What Are These “Weeds”?
Many aquatic plants exist within Chautauqua Lake; its nutrient-rich sediments provide a fertile growing bed for vegetation. Some of these plants are native to our area and provide critical ecological and environmental benefits, while others were introduced from distant locales and have been negatively impacting the ecological function, recreational and economic value of Chautauqua Lake. Surprisingly, some of the most prevalent invasives have been with us for decades already, while a steady stream of nearby or newly arriving species poses additional challenges to the future health of the...
Read MoreChiropterophily: The incredible pollination services that bats provide.
Recently, many have become aware of the issues that our pollinating insects face. Insects have been in a general decline for some time now, which is worrisome as they help prop up the food chains that support just about everything else on the planet. There are over 400 species of native bees just in New York State alone, each with an important role in the food web. Other critters – flies, beetles, butterflies, birds, etc. are important pollinators as well. A critical pollinator that often gets overlooked is the majestic and glorious bat. While all of the bat species in NY and around 70%...
Read MoreAn introduction to Chautauqua Lake’s Aquatic Invasive Plants
Many aquatic plants exist within Chautauqua Lake; its nutrient-rich sediments provide a fertile growing bed for vegetation. Some of these plants are native to our area and provide critical ecological and environmental benefits, while others were introduced from distant locales and have been wreaking havoc on the ecological function, recreational and economic value of Chautauqua Lake. Surprisingly, some of the most prevalent invasives have been with us for decades already, while a steady stream of nearby or newly arriving species poses additional challenges to the future health of the lake....
Read MoreGo Locavore at the 2018 Wild America Nature Festival!
Fresh strawberries. BBQ chicken. Mushrooms. Sweet corn. Cherries. Burgers. Black raspberries. We could keep on listing the amazing locally farmed and wild edible foods that make our summer delicious, but it would take up more space than we have for this article. Roger Tory Peterson’s Wild America Nature Festival at Panama Rocks on July 28 & 29 will celebrate amazing, locally produced and sourced food and highlight the importance of the environment to our food chain. One of the highlights of this year’s festival will be a series of programs delivered by Lee Peterson, the younger of Roger...
Read MoreROGER TORY PETERSON’S WILD AMERICA NATURE FESTIVAL AT PANAMA ROCKS JULY 28 & 29
Roger Tory Peterson’s Wild America Nature Festival is returning for its second year on July 28 & 29. Headlining the event are Roger Tory Peterson’s son, Lee Peterson, nationally best-selling author Jennifer Ackerman, and famous animal expert Jeff Musial (with his animals). Lee Peterson, the younger of two sons of Roger Tory Peterson, has worked in the world of natural history his entire life and is the author/illustrator of A Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants of Eastern and Central North America. As a gastronomic botanist, he has lectured throughout the United States and Canada and, as a...
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