Fern Hollow Nature Center set to break ground on expansion this fall
Fern Hollow Nature Center administrators are making strides with ongoing fundraising efforts for an expansion project at the nature preserve that sits on 33 acres in Sewickley Heights.
Since 1997, Fern Hollow Nature Center has welcomed all ages to experience and explore the nature side of Sewickley Heights Borough.
In its 27th year of operation as a nonprofit, executive director Sam Capezzuto is spearheading a campaign to raise funds for what she described as a much needed expansion that’s set to break ground this fall.
Fundraising began in 2023 and to date, more than $700,000 has been raised with a goal of $1.5 million required to finance the renovation of the existing building and add a new modern, eco-friendly classroom.
“We’re hoping to get a ton of support from the local community now that we’re in the public phase of the fundraising campaign,” Capezzuto said. “Our building is too small, the facility is not geared to be a classroom.”
Expansion plans include the addition of a new 1,200 square-feet building onto the existing 2,000 square-feet current structure.
Expansion construction will occur going toward Glen Mitchell Road and won’t infringe on any of the current green spaces and is expected to be completed by mid-2026.
A Sewickley native, Capezzuto has served as director for 20 years and considers the preserve her “third child.”
“We’re trying to build a facility that’s a hub for the community,” Capezzuto said. “It’s been an honor to work here, watch it grow and watch what it’s become to the community and what it’s’ gonna be for the community.”
The nature center is open year-round and offers facility rentals, adult and children’s programs and events.
The public is encouraged to enjoy the grounds for hiking, relaxing, bird-watching, picnics and nature pursuits, as well as explore the meadow and trails with more than 20 native Pennsylvania trees and a pond.
“Before covid the majority of our programs were for schools. Now we do just as many programs for families as schools. Covid had everyone wanting to be outside and we pivoted and offered different things, including renting an educator to host a private walk,” Capezzuto said.
Fern Hollow has offered programs designed for home schoolers that focus on nature-based learning experiences. Those programs take place on Fridays and participants are encouraged to stay and lunch on the grounds after dismissal.
Facility rental options include overnight campouts, bonfire events, children’s parties with a 90 minute educator programming option with a variety of themes to select from that include owls, reptiles and amphibians, bats, bugs, dinosaurs, fairies and more.
Volunteers are a vital component for Fern Hollow and employs a staff of seven — five part-timers and two-full time employees.
The grounds were originally farmland owned by the late Whitney Snyder, whose estate sits across the street from the preserve.
Snyder donated the land in 1997 and the existing nature building was an original Sears and Roebuck prefabricated home.
Paula Cook Sculley was the first board president and is credited for her leadership and hard work to make Fern Hollow a reality.
The current president is Jennifer Nastasi.
The nature play area has multiple areas for playtime among the trees and the children’s programs always include plenty of outdoor play.
“We were the first nature center to have a nature play area in the state and the 44th in the nation. It’s really a feather in our cap,” Capezzuto said. “It’s a wonderful area where kids can explore and it’s not structured play. They use their imaginations.”
The preserve averages about 10,000 visitors annually and its mission is to serve the community by offering environmental learning opportunities for children and adults.
Jessica Cindrich serves as program and communications manager and described the preserve as a hidden gem.
Cindrich left her lawyer career to be a homemaker and volunteer and has worked at Fern Hollow for five years.
“We have outreach to the preschools and partnerships with Quaker Valley School District and other schools, but we really want families to come back and visit,” Cindrich said.
The grounds are open to the public from dawn until dusk.
Environmental educator Sam Burke of Bloomfield is one of two full-time employees at Fern Hollow.
Burke stressed the importance of getting outside and engaging in nature play.
He graduated from Kenyon College, majoring in English but knowing he wanted to pursue elementary education as a career.
“It’s so much fun. I love working with kids and working outdoors. I had a nature center near me growing up in Virginia, so this is a dream job for me,” Burke said. “Anytime I can teach kids new concepts about the outdoors is a great thing. Snakes are my favorite animals and I’m a reptiles guy.”
A recent snake show-and-tell lesson during class allowed a parent to bring in their non-venomous pet snake.
“All the kids got to touch it and by the end of the day many kids who said they were afraid of snakes ended up saying they loved snakes,” Burke said.
At Fern Hollow, Burke sees a lot of wintertime migratory birds such as juncos and woodpeckers.
The nature center is filled with more than a dozen mounted birds and mammals that include owls, a fox, coyote, mink and fowl.
Groundhogs are abundant during the summer in the Fern Hollow meadow.
“We’ve seen them climb trees,” Burke said.
New this year are adult summer camps which will be offered in the evenings, twice a week.
Choosing outdoor play instead of indoor screen time is encouraged by Fern Hollow staff.
“The desire to play outside (by kids) is still there you just have to engage them with that and get kids proximate to the outdoors and once you do the curiosity and wonder is still there. That’s why places like Fern Hollow are increasingly important,” Burke said.
Joyce Hanz is a native of Charleston, S.C. and is a features reporter covering the Pittsburgh region. She majored in media arts and graduated from the University of South Carolina. She can be reached at jhanz@triblive.com
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