Get Involved
Hurricane Recovery Fund
Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee Teamed up to Wreak Havoc at Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve.
Hurricane Irene was a powerful storm that created major damage at the Preserve on August 27th and August 28th. With winds over 55 miles an hour and torrential rainfall of over 7 inches in a short time span, Irene had a disastrous impact on many areas of the Preserve. Already damaged, the Preserve took an additional hit on September 7th when remnants of Tropical Storm Lee poured another 7 inches of rain on an already saturated landscape. Lee’s effects were even worse than Irene’s.
The one-two punch of Irene and Lee devastated areas of the Preserve near Pidcock Creek. All of the trails near Pidcock creek including the Gentian Trail, the Audubon Trail, the Violet Path, Azaleas by the Bridge and the Fern Trail sustained major damage and had foot bridges and benches simply washed away. Seeing all of the damage is truly heartbreaking.
Nearly 200 feet of deer fence and creek gates along the Audubon Trail were knocked down or washed away -- even the fence post footings are gone! The deer now have total unimpeded access to the Preserve grounds. Our collection is at serious risk and we need your help to set things right.
We are working with the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission as well as with both F.E.M.A. and P.E.M.A. for whatever help they can lend. But as always it be the grace and generosity of members like you that gets us back on our feet. Please make a gift today and help us to get the deer fence back up in order to protect our living collection. With your help we can begin to repair much of the damage we sustained. Thank you!
Fence and creek gate destroyed by a raging Pidcock Creek
Scouring and flooding along the Audubon Trail
Violet Path under water
Debris piled high everywhere
Miltiple enormous trees down along Millrace Trail
Millrace Trail washed away at the dam
Please fill out the form below with your information and gift amount to help Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve with our Hurricane Irene/Lee recovery efforts. Upon clicking "submit" you will be directed to Paypal where you can make your gift using any credit or debit card. Thank you!
