Turn Invasives into Art by the Fire!

PVAS Host: Ellen Kinzer

$10/person (PVAS members receive a 10% discount). All ages are welcome, though youth must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is required for all participants 3 years old and older and is limited to 20 participants.

Join Ellen and Amy for a cozy, family-friendly wreath-making workshop at Cool Spring Preserve! Warm up by the campfire as we transform pesky honeysuckle vines into beautiful holiday decorations. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll start by identifying and collecting invasive plants from the preserve, then use them to craft unique wreaths. Feel free to bring your own decorations from home to personalize your creation!

• Walking Distance: 0.5 – 1 mile
• Pace/Activities: Leisurely (meandering, many breaks to stop and observe)
• Exposure: Some areas are covered by forest canopy, some areas are open.
• Terrain: Hard ground/hiking trail in some areas, mowed grass in other areas. Gentle slopes/rolling hills
• Restroom: Indoor, flushing restrooms are available in the Case Nature Center.
• Parking/Where to Meet: Check in at the back deck near the bottom of the stairs next to the Case Nature Center.
• What to Bring: Please dress warmly, wear comfortable shoes for walking the trails, and feel free to bring your own pruner shears (some will be provided).

Register Here!

About our Host: Ellen Kinzer is PVAS’s Fundraising and Communications Manager and has been with us since December 2022. She grew up in Illinois, before moving to Wisconsin, where she graduated from University of Wisconsin-Madison with a bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Ecology. She has a wide range of professional experiences, including environmental educator, web-app developer, Maryland state park seasonal ranger, photographer, and for the past 4 years, fundraising and communications professional with nonprofits. Ellen is passionate about native plants, recycling, gardening, and animals big and small. She lives in Brunswick, MD with her nature-loving husband, Bob Schwartz.