Overview of NYFA Fields Trips and Workshops for 2011
Click here to download the overview. See below for details.
May 21-22 (Saturday and Sunday), 2011, Salix (willow) workshop based out of Ithaca (Tompkins Co.), led by David Werier. Co-sponsored with the Bailey Hortorium, Cornell University. Click here for a flier.
June 4 (Saturday), 2011, High Valley Farm field trip, Columbia County, led by Troy Weldy, Claudia Knab-Vispo, and Richard Ring.
June 19-23 (Sunday-Thursday), 2011, Joint field meeting based out of Ithaca (Tompkins Co.). Click here for a flier.
June 24-26 (Friday-Sunday), 2011, Botrychium (grape fern and moonworts) workshop based out of Ithaca (Tompkins Co.), led by Art Gilman. Click here for a flier.
June 29-July 1 (Wednesday-Friday), 2011, Sedge family identification workshop based out of Geneva (Ontario Co.), led by Tony Reznicek. Click here for a flier.
July 23-24 (Saturday-Sunday), 2011, Flat Rock field trip (Clinton Co.), led by Anne Johnson, Chris Martine, and Scott LaGreca.
July 31-August 1 (Sunday-Monday), 2011, Bergen Swamp / Letchworth field trip (Genesee, Wyoming, and Livingston Cos.), led by Steven Daniel and Doug Bassett.
August 28 (Sunday), 2011, Cryptogam trip to Burroughs Cave, Newcomb, NY (Essex Co.), led by Scott LaGreca.
September 10 (Saturday), 2011, Hubbard Creek Marsh & vicinity, Suffolk Co., Long Island, Joint field trip between NYFA and Long Island Botanical Society, led by Eric Lamont
September 17 (Saturday), 2011, Aster and goldenrod workshop based out of the Niagara Falls region, led by John Semple. Click here for a flier.
- All field trips and workshops are open to the public but participants are encouraged to join NYFA (see http://www.nyflora.org/).
Details of NYFA fields trips and workshops for 2011
Click here to download the details. Also see below for downloading fliers for some of the events.
May 21-22 (Saturday and Sunday), 2011, Salix (willow) workshop based out of the Bailey Hortorium in Ithaca (Tompkins Co.), led by David Werier. Workshop co-sponsored by NYFA and the Bailey Hortorium. Click here for a flier.
The genus Salix (willows) is very diverse in New York with about 28 species and numerous hybrids known from outside of cultivation. This includes many native and non-native species. Some are very widespread while others are rare or only regionally common. Identification while often relatively straight forward can be complicated by morphological plasticity, morphologically simple flowers, ephemeral flowering, and occasional hybridization. Willows are frequently planted and used in ecological restoration and rehabilitation work. Within recent years a non-native willow, Salix cinerea (the gray willow), has been identified as being part of the naturalized flora of New York. It had been mistaken for a native willow for many years and is now considered to be highly invasive. Proper identification of willows and knowledge of their native/non-native status has become increasingly important. This workshop will focus on the identification of willows that occur in New York. Weather permitting we will spend most of our time in the field but will also have some lab time.
David Werier is a student of the flora of New York. His passion centers on understanding and becoming familiar with all the species that occur in the state and enjoys sharing that knowledge with those that are interested. He has taught numerous workshops on different taxonomic groups including willows. His intention for the workshop is that participants will walk away with the knowledge and skills to readily identify the willows they encounter in New York.
This workshop will take place from Saturday May 21st 9:30 AM to Sunday May 22nd afternoon. It will be based out of the Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York (Tompkins County). We will spend most of our time in the field at different sites in the Ithaca area but will also have some lab time.
The cost for the workshop includes the entire weekend program. Meals and housing are the obligation of the participants. We will go out to a local restaurant on Saturday evening as a group. Total cost is $95 for NYFA member or $125 for non-NYFA members. Participants are encouraged to become NYFA members (see the NYFA website http://www.nyflora.org/).
Participation is limited so please sign up early to assure a slot. To register please send an email to David Werier (Nakita[at]lightlink.com) and a check made out to the New York Flora Association for the full amount to the New York Flora Association / 3140 CEC / Albany, NY 12230 or if you would like to pay by credit card please request a credit card form from David. For additional questions please contact David Werier at 607-273-1765 or Nakita[at]lightlink.com.
For a flier click this link.
June 4 (Saturday), High Valley Farm field trip, Columbia County, led by Troy Weldy, Claudia Knab-Vispo, and Richard Ring.
Please join us for a special hike to the private historic estate of the Masters family. Those who have had the rare opportunity to tour this 700 acre parcel consider it a gem within the Berkshire-Taconic Landscape. Tucked in the middle of Taconic State Park and adjacent to the Massachusetts border, this property offers a mix of habitats including high rock outcrops, Appalachian oak-hickory forests, swamps, and high elevation pine. We anticipate observing a number of state rarities, orchids, sedges, ferns, and mosses. The Masters family has taken great care of this property and invited NYFA to share in their love for this beautiful site. Do not miss this unique opportunity. Space is limited so please reserve your spot early. To register please contact Troy Weldy (tweldy[at]TNC.ORG)
June 19-23 (Sunday through Thursday), Joint Field Meeting, Ithaca, NY region (Tompkins Co). Click here for a flier.
Join the 2011 Joint Field Meeting of the Botanical Society of America - Northeastern Section, Torrey Botanical Society, and Philadelphia Botanical Club. The meeting is cosponsored with the Finger Lakes Native Plant Society and the New York Flora Association.
The 2011 Field Meeting will examine the flora of Tompkins County and vicinity in upstate New York. Housing will be on the campus of Ithaca College, at the southern edge of the city of Ithaca. Located at the southern end of Lake Cayuga, Ithaca is in the heart of the extremely scenic Finger Lakes region. Accommodations are in double-occupancy dormitory rooms of Ithaca College. Also, there are several nearby motels. Transportation will be by a rented bus and by car-pooling.
For full details and a registration form click on this link.
For further information contact: Larry Klotz, Chair (lhklot[at]ship.edu) or Robynn Shannon, Co-chair (rndshannon[at]cox.net).
June 24-26 (Friday evening through Sunday morning), Botrychium (moonwort ferns, grape ferns, and rattlesnake ferns) workshop based out of the Bailey Hortorium, Cornell University, Ithaca (Tompkins Co.), led by Art Gilman. Click here for a flier.
One of the most enigmatic plant groups is Ophioglossaceae, a family of very primitive ferns whose relationship to other plants is obscure, and whose relationships among themselves are poorly known. The family occurs almost worldwide – it is on all continents except Antarctica – and there are life forms ranging from wet-season ephemerals of African deserts, to epiphytes hanging from palm trees, to low perennial herbs of boreal grasslands. Yet they have very exacting requirements in their early life history, comparable for example, to the ecological requirements of orchids. In addition, many species are rare.
In this workshop we will explore the genus Botrychium, which is well represented in New York by three distinct groups – the moonwort ferns (subgenus Botrychium), the grape ferns (subgenus Sceptridium), and the rattlesnake ferns (subgenus Osmundopteris).
Of these, the moonworts have a particular history in central New York, beginning with the 1872 discovery of common moonwort, Botrychium lunaria near Syracuse, and the subsequent naming of the New York plants as a variety, var. onondagense. Today, these plants are still extant, but the taxonomy of moonworts is in flux, as the whole subgenus is now known to have undergone rapid peri-glacial evolutionary radiation. Following an overview of recent developments in the moonworts, we will concentrate on identification of specimens, which can be difficult in the field and in the herbarium. The timing of the workshop is such that we anticipate seeing moonworts on the field trips.
The grape ferns also have a central New York connection, as B. oneidense was first found in New York. They are perhaps even more difficult to identify with confidence, but with two rare species (B. oneidense and B. rugulosum) in the state along with two common ones, it is important to be able to do so. We will review the morphologies of these plants as we find them in the herbarium, and will look for them in the field, although the season will not be optimal.
Rattlesnake fern, B. virginianum, is the most common and least “problematic” Botrychium locally. We will use it as a model to discuss life-history and the general morphology of the genus.
It is especially interesting that this workshop will be held in the Bailey Hortorium, where taxonomist Robert Clausen, the author of the most recent monograph of the family, was educated and spent his career. His Monograph of Ophioglossaceae, published in 1937, was derived from his doctoral dissertation. Dr. Clausen’s taxonomic philosophy will also be a topic of discussion.
The workshop will take place from Friday June 24th 7PM to Sunday June 26th 12 Noon, 2011. It will be based out of the Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York (Tompkins County). We will spend time both indoors and in the field in central New York.
The cost for the workshop includes the entire weekend program. Meals and housing are the obligation of the participants. We will go out to a local restaurant on Saturday evening as a group. Total cost is $125 for NYFA member or $155 for non-NYFA members. Participants are encouraged to become NYFA members (see the NYFA website http://www.nyflora.org/)
Please bring a 10x hand lens, field journal, appropriate clothing to be outside, Botrychium specimens /photos (optional), and a bag lunch for Saturday (this can be purchased locally, in the morning).
Participation is limited so please sign up early to assure a slot. To register please send an email to David Werier (Nakita@lightlink.com) and a check made out to the New York Flora Association for the full amount to the New York Flora Association / 3140 CEC / Albany, NY 12230 or if you would like to pay by credit card please request a credit card form from David.
For additional questions please contact David Werier at 607-273-1765 or Nakita[at]lightlink.com.
For a flier click this link.
June 29-July 1 (Wednesday-Friday), 2011, Sedge family identification workshop based out of Geneva (Ontario Co.), led by Tony Reznicek. Click here for a flier.
Workshop Summary: The New York Flora Association is sponsoring a two-day workshop in cooperation with the Finger Lakes Institute at Hobart and William Smith Colleges. The workshop will be held on Thursday and Friday June 30th & July 1, 2011 with an optional Wednesday evening session on June 29 for id of your plants. Dr. Tony Reznicek (University of Michigan), the renowned Carex expert and author of various FNA Cyperaceae treatments, will lead the workshop. Field sites will be explored in the Finger Lakes and surrounding region. This workshop will be valuable for a wide range of experience and will benefit botanists, ecologists, wetland delineators, restoration ecologists, and more. The workshop will include both lab and field exercises. Dissecting scopes will be available. All participants are encouraged to bring plant material from their areas of interest for evening id and discussions with Tony. The workshop will focus on sedges, but rushes and grasses will be discussed also. Workshop fees do not include lodging or meals. The College is offering a lodging option and meal option for participants. The costs for lodging are approximately $28.50 per person per night and meals are approximately $28.00 for 3 meals a day. Additionally, there are a variety of hotel and camping options near the Institute if you prefer. Participation is limited so please sign up early. To register send an email with contact information to Ed Frantz, efrantz[at]dot.state.ny.us and forward registration form with payment (download registration form here). For questions by phone you can contact Ed Frantz at (315) 793-2421.
Date of Workshop: June 30- July 1 2011 with an optional June 29, 6:30-10:00 PM Session
Cost: $135 for NYFA members and students; $165 for non-members Participants are encouraged to become NYFA members (see the NYFA website http://www.nyflora.org/)
For a flier click this link.
July 23-24 (Saturday and Sunday), Flat Rock Field Trip (Clinton Co.), led by Anne Johnson, Chris Martine, and Scott LaGreca.
The Altona Flat Rock, a 15 square mile expanse of jack pine covered sandstone pavement barrens in Clinton County, is known for its unique scenery, its interesting history (natural, geologic, and human), and its blueberry crops. It is also an outstanding site for mosses and lichens. On 23 July, we will walk from the west edge of the flat rock to the Dead Sea and beyond to Cold Brook. Bring a lunch, lots of water, and a hat for sun protection. The trip on 24 July will be to The Gulf Unique Area on the Canadian border. The Gulf is a chasm formed by a torrent of meltwater from glacial Lake Iroquois. We will explore both the rim and the bottom. Wear sturdy shoes as the way down is over small cobblestones. Rooms for an overnight stay as well as lab space may be available at the Miner Institute student residence facility. There will be both a moss/lichen as well as a vascular plant contingent. To register, please contact Anne Johnson (ritzko[at]northnet.org).
Dorm rooms are available for $20/night at the nearby Miners Institute. These will likely fill up fast so please make reservations sooner than later by contacting Kirk Beattie (beattie[at]whminer.com). We hope to set up a lab space there to look at lichens and bryophytes in the evening.
July 31-August 1 (Sunday and Monday), Bergen Swamp / Letchworth State Park Field Trip (Genesee, Wyoming, and Livingston Cos.), led by Steven Daniel and Doug Bassett.
Join us for two days of exploring two premier botanical hot spots of western New York: Bergen Swamp and Letchworth State Park. Bergen Swamp is known for its calcareous wetland flora. It is also the epicenter of a new addition to the flora of New York, the highly invasive grass known as Brachypodium sylvaticum (slender false brome). Letchworth on the other hand is a massive gorge with associated rich floodplains, cliffs, and dry forests along the rim. We will spend Sunday July 31st at Bergen Swamp and Monday August 1st at Letchworth. To register, please contact Steven Daniel (natdisc[at]rochester.rr.com).
August 28 (Sunday), 2011Cryptogamic Field Trip to Burroughs Cave (Essex Co.), led by Scott LaGreca.
A Cryptogamic Committee field trip will take place on Sunday, August 28 at Burroughs Cave, near Minerva, NY on North Woods Road in the Adirondacks. Bring your handlens (10X is OK; 15X is better!) because we'll be hunting for mosses and lichens! The cold, fertile rock ledges around the cave support a diverse moss and lichen flora--and undoubtedly, further exciting cryptogamic discoveries await us. To register, please contact Scott LaGreca at 617-962-2327, or (salagreca[at]aol.com).
September 10 (Saturday), 2011, 9:30am. Hubbard Creek Marsh & vicinity, Suffolk Co., Long Island. Led by Eric Lamont. Joint field trip of the NYFA and Long Island Botanical Society.
We will visit tidal marshlands, a tidal creek, seepy roadsides and, if time permits, an Atlantic white cedar swamp. We should see several rare plant species and ecological communities, including Agalinis maritima, Bartonia paniculata, Carex collinsii, Carex hormathodes, Chamaecyparis thyoides, Cuscuta obtusiflora var. glandulosa, Oclemena (Aster) nemoralis, Plantago maritima var. juncoides, Solidago sempervirens var. mexicana, Viburnum nudum, and the northernmost populations in eastern North America of Fimbristylis castanea and Lythrum lineare. Not long ago, Helianthus angustifolius and Lilaeopsis chinensis occurred here, but have not been recently seen. We will see very common coastal plants (ex., Ilex glabra) that, in New York, do not occur north of Long Island. Dress for possibly wet (ankle deep) marshes. Bring water, lunch, and insect repellent.
Meeting Place: we will meet at 9:30am at the McDonald’s on Route 24, just east of the Riverhead traffic circle. NOTE: there are two traffic circles in Riverhead; you don’t want the one on Route 58 at the hospital. You want the traffic circle just south of Peconic River, in the Township of Southampton. Travelling from the west, take the LIE to exit 71 (Route 24) and proceed east to the traffic circle.
For more information contact the trip leader, Eric Lamont at elamont[at]optonline.net
September 17 (Saturday), 2011, aster and goldenrod workshop based out of the Niagara Falls region, led by John Semple. Click here for a flier.
Workshop Summary: The New York Flora Association and the Niagara Frontier Botanical Society are pleased to present an all-day botanical workshop in the Niagara region on asters and goldenrods led by reknown Asteraceae authority Dr. John Semple*.
Who couldn't use a little help with this large group that emblazens our fields and roadsides every fall? What happened to the genus "Aster" in New York? We will start off with a classroom overview of asters and goldenrods and then head out for field visits in the area to view the large diversity of species and improve our identification skills.
*John Semple is a Professor of Biology at the University of Waterloo in Ontario and author of over 175 publications. primarily on asters, goldenasters, and goldenrods. He has written books on the asters and goldenrods of Ontario, as well as authored or co-authored the treatments of several major groups of Asteraceae in the Flora of North America Vol. 20. We are very fortunate to have this level of expertise come to New York.
Date of Workshop: September 17th, 2011, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: Wilson-Tuscarora State Park, Wilson, New York.
To register: or for more information, contact Connie Tedesco at TEDECL17[at]oneonta.edu
Cost: $55.00 for NYFA and NFBS members; $75.00 for non-members; send payment to New York Flora Association, 3140 CEC, Albany, NY 12230; or a request credit card form from Connie.
For a flier click this link.