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.

Bartram’s Garden - Meadow
January 8, 2026
Noon-1 p.m.

For this one-hour outing, we will meet at the parking lot of Bartram’s Garden at 5400 Lindbergh Blvd., or you can plug this location into your map (39.93331984947214, -75.21147517369884). This location features an annual painted bunting that has visited the park the past three Januarys. Dress warm – we will aim to stick to the paved paths of the meadow where the bird(s) have been frequently seen in previous years.

Access Features

• Surface/Terrain: Paved trail from Upper Meadow parking loop. Some grass mowed paths that cut through the meadow, but we will aim to stick to the paved paths of the meadow.
• Public Bathrooms: Wheelchair-accessible (no automated doors); Divided by gender; Multiple stalls.
• Parking: Use the entrance at 51st St., the parking lot has two van accessible parking spots.
• Public Transportation: The #36 SEPTA trolley stops at the Bartram’s Garden main entrance at 54th Street and Lindbergh Boulevard.
• 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.

FDR Park – Lakes
January 22, 2026
Noon-1 p.m.

For this one-hour outing, we will meet at the first parking lot on the left near the Gazebo. To get here, enter via FDR Park Dr. Located at 1500 Pattison Ave., or you can plug this location into your map (39.903503, -75.178529). This location features an assortment of dabbling ducks, rusty blackbirds and sometimes orange-crowned warblers and overwintering red-headed woodpeckers. Dress warm – we will aim to stick to the paved paths hugging Edgewood and Meadow Lakes.

Access Features

• Surface/Terrain: Paved trails from parking lots to lakes viewpoints.
• Public Bathrooms: Located at Ashburn Fields near the skate park.
• Parking: Use the entrance at 51st St., the parking lot has two van accessible parking spots.
• Public Transportation: Pattison Ave./NRG station Broad St. Line, also the 4 and 17 bus lines at Broad and Pattison Ave.
• 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 – Indoor Birding: Birds of the Dioramas and Feeder Cams
February 12, 2026
Noon-1 p.m.

For this one-hour outing, we will meet at the Academy of Natural Sciences, 19th St. Entrance security desk. We will explore some birds featured within our dioramas and explore some wildlife cams via Explore.Org in our Neighborhood Naturalists exhibit and learning lab.

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 *snowing*, we will postpone or cancel the event. Please check our Facebook event listing by 11 a.m. on event day to confirm.

The Woodlands Cemetery
February 26, 2026
Noon-1 p.m.

For this one-hour outing, we will meet at noon at the Woodlands Cemetery just inside the entrance located at 4000 Woodland Ave., or you can plug this location into your map (39.948841, -75.203056).

Access Features

• Surface/Terrain: The site landscape is made up of two miles of paved roads, as well as brick paths, and grass.
• Public Bathroom: One ADA restroom is located at the Northeast corner of the Stable. The door is unmarked, and there is a black wedge ramp at the entrance.
• The area is partly shady with ample tree coverage and open canopy areas.
• Parking: Parking is available along the paved roads throughout the cemetery and near the Meadow.
• Public Transportation: The Woodlands is directly across the street from the 40th Street Trolley Portal serving the T2, T3, T4, T5 trolleys and Route 30 bus.
• Weather: If it is actively raining or snowing, we will postpone or cancel the event. Please check our Facebook event listing by 11 a.m. on event day to confirm.

Penn Treaty Park
March 19, 2026
Noon-1 p.m.

For this one-hour outing, we will meet at Penn Treaty Park at 1301 N Beach St., or you can plug this location into your map (39.966622773370474, -75.12851468358387). This is a great park with lots of history, a famous Elm Tree “relative,” great views of the river, and we will explore Lenni Lenape names for birds and wildlife.

Access Features

• Surface/Terrain: paved sidewalk path, curb cuts from parking lot to walkways
• Public Bathrooms: Not available.
• The area features some tree canopy shade and offers ample benches.
• Parking: Free, accessible parking is available alongside the park entrance on Beach Street. Additional free parking is available on E Columbia Ave across N Delaware Ave. Access Aisles not available within the parking lot or along Beach St.
• Public Transportation: Bus Routes 43
• 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.