Croydon Woods Mural
Unveiled in 2024, the mural is a community project that highlights the biodiversity of Croydon Woods.
Croydon Woods Nature Preserve
Croydon Woods is one of the last remaining Atlantic coastal plain forests in southeastern Pennsylvania, and is an 80-acre preserve that is home to over 300 species of plants, mammals, reptiles, birds, and insects. It is a former superfund site that has been reclaimed, rehabilitated, and turned into a vital community asset, with scenic trails and an outdoor classroom.
The New Croydon Woods Mural
Our mural, located at the Bristol baseball fields (near the Keystone Elementary entrance to Heritage Conservancy’s Croydon Woods Nature Preserve), was unveiled in the spring of 2024. It is a community project that highlights the biodiversity of Croydon Woods and showcases some of the many species we have documented in this unique and valuable habitat. It also invites students, neighbors, and people visiting the Little League fields to explore nearby Croydon Woods and its lovely hiking trails.
The mural is a collaboration with Bucks County artist Jean-Marc Dubus and Truman High School student artists, who painted the circle inserts that highlight some of the many species of flora and fauna you may find as you walk in this nature preserve.
The Animals of Croydon Woods
Look for these animals when you visit the Croydon Woods Nature Preserve. If you are lucky, you may spot turtles, salamanders, and many other types of birds and insects!
Great Horned Owl (1)
These large nocturnal hunters use their excellent night vision and hearing to prey on the many animals that inhabit Croydon Woods. You may hear them calling, especially in winter, near dawn and dusk.
Scarlet Tanager (2)
Males are bright red and black coloration and females are greenish-yellow. They spend their time hunting insects in the forest canopy and rely on larger tracts of forest like Croydon Woods to breed and raise their young.
Ebony Jewelwing (3)
These damselflies are related to dragonflies. They prey on other insects and rely on healthy streams to reproduce. Males have a metallic blue body and females have a white dot near the tips of their wings.
Eastern Bluebird (4)
These birds live in Croydon Woods year-round, surviving on berries in the winter. Bluebirds are often seen in the meadow where they hunt insects to feed their young in holes which are in trees or nest boxes.
The Plants of Croydon Woods
Look for these plants when you visit the nature preserve.
American Holly (1)
This evergreen broadleaf tree has spike-tipped leaves. Female trees produce bright red berries that attract birds during the winter months, when resources are scarce.
Swamp Rose Mallow (2)
This showy wetland perennial has large white-to-pink flowers that attract various pollinators during summer, including hummingbirds.
Jewelweed (3)
This annual orange flower forms dense stands in wet habitats. Also known as touch-me-nots, the flower’s seed capsules explode with a slight touch, dispersing their seeds.
Tulip Tree (4)
This tree can reach heights of over 150 feet, making it one of our tallest. It is named for its tulip-like flowers, which benefit pollinators in spring and is a host plant for the eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly.
Royal Fern (5)
This distinctive fern has a unique texture. It is tall, with fronds reaching 6 feet long, and separate golden fertile fronds near its center.
This mural is a collaboration with Heritage Conservancy, Jean-Marc Dubus, student artists from the Truman High School Art Club, and community members who shared feedback and ideas. Read more about Jean-Marc’s work and the story of the mural.
