What we’re about
Open, informal group for the appreciation of nature and wildflowers. Also for birders, butterfly lovers, and folks concerned about declining numbers of bees. We'll take field-trips to see wildflowers in nature, in gardens, and in nurseries. In winter, we'll meet for coffee or cocktails.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Spring Wildflower Walk #2Halfmoon Town Park, Clifton Park, NY
The Town Park parking area is located at the north end of the park off NY Route 236 (~1/4+ mile south of its intersection with NY Route 146). We’ll meet in the open-air picnic pavilion along the trail immediately across from the parking area. We will stroll along both the north and south loops of the nature trail (~0.9 mile round trip). Trail surface is crushed stone – please wear proper footwear if you intend to step off the trail to view plants up close.
Among others, we may encounter these native blooming beauties during our outing: Bush Honeysuckle (Diervilla lonicera), Common Elderberry (Sambucus nigra ssp. canadensis), Foxglove Beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis), Large Blue Flag (Iris versicolor), and White Avens (Geum canadense).
Learn more about the following species from past or forthcoming posts that are part of my weekly series entitled "What Wildflower Begins Blooming This Week?":
· Common Elderberry (post published 6/13/2020)
· Foxglove Beardtongue (post published 6/12/2021)
· Large Blue Flag (post published 6/11/2022)Weather cancellation: This event will be cancelled if any of the following is occurring or is forecast for this destination at that time:
· thunderstorms (or any other severe weather),
· moderate or heavy rainfall (i.e., more than drizzle/mist or intermittent showers), or
· gusty or sustained winds (i.e., treetops are noticeably swaying back and forth). - Foraging for Wild Edibles: Native CherriesLink visible for attendees
NOTE: If you wish to attend, you must RSVP to reserve your spot for this event. Only registered participants will receive a message the day before the event with specific logon instructions.
This online event is the first of a series of two presentations that will focus on Foraging for Wild Edibles.
This presentation will feature Pin Cherry (Prunus pensylvanica), Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana), and Black Cherry (Prunus serotina), the first of which will soon be ready to harvest with the others ripening sequentially thereafter. The online session will last ~40 minutes, including an interactive discussion period immediately following the information-packed presentation.
Why forage? Foraging feeds us – literally and figuratively. Foraging helps to fill our freezer and pantry without us planting seeds or spending dollars. Foraging helps us to better understand the earth and more about our sense of place on it. Foraging anchors us in the season – it helps us to be mindful of the now.
Please logon to this presentation to learn more about these easy-to-find and identify, tasty wild edibles that you can use to make savory sauces and adult beverages as well as delicious jams, jellies, and desserts!
For this online session, please be prompt and please understand that no more than 100 of us may participate.
“See” you then!
- Summer Wildflower Walk #1Halfmoon Town Park, Clifton Park, NY
The Town Park parking area is located at the north end of the park off NY Route 236 (~1/4+ mile south of its intersection with NY Route 146). We’ll meet in the open-air picnic pavilion along the trail immediately across from the parking area. We will stroll along the north loop of the nature trail (~0.4 mile round trip). Trail surface is crushed stone – please wear proper footwear if you intend to step off the trail to view plants up close.
Among others, we may encounter these native blooming beauties during our outing: Canada Lily (Lilium canadense), Steeplebush (Spiraea tomentosa), Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), and Virginia Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum virginianum)
Learn more about the following species from past or forthcoming posts that are part of my weekly series entitled "What Wildflower Begins Blooming This Week?":
· Canada Lily (post published 7/10/2021)Weather cancellation: This event will be cancelled if any of the following is occurring or is forecast for this destination at that time:
· thunderstorms (or any other severe weather),
· moderate or heavy rainfall (i.e., more than drizzle/mist or intermittent showers), or
· gusty or sustained winds (i.e., treetops are noticeably swaying back and forth). - Bog WalkDyken Pond Environmental Center, Cropseyville, NY
NOTE: If you wish to attend, you must RSVP to reserve your spot for this event. Only registered participants will receive a message the day before the event with directions as to where we will meet along with a trail map for this unique outing, which will be ~1.25 miles total.
Among others, we may encounter these native blooming beauties during our outing: Common Arrowhead (Sagittaria latifolia), Large Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon), Marsh Skullcap (Scutellaria galericulata), Small Cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccos), Steeplebush (Spiraea tomentosa), and Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata).
Learn more about the following species from past or forthcoming posts that are part of my weekly series entitled "What Wildflower Begins Blooming This Week?":
· Common Arrowhead (post published 7/15/2023)
· Marsh Skullcap (to be published 7/20/2024)Unless you are willing to have wet feet throughout this walk, you should at least wear rubber knee boots – but should seriously consider wearing rubber hip boots or rubber chest waders (which would enable you to sit down in the bog while observing the plants we encounter up close).
Weather cancellation: This event will be cancelled if any of the following is occurring or is forecast for this destination at that time:
· thunderstorms (or any other severe weather),
· moderate or heavy rainfall (i.e., more than drizzle/mist or intermittent showers), or
· gusty or sustained winds (i.e., treetops are noticeably swaying back and forth).
