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| Spicebush berries
Lindera benzoin |
Two-thirds of all the migrant songbirds observed in one study were found in shrubs and understory trees -- the layers most often missing in the typical residential landscape.
~Janet Marinelli, "Rest Stops for the Weary"
For our first meeting of 2016 we welcome back JIM ENGEL, owner of White Oak Nursery, to talk about Top Native Shrubs and How to Use Them in Your Landscape. 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 will look at the aesthetic features of different native shrubs and their suitability for difficult sites.
WHEN: Sunday, January 31 at 2:00 pm
WHERE: Liverpool Library, 310 Tulip St., Liverpool (Directions)
Our meetings are FREE and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. Come and bring a friend!
National News: Join the Wild Ones Facebook group Wild Ones has created a Facebook group for dues-paying members to share information about articles, photographs, videos, and so forth. To join the group go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/wildonesnativeplants/ and once you there, click "Join Group" in the upper-right corner. Wild Ones is expecting a large number of requests initially so please be patient while they verify your Wild Ones membership. Happy New Year!
~ Janet Allen, President, HGCNY Wild Ones Chapter |
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2016 Symposium
March 4th and 5th
The Ithaca Native Landscape Symposium is based on a simple idea: the use of native plants should remain an integral part of sustainable landscapes.
The Symposium offers alternative ideas, knowledge and perspective presented by experts and professionals form our region and beyond. It is for landscape architects, designers, educators, Master Gardeners, government employees, homeowners, gardeners, naturalists and anyone else eager to learn more about this growing movement.
Even more affordable for HGCNYers!
To help spread the word about the value of native plants, INLS and HGCNY are each offering discounts to people who would like to attend either one or both days.
Dues-paying members get the biggest savings, so join today. It's easy. Just join Wild Ones at
http://www.wildones.org/wild-ones-store/join-renew/
and you'll become an official dues-paying HGCNY member.
DISCOUNTS from INLS:
Non-HGCNY members who receive this newsletter can get a flat $10 discount whether they apply it to Fri. only, Sat. only, or both days. On the registration page, there is a box labeled PROMO CODE. Enter HGCNYNEWS (all caps) to receive this discount.
Dues-paying WILD ONES HGCNY members can receive a $20 discount using the promo code HGCNYMEMB (all caps).
Additional REBATE from HGCNY: In addition to the discount available from INLS, HGCNY is offering an additional $25 rebate ** for dues-paying Wild Ones members only ** attending one or both days of the conference.
Dues-paying Wild Ones members can obtain this additional rebate from HGCNY after registering for the conference. Just email your symposium receipt to our Treasurer Randi Starmer at randi.starmer@gmail.com before March 12 (include your mailing address), and she will mail you a check for $25. Or, you may mail the rebate request to Randi Starmer, Treasurer, 8022 Bush Rd. Jamesville, NY 13089.
If you would like to carpool or arrange to lunch together, send your email address to hg.cny@verizon.net and we'll put you in touch with the other HGCNY attendees to make these arrangements.
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Learn about bird anatomy by building a bird
Cornell Lab's All About Birds Bird Academy has a free interactive website at that allows you to explore 100+ parts of a bird in all of a bird's eleven anatomical systems by "building a bird."
Turn on one system at a time and choose a part to view and learn about. (And pronunciations for the body parts are provided if you're interested.) Then quiz yourself with the flashcards at the upper right of the screen.
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Mark your calendar for February 12-15
Be part of a global effort to take a snapshot of the distribution and abundance of birds. In 2015, participants in more than 100 countries counted 5,090 species of birds on more than 147,000 checklists!
Go to gbbc.birdcount.org for more information on how to participate.
And help spread the word by printing the above poster, sending e-cards, through social media etc. Go to http://gbbc.birdcount.org/spread-the-word/ for these and other resources. |
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The Hemlock Wooly Adelgid:
A serious threat to an important tree
From the US Forest Service:
The hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) Adelges tsugae was first described in western North America in 1924 and first reported in the eastern United States in 1951 near Richmond, VA.
Research scientists using molecular genetics have recently determined that several distinct populations of HWA occur in Asia and western North America and we now know that HWA populations found in the East originated from southern Japan.
In their native range, these populations of HWA cause little damage to the hemlock trees they feed on as natural enemies and possible tree resistance has evolved with this insect pest.
In the absence of these natural control elements in eastern North America, this introduced insect pest attacks both eastern (Canadian) and Carolina hemlock which are often damaged and killed within a few years of becoming infested. HWA is now established from northeastern Georgia to southeastern Maine and as far west as eastern Kentucky and Tennessee.
From Cornell Cooperative Extension:
Hemlock trees are found in glens and gorges throughout the Finger Lakes, and are a popular landscape tree.
Hemlock trees provide shelter for wildlife year-round, stabilize steep slopes, and cool streams and lakes which helps maintain water quality and support local fisheries.
Hemlock wooly adelgid was discovered along Skaneateles Lake in 2014, and has been found spreading across the western shoreline and southern portions of Skaneateles Lake. Hemlock wooly adelgid has also been confirmed across the Finger Lakes region in recent years, and poses a threat to all hemlock trees in the region.
YOU CAN HELP! Participate in one of the hikes described in the Community Events section below.
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| | Photo_ CC - Peter Manidis |
Owl Prowl at Baltimore Woods
January 23: 7-9pm
Join a naturalist on a nighttime hike in search of these magnificent and secretive birds. Dress warmly, and bring a flashlight. Snowshoes provided.
Recommended for ages 8 and up.
$6 for members, $9 for nonmembers
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Incredible Journey of the Butterflies
presented by The Great Swamp Conservancy as the Lift-off Event for their Year of the Monarch
Sunday January 31 at 2:00 pm
Incredible Journey of the Butterflies. Witness the perilous annual migration of Monarch butterflies across North America through NOVA's amazing aerial cinematography and learn about their plight.
Find out about all the events they have planned to educate and engage GSC visitors in monarch, pollinator, and native plant conservation throughout the year.
Bring home milkweed seeds to plant in the spring to provide host plants for monarchs in your own backyard!
Refreshments will be served featuring Mexican food from La Cocina of Chittenango. Heat-up on a cold day!
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| Hemlock wooly adelgid
Photo: Maine Dept of Ag
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Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Awareness and Monitoring Hikes
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Onondaga County (CCE) will be partnering with the Finger Lakes Land Trust, Central New York Land Trust, and Cornell University to offer two hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) awareness and monitoring hikes. Citizens who appreciate hemlock trees and forests can help by learning how to identify HWA and report possible infestations during one of two winter hikes. Winter is the ideal time to see the insect. On Tues. February 16, 2016 at 10 am families are invited to explore High Vista Nature Preserve and learn how to identify hemlock trees and look for signs of HWA. Snowshoes or cross-country skis may be needed in case of deep snow. Snowshoes may be available to borrow. To register: www.cceonondaga.org or contact Jessi Lyons at 315-424-9485 ext. 233 for more information. On Sat. March 19, 2016 at 10 am hemlock lovers, property owners, volunteers and stewards, are invited to visit the Bahar Nature Preserve to see HWA firsthand, and then monitor hemlock stands at the Elbridge Swamp Preserve. This full-day event will start at the Skaneateles Library to hear more about HWA from Mark Whitmore, and how to monitor and report HWA from Jessi Lyons, environmental educator at CCE. After a break for lunch, the group will carpool to Bahar Nature Preserve and then Elbridge Swamp Preserve. To register: http://cnylandtrust.org/march-19-hemlock-woolly-adelgid/ |
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Join Wild Ones
We welcome everyone to our meetings, but we encourage you to become an official member. Since HGCNY is a chapter of the national organization Wild Ones, when you become a member of Wild Ones, you're automatically a member of HGCNY, too. And since Wild Ones is an official not-for-profit organization, your membership is tax-deductible. It's easy to become a member, receive the bimonthly Wild Ones Journal, and support our mission. Just go to the Wild Ones website or call toll-free (877) 394-9453. |
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Join us on Facebook
As more of us participate on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/hgcny, this will become a useful resource for asking (and answering!) local HGCNYers' questions about habitat gardening. |
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Learn more: Habitat gardening
This is an example of a local habitat garden. It also includes links to more information and inspiration to get started on your own habitat garden. |
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Learn more: Edible gardening
This is an example of a local edible garden. It also includes links to more information and inspiration to get started on your own edible garden. |
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