community engagement & education
Here at Twin Lakes, we feel lucky to be part of a strong community where friends get together on sunny days and neighbors help each other to achieve common goals.
The Forest, Tree and Plant Life Committee is always on the lookout to find opportunities for people to get involved, learn, and explore with us through hands-on activities, educational resources, and nature-focused experiences. Whether you’re joining a hike, diving into citizen science, or checking out our Kids’ Corner, there’s something here for everyone who loves the outdoors.
Twin Lakes Community Event Calendar
Stay tuned for more details on future events
Guided hikes with The Botanical Hiker & other educators – Discover local plants, wildlife, and ecosystems.
Conservation efforts with the Twin Lakes Conservancy – Participate in habitat restoration projects.
Community weed pulls – Remove invasive plants and promote native biodiversity.
Neighborly collaborations – Help develop meadows, rain gardens, and native plant landscaping across Twin Lakes.
Garden Tours - We're looking for neighbors who are proud of their native plant gardens and would like to show them to the community. Get in touch with the Forest, Tree and Plant Life Committee if that's you!
Reach out to the FTPL Committee: Lorraine Gibbons gibbonslorraine56@gmail.com Tina Proce broce70@gmail.com
Educational Resources & Guides
Citizen Science & Educational Opportunities – Explore online courses, quick video guides and handy reference sheets:
Penn State Extension Webinars - Learn from the experts about a wide range of topics.
PA Native Plant Society - The Dirty Dozen - Stay away from these 12 very invasive plants that are often available in nurseries.
Helpful Identification Apps
Enhance your learning and conservation efforts, or contribute to environmental research with interactive identification apps, designed to help users identify native and invasive plants, trees, insects, or report invasive species. Click on the links t0 download Apps for Android or iPhone.
Plant & Tree Identification:
iNaturalist – Uses AI and community-driven data to identify plants, trees, and wildlife with image uploads.
LeafSnap – A photo-based app focused on tree and plant identification through leaf scans.
Picture Insect: Bug Identifier – AI-powered insect identification app.
Invasive Species Monitoring:
iMapInvasives (Web) – A powerful citizen science tool for tracking and reporting invasive species across different regions.
EDDMapS (Web) – Allows users to report and monitor invasive species in real time, with mapping tools for better tracking.
Forest Insect Pests (Android | iOS) – Helps identify harmful non-native species affecting forests and habitats.
Kids’ Corner
Looking for inspiration of fun things to do with your family? Or simply need something to keep the kids entertained on a rainy day? The following links provide a wealth of activities, guides, videos and resources geared towards kids of all ages, with a focus on the natural world around us.
Bowman's Wildflower Preserve - children and family-focused educational videos and activity guides on flowers, trees, meadows, and watersheds
Plant Heroes, created by the American Public Garden Association and U.S. Forest Service, offers free, fun resources for kids in grades K-5 to explore plants, insects, and forest health. With printable journals, comics, field guides, and conservation lessons,
US Forest Service Kids Page – Games, activities, and printable resources about forests, trees, and wildlife.
National Wildlife Federation Ranger Rick – Animal facts, games, and environmental activities designed for kids.
Nature Conservancy -Nature Lab – Videos, activity guides and learning modules introducing kids to forests, conservation, and wildlife habitats.
Project Learning Tree – Family Activities - Lesson plans, outdoor activities, and interactive conservation projects.