GIS Lesson
After spending some time getting familiar with a GPS system last week, JCC students took their data to the next level through their lesson in GIS with RTPI Research Associate Dr. Peter Beeson yesterday afternoon. Students mapped their GPS way-points and were able to incorporate other useful information in the form of layers into their maps. They got a little taste of what GIS mapping is capable of and saw how it is extremely useful in the field of environmental conservation. It was a great lesson for all and the students made some pretty snazzy maps by the end of the afternoon!
Read MoreHWA Survey Season
Once again it’s that time of year to brave the cold for conservation sake! That’s right, the season for surveying Eastern Hemlock trees (Tsuga canadensis) for the presence of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (Adelges tsugae) has officially begun. Commonly referred to as HWA, Hemlock Woolly Adelgid is an aphid-like invasive insect that specifically attacks species within the Tsuga genus. Within the United States, four species of hemlock exist: Western and Mountain hemlock in the Pacific Northwest and Eastern and Carolina hemlock throughout the east. Each of these species are fair game for...
Read MoreSpiny Softshell Turtle Female
Sure, now that our Project Wild America Youth Ambassadors are not trying to capture them for tracking and research purposes, the Spiny Softshell Turtles, like this female, can hang out on the edge of the Chadakoin River. They are such smart and savvy creatures! In case you missed their work this summer check out RTPI’s PWA Youth Ambassadors efforts on their website.
Read MoreSpiny Softshell Turtle Male
Here we have one of those tiny Eastern Spiny Softshell Turtle (Apalone spinifera) males blending in so perfectly as it rests on the side of the Chadakoin River in downtown Jamestown, New York. As Elyse and I observed this individual I snapped off a few photos, but we never noticed something else going on here. Have you? There is a second male facing the camera also basking in the sunshine, looking like some of the jagged shore. He was a cool editing surprise! Our work in monitoring the species will continue through the autumn season with more to come in 2016. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation...
Read MoreJCC Virtual Tours – RTPI
In 2013, the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History joined with Jamestown Community College. JCC students interested in the natural sciences now have access to the RTPI’s outstanding wealth of resources. Please see more in this JCC virtual tour of RTPI which is an especially great watch if you have not yet had the chance to visit us in Jamestown, New York. Video produced by Patrick Myers ’14.
Read More
