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2012 General Public Programs Requested donation of $2.00 per member and all children, $4.00 per adult non-member, unless otherwise noted. Programs begin at 7:30 PM
February 21, 2012 Impacts of invasive species on our forests
Dr. Jeffrey Ward will give a presentation on the Impacts of invasive species on our forests – and how to control them. This talk will explain the negative effects of invasive species on wildflowers, tree seedlings, and water quality and the link between invasives and increased risk of exposure to Lyme disease. A wide range of options to control invasives, including both organic and herbicides, will be presented along with development of local action plans.
Dr Ward. received his BS (forest biology) and MS (silviculture) at The Ohio State University, and after time in the Peace Corps (Guatemala), his PhD (forest ecology) at Purdue University. He has been in the Department of Forestry & Horticulture at The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station since 1987 and is currently the Chief Scientist. His early research focused on long-term population dynamics in unmanaged forests. His more recent work has included control and impact of invasive species such as Japanese barberry, alternative forest management practices, forest health indicators at watershed scales, and examining the impact of deer damage in unmanaged forests. He is the author or co-author on nearly 90 papers and averages over 30 talks per year to the public and natural resource professionals.
March 20, 2012 Fieldcraft For Birders
Gina Nichol will give a slide presentation on, FIELDCRAFT FOR BIRDERS. She will be showing us many beautiful bird pictures. One of the most satisfying aspects of bird watching is getting a good close view of a wild bird, one that allows you to study plumage features, observe behavior or simply enjoy the aesthetic experience. Try as we may, getting close to birds is not so easy. Binoculars and spotting scopes help and most birders know not to wear white in the field but what are some other ways to improve your chances of getting a prolonged, satisfying view of a bird? This program will focus on "Fieldcraft", the field practices and specialist skills for observing birds at close range. Techniques intended to advance birding proficiency and get those killer views will be revealed with the goal of raising gratification and lowering frustration that can accompany our favorite pursuit.
April 17, 2012 Wonderful World of Lichens
Barbara and Peter Rzasa will give an introductory lecture on the Wonderful World of Lichens. Participants attending the workshop will learn to recognize different lichen forms and structures, their ecology, habitat requirements and ancient and modern uses.
Lichens are curious plants that are part fungus and part alga or cyanobacteria existing in a symbiotic relationship. They color our trees, rocks, boulders and soil and form the dominant vegetation over 8% of the earth’s terrestrial surface. Lichens are often the first to settle in places lacking soil and help to build up sufficient organic matter that eventually allows vascular plants to establish themselves. Lichens have been used to produce natural dyes, as food sources, potential antibiotics, and most recently as bio-indicators of air quality.
May Lichens have quite a different appearance when viewed under a hand lens where one can observe beautiful pixie cups, disks and coral-like shrubs. Several specimens will be available for viewing through a stereo-microscope.
This presentation is appropriate for ages 10 through adult.
May 15, 2012 Spring Wildflowers of the Northeast: A Natural History
The wildflowers that brighten our woodlands in spring are more than just a delight for the eye and a lift for the winter-weary spirit. Each has a role in the environment, with often interesting interactions with pollinators and seed dispersers. Learn about the life histories of some of your favorite spring wildflowers. Topics will include adaptations for early blooming, medicinal and other uses, the origin of wildflower names, and pollination and seed dispersal.
Carol Gracie is a naturalist and photographer with a degree in plant studies from Lehman College of the City University of New York. Now retired, most of her career was spent at The New York Botanical Garden where she headed the Children’s Education Program and the Foreign Tour program and taught in the Continuing Education Program. After marrying a tropical botanist, Carol decided to work with her husband on botanical research projects in South America. She has made dozens of trips to South and Central America, for botanical collecting expeditions and as a tour leader. Carol is a co-author, with her husband Scott Mori, of the two-volume Vascular Plants of Central French Guiana. She has recently worked on plant inventories in the Caribbean and the northeastern United States, and lectures on temperate and tropical flora and other natural history topics. After working for two decades in the tropics, Carol’s original love of temperate flora was rekindled, and in 2006 she co-authored (with Steve Clemants) Wildflowers in the Field and Forest: A field guide to the northeastern United States. Carol and Scott live in Westchester County, NY where she volunteers with local conservation organizations and enjoys gardening and doing things with her grandchildren.
Her most recent book, Spring Wildflowers of the Northeast: A Natural History, will be published by Princeton University Press in March of 2012.
June 19, 2012 TBD
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