Walk

A "Ramble" is less than a full-fledged botanist identifying each plant, more than a hike, sort of a plant-loving-crowd-sourced ID along the trail led by an enthusiastic member with both love and knowledge of plants.  Torben Russo will lead an excursion to see what flora can be found at this FLLT woodland sanctuary.  Even if there is snow, there will be trees, shrubs and probably some ferns peeking out. The loop trail is fairly short, under 2 miles so we should be back by lunch. Wear warm clothes (snowshoes if there is enough snow).

 Even with many of the leaves gone, you can still identify many trees and shrubs. Come learn how, while walking the hunter-free grounds of Sapsucker Woods.  Meet near the entry to the Lab of Ornithology building; lots of free parking is available. This will be an easy walk, with interesting wetland and forest species. Contact info@flnps.org with any questions.

Meet at Sapsucker Woods.

Rain date Oct. 16.  Contact info@flnps.org to register - info on meeting locations, times, and any delays will be sent to you.

Join Torben Russo, aspiring rambler, on a 3 mile section of the Abbott Loop Trail in the Danby State Forest. We will meet at 10 O'clock at CCE or at the trail head on Michigan Hollow Road at 10:30am. The trail head is roughly 2.5 miles in on the right hand side of Michigan Hollow Road (on the right, coming from Ithaca) from Danby Road (96b). There is an obvious pull-off for it. The road turns to dirt and is dirt at that point.If you're a bit of an explorer but would like less of a walk, you can drive to the trail head a little farther up on Hill Rd.

How many species of ferns will we find at Fillmore Glen? Bring your field guides and hand lenses! Meet at CCE at 1 pm to carpool.Alternatively, meet at Fillmore Glen at 1:45. We’ll park at the lower entrance and meet in front of the building with the picnic tables.

Join Robert Wesley for a walk in the varied habitats of Lime Hollow. A rich woods, acid bog and marl ponds are home to a wide diversity of plant life.Meet at CCE at 1 pm to carpool or at 1:45 pm at the parking area on Gracie Road.

Learn to ID wetland bryophytes. Bring boots, otter repellent and a 10x hand lens if you got them. Meet at CCE at 1 pm to carpool, or at the parking area at the preserve at 1:30 pm. 

South Hill, Ithaca, has long been considered a botanical “hotspot”. Fortunately, large portions of its extensive acreage have been preserved as natural areas by Ithaca College and Cornell University. South Hill contains a wide range of ecological communities, from drier, hilltop niches to lower elevation swamps. Timed to coincide with the flowering of its abundant ericaceous species, particularly the blueberries and huckleberries, this 3-hour field trip will survey one or more sites of higher diversity.

Ken was excited to show us a large population of Virginia Bluebells which includes the white-flowered form as well as the usual blue. Other spring flowers abound at this site, including Claytonia virginica and Viola striata. 

As follow-up to his lecture on native violets, Mike Hough will lead a walk at Upper Buttermilk Park, where several species can be found. Mike will focus on identifying common violets of the Finger Lakes and other spring wildflowers. If time allows we may travel to another site nearby. Meet at CCE at 1:00 pm to carpool to the site. Parking fees may be in effect at the park, but you can meet the group at the parking lot for Upper Buttermilk (next to the playground) by 1:20pm.