2016 Field Trips
The Adirondack Botanical Society has the following summer 2016 field trips and workshops. Some of these are joint trips with the NY Flora Association, NYFA. These trips are for everyone from interested enthusiasts to professional botanists. Contact information for each trip leader is below so please contact them and register before the trip. All trips have a size limit. We hope to see you in the field!
Check back for more upcoming trips!
- May 7 – Poke-O-Moonshine Wildflowers
- May 28 – Round Lake Bike Trip
- June 4 – Jones Pond Outlet and Bog Arethusa Search
- June 12 – Learn 10 Trees in Clinton Co.
- June 30-July 1 – NYFA Carex workshop in Plattsburgh
- July 30 – 31 – NYFA trip to Altona Flat Rock, Clinton Co.
- Aug 6 – Whiteface Mtn.
Trip Details Here:
7 May (Saturday). 9 am to 1 pm. FIELD TRIP: Spring Wild Flowers of Poke-O-Moonshine (Essex County). Leader: Michael B. Burgess. Joint with Friends of Poke-O-Moonshine and Adirondack Botanical Society.
We will explore the Observer’s Trail and nearby areas in search of spring wildflowers, including Dutchman’s breeches, spring beauty, blue cohosh, and many more. The walk will be over some rocky, uneven terrain. Comfortable and supportive shoes with good traction are recommended. Meet at new DEC parking lot, south of the old campground entrance. Bring water and lunch.
Preregistration is required. Participation is limited; please sign up early. For more information or to register, send an email with contact information (name, address, affiliation, email and best phone) to Michael B. Burgess (michael.b.burgess AT plattsburgh.edu).
28 May (Sunday). 10 am to 3pm. FIELD TRIP: Petal Pedal from Round Lake along the Zim Smith Bikeway (Saratoga County). Leader: Steve Young. Joint with Adirondack Botanical Society.
Shine up your bicycle and join botanist Steve Young for a 5.2 mile bike trip from Round Lake in Saratoga County north along the beautiful Zim Smith trail to Shenantaha Creek Park to look at the spring flora along the way. At the park we will walk the Ballston Creek trail to explore the flora there. We will eat lunch at the park and then head back down the trail to our starting point.
If you plan to attend and for trip details, contact Steve at 518-588-8360 or nyflora1 AT gmail.com. Spaces limited to 15 so sign up early.
12 June (Sunday). 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm. WORKSHOP: LEARN 10…TREES (Clinton County). Instructor: Michael B. Burgess. Joint with Peru Free Library.
Join us for a leisurely walk along the Little Ausable River trail to learn how to identify 10 common tree species. Participants will learn basic botanical terminology, how to use plant identification keys, and the natural history of each species. A 10x hand lens is optional. Participants may bring guidebooks, although guides will be provided. No prior botanical training is necessary.
The workshop trip is limited to 15 participants. To register, please email Michael B. Burgess (michael.b.burgess AT plattsburgh.edu). We will meet at the Heyworth-Mason Park entrance.
4 June (Saturday). Field Trip Paddle to Jones Pond Outlet and Bog to search for Arethusa orchid.
Leader: Brian McAllister. Come and explore the Lilliputian world of the bog mat. Spring has arrived on the peat lands and many flowers are in bloom. Sundews are setting up nicely with sticky “dew” catching the morning light. Arethusa has just popped up among the multicolored sphagnum moss, so bring a camera. Bring your favorite field guide and throw in your moss guide too, so we can tackle the sphagnums! Dare we engage in the confusing world of Carex? This field trip will require a canoe/kayak. Join a friend with a tandem or bring your solo boat. Bring hat, water, snack if needed. Meeting place: Jones Pond Rd (campsites/boat launch). 9 am. Duration of 2-3 hrs, mostly leisurely paddling along the bog mat edge. To register, contact Brian at birder1964@gmail.com
June 30 – July 1 (Thursday-Friday). WORKSHOP: Sedge Workshop (Plattsburgh Area). Instructor: Tony Reznicek. Co-sponsored with SUNY Plattsburgh.
What: This workshop has been so popular and has been NYFA’s longest running workshop. The first was in 2002 and was a 1 day workshop with Tony in the Plattsburgh area. We covered almost 100 species of Carex that day and set the single day record for any Sedge workshop to date. In addition, it set the record for the most species of Carex in one location to date in NY State. This year’s workshop returns to this botanically rich area.
The workshop will focus on sedges, but rushes and grasses will be discussed. Multiple field sites will be explored within a 30 mile radius that includes a wide range of habitats including some very unique habitats. 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. All participants are encouraged to bring plant material from their areas of interest for evening ID and discussions with Tony.
Who: Dr. Tony Reznicek (University of Michigan), the renowned Carex expert and author to various FNA Cyperaceae treatments, will lead the workshop.
When and Where: The workshop classroom portion will be held at the SUNY Plattsburgh and we will travel to various sites for fieldwork. The workshop officially will begin on Thursday morning. There will be 2 full days plus Thursday evening with Tony to work with keys. On Wednesday (June 29) there will be lab time for set up and to start working on your specimens. The Wednesday eve portion is optional and Tony will join us starting Thursday.
Cost: Workshop fee is $165 for NYFA members and students; $195 for non-members. Cost does not include lodging or meals. Further information, including meal and lodging options will be sent later to registrants closer to the time. Participants are encouraged to become NYFA members – see the NYFA website.
Registration and Inquiries: Participation is limited so please sign up early. To register send an email with contact information (name, address, affiliation, email and best phone) to Ed Frantz (ed.frantz@dot.ny.gov) and register via the Paypal link below. Alternately you may mail a check for the full amount with the name of the workshop in the memo line made out to the New York Flora Association / PO Box 122 / Albany, NY 12201-0122. For questions you can contact Ed Frantz (315)793-2421 or ed.frantz@dot.ny.gov.
30 and 31 July (Saturday and Sunday). FIELD TRIP: Altona Flat Rock State Forest (Clinton County). Leaders: Anne Johnson and friends.
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. Come explore the vascular plants, bryophytes, lichens (and maybe even algae!) of this interesting State Forest. We will take a leisurely stroll over the Flat Rock, hoping to make it to the Cold Brook via the Dead Sea. This will be a two day trip, come for one or both days. Bring a lunch, lots of water, and a hat for sun protection.
To register, please contact Anne Johnson (ritzko AT northnet.org). Rooms for an overnight stay as well as lab space may be available at the Miner Institute student residence facility. 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.
6 August (Saturday). 10 am to 1 pm. FIELD TRIP: Whiteface Mountain (Essex County). Leader: Steve Young. Joint with Adirondack Botanical Society.
Join Steve Young for a walk from the parking lot of Whiteface Mountain, up the stairs to the top and then down the Wilmington Trail to the parking lot. We will look at the wide diversity of alpine and krumholz plants and see if we can add to the extensive checklist of plants for the summit and the roadside. This is a moderate hike and will involve a climb up the long stairway from the castle to the top and a walk down a rocky, sometimes bouldery trail to the road. This is a joint trip with the Adirondack Botanical Society. Steve Young is Chief Botanist for the NY Natural Heritage Program and has helped to continue the checklist of plants for Whiteface started by Ed Ketchledge. The trip is open to anyone, but limited to 20, and will start at the entrance to the castle.
Check out the Whiteface Highway website. There may still be construction along the highway this summer so be prepared for heavier than usual traffic and arrive early. Bring a lunch and clothes that can stand a windy, cold, and sometimes rainy summit.
It is $10 for car and driver and $6 for each additional passenger so you might want to make carpool arrangements. If you plan to attend let Steve know by contacting him (nyflora1 AT gmail.com).
