When M.J. Seipler of Penn Township goes out into the woods, she always wants to know more about what is around her.

“It’s nice to know about the birds and plants, the creatures who share the Earth with us,” Seipler said. “And we’re lucky in a place like Pennsylvania where we can see a lot of those things right in our own yards.”

One way she’s been able to do that over the past three decades is through her membership in the Westmoreland Bird & Nature Club, which will host a botany hike Feb. 26 at Keystone State Park in Derry Township.

“We’ll be focusing on dead stems that have seeds you can use to identify the plant in the winter time,” said Mark Bowers, a club member who will help lead the hike.

Some plants are easy to identify, like the unique seedbox plant, whose flowers eventually wilt and harden into a small seed pod that truly looks like a miniature carved wooden box.

“It’s the cutest little thing,” Seipler said.

The hike is being co-hosted by the Botanical Society of Western Pennsylvania, and society member Loree Speedy will co-host the hike.

It will take place at 1 p.m., with hikers meeting at the large parking lot near the beach house on Keystone Park Road.

Bowers said the full hike will last about two hours, but hikers can head back anytime they choose.

“Some of the trails in the winter can get pretty wet, so if you have a pair of waterproof boots, I’d bring those along,” Bowers said.

For Seipler, especially in the winter time, the hikes are a chance to get out and stretch legs a little.

“A lot of people think there’s just nothing to do outside in the winter time, but this is a hobby I’ve had for a long time,” she said. “I’ve learned that having an awareness of the natural history around is very enriching and gratifying.”

Keystone State Park is at 1150 Keystone Park Road, Derry Township. For more on the Westmoreland Bird & Nature Club, see WBNC.net.

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