As you can see as you review our past programs, members of HGCNY have had quite an education over the years! Our HGCNY YouTube channel has recordings of some of our past programs.
If you’re thinking about starting your own Wild Ones chapter or if you are part of a chapter looking for program ideas, this list may provide some ideas and inspiration, just as we have benefited from the work of other Wild Ones chapters. The Wild Ones Events calendar lists the programs being sponsored by all WO chapters, many of which are open to the public by Zoom.
Our 2021-2022 Program Year
Sun. Sept. 19, ’21 at 2:00 pm
Q&A Webinar by Zoom
Sometimes experienced gardeners don’t think to explain basic gardening techniques to beginning gardeners.
Do you have any questions about gardening? Register for this free webinar and ask away! There are no stupid questions!
Sun. Sept. 26 ’21 at 2:00 pm
Virtual presentation: Creating an Earth-friendly Landscape
Presenter: Janet Allen, President of HGCNY
Caring for our yards is the most direct way we care for the earth. By planting native plants, we provide habitat for even the smallest creatures. By using earth-friendly landscaping practices, we can create a healthy yard for our family and a healthy planet for future generations. And by observing some basic design principles, we can make it beautiful, too!
Sun. Oct. 10, ’21 at 2:00 pm
Our 2nd Q&A Webinar by Zoom
Sometimes experienced gardeners don’t think to explain basic gardening techniques to beginning gardeners.
Do you have any questions about gardening? Register for this free webinar and ask away! There are no stupid questions!
Sun. Oct. 31, ’21 at 2:00 pm
Virtual presentation: EcoBeneficial Gardening Strategies for Climate Change
Presenter: Kim Eierman
Climate change is here and it is impacting our landscapes – increased flooding, more frequent droughts, more extreme weather events and increasing temperatures. Ecological mismatches, record losses of native species and an increase of invasives are now the norm.
Want to help fight climate change at home? Learn how the plants you choose and the landscape practices you use can help reduce the impacts of climate change and improve the environment around you.
Kim Eierman created EcoBeneficial LLC to show how simple changes in our landscapes can make huge environmental improvements. Through horticultural consulting, ecological design with native plants, teaching, speaking and writing, Kim and EcoBeneficial want to change our world.
Sun. Nov. 21, ’21 at 2:00 pm
Virtual presentation: The Wonderful Life of a Dying Tree
Presenter: Gillian Martin
You can view a recording of this video on YouTube.
Gillian founded the Cavity Conservation Initiative, a 501 (c) 3 in Southern California whose mission is to protect habitat for cavity-nesting birds and other wildlife that rely on dead trees. She is also the co-founder of Tree Care for Birds and other Wildlife Program which is a committee of the Western Chapter International Society of Arboriculture.
A dead tree needlessly cut down and hauled away is a tree deprived of half its life value and commendable destiny. Gillian Martin’s presentation unveils the habitat value of dead trees. She persuasively illustrates their contribution to the health and sustainability of forests, yes, even the urban forest. Attendees will learn what to consider when selecting and retaining a hazardous tree as a habitat tree. They will forever view a dead tree with greater interest and appreciation.
Sun. Jan. 30, ’22 at 2:00 pm
Virtual presentation: A “View and Discuss” program
We’ll be viewing and then discussing “Cultivating Wildlife Conservation with Native Plants” presented by Desiree Narango, David H. Smith Conservation Research Fellow, Univ. of Massachusetts Amherst. This presentation was given to Grow Native Massachusetts in June 2021 and made publicly available.
If you were not able to attend the Zoom meeting, you can view this Grow Native Mass presentation directly.
Sun. February 27, ’22 at 2:00 pm
Virtual presentation: A “View and Discuss” program
We’ll be viewing the Xerces Society recorded webinar
Gardening with native plants: Learn from our mistakes and successes.
Following the presentation, we’ll discuss the ideas presented.
As we learn how to move from the unsustainable gardening practices of the past toward eco-friendly landscaping, we inevitably make mistakes.
This image shows one example: the beautiful late boneset that provides so much for pollinators (as the introductory image shows) but which was sited way too close to the driveway (as this image shows). Right plant, wrong place! This problem is currently being addressed by vigorous spring pruning but it would have been better to have planted it in a better location to begin with.
But it’s not only us laypeople who make these mistakes!
If you’re not able to attend the Zoom meeting, this webinar is available on the Xerces Society’s YouTube channel.
Sun. March 27, ’22 at 2:00 pm
Virtual presentation: A “View and Discuss” program:
How Native Cultivars Affect Pollinators
If you’re not able to attend the Zoom meeting, you can view the presentation on YouTube.
Native plant species are often recommended to provide optimal foraging and nesting habitats for pollinators and other wildlife. The growing demand for native plants, coupled with the horticulture industry’s desire for plants with unique characteristics, has led to the increased breeding and availability of native cultivars or “nativars”. But do native cultivars provide the same valuable habitat as the straight native species?
Annie White will share her field research on this topic and discuss the complex benefits and challenges of using both native species and native cultivars in landscape design. She is the owner of Nectar Landscape Design Studio in Stowe, Vermont and is also a full-time Lecturer of Sustainable Landscape Horticulture + Design at the Univ. of Vermont. She is passionate about designing cutting-edge and science-based ecological landscapes at all scales—from urban backyards to rural agricultural landscapes.
Sun., April 24, ’22 at 2:00 pm
Our third Q&A by Zoom
After a long winter, our thoughts are turning to planting native plants in our natural landscapes this spring. This Q&A session will help all of us share our knowledge and answer our questions.
You can ask any question, but here are some questions to think about and ideas to share:
- What native plants have been especially successful in your yard?
- What creature did you most enjoy and what aspect of your yard attracted them and provided for their needs?
- What native plant died and why do you think it did?
- What native plant did you especially enjoy?
- What tip would you give to someone starting out?
- What surprised you most when you started changing to native plant gardening?
- What are you planning to do with your yard this year?
Sun., May ’22 at 2:00 pm
A fern walk at Clark Reservation
Guide: Mike Serviss
WHAT: A fern walk with our guide Mike Serviss. Though some of the trails at Clark Reservation can be challenging, our hike will use easier trails.
WHEN: Sun., May 22 at 2 pm
WHO: Since large groups are difficult for guided tours, we’ll be limiting it to 30 people. To register, email John. (If more than 30 people sign up we’ll create a waiting list in case people have to cancel.)
WHERE: Clark Reservation State Park, 6105 East Seneca Turnpike, Jamesville (Note: There is no entrance fee until 5/28)
Sat. July 9, ’22 at 10 am
A walk through an old growth forest
Guide: Katie Mulverhill
WHAT: A walk through an old growth forest led by Katie Mulverhill, the Environmental Educator for the Central Region of the NYS Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation.
WHEN: Saturday, July 9 at 10 am.
WHO: Since large groups are difficult for guided tours, we have to limit the tour to 25 people. Email John if you’d like to reserve a place on the tour.
WHERE: Green Lakes State Park; 7900 Green Lakes Rd. Fayetteville
Sun., July 17, ’22 at 3:00 pm Show Me Help Me tour
Here’s the homeowner’s description:
When our family moved into this Westcott neighborhood home in July 2016, the front yard was lawn and frou-frou hydrangeas, while the backyard was mud, Norway maples, and buckthorns (added bonus: broken glass!). It was completely devoid of wildlife. After floundering around for 4 years mistakenly planting useless cultivated natives, plus losing the vegetable garden battle to armies of groundhogs and squirrels, I finally committed myself to filling our yard with straight natives. I’ve got a decent start; but I really want to rip out our foundation plantings, replace with straight natives, smother the front yard grass, and plant a matrix of native grasses and wildflowers. It’s an ambitious plan, but I’ve got the will, plus a 14-year-old happy to trade yardwork for screentime.
Our 2020-2021 Program Year
Unfortunately due to the pandemic we were unable to meet, but we featured many interesting presentations in our newsletter. These (labeled “FEATURED”) and other videos are listed here.
Our 2019-2020 Program Year
We generally meet at Liverpool Library at 310 Tulip St. in Liverpool (directions) on the last Sunday of the month during the September through April program year, though some programs are rescheduled due to room or date conflicts.
Unless noted otherwise, all of our programs take place on the last Sunday of the month at 2:00 pm at Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St. in Liverpool (Directions)
Sun., Sept. 29, ’19 at 2:00 pm:
Botany 101 Made Interesting
Presenter: Joe McMullen, botanist and environmental consultant, and one of our favorite presenters returns!
Did you ever wonder what distinguishes the ferns from other vascular plants, or what the parts of a flower actually are, or how to easily identify major groups of woody plant? Which of the following are flowering plants: Kentucky blue grass, sedges, corn, balsam fir, or princess pine? Joe will lead us through the answers to these questions and many more interesting facts and distinguishing characteristics of our major plant groups. Joe assures us that his botanical facts are sound, and that well over half of his plant related stories are actually true!
Sun., Oct. 20, ’19: Conserving Biodiversity in a Crowded World: Challenges Faced by Urban Wildlife in Syracuse
Presenter: Jason Luscier
We’re pleased to welcome Dr. Jason Luscier, Professor in the Dept of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Le Moyne College. Human population growth is resulting in increased urbanization across the planet. This has profound effects on global biodiversity. The city of Syracuse supplies a great case study in how certain wildlife respond well to human activities while many others perish. Dr. Jason Luscier is an urban wildlife biologist with Le Moyne College here in Syracuse, NY. Come learn about his Syracuse research program addressing multiple questions pertaining to urban wildlife conservation. Are urban frogs affected by light pollution? How do bats deal with noise pollution in Syracuse? Do free-roaming house cat distributions affect Syracuse wildlife? Do cat diseases spread to the deer in CNY?
Sun., Nov. 24, ’19 at 2:00 pm at Liverpool Library – A film
Green Fire: Aldo Leopold and a Land Ethic for Our Time
From the Aldo Leopold Foundation:
The first full-length documentary film ever made about legendary conservation thinker Aldo Leopold, Green Fire explores Leopold’s extraordinary career and his enduring influence – tracing how he shaped the modern conservation movement and continues to inspire projects all over the country that connect people and the land. Awards garnered by the film include an Emmy Award, Best Historical Documentary, Chicago/Midwest Chapter, 2012; a Telly Award, 2011; and a CINE Golden Eagle Award.
Sun., Jan. 26, ’20 at 2:00 pm at Liverpool Library:
Propagating Plants Using Nature as a Guide
Presenter: Ellen Folts
Ellen Folts of Amanda’s Garden Native Plant Nursery (and a perennially popular speaker at HGCNY and elsewhere! ) will discuss seed-starting procedures, cuttings, fern production and division of wildflower perennials. The program will help you choose the correct plants to use and proper propagation protocols to make it easy it is to propagate plants using nature as a guide.
Sun., Feb. 23, ’20 at 2:00 pm at Liverpool Library:
History of Environmental Change
Presenter: Lawrence Tanner
Dr. Lawrence Tanner, Professor at Le Moyne College, will give a presentation, “History of Environmental Change in Iceland.” He will present highlights of his research on ecological changes related to the modern recession of glaciers in Iceland, within the context of that country’s 1100 years of recorded history.
CANCELED due to coronavirus
Sun., Mar. 29, ’20: Native Berries for Migratory Bird Nutrition
Dr. Susan Smith Pagano, Associate Professor of Biology at RIT, will speak on the nutritional importance of native berries for migratory birds, and the implications of non-native berries. Her talk will focus on her research, conducted in the Rochester area and southern New England, with specific data on the nutritional content of different berries, and she will recommend what to plant to help migratory birds.
CANCELED due to coronavirus
Sun., Apr. 26, ’20: Natural History and Potential Control of Jumping Worms in Gardens and Woods
Dr. Tim McCay, Professor at Colgate University, will give a presentation on his recent research, “Natural History and Potential Control of Jumping Worms in Gardens and Woods.” Come learn what Dr. McCay has discovered about these invasive garden and woodland pests since he last spoke with us in January 2019.
CANCELED due to coronavirus
Sat., May 2 at Skaneateles High School:
Doug Tallamy, author of Bringing Nature Home, and of a new book Nature’s Best Hope
Our 2018-2019 Programs
Sept ’18: Climate Change – Dr. DAVID WEINSTEIN
Dr. David Weinstein, Visiting Scientist at Cornell will talk about the Mundy Wildflower Garden at Cornell and effects of climate change on the garden.
Oct ’18: Getting People to Garden for Wildlife – RHIANNON CRAIN
Rhiannon Crain from Cornell’s Habitat Network, “What Do We Know About How to Get (a lot of) People to Do More Gardening for Wildlife?”
Nov ’18: Nativars – Video presentation – ANNIE WHITE
Recorded video presentation, “How Native Plant Cultivars Affect Pollinators” by Annie White, Ecological Landscape Designer & Adjunct Professor, University of Vermont
Jan ’19: Asian Jumping Worms – Dr. TIM McCAY
Most of us have grown up with the message that earthworms are beneficial. Subconsciously, we might also have assumed they were native. Not true! Not only are earthworms in this part of the country not native and not beneficial (other than in our vegetable gardens), a new Asian variety is decidedly harmful. Come hear the latest research from Dr. McCay, who has been studying this issue at Colgate University.
Feb ’19: Wildflowers of the Adirondacks – Dr. DON LEOPOLD
Dr. Leopold, author and ESF professor, has spoken to our group many times before and has always been one of our most popular speakers. The many fans of his book Native Plants of the Northeast will be thrilled to hear about his new book about wildflowers of the Adirondacks.
Mar ’19: Vultures and Ecosystems – JIM D’ANGELO
Jim D’Angelo, Director of Sterling Nature Center, is another one of our perennially popular speakers on a variety of topics. His Feb. 2018 program on the important topic of insects was especially praised and enjoyed! His particular topic for this year is about another species also unappreciated for their important ecosystem services: vultures.
Apr ’19: Our Annual Educational Seminar
This meeting is open to the public, but unlike most of our meetings, we need to charge a small fee to attend. Learn more about how to register for this meeting, which will be held at Baltimore Woods Nature Center.
Our 2017-2018 Programs
Sept ’17: JANET ALLEN – Creating a Butterfly-friendly Landscape
We’re used to thinking of a butterfly garden as an area of our yard that has lots of nectar plants. But where do butterflies come from? Caterpillars! No caterpillars, no butterflies!
Caterpillars, of course, eat leaves, not nectar. But they can’t eat just any leaf. They eat leaves their species evolved with: our native plants. Our landscapes can be truly living landscapes when we plant the plants caterpillars can eat.
Learn how we can create not just butterfly gardens, but butterfly-friendly landscapes that preserve and protect butterflies and other insects for the benefit and joy of future generations.
Oct ’17: JANET ALLEN – Creating a Bird-friendly Yard
Do you enjoy watching birds in your yard? Learn some interesting facts about some favorite backyard birds and how to provide food, water, cover, and places for them to raise their young. Learn about the vital role of native plants in providing for their needs. Finally, learn how you can help birds beyond your own yard. Create a bird-friendly yard and enjoy the daily companionship of birds right at home!
Nov ’17 DISCUSSION
DISCUSSION: We’ll continue our popular tradition of having a discussion on this (usually) Thanksgiving weekend meeting. It’s not only a chance to discuss some habitat gardening ideas and concepts, but also a chance to get to know fellow HGCNYers! This year, we’ll be using the Session 1 materials from the “Caring for Our Piece of the Earth” discussion series. Download the FREE materials here.
Jan ’18: AMY SAMUELS – Native Plants and Rain Gardens
AMY SAMUELS, Education & Outreach Coordinator for the Onondaga Environmental Institute will speak on Native Plants and Rain Gardens. Rain gardens are an important part of the sustainable green infrastructure for our community, but they’re more than that. By selecting appropriate native plants, they provide additional habitat for birds, butterflies, and other pollinators, and also allow you to enjoy some beautiful moisture-loving native plants that you may otherwise find difficult to grow. Find out how to create one!
Feb ’18: JIM D’ANGELO – What’s happening to insects?
JIM D’ANGELO, director of Sterling Nature Center, has presented many programs on various types of wildlife in the past: butterflies, bats, dragonflies, and even on vernal ponds. This year, he will present a program on a current — and very important — topic of interest: What’s happening to insects? We love our butterflies, honeybees and dragonflies, but what about all the other insects that keep our ecosystem “humming?” Learn how you can help native insects in our gardens and beyond and why it’s important.
Mar ’18: WILLIAM POWELL – How to Produce a Blight-resistant American Chestnut Tree
DR. WILLIAM POWELL, SUNY-ESF professor and Co-director of the American Chestnut Research and Restoration Project, will speak on “How to produce a blight resistant American chestnut tree.” The American chestnut is the classic example of our forests succumbing to exotic pathogens. Because of its environmental, economic, and social importance, many tools have been brought to bear on the chestnut blight problem. We have discovered that an oxalate detoxifying enzyme can increase blight resistance levels as high as those found in the blight-resistant Chinese chestnut. Because this is only a very small change in the chestnut, these trees will be ideal for restoration.
Apr ’18: HEATHER HOLM: Native Trees for Pollinators
Skype presentation with HEATHER HOLM, author of Pollinators of Native Plants: Attract, Observe and Identify Pollinators and Beneficial Insects with Native Plants and of Bees: An Identification and Native Plant Forage Guide. Selecting Native Trees and Shrubs that Support Pollinators: While most trees are wind-pollinated, the ones that are insect-pollinated provide important forage for pollinators, especially in early spring. Learn about which canopy trees, small trees, and shrubs are insect-pollinated and the types of pollinators each plant attracts. Factors influencing pollinator visitation including flower structure, flower resources, flowering phenology, and the plant community where the woody plant occurs will also be discussed.
May ’18 – Seminar with Kim Eierman of EcoBeneficial
This special event, which HGCNY co-sponsored with Baltimore Woods Nature Center, had two presentations. Learn more about this seminar.
June ’18 – Field Trip to Mundy Wildflower Garden
Wild Ones members and their guests toured Mundy Wildflower Garden at Cornell Botanic Gardens. Krissy Boys Faust was our guide. Most of our meetings and events are free and open to the public but our field trip is limited to official dues-paying Wild Ones members. Join now so you’ll get the invitation to next year’s field trip!
Our 2016-2017 Programs
Sept ’16: PANEL – Tree Committees in Your Town
Learn about tree committees and how to start or join your community’s tree committee. Panelists include Mary Kramarchyk, from NYS DEC, Ann Stevens who started DeWitt’s Tree committee, and Kate Woodle, DeWitt Tree committee member.
Oct ’16: Special Documentary
The movie “Hometown Habitat,” Catherine Zimmerman’s latest documentary, is about communities around the country working to bring back native landscapes. HGCNY is proud to have been a sponsor for the production of this documentary, which features Wild Ones.
Nov ’16: Book discussion – Doug Tallamy’s Bringing Nature Home
HGCNY has shown videos of Tallamy’s talks and sponsored his personal appearance here in 2015. Now it’s time to dig in to his book and share ideas of how we can make a difference in our own landscapes!
Jan ’17: Native plants and rain gardens
Amy Samuels, Education & Outreach Coordinator for the Onondaga Environmental Institute will speak on Native Plants and Rain Gardens. (RESCHEDULED for Jan. 2018)
Feb ’17: Experiencing nature with young children
Dr. Alice Honig, Professor Emerita of Child Development, Syracuse University, will discuss her most recent book, Experiencing Nature with Young Children: Awakening Delight, Curiosity and a Sense of Stewardship.
Mar ’17: Working with native perennials
Ellen Folts, owner of Amanda’s Garden Native Perennial Nursery in Dansville, NY will speak on Working with Native Perennials to Build more Sustainable Landscapes.
Apr ’17: Native Wildflower Restoration
Greg McGee, Ass’t Professor in the Dept of Environmental and Forest Biology of SUNY ESF, will update us on his native wildflower restoration at Guppy Falls at the Skaneateles Conservation Area. We visited the site on our 2015 field trip. His team is investigating why native wildflowers did not seem to grow in areas that had been used as farmland, although they grew in land immediately adjacent to it.
Our 2015-2016 Programs
Sept ’15: The Endangered Migration of Monarch Butterflies
Ernest Williams, Hamilton College Professor of Biology and Board Member of the Monarch Butterfly Fund, will present a talk on his latest research on the monarch butterfly, the state of overwintering grounds and the migratory corridors, and efforts to save this important creature.
Oct ’15: YardWorks
Josh Cerra, Cornell University Prof of Landscape Architecture, will discuss the YardWorks program, “Ecology Via Engagement.” YardWorks is working to “Transform Your Neighborhood into an Attractive Diverse Habitat.”
Nov ’15: Dirt!: The Movie
DIRT! The Movie – A story with heart and soil brings to life the environmental, economic, social and political impact that the soil has. It shares the stories of experts from all over the world who study and are able to harness the beauty and power of a respectful and mutually beneficial relationship with soil.
Jan ’16: Top Native Shrubs and How to Use Them in Your Landscape
Jim Engel: Not all native plants are equal in their value to wildlife and the gardener. Some are better than others for supporting wildlife, and some have unique characteristics that are useful for specific landscape situations and challenges—dense shade, foundation plantings, ground covers, etc. Siting plants in the landscape is just as important as the plants that are used. Jim Engel, owner of White Oak Nursery, will look at the aesthetic features of different native shrubs and their suitability for difficult sites.
Feb ’16: Spring Wildflowers of Central New York
Joe McMullen: Each spring there is a beautiful display of wildflowers in our forests and other habitats in central New York. If you are interested in learning what these spring flowering plants are, their identifying characteristics, and habitat requirements, join Joe McMullen for his presentation on spring wildflowers.
Mar ’16: Native Plants: Personality Traits, Regionalism and Availability
Dan Segal, owner of The Plantsmen Nursery will explain how most plant traits arise as adaptations to local conditions and regional environments — making our regional native plants much more compelling and valuable than just pretty faces. The more we understand the connection between native plant traits and their natural environments, the easier it is to see the importance of regional and local seed-source native plants. Availability is often considered an obstacle to the use of local native plants, but it’s a textbook case of supply and demand. If we want native plants to perform reliably, and thrive in our region, all of these ideas need to come together—first, the basis for understanding why it’s important; second, the growth of demand; and third, a resulting supply (availability). This talk includes all original photos, as well as practical examples of how other regions are already accomplishing the goal of regional native plant availability.
Apr ’16: Richard Louv via internet video
Richard Louv is the author of several best-selling books (such as Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder and The Nature Principle) illustrating the link between direct exposure to nature and healthy childhood development. Mr. Louv will talk to us via internet video and discuss his brand-new book Vitamin N: 500 Ways to Enrich the Health & Happiness of Your Family & Community, a one-of-a-kind guide chock-full of practical ideas, advice, and inspiration for creating a nature-rich life — for both kids and grown-ups.
Our 2014-2015 Programs
Sept ’14: Creating a Bird-friendly Landscape
Janet Allen, President of HGCNY. Do you enjoy watching birds in your yard? Learn some interesting facts about some of CNY’s favorite backyard birds, such as hummingbirds and chickadees, and learn how to enhance your yard so it provides habitat to even more birds. Like other creatures, birds need food, water, cover, and a place to raise young. You can meet their needs by planting native plants and providing some other essential ingredients. Finally, learn how you can help conserve birds beyond your own yard. Create a bird-friendly yard and enjoy the daily companionship of birds right at home!
Oct ’14: Identifying common ferns
Joe McMullen, Environmental Consultant and frequent HGCNY speaker, will discuss how to identify common native ferns and fern allies, such as clubmosses and horsetails.
Nov ’14: VIDEO presentation – The Value of Having Native Plants in our Yards
Features Doug Tallamy, the author of the award-winning book Bringing Nature Home: How Native Plants Sustain Wildlife in Our Garden and co-author of The Living Landscape: Designing for Beauty and Biodiversity in the Home Garden. This video presentation is the keynote address given at the 2014 Wild Ones conference and is beautifully illustrated throughout the videotaped presentation.
Jan ’15: Native Plants for Sustainable Landscapes
Don Leopold, Distinguished Teacher, Professor and Chair, Dept of Environmental and Forest Biology, will highlight native herbaceous and woody species that are no-maintenance, long-lived, adapted to extreme conditions (e.g., salinity, alkalinity, drought, shade), attractive to wildlife (especially birds and butterflies), are deer-proof, or/and produce food for people. The information presented will be applicable to home gardens as well as urban projects and larger scale restoration of degraded industrial landscapes. An overview of how native species are found in natural plant communities, and how knowing about the ecology of natural communities can be used to select plant species, will also be discussed.
Feb ’15: Marvelous Mammals: Small mammals in our landscapes
Jim D’Angelo, Exec Director of Sterling Nature Center. The small mammals we encounter throughout our landscape play a vital role in the larger ecosystem around us. Sometimes these mammals are maligned when they interact with our lawns & gardens. This program will help you build a better understanding and appreciation for these wonderful little creatures! We will take a look at some common small mammals like; squirrels, moles, voles, chipmunks, rabbits, mice, etc. and how they participate in the larger ecosystem. If time allows we will delve into some of the larger mammals like opossum, raccoon, skunk, and woodchuck.
Mar ’15: Introduction to Land Trusts
What is a land trust organization? How do they protect native plant communities? Can I visit land trust preserves? Land Trusts in New York preserve land, protect watersheds and habitat, and practice forest conservation – very important for New York’s future and often not visible to everyone. As the Joni Mitchell song goes, “We don’t know what we’ve got till it’s gone…”
Patty Weisse, board member of The Finger Lakes Land Trust, and Meredith Perreault, Executive Director of the Central New York Land Trust, will fill in Habitat Gardening on their organizations. These two land trusts do the same thing, but they have somewhat different geographies and utilize different tools to get the job done. We’ll share information about preserves you can visit in Central New York and the Finger Lakes and highlight some of the key land trusts in New York State.
Apr ’15: Make Sure Your Landscape is Well-Grounded
Janet Allen – Pres. of HGCNY. We often think about the importance of native canopy trees, understory trees, shrubs, and wildflowers and other herbaceous plants. But what about the ground layer and healthy soil? Learn how we can create a healthy landscape right from the ground up.
May’15: FIELD TRIP
Joe McMullen, the environmental engineer who led the restoration efforts around the Onondaga Lake Cleanup. Joe will lead a tour of Geddes Brook and Nine Mile Creek Restoration near Onondaga Lake. This is a reprise of the enthusiatically-received field trip of 2013. How has the restoration changed and matured over the last two years?
Our 2013-2014 Programs
Sept ’13: Collecting seed of native plants for use in restoring natural and human impacted landscapes
Jim Engel, owner of White Oak Nursery. Learn everything you need to know about collecting seed of perennials, shrubs and trees. Then learn how to use that seed to create, restore, and enhance the biological diversity of natural plant communities. Most plants reproduce from seed. By collecting and dispersing native seed you can play a key role in helping nature recolonize degraded landscapes.
Oct ’13 Identifying Plants in Winter
Joe McMullen, Environmental Consultant: How to identify plants when they don’t have their leaves or flowers!
Nov ’13 Update on the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) in CNY
Jessi Lyons: CCE of Onondaga County: The emerald ash borer (EAB) is an invasive insect that has arrived in CNY and is expected to kill all of the area’s untreated ash trees. Because ash species comprise about 13% of all trees in Onondaga County, their large-scale decline poses concerns about the ecological implications of its loss and side effects of treating the trees with pesticides, human safety, cost and coordination challenges for tree management, and how to retain or replace the beauty of these trees. Jessi Lyons, a natural resource educator from Cornell Cooperative Extension, will discuss the current status of EAB in our region, the challenges brought by this beetle and possible solutions to reduce its damaging effects.
Jan ’14 A Wealth of Plants: Edible and Medicinal Plants of Central New York
Robin Kimmerer, SUNY-ESF Professor and author of the award-winning book Gathering Moss: A Natural and Cultural History of Mosses. Her newest book is “Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants.” The presentation will highlight the cultural uses and values of common wild plants of fields, forest and wetlands as sources of foods, medicines and fibers.
Feb ’14 Video: A presentation by Douglas Tallamy
Dr. Tallamy, Univ. of Delaware Chair of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology and author of the award-winning book Bringing Nature Home: How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants, explains why native plants are important to preserving biodiversity and makes a compelling, scientifically-sound case for landscaping with native plants. He’s a very popular and entertaining speaker and has inspired many thousands of home gardeners to plant native plants.
Mar ’14 Encouraging Nature: Propagating, Growing and Using Native Perennials
Ellen Folts, owner of Amanda’s Garden, a native perennial nursery. Native perennials meet the needs of native pollinators and fill a vital role in the garden. Locally grown native perennials produced by seed are adapted to the area in which they are produced. Propagating these plants is relatively easy once their germination requirements are met. She will discuss seed propagation techniques, along with garden uses of various native woodland plants that can be propagated in this manner.
Apr ’14 Video: Meadowscaping
Catherine Zimmerman, Producer. We screened this two years ago on a Thanksgiving weekend. We’re now showing it again for those who were unable to attend that weekend or who would like to see it again. This video, based on the book of the same name, is full of practical information and inspiration to do away with pesticides, reduce lawn and return their land to a beautiful, natural habitat for native plants and wildlife.
Our 2012-2013 Programs
Sept ’12 Wildlife Rehabilitation
Jeanne and Lenny Soprano of Kindred Kingdoms Wildlife Rehabilitation Inc. will introduce us to a live hawk and live owl at the library and will discuss their similarities and differences. Learn about wildlife rehabilitation and meet these birds of prey.
Oct ’12 Nature Photography
One of our most popular presenters, Andy Saunders, retired and beloved professor at SUNY-ESF, will present tips on nature photography. Come learn from an expert nature observer. Suitable for any level of photographer.
Nov ’12 VIDEO: Urban and Suburban Meadows: Bringing Meadowscaping to Big and Small Spaces
This is a new movie based on the book Urban and Suburban Meadows by the author and videographer Catherine Zimmerman. Zimmerman is a big supporter of Wild Ones
Jan ’13 How to get started with native plants
Kate Woodle, founder of the habitat garden at the Rosamund Gifford Zoo. You may have read about the importance of native plants in our landscapes, but how do you get started? Kate will present a beginner-friendly introduction to native plant gardening
Feb ’13 Tim Toland
Tim Toland, Assoc. Prof. at SUNY-ESF, will discuss the exciting new projects involving native plants that are part of the ESF campus renovations. One project is an innovative green roof featuring species from two native plant communities covering a 5,000 square foot area. The projects will not only be an attractive setting for visitors but will also be learning tools for students.
Mar ’13 Cultivars of Native Plants: Thanks But No Thanks
Dan Segal, owner of The Plantsmen Nursery — and a national Wild Ones Board member. Cultivars have overtaken mainstream horticulture because they are the currency of mass production and mass marketing. Now the cultivar epidemic threatens native plants too. Find out how and why this is happening, and how cultivars undermine the fundamental principles of ecology without which native plants are just pretty faces lacking substance.
Apr ’13 Insects: the good, the bad, the interesting and the unseen
Jim D’Angelo, director of Sterling Nature Center, returns to talk about an especially important group of creatures. The program will start with the basics of insect identification and classification and then we will take a closer look at a few insects. We will discuss a few of the “bad” insects, like the Emerald Ash Borer, that threaten our ecosystems. There are many “good” insects that play vital roles in our environment, like the native pollinators, that need a bit of our attention. Lastly there are those insect we tend not to notice which have interesting roles in our ecosystems.
Our 2011-2012 Programs
Sept ’11 Ecology of Natural Plant Communities in Upstate New York
Don Leopold will discuss the distribution and abundance of plant species, the basic ecology underlying many of the plant communities in Upstate New York, and plant species relative to specific environmental conditions. He’ll highlight a number of projects that incorporate these ideas and suggest how home gardeners could apply these principles to their own landscapes.
Oct ’11 Introduction to YardMap
Rhiannon Crain, Project Leader of the YardMap Network, will present an introduction to and demonstration of Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Community Science project called YardMap. YardMap is a free, social, interactive community science mapping project that allows gardeners & birders to learn more about enriching their habitat gardens to attract more birds and wildlife, while at the same time contributing to important scientific research on residential ecology.
Nov ’11 Annual Roundtable
This meeting features YOU and the rest of us at our annual roundtable. This is your chance to share what you’ve been doing in your own habitat garden, to ask questions of other habitat gardeners, or to just listen in on the conversation. We had a wonderful group last year, and we learned a lot from each other.
Jan ’12 No Mow Lawn
Krissy Faust of Cornell Plantations has been developing a native plant mix that can function as a No Mow lawn.
Feb ’12 Invasive Plants
You most likely know that Carol Bradford writes a popular column in the Post-Standard answering readers’ questions about plants. But do you know that she also is a member of a New York State task force studying the impacts of non-native invasive plants? Hear what she has to say about this important issue. A what a fitting way to observe National Invasive Species Awareness Week!
Mar ’12 Cedars, Samphire, Sassafras: Historical Plants of Onondaga Lake
We’re pleased to have Catherine Landis of SUNY-ESF at our 10th anniversary meeting to share the history of plants in one of Central New York’s defining features: Onondaga Lake. What was Onondaga Lake like before becoming a sink for pollutants? What plant communities could be found growing around it? What were the cultural connections to these places and plants? In this program we will explore these questions, beginning with post-glacial settings and moving up to the 1800s. This story of place will be woven from clues in sediment cores, old maps, missionary and explorers’ journals, botanical records and other sources.
Apr ’12 Bats
We’re pleased to have Jim D’Angelo, director of Sterling Nature Center, return to wrap up our regular season of programs. One of the first programs Jim presented to HGCNY many years ago was about bats. Since then, a mysterious fungus (White-nose Syndrome) has affected our bat population. Bats perform many valuable services, but myths abound about this fascinating mammal. Learn the facts about bats, the challenges they’re facing and how you can welcome them into your habitat garden. It’s especially appropriate to talk about bats this year since it’s the U.N. Year of the Bat with the motto Save Bats to Save the Planet.
May ’12 Field Trip to Rome Sand Plains
The Rome Sand Plains is an important habitat restoration effort to plant native lupines as the host plant for the Karner Blue butterfly.
Our 2010-2011 Programs
Sept ’10 Wetland and shoreline restoration
We’re pleased to begin our new program year with a presentation on Wetland and Shoreline Restoration Efforts by Joseph McMullen of Terrestrial Environmental Specialists, Inc. He’ll discuss the planning, including the selection of native species for planting, and results of the successfully completed wetland restoration effort at the LCP site, as well as future plans for restoration along the Onondaga Lake shoreline and Geddes Brook / Ninemile Creek areas.
Oct ’10 Practical Tips for Designing Home Landscapes
Dan Carroll We’re pleased to have Dan Carroll, one of the co-founders of HGCNY, share some of his practical tips for designing home landscapes with native plants. People have always learned so much from Dan as our expert commentator at our Show Me, Help Me tours. In the past, Dan’s company won several awards at the Syracuse Home and Garden show and was in the forefront of integrating native plants into the home landscape. He is a NYS Certified Nursery Professional and has worked with several local school districts and municipalities to help initiate sustainable design and maintenance practices into their grounds care regimes.
Nov ’10 Member Roundtable
Join us for our annual member roundtable. Here’s your chance to ask any question about habitat gardening, native plants, and natural landscaping. This informal group discussion always leads to unearthing all the expertise shared among our members. Come ask your questions and share your experiences. A wonderful way to finish your Thanksgiving weekend!
Dec ’10 Annual holiday/planning get-together
In keeping with the holiday season, our December meeting will combine a mission/vision planning meeting with some socializing. If you’re interested in getting involved in planning our activities, events, and projects, come join us (and feel free to bring some goodies to share!) This and our other planning meetings are good ways to really get to know other HGCNYers.
Jan ’11 Gardening with Native Perennials
Ellen Folts, owner of Amanda’s Garden.
Feb ’11 The Art of Nature Journaling: Growing wise and gardening green
Prof Andy Saunders, an environmental educator from SUNY-ESF, will reveal some of the values and satisfactions of nature journaling. The program will examine some significant historical outcomes of keeping a nature journal and reveal a few of its better known practitioners. The program will include some practical suggestions for anyone unacquainted with nature journaling who would like to try their hand at the process.
Mar ’11 The Significance of Media Images of Nature
Mark Meisner: This presentation will discuss and illustrate some of the key ways that the natural world is portrayed through the media. These include Nature as a problem, Nature as a resource, and Nature as a victim or patient. The implications of these and other such representations of Nature will be discussed in relation to how Nature is perceived, valued and treated in North American culture. Dr. Meisner is Ass’t Prof of Environmental Communication in the Dep’t of Environmental Studies at SUNY-ESF. He directs the Environmental Communication Network and edits Indications, the Environmental Communication and Culture blog.
April ’11 Dragonflies
Jim D’Angelo, Director of Sterling Nature Center returns to discuss another creature we can enjoy in our yards: dragonflies.
June ’11 Annual Field Trip
Following the enthusiastic response to Joe McMullen’s presentation in Sept. ’10, we’ve accepted his invitation to tour the LCP wetlands (part of Honeywell’s Onondaga Lake habitat restoration project).
Our 2009-2010 Programs
Sept ’09 Habitat Gardening for Life
Janet Allen will discuss her evolution from an ornamental gardener to a habitat gardener and toward a gardener for life! Her talk will describe the basic principles of habitat gardening and includes many new photos from her garden – including “before” pictures.
Oct ’09 Seed Propagation
A hands-on presentation about how to collect, clean and prepare seeds to grow new plants by Joan Livingston, owner of Growing Wild Perennials, near Canastota, NY.
Nov ’09 Annual Roundtable
Here’s your chance to ask questions and share your experiences with habitat gardening!
Dec ’09 Annual holiday/planning get-together
In keeping with the holiday season, our December meeting will combine our quarterly planning meeting with some socializing. If you’re interested in getting involved in planning our activities, events, and projects, come join us (and feel free to bring some goodies to share!)
Jan ’10 Invasive Species of the Northeast
Dr. Jason Fridley will talk about invasive plants generally across the Eastern US and about why introduced plants from certain regions of the globe seem to be particularly invasive. He’ll also describe research in his own SU lab that focuses on invasive shrubs in forests, asking specifically whether East Asian species are “pre-adapted” for life in our native forest ecosystems. CNY gardeners will recognize most of the plants he’ll discuss!
Feb ’10 Build It and They Will Come: Gardening with Native Plants
Presented by Kate Woodle, art director of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park. Kate has been the key person in creating the zoo’s extensive habitat garden, which is a powerful example of providing for local wildlife.
Mar ’10 Going Nuts: The natural history of the black walnut tree
Though relatively common in Central New York, the black walnut tree produces a nut with uncommonly good taste. D. Andrew Saunders, a professor at SUNY-ESF, will present a program on the black walnut tree.
Apr ’10 Vernal Pools: Life in a Forest Puddle
Interpretive Naturalist Jim D’Angelo will explore the life of vernal pools. Vernal pools are small wetlands that temporarily fill with water providing essential habitat for a diverse group of wildlife including insects, frogs, salamanders, turtles and even a few snakes!!! We will explore these unique wetlands the wildlife that utilize them, why we should care and the threats that endanger them.
May ’10 ANNUAL FIELD TRIP: Sapsucker Woods and Plantsmen – Ithaca
Our 2008-2009 Programs
Sept ’08 Permaculture Basics
Michael Burns to Syracuse from the Finger Lakes Permaculture Institute: This session will introduce a socially and ecologically conscious design system that seeks regenerative solutions to meet human and environmental needs. Originally popularized in Australia by farmers and gardeners, permaculture has become especially useful for small sustenance farmers around the world and increasing popular for the more affluent who seek just solutions to environmental degradation and their society’s poverty. Permaculture’s ethics, problem-solving attitudes, and design principles will be presented.
Oct ’08 Rain gardens and barrels
Amy Samuels, Cornell Cooperative Extension expert on this topic. Rain gardens and rain barrels are good for your own property, but also good for our county. You can help increase our green infrastructure – an important way we can avoid the need for another costly sewage treatment plant.
Amy Samuels of Cornell Cooperative Extension is the local expert on this topic and has presented interesting programs to our group in the past.
Nov ’08 Habitat Gardening Jeopardy
Join us in our fun (and educational) Jeopardy game, back by popular demand. Each of the two teams is a group effort, so anyone can play!
Jan ’09 Native Graminoids
Tony Eallonardo from SUNY-ESF: What’s a graminoid? It’s simply a fancy name for grasses, sedges, and rushes. Find out more about this interesting and important group of plants that can really give your garden extra pizzazz!
Feb ’09 Unique Native Plants of Central New York
Dr. Don Leopold, a HGCNY favorite and the author of highly acclaimed book Native Plants of the Northeast. Find out about the recently discovered Seaside Goldenrod and other plants native to our place!
Mar ’09 Absence of Provenance: Big Horticulture’s Alarming Impact on Native Plants
Dan Segal of The Plantsmen: Learn how the goals and techniques of huge plant marketing firms directly oppose fundamental ecological values of native horticulture—and learn easy, uplifting ways to fight back! We’ll explore the links between propagation methods, genetic diversity, mass-production and mass-marketing, and the proliferation of the garden center at the same time as the cultivar takeover.
Apr ’09 Annual Garlic Mustard Pull
For a number of years, members of HGCNY have pulled garlic mustard at Baltimore Woods. We’ve actually made a dent in the area we’ve “adopted,” and we hope to expand our range. While pulling plants isn’t exciting in itself, it is easy to pull and it’s a great opportunity for chatting with your fellow pullers in a beautiful environment. Let’s make this our biggest year yet!
Apr ’09 How to Grow Your Very Own Amphibians & Reptiles
We’re pleased to again bring Jim D’Angelo, Director of Sterling Nature Center, to speak to our group in our popular yearly series on providing for various creatures in our gardens. He will explore the snakes, turtles, frogs and salamanders of our area from a naturalist perspective. These sometimes creepy-critters are often an overlooked but vital part of our ecosystems. A few ideas on how to make your landscape more attractive to them will also be discussed.
May ’09 Field trip
A guided tour of a unique natural area near Watertown, NY called Chaumont Barrens. Several of our speakers this past season referred to this alvar grassland (prairie) as an inspiring and beautiful example of a native plant community. During our tour, we should see the rare Prairie Smoke in bloom, as well as many other more familiar native plants such as blue phlox, bloodroot, yellow ladyslipper and white cedar, along with the other creatures that live in the community. Chaumont Barrens is a Nature Conservancy property. Our guide will be Chris Lajewski, Land Steward with The Nature Conservancy.
Our 2007-2008 Programs
Sept ’07 Caring for the soil in your Habitat Garden
Debbie Brock from Cooperative Extension will talk about the foundation our gardens – its soil.
Oct ’07 Care of trees in our habitat garden
Presented by Steve Harris of RPM Ecosystems Native Plant Nursery
Nov ’07 Our Annual Panel Discussion: A chance to ask about anything in your habitat garden
As always, we have an “official” panel, but as always, YOU, the audience, provides not only the questions, but also a lot of the answers!
Jan ’08 HGCNY Participates in the Focus the Nation national conversation about global warming
Liverpool Public Library is co-sponsoring this look at how growing and buying locally-produced food reduces “food miles” and thus global warming. We’ll learn about the connection to global warming, about how we can use part of our land for growing vegetables and/or buying food locally. Our parent organization, recognizing the impact of global warming on native plants, has endorsed Focus the Nation and has formed a global warming committee.
Feb ’08 Alternatives to Pesticides
Annette Hogan of NOFA. Also, a short film Our Children at Risk.
Mar ’08 Pollinators in our habitat gardens
Jim D’Angelo of Sterling Nature Center returns for his popular series on creatures in our habitat gardens.
Apr ’08 Beyond natives
Carol Bradford, Post-Standard gardening columnist: Learning about cultivars, provenance, and more.
Aug ’08 Tour of the Rain Garden
installed as a demonstration project a few years ago. Also, a short tour of the adjacent land along Onondaga Creek to explore the native as well as the non-native, invasive plants growing there. Our guide will be Catherine Landis, a SUNY ESF graduate student.
Aug ’08 Picnic Social and Tour of the Clark Reservation Native Plant Garden
Our 2006-2007 Programs
Sept ’06 – Invasive Plants Series Part 2: On Beyond Barberry and Other Invasive Plants in the Landscape
Carol Bradford, P-S columnist
Oct ’06 – Vermicomposting
Brenda Lotito, author of the forthcoming book The Dirt on Worm Farming. Anyone who has a passion for gardening or maintaining a green lawn can help the environment through waste reduction and composting. Get the dirt on worm farming and find riches in black gold with local columnist and President of Upstate Worm Farms, Brenda Lotito.
Nov ’06 – Our Annual Panel Discussion
A popular program! Here’s your chance to ask questions about habitat gardening – things you encountered during the past gardening season, or things you’re wondering about as you plan next year’s garden.
Dec ’06 – Our holiday social
A chance to relax and get to know each other better
Mar ’07 Creating a Monarch Waystation
Janet Allen: How to create a Monarch Waystation
Apr ’07 Bats in Your Yard
Jim D’Angelo, director of Stirling Nature Center.
May ’07 Field Trip to Ithaca
Our 2005-2006 Programs
Sept ’05 Where the Wild Things Are
Kate Woodle, director of the zoo’s Habitat Garden, will lead a tour of this native plant habitat garden.
Oct ’05 The Plight of the Unsightly
Andy Saunders, SUNY ESF professor, will discuss why we need to preserve and restore habitat in our home landscapes.
Nov ’05 Your Questions Answered
A panel discussion with a professional landscaper, a National Wildlife Federation Habitat Steward, and a homeowner converting her suburban property to a habitat garden
Jan ’06 Habitat Garden Jeopardy
We all had a great time playing this last year, so we’ll do it again this year! Unlike the TV show, there will be little fame or fortune associated with winning, but we’ll have a lot of fun and learn about plants and habitat gardening. Habitat Gardening Jeopardy Unlike the TV show, there will be little fame or fortune associated with winning, but we’ll have a lot of fun and learn about plants and habitat gardening as we compete as teams.
Also, Fran Lawlor of Cornell Cooperative Extension will give us a brief overview of the CommuniTrees Steward program, Syracuse Urban Forest Master Plan, The Urban and Community Forest program.
Feb ’06 Gathering Moss
Robin Kimmerer, SUNY-ESF professor and award-winning author, will talk about the fascinating natural and cultural history of mosses.
Mar ’06 – Attracting Butterflies to the Habitat Garden
Jim D’Angelo of Sterling Nature Center
Our 2004-2005 Programs
Sept ’04 FIELD TRIP
Field trip to Cornell Plantations in Ithaca (and to the award-winning Moosewood Restaurant!)
Sept ’04 Garden Tour
Estelle has offered to show us her new stream. It’s especially effective for birds and other small creatures.
Oct ’04 Guided tour of NatureScape,
The natural landscaping using native plants at Center for Nature Education at Baltimore Woods. The tour will be led by Dan Reeder, the landscape architect who designed NatureScape.
Nov ’04 Taking pictures in your Habitat Garden
Also, Photo Sharing: Bring your favorite pictures of your habitat garden for sharing. Digital pictures can be displayed in a PowerPoint presentations and “regular” photos can be displayed on a picture board. Our favorites will be displayed on this website.
Dec ’04 Holiday Social
Amid the busy-ness of the holidays, a relaxing social event at an affordable restaurant. A great chance to look back on the last gardening year, look forward to the next … and get to know each other better!
Jan ’05 Name That Plant!
A game show format (Jeopardy and/or Concentration) featuring the recognition of native and invasive plants; associating plants with the three primary local plant communities.
Feb ’05 Bluebirds
John Rogers: Bluebirds and bluebird birdhouse construction. Just in time for the birds’ return. RESERVATIONS NEEDED IF YOU WANT TO MAKE A BIRDHOUSE (not needed if you just want to hear the program).
Mar ’05 Meet the Author!
We’re honored to have Don Leopold with us. He will be introducing his brand-new book, Native Plants of the Northeast. We’ll have copies of his book available and he’ll be autographing them!
Apr ’05 Toad Hollow Compost Tour
Does compost this sound as exciting as watching paint dry? You’ll be surprised to find how interesting this innovative large-scale composting facility is!
May ’05 Lawns: Industrial or Freedom?
Janet Allen, Member of the Freedom Lawn Project in Central New York
July ’05 Green Lakes State Park Service Project
Here’s a chance to create habitat outside our own backyards! We’ve scheduled a project with Green Lakes State Park to help them create habitat by eliminating a destructive invasive plant – black swallowwort, a plant native to Europe that kills the larvae of America’s most popular butterfly – the Monarch.
Our 2003-2004 Programs
Sept ’03 TWO Habitat Gardens!
Michelle’s home in Clay: transitioning from typical suburban landscape to backyard habitat! THEN ON TO …Dan’s home in Fulton: the pro at home!
Oct ’03 Invasive Plants
Patty Weisse, Executive Director of The Centers for Nature Education at Baltimore Woods Take a tour of Baltimore Woods and see firsthand the problems created by invasive plants!
Nov ’03 Bogs
Tim Carroll, environmental biologist, and Dan Carroll, horticulturist and natural landscaper. Whether or not you were able to attend the bog tour in August, you’ll find this slide show and presentation about the unique bog habitat interesting!
Jan ’04 The Habitat Garden in Winter
Dan Carroll, Horticulturist and Owner of Great Lakes Horticulture
Mar ’04 First Steps to a Habitat Garden
Dan Carroll, Horticulturist and Owner of Great Lakes Horticulture
May ’04 Propagating Plants
Joan Livingston, from Growing Wild in Canastota
July ’04 Tour Grindstone Farm
Dick DeGraff, owner of Grindstone Farm, an organic CSA. Picnic lunch and swimming!
Our 2002-2003 Programs
Sept ’02 Providing for migrating birds
Greg Smith, Beaver Lake naturalist
Oct ’02 Growing Wild Extra attraction
A Dramatic Reading by Michelle and Janet! Joan Livingston, owner of Growing Wild, a perennial and native plants landscaping business
Oct ’02 Garden Tour!
Michelle Welcher: See an example of a suburban property that is being transformed into a habitat garden and natural landscape
Nov ’02 Your Garden and Water Quality
Amy Samuels, Cooperative Extension agent
Dec ’02 Learning and Planning
Feb ’03 Organic gardening techniques
Dick de Graff of Grindstone Farm will speak on organic gardening technique
Mar ’03 Ballantyne Gardens
Tour of Ballantyne Gardens, led by the Ballantynes.
Apr ’03 Spring Gardening and some Botany!
Dan Carroll, owner of Great Lakes Horticulture
May ’03 – Wildflower Garden Tour
At Centers for Nature Education at Baltimore Woods The Mildred E. Faust Wildflower Garden display is one of the finest, if not the best, in New York State. A wheelchair-accessible trail weaves around trees and flowers for three-tenths of a mile. Volunteer naturalist, Audrey Loewer will lead the walk.
June ’03 Tours
Joan Livingson, owner of Growing Wild Perennial. Tour of a native plant garden center AND a tour of the windmill farm nearby!
July ’03 Insects in the backyard
Kim Adams, Entomologist at SUNY-ESF at the Allens Backyard Wildlife Habitat with a special emphasis on INSECTS!!
Aug ’03 The Bog
Learn about the unique bog habitat at an Oswego bog Tim Carroll (Dan’s brother) and environmental biologist with special expertise in bogs. Some moderate hiking 1/2 mile through wet conditions is to be expected. We won’t be wading through waist deep water but expect spots of water to cover up the ankles.
Our 2002 Programs
Mar ’02 Backyard Ecology – Landscaping and Nature
Dan Carroll, Horticulturist and owner of Great Lakes Horticulture – OUR FIRST HGCNY Program!!
Apr ’02 Landscaping for Wildlife
Lisa Cantella, Landscape Designer
May ’02 Some good habitat plants
Dan Carroll, Horticulturist, and owner of Great Lakes Horticulture
June ’02 Garden Tour!
At the Allens: See one example of a certified Backyard Wildlife Habitat.
June ’02 The Backyard Wildlife Habitat program
Janet Allen, NWF Habitat Steward
July ’02 Backyard Trees for Wildlife
Paul O’Connor, forester at Cooperative Extension
Aug ’02 Attracting Amphibians to Your Yard
Aug ’02 Garden Tour
Dan Carroll’s home in Fulton Garden Tour! Includes a pond and various theme gardens all in an urban/suburban setting