March Speaker – Fabiola Rodríguez
Speaker Series Event – March 30, 2016 at 7:00pm with the Roger Tory Peterson Institute Ornithological Club Title: The Ecology and Conservation Challenges of the Honduran Emerald in the Agalta Valley Presenter: Fabiola Rodríguez, Masters in Biology student Institution: Indiana University of Pennsylvania & Indiana University of Pennsylvania Research Institute The Honduran Emerald (Amazilia luciae) is the only endemic bird to Honduras. This hummingbird species is included in the IUCN’s Red List as endangered and its population is considered to be in decline. Honduran Emeralds inhabit...
Read MoreProject Wild America Youth Ambassadors: Chadakoin River
During 2015, the Roger Tory Peterson Institute launched its Project Wild America Youth Ambassadors program employing six high school students and two college aged students. Throughout the course of the summer months, the PWA students worked alongside RTPI conservation staff to evaluate the Chadakoin River Corridor in the City of Jamestown. This urban river was found to be recovering from its long history of factory pollutants, channelization and overuse. It hosts a variety of flora and fauna including some that are quite rare within the state of New York. Species such as the Spiny Softshell...
Read MoreEmerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis)
On Thursday afternoon I had the opportunity to be a part of an Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) 1st Detector’s Training led by the Cornell Cooperative Extension here in Jamestown. After a morning of learning the biology and ecology of this invasive insect, we had the opportunity to drive just a short 20 minutes away to Randolph where EAB has heavily infested countless ash trees. Pictured below is a larvae that is eating away at the soft tissues of the wood. By next spring this little larvae will emerge into an adult capable of flying to other ash trees and starting new infestations. Stay tuned...
Read MoreJamestown’s Waterways
Our local waterways are amazing resources and are home to many spectacular species. While the waterways that flow through Jamestown and beyond are not perfect, they are capable of supporting an abundance of lifeforms, including us! So next time you pass over a stream or take a drive over to Chautauqua Lake or Lake Erie, take a moment to appreciate all the water surrounding you and do your part to take care of this important and valuable resource.
Read MoreOur Own Alaska
Around this time last year I found myself boarding a plane with 10 other Houghton College students bound for the state of Alaska for a 15 day trip. Previous to getting on the plane, we had spent an intensive four days in class learning about the unique ecosystems, like none of our own here in New York, we would soon see. We left New York from Rochester, and a layover and seven hours of flying later we arrived around midnight in Anchorage. It was dark when we landed, but while we were waiting to be shuttled to our hotel we were able to peer over the buildings and see the peaks of several snow...
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