Nature At Noon
Event
Information
Dates
Thursday, July 23, 2026
12 p.m. — 1 p.m.
Thursday, August 13, 2026
12 p.m. — 1 p.m.
Thursday, August 27, 2026
12 p.m. — 1 p.m.
Location
Academy of Natural Sciences
1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Cost
Free, registration required
Take a break from your desk and reconnect with the natural world—right in the middle of your workday. Join us for Nature at Noon, a new series of accessible lunchtime nature outings in and around Center City Philadelphia.
Nature at Noon is designed to bring joy, inclusion and curiosity to your lunch hour. These one-hour outdoor gatherings center accessibility, biodiversity, safety and connection — with programming that bridges science, art and community. Inspired by the work of In Color Birding Club, Feminist Bird Club, Philly Queer Birders, PCAS Adaptive Birders and Disability Pride PA’s Outdoors for Everyone series, Nature at Noon is for everyone — no experience needed, just curiosity and a desire to step outside.
Everyone is welcome — come as you are! We invite people of all backgrounds and abilities to join us, including disabled and neurodivergent nature-lovers and their support people. We will move at a pace that honors the needs of the group and invite you to share any access needs in advance so we can make your experience as enjoyable as possible.
We’ll use apps like iNaturalist and Merlin Bird ID to help identify the park’s biodiversity, and we encourage you to download the apps prior to the event, but it is not required. We will help you to navigate these tools if they are new for you. While we won’t explore every corner of the park or encounter every species, we will focus on some standout wildlife sure to spark your curiosity and wonder. Free Library birding backpacks and binoculars will be made available to everyone as supplies allow.
Page Section Links
July Events
Washington Ave. Green
Thursday, July 9, 2026
Noon-1:00 p.m.
This event has been cancelled due to inclement weather.
For this one-hour outing, we will meet at the Delaware River Trail by the Sheet Metal Workers Parking lot, or you can plug this location into your map (39.93104318212895, -75.14228289416971). This location features excellent habitat for Common Five-lined Skinks, and hosts Hackberry Trees where you can find the American Snout butterfly.
Access Features:
- Surface/Terrain: Dirt and paved paths
- Public Bathrooms No bathroom available.
- Hydration: None
- Parking: Located at 1301 S Christopher Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19147. You can enter through Sheet Metal Workers Association driveway and park there.
- Public Transportation: 25 bus line.
Weather: If it is actively raining, we will postpone or cancel the event. Please check our Facebook event listing by 11 a.m. on event day to confirm.
Academy of Natural Sciences – The Art of Nature: Drawing from our Collections
Thursday, July 23, 2026
Noon-1 p.m.
For this one-hour outing, we will meet at the Academy of Natural Sciences, 19th St. Entrance security desk. Bring your own art supplies, or use our tempera paint sticks, color pencils, markers, watercolor paper, and collage materials to recreate insects and birds from our collection. We will have a variety of native pinned insects and a variety of preserved birds from our collection. This event is for any level artist, and intended to inspire awe through close observation of native species we easily miss in the wild.
Access Features:
- Surface/Terrain: Elevator access to space.
- Public Bathrooms and water fountains available.
- Parking: Street parking available around Logan Circle and Race St.
- Public Transportation: Bus Routes 32, 33, 38, 49, and Suburban Station.
Weather: If it is actively raining, we will postpone or cancel the event. Please check our Facebook event listing by 11 a.m. on event day to confirm.
August Events
Academy of Natural Sciences: Wingspan, the boardgame
Thursday, August 13, 2026
Noon-1:30 p.m.
For this one-hour outing, we will meet at the Academy of Natural Sciences, 19th St. Entrance security desk. Our very own Kenneth Tsui will teach us how to play Wingspan. This event is for any level board-gamer.
Access Features:
- Surface/Terrain: Elevator access to space.
- Public Bathrooms and water fountains available.
- Parking: Street parking available around Logan Circle and Race St.
- Public Transportation: Bus Routes 32, 33, 38, 49, and Suburban Station.
Weather: If it is actively raining, we will postpone or cancel the event. Please check our Facebook event listing by 11 a.m. on event day to confirm.
Discovery Center at East Park Reservoir
Thursday, August 27, 2026
Noon-1 p.m.
For this one-hour outing, we will meet at the parking lot of the Discovery Center at 3401 Reservoir Drive, or you can plug this location into your map (39.98197397151752, -75.1915637320782). This location features an indoor space excellent for waterfowl and herons on the reservoir.
Access Features:
- Surface/Terrain: The paved walkway up to the entrance is ADA accessible. The trail is wide and grass covered, with a section of mulch at the beginning of the trail and a somewhat steep entrance. The trail is flat otherwise, but there may be tree roots and other natural items on the path. The water walk has a lip of 1 to 2 inches from the ground to the dock ramp and one step.
- Public Bathrooms and water fountains located inside the center.
- The area features an indoor heated space and trail that hugs the reservoir.
- Parking: The parking lot is gravel, with two van accessible parking spots.
- Public Transportation: Route 32 Bus: 33rd St. and Oxford St. (4 minute walk; 0.2 miles); Route 3 Bus: 33rd St. and Cecil B. Moore Ave. (5 minute walk; 0.3 miles)
Weather: If it is actively raining, we will postpone or cancel the event. Please check our Facebook event listing by 11 a.m. on event day to confirm.
