Monthly Program: "Plant Communities of NJ, Native or Otherwise"

Noted local naturalist Karl Anderson will present an old-fashioned lecture about the origins of New Jersey’s high botanical diversity, an introduction to the native plant communities, the origins of non-native plants and their effect on native plant communities, and some thoughts on gardening with native species.

Karl worked for New Jersey Audubon Society for many years, managing and developing the Audubon nature center at Rancocas State Park where he led field trips for bird, botany and general nature study. He has led or co-led over sixty tours across North America and beyond. After retiring from New Jersey Audubon, he worked part-time as a botanist for the State of New Jersey while continuing to do botanical inventories and lead local field trips. His favorite New Jersey haunts are the Pine Barrens, the Delaware Water Gap NRA, and any overgrown vacant lot.

Karl Anderson is also the author of Observations by a Field Naturalist of Southern New Jersey, a compilation of 100 newspaper columns he wrote between 2009 and 2022. With few exceptions, they deal with plants and animals that we see, or could see, in southern New Jersey every year if we were in the right place at the right time. Copies are available for purchase at GCNC meetings, through our website and at selected retail locations.

Presenter: Karl Anderson

Directions: The Holy Nativity Lutheran Church is located just off Rt. 553 (Woodbury Glassboro Rd.) immediately south of the traffic light at Mantua Ave. The church parking lot can be accessed by entrances on either Woodbury-Glassboro Road or Lenape Trail (first left off of Mantua Ave).