Workshop Committee
In addition to monthly programs, HGCNY would like to host a workshop to offer people an opportunity to go into depth either with a special guest we bring in (e.g. a book author or native landscape professional) or with a workshop we develop ourselves (e.g. a morning-long how-to session).

We need a small committee to plan this workshop. Most of the planning could be by email or phone call. If you would like to be on the committee, please email me.

HGCNY Secretary position
Our HGCNY secretary, Soule Leiter, is retiring from the position. Thank you, Soule, for your contributions!
Please email me if you would like to become our HGCNY Secretary. This job involves recording the minutes for our three Planning Meetings held in March, June, and September. You must be a Wild Ones member to be an officer.

Spleenwort

Learn to identify ferns and their allies

We welcome back Joe McMullen, environmental consultant and frequent HGCNY presenter. He is also responsible for the very successful habitat restoration using native plants at Onondaga Lake.

In this presentation, Joe will discuss how to identify ferns, as well as the interesting fern allies, such as clubmosses and horsetails.

When: Sunday, October 26 at 2:00 pm
Where: Liverpool Public Library (Directions)
Free and open to the public, so bring a friend or two!

The pumpkin orbweaver spider (Araneus trifolium)

Spiders may be a symbol of Halloween, but they're not to be feared. In fact, they're a beneficial creature for your garden.

This pumpkin orbweaver wisely positioned its web in our meadow area -- a good grocery store for its meals. 

We watched it for a few weeks and enjoyed seeing its newly rebuilt web each morning.

Spiders eat insect pests (though they also eat bumblees) and are eaten themselves as food for birds and other creatures.

Hummingbirds use the webs as a strong, flexible building material for their nests.

Another interesting way birds use spiders: They put spider egg cases in their nests. When they hatch, the baby spiders make quick work of any mites that are in the nest!

See a photo of the egg cases in a wren nest and read more about why spiders are good for birds on the Cornell citizen science blog.

Interesting fact: Spiders are not insects! Insects have 6 legs; spiders have 8. Insects have 3 body parts; spiders have 2. Insects can have antennae and wings; spiders don't. Insects have compound eyes; spiders have 8 simple eyes.

Red-breasted nuthatch

Embrace the Winter.  Count Feeder Birds for Science! So says Cornell's Lab of Ornithology and thousands of people agree.

Over 26 years, the project has grown to involve more than 20,000 people of all skill levels who watch birds two days a week (or less) from November to early April and send their data to Project FeederWatch. This information is invaluable!
 
FeederWatch data help scientists track broadscale movements of winter bird populations and long-term trends in bird distribution and abundance.

The project is almost entirely funded by the $18 participation fee ($15 for members).

To sign up to participate and to explore the treasure trove of information collected, go to Project FeederWatch at feederwatch.org.

Click to go to NWF to view and/or download this free booklet

From the National Wildlife Federation:

Studies have shown that simply having contact with dirt, whether it's through gardening, digging holes, or making pies out of mud, can significantly improve a child's mood and reduce their anxiety and stress.

When we let our kids play in dirt we're not only allowing them to explore the wonders around them, we are also exposing them to healthy bacteria, parasites, and viruses that will inevitably create a much stronger immune system!
Read more from the Nat'l Wildlife Fed'n:
The Dirt on Dirt

Find more resources about children at Our Habitat Garden

In This Issue

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Onondaga County and Finger Lakes Land Trust will present a workshop for rural landowners and their families to help them plan for the future of their land.

WHEN: Nov. 14,
9:30 - 3:30
WHERE: First Presbyterian Church, 97 E. Genesee St., Skaneateles
COST: $25/family

Pre-register on the CCE Onondaga website

For more info: Call Kristina Ferrare at 315.424.9485 ext. 231 or email kaf226@cornell.edu

Volunteers continue to enhance and restore habitat

Volunteers will plant more native shrubs and trees, conduct citizen science monitoring, and learn from habitat experts.

When: Sat. Oct. 25, 9-11:30 am. Rain or shine. Lunch will be provided.

Where: Geddes Brook Wetlands

RSVP: to Montezuma Audubon Center at