the Environment, Eco-Camp and our valued partnerships are at the center of Berks Nature’s work every day.
We hope you join us by becoming a Champion of Nature. You’ll enjoy exclusive benefits, while supporting programs that help connect people to nature and maintain the natural beauty of Berks County.
THE NATURE PLACE PUBLIC HOURS
FREE TO VISIT!
Open Tuesday through Saturday 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
CLOSED Sunday and Monday
Berks Nature is searching for a Spring 2025 intern!
Details below in our News in Nature section!
Looking Back on 50 Years and Planning for 50 More
In 2024, Berks Nature is humbled to celebrate 50 years of serving nature in Berks County. Join us all year round as we reminisce and celebrate 50 momentous years of conservation and start planning the next 50 years of protecting, restoring, and elevating Berks County’s inspiring mosaic of natural and cultural resources.
50 Conversations for 50 Years: A Public Input Forum
Berks Nature works hard every day to protect the environment and connect people to the nature all around them. In celebration of our 50th Anniversary, Berks Nature is not only reflecting on the accomplishments of our past, but also looking forward at our goals for the future. Who better to guide the next 50 years of environmental action, protection, and education than the residents, outdoor enthusiasts, and conservation champions that call Berks County home?
Throughout 2024, Berks Nature will be hosting 50 Conservations for 50 Years, a series of forums to collect feedback from our partners and the Berks County community.
Twenty of these conversations will be open to the general public to share their thoughts and conservation priorities. This feedback will be used to inform Berks Nature’s next strategic plan.
Berks Nature Wants to Hear from You!
What are your priorities for Berks? What should we be doing that we aren’t already doing? Which resources and natural spaces are important to you?
We have made it easy for you to participate:
- Select a date from 20 public input forums that works best for you
- Register for your selected date online at our Free Events page.
- Show up and enjoy informal conversation with like-minded people.
A full list of the public input forum dates can be found on our Free Events page!
We’re feeling nostalgic…
We invite you to reminisce with us by sharing your story! What are your favorite memories from Berks Nature? What do you love about our work, our preserves, or our people? How did you find us and what keeps you coming back?
More Ways Than Ever to Support Local Conservation
Monthly Giving
Support Berks Nature in a big way for our 50th Anniversary by signing up for our Monthly Giving Program. For as little as $5 per month, you can be a Champion of Nature by having your monthly donation automatically deducted from your account.
Corporate Giving
Corporate partners are now invited to support local conservation action through Berks Nature’s Corporate Sponsorship Package! Protect nature while enhancing your visibility in the community.
It's your turn to speak for the trees! Support Berks Nature's annual tree growing efforts by planting a tree with us or dedicating a tree to a loved one. More details launching our Plant-a-Tree Program coming soon!
Start your 50 Acts for Nature Challenge today by downloading your own score sheet here!
Berks Nature has collected 50 actions for you to take – at home, at work, and in your community – to help you get started with some new, greener habits this year! We challenge you to complete as many of these actions as you can this year, and earn some cool prizes in the process!
Will you rise to the challenge and commit to greener living?
If you complete AT LEAST 25 of the Challenge’s actions, submit this sheet to Berks Nature to officially join the contest. All participants will receive a commemorative sticker and be entered to win a variety of prizes including goodie bags from The Nature Place shop, Kimberton Whole Foods gift cards, and tickets to Berks Nature’s annual State of the Environment Breakfast. One grand prize winner will score a rain barrel worth $130!
All winners will be notified in December to make arrangements for picking up their prizes.
Deadline to submit Challenge sheet is November 8, 2024
You can submit your 50 Acts for Nature Challenge sheet online, via mail, or in-person at The Nature Place. Participants must visit The Nature Place to receive their commemorative sticker.
Start your 50 Acts for Nature Challenge today by downloading your own score sheet here!
Berks Nature's bee family is expanding, and we'd like you to join our hive by adopting one of our bees!
The Adopt-a-Bee initiative is a fundraiser that will help Berks Nature enhance our pollinator, native, and teaching gardens across The Nature Place campus. Not only do these gardens provide healthy environments for our honey bees to thrive, but they are available to visit! Come see the bees' buzzing pollination in action this summer and fall!
Through Adopt-a-Bee, your $20 donation will earn you a certificate of adoption as well as a crocheted bee keychain to cuddle and cherish as your own. Each bee has been hand crocheted for Berks Nature by local artist, Birchtree Creations.
Adopt-a-Bee for yourself, or give a bee as a gift - Come visit The Nature Place to join our buzzy family and support your local pollinators today!
News in Nature
Current events and updates from Berks Nature
How would you want your investment in Berks Nature returned to you? In trees planted or waterways cleaned? Maybe in acres protected or history recorded? In 2005, a series of…
When I first stumbled upon Berks Nature in spring 2023 after searching online for volunteer opportunities, I was thrilled to learn that there was a local organization doing such crucial,…
Reading is sheltered by two sister peaks. To the east stands Mount Penn (arguably the more popular of the sisters). To the south, Neversink Mountain, whose name is derived from…
INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY: Berks Nature Spring 2025 Internship
(June 24, 2024)
We strive to offer our interns a well-rounded learning experience. An interest in the environment and stewardship is a must, and there is often work to do outdoors. Berks Nature also manages a nature preschool and hosts numerous field trips and events. Working with children and the public is a priority.
Good writing skills, communication skills, interpersonal skills, and a genuine appreciation for working with diverse audiences are all necessary.
As a charitable organization we are unable to provide compensation for an intern’s time. In some cases, students can receive school credits.
Click here to read the full position description.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Application Instructions:
To apply, please click here and send your resume and letter of interest to Beckey Seel at Beckey.seel@berksnature.org.
INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY: Berks Nature Fall 2024 Internship
(March 18, 2024)
We strive to offer our interns a well-rounded learning experience. An interest in the environment and stewardship is a must, and there is often work to do outdoors. Berks Nature also manages a nature preschool and hosts numerous field trips and events. Working with children and the public is a priority.
Good writing skills, communication skills, interpersonal skills, and a genuine appreciation for working with diverse audiences are all necessary.
As a charitable organization we are unable to provide compensation for an intern’s time. In some cases, students can receive school credits.
Click here to read the full position description.
Applications are due July 20, 2024.
Application Instructions:
To apply, please click here and send your resume and letter of interest to Beckey Seel at Beckey.seel@berksnature.org.
NOW HIRING: Delaware River Watershed Fellowship
(February 21, 2024)
The Delaware River Watershed Fellowship is a 12-week, paid summer job opportunity designed to introduce young people from local communities to careers in environmental education. Fellows are hired at one of 23 environmental education centers across the Delaware River Watershed. Fellows participate in training sessions to prepare them for a summer of connecting people with nature and informing their local communities about issues affecting the Delaware River, the source of drinking water for 13 million people living in the region.
Berks Nature, a member of the Alliance for Watershed Education (AWE), is seeking to hire a Fellow from Reading PA., to advance their organizational mission of protecting the Delaware River watershed and its waterways through stewardship and community outreach.
Click here to read the full position description.
Applications are due April 6, 2024.
Fellows are paid $16.25/hr, 35-40 hours a week over the summer, with a possible 120–hour extension for September 2024 until April 2024.
The Berks Nature Fellow will specifically:
- Help with community outreach in the Greater Reading Area
- Develop and lead educational programming in the City of Reading by setting up an interactive table at sites outside of The Nature Place during fairs, community days, and at other outreach opportunities.
- Assist seasonal staff with learning activities and games during the summer Eco-Camp.
- Help produce content for conservation education programs.
- Receive training on water quality monitoring and help with water quality studies.
- Lead students through interactive learning stations during field trips at The Nature Place.
- Be provided opportunities to help connect people to nature, communicate routinely with a public audience, and interact with children of all ages.
Application Instructions:
To apply, please send your resume and cover letter to Allison Mackley at allison.mackley@berksnature.org.
TRAIL ALERT: Construction on Neversink Mountain Preserve
(September 15, 2023)
Please be advised: There will be construction work on Neversink Mountain Preserve in the vicinity of the McIlvane Pavilion beginning on September 18, 2023. Please stay clear of construction activities while enjoying the public trails of Neversink Mountain until this work is completed.
”I didn't want to let even one day go by without thanking [the Berks Nature staff] for a wonderful morning. Everyone loved learning about your sustainability, history, and walking through the nature habitats. It was one of our best planned and organized tours; professional and so informational... It was a perfect day.
Berks Encore staff about their tour of The Nature Place campus with Berks Nature
”Thank you so much for having the 7th grade students of Kutztown visit the Burkholder farm. This opportunity was an incredibly eye opening experience for all involved. Teaching about farming practices, sustainability, clean water and buying locally is one thing, but actually seeing it in action is what changes the mind frame.
Kutztown Middle School teacher about their farm tour with Berks Nature
