Talk

The use of plant species from native plant communities is an emerging element of landscape design that focuses on learning lessons from plants’ native growing environments. Species from very difficult growing conditions can be particularly useful in built landscapes. SUNY ESF applied these concepts to the Gateway Center garden using plants native to two New York communities – the alvar grassland community and the East Ontario dune community.  FLNPS members who have visited this garden have had wildly enthusiastic reports.

Anne is a lifelong botanist, a recipient of NY Flora Association's "New York Native Plant Conservationist Award." She wrote a well received book with Nancy Eldblom titled Plants of St. Lawrence County; an Annotated Checklist. St Lawrence County, northeast of Watertown, has wonderful flora, but had not been well studied before this. Come hear about the effort to collect data for the checklist, and some of the special plants found (and not found) in the process.

Show some slides or artwork, read a poem, ask a burning question, explain your latest plant-related theory or discovery.  This event provides you a chance to share your "phyto" stuff (tangible and otherwise) with your fellow members.

It’s time again to just relax as we share experiences and expertise.  Please plan on attending and participating. We will be in our usual meeting location in the Unitarian Church annex.

   We’ve all seen swallowwort covering the ground in local preserves. In this presentation, Prof. DiTommaso will summarize the current understanding of the biology and ecology of the invasive nonnative perennial vines, pale swallowwort (Vincetoxicum rossicum) and black swallowwort (Vincetoxicum nigrum).  Management options will also be discussed as will the threat they pose to natural areas and native plant species.

February's talk recounts the story of a 13-year effort to populate an abandoned pasture on well-drained, clay soils with colorful, native wildflowers.  Along the way, the gardener realized that there are relatively few native species adapted to this disturbed, man-made ecosystem.  Why were most of the grasses and forbs at this northern Vermont site not native, and why by comparison, are there comparatively more native grasses and forbs for many of our naturally occurring ecosystems?  Why haven't more North American native species evolved to succeed in our anthropogenic grasslands?

Come hear about the goals, the progress, and the methods used to preserve one of New York’s unique ecosystems.Jesse has been working at the Pine Bush for several years, developing a program with staff and volunteers to propagate desirable plant species and to eradicate or control undesirables.  He will cover why the pine bush is important, habitat degradation, overabundant native species, invasive species, propagation, and prioritizing ecosystem maintenance.

The Southern Appalachians are some of the oldest mountains on Earth and have the nation's most ecologically diverse forests and watersheds, with internationally significant aquatic diversity.  The region has more than four million acres of federal land, including the nation's most visited national park, Great Smoky Mountains, with more than 9 million visitors a year.  The Southern Appalachians also host the greatest diversity of salamanders found on Earth and the cove hardwood forests of the Smokies are the most diverse temperate forest on Earth, with the possible exception of the mountains

The Hemlock Woolly Adeglid (HWA) is devastating the Hemlock forests and the delicate ecosystems that depend upon them. The film illustrates the vital importance of The Eastern Hemlock Tree, what should be done to prevent the spread of the HWA and the growing phenomena of invasive species as a whole. After the film, a panel will discuss local efforts to contain HWA.

HWA are here year-round, not just in the winter when we can easily SEE them.