Update on RTPI’s Winter Phone Cell Tour
For some, snow is simply a burden. But for myself (and I’m sure there are others!), snow brings a positive change in attitude. Hearing Christmas music for a month straight doesn’t necessarily put me in a celebratory mood, but a blanket of snow illuminated by colorful lights and accompanied by a quiet stillness that seems to intensify as every flake descends really gets me into the holiday spirit. Along these lines, snow also gets me excited for outdoor recreation opportunities and for being able to enjoy the landscape with a completely different view. It also draws countless...
Read MoreProject Wild America Youth Ambassadors: Another Successful Year
In honor of Wild America Wednesday, we thought it would be appropriate to celebrate another successful year of RTPI’s Project Wild America (PWA) Youth Ambassadors Program! Beginning in 2015, PWA began with a small group of ambitious students ready to roll up their sleeves and get dirty as they got acquainted with the Chadakoin River and the surrounding urban ecosystem within the City of Jamestown. Fast-forward to 2017, our crew has grown as have as our projects. We hope you enjoy this selection of photos from the summer season as well as the report for this year’s program. ...
Read MoreForest Pest Task Force
Please join us at RTPI on Wednesday, September 13th from 1:00-3:00PM for the fall Chautauqua County Forest Pest Task Force meeting! The task force will discuss ongoing forest pest issues such as the spread of Emerald Ash Borer, Hemlock Woolly Adelgid, Oak Wilt and other new diseases or pests impacting our local, regional and state forests. The public is welcome to attend and contribute to the discussions!
Read MoreA Different Variety
We have a special species to feature in this week’s Salamander Saturday: the Red-cheeked Salamander (Plethodon jordani)! This salamander is another southern Appalachian species, primarily occurring between southwestern Virginia and extreme northeastern Georgia. It is a fairly common resident in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, otherwise known as the “Salamander Capital of the World.” This salamander typically resides within deep mountain gorges near streams and seeps. It also tends to prefer spruce-fir forests, but is sometimes found in mixed hardwood forests as...
Read MoreSoggy HWA Survey
Our first two Hemlock Woolly Adelgid surveys have been successful in the fact that we haven’t found any evidence of the little invasive pests! However, this past week’s survey was rather wet due to the massive amount of rain and snow melt Chautauqua County has experienced. As you can see it looks as though the salamanders should be coming out soon and checking out these pools, but hopefully this wacky weather won’t wake them up quite yet!
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