Exploring Chenango Valley State Park (Broome County)
When
What
Where
Who
Link for More Info
Description
Leatherstocking Botanical Society walk - Joint with the New York Flora Association
Time: 9 am to 4 pm
Leader/Contact(s): Julian Shepherd (contact info at Leatherstocking Facebook page link above.)
Where to meet: Meet at the "Tween Lakes" Picnic Area inside Chenango Valley State Park.
Description of the Outing: Chenango Valley State Park, 1,137 acres located in Chenango Forks NY, is a glacial dump area with plains and numerous kettle holes now occupied by 2 lakes with acidic boggy mats, an alkaline swamp, and several fens, both open and shrubby. The Park has been protected for close to 100 years, with mature oak forests on a sandy, gravelly substrate. Flora of the boggy areas include Drosera, Sarracenia, Vacciniums, Menyanthes, Chara, and at least 2 species of Utricularia. The forests have at least 4 species of orchids and various species characteristic of more acidic, sandy soils not common in the Southern Tier. The western boundary of the Park is the Chenango River whose bottomlands include some unusual species such as Senecio suaveolens and Hypericum ascyron.
What to bring: A lunch, snacks, water and typical field gear, rubber boots or footwear for wet conditions.
