Take Cover!
For this Salamander Saturday, we thought we’d share a little video of one of our new residents, Tweeg, making his way under his hiding rock. Hellbender’s bodies are very flat and streamlined, which allows them to slide easily underneath large rocks sitting on a stream-bed. While under their rock of choice, hellbenders will wait patiently for prey to come near and will snatch them up for a quick meal. Currently, Oneka and Tweeg have some fish they share space with and occasionally snack on whilst under their...
Read MoreSafeguarding RTPI’s Unique and Irreplaceable Collections
Documentary Heritage & Preservation Services for New York (DHPSNY) is a statewide program of the New York State Archives and New York State Library which provides free planning and education services to archives, libraries, museums, and other institutions that safeguard and ensure access to New York’s historical records and unique research materials. Preparation for an emergency or disaster is one of the most important steps a cultural institution can take to safeguard collections. RTPI is the only official institutional steward of the life works of Roger Tory Peterson. We maintain,...
Read MoreWhat’s In Our Water?
Have you seen this woman in the news lately? This is Dr. Sherri (Sam) Mason, the SUNY Fredonia Professor whose groundbreaking research on plastic pollution in the Great Lakes has earned her much recognition and press. RTPI staff have teamed up with Dr. Mason for guidance on evaluating the levels of plastic pollution in another freshwater system – the Chadakoin River in Jamestown. During our summer 2017 “education through conservation” initiative, the Project Wild America Youth Ambassadors Program (PWA), local students will work with RTPI staff to sample and assess the levels of plastic...
Read MoreA Frog that Few Have Laid Eyes On
Here is a frog that few have ever laid eyes on – Legler’s Tree Frog (Ptychohyla legleri). This is one of the target species of RTPI Director Twan Leenders’ recent trip to the mountains of Costa Rica where he joined RTPI Research Associate Alex Shepack in surveys of imperiled amphibian populations. Legler’s Tree Frog is an endangered species with a very small and highly fragmented distribution range. It is the only species in its genus in lower Central America; its nearest relatives are found in northern Nicaragua and countries north of there. This recently metamorphed individual was found...
Read MorePiping Plover Hatchling
This is a Piping Plover hatchling – only a few days old – foraging on the beach with its parents and siblings. The NBA has a campaign called, “This Is Why We Play”. This photo exemplifies why WE advocate, educate, and conserve species and their habitats in collaboration with the Audubon Alliance for Coastal Waterbirds. It is often difficult work in a challenging field for our staff and our volunteers. While we can sometimes lose sight of the bigger picture, this photo of a little bird reminds us that our efforts are all worthwhile. Please keep spreading our...
Read MoreSpider Silk – the Next Sustainable Resource?
Spider silk is the world’s strongest natural fiber known – it is incredibly durable but also extremely lightweight and flexible. One strand of spider silk is one-tenth the thickness of a human hair, and its flexibility resembles that of thread. These qualities are unmatched by other fibers, such as cotton or nylon, giving it a wide variety of industrial applications. The value of spider silk is increased by the fact that it can be a renewable resource. RTPI conservation staff works with the Forman School during research expeditions in Costa Rica to explore the potential to “farm”...
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