The Southern Berks News

Trek into the past during a winter nature walk

Walk into Virginvill­e farm fields and nature trail to observe wood duck habitat

- By Ned Dresher

The Dreibelbis Farm Historical Society will host a new activity, a Wintertime Nature Walk with a trek into the farm’s fields and nature trail at the Historic Dreibelbis Farm in Virginvill­e, Berks County at 2 p.m. on March 3.

The particular focus will be on the wood duck habitat and all that’s involved in maintenanc­e of wood duck nesting boxes. A hike on the farm’s nature trail along the Maiden Creek replacing nesting material in the boxes at the water’s edge will be featured.

The Dreibelbis farm in Virginvill­e was founded in 1778 by Jacob B. Dreibelbis, son of the original family immigrant, John Jacob Dreibelbis. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is the second oldest continuous­ly owned family farm in Berks County.

The Dreibelbis Farm Historical Society, a 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation, was formed to preserve and protect the historic farm and to make it available to the public for educationa­l, historical, and environmen­tal purposes. The Society has successful­ly mobilized volunteers since 1998 to preserve the buildings, antiques, and artifacts, and preservati­on efforts are ongoing.

The Winter Nature Walk is one of several events to be hosted in 2019 by the Dreibelbis Farm Historical Society to fulfill its mission to preserve and protect the historic Dreibelbis farm and to make it available to the public for educationa­l, historical, and environmen­tal purposes. Other events, such as the annual Wetlands and Wildflower­s Walk, a Spring Peeper Walk, and the seventh annual Historic Farm Festival will be held in coming months.

The event is free to the public and will be held rain or shine, with only an absolute downpour or blizzard conditions cancelling. Attendees are encouraged to dress for the weather and be prepared to walk on an unpaved nature trail.

The Historic Dreibelbis Farm is located on Route 143 south of the village of Virginvill­e. GPS Address: 356 Hard Hill Road, Hamburg, PA. Parking is available on-site.

For more informatio­n visit www.Dreibelbis­farm.org, “Historic Dreibelbis Farm” on Facebook or contact Mark Dreibelbis at (610) 488-7896.

 ?? SUBMITTED PHOTOS ?? Public invited to the Dreibelbis Farm Winter Nature Walk along the Maiden Creek Trail.
SUBMITTED PHOTOS Public invited to the Dreibelbis Farm Winter Nature Walk along the Maiden Creek Trail.
 ??  ?? A Wintertime Nature Walk with a trek into the farm’s fields and nature trail at the Historic Dreibelbis Farm in Virginvill­e, Berks County on March 3 will focus on the wood duck habitat and all that’s involved in maintenanc­e of wood duck nesting boxes.
A Wintertime Nature Walk with a trek into the farm’s fields and nature trail at the Historic Dreibelbis Farm in Virginvill­e, Berks County on March 3 will focus on the wood duck habitat and all that’s involved in maintenanc­e of wood duck nesting boxes.

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