Nature Club Meetup Group

• Saturday, June 7, 2025
• 2:00 PM 4:00 PM
• Burroughs Audubon Nature Sanctuary301 Railroad Mills RoadVictor, NY, 14564United States (map)

Join the BANC Habitat Restoration Team as we monitor the sanctuary for evidence of a Swallow-wort (Vincetoxicum rossicum) incursion. You may have noticed this harmful invasive plant—also often called the dog-strangling vine—nearly taking over the forest floor in some of our county parks. We refuse to let that happen at our precious wildlife sanctuary!
Come learn to identify this plant and wander the trails looking for it. If we spot any, we’ll show you how to dig them up by the roots and properly dispose of them.
And we’ll also remove any Garlic mustard or other invasives we may have missed during earlier habitat restoration events.
Bring some gloves and water and your preferred tick prevention gear. Don’t feel the need to stay for the whole 2 hours – come and go as you can!
Note, kids 7+ can help but must have a responsible adult accompanying them. No need to register.

• Sunday, June 8, 2025
• 6:30 PM 8:30 PM
• Black Creek Park3835 Union St. North Chili, NYUSA (map)

Wetlands teem with all sorts of wildlife: frogs, toads, turtles, snakes, birds, mammals, and a myriad of insects. Join herpetologist David Mead for this evening walk focused on discovering herps, but being a BANC field trip, we’ll enjoy all the creatures and plants we find along the way. Wear boots as we could be in ankle-deep muck at times, and you’ll also need insect repellent.
The event will happen rain or shine, unless there is a thunderstorm.
Black Creek Park is a relatively undeveloped Monroe County park. Its 1,505 acres have many features to offer. Lowland swamps, hardwood forests, wetland meadows, ponds, streams, and thickets are connected by scenic trails meandering through the diverse habitat and providing opportunities to view nature. Black Creek Park is the site of a massive wetlands restoration project begun over 15 years ago, now home to an abundance of deer, songbirds, frogs, and other wildlife. Within the last year, the park staff has planted over 600 native hardwood trees for reforestation efforts. Further native plantings and ongoing trail maintenance are planned.
For your GPS, the address is 3835 Union Street, North Chili, New York 14514. The main entrance is located on Union Street in the Town of North Chili. After entering the park, take a left at the stop sign and follow this road to the far parking lot past the lodge. There is a playground and a covered pavilion.
A native of Texas, David, our leader, has lived his life with a deep appreciation for the natural world and a particular passion for reptiles and amphibians. This passion for the study of the world’s herpetofauna has led him to the jungles of India and Costa Rica, the rocky isles of Greece, and the mountainous deserts of Arizona and Western Texas. He has worked as a reptile zookeeper and exhibit designer. He became a Texas Master Naturalist, has developed guided nature tours around the world, and worked on a French nature documentary. David is currently enjoying nature stewardship through his employment in the Monroe County Parks Department.
No registration is required. For information, contact Shirley Shaw, 585-752-4770

• Saturday, June 14, 2025
• 9:30 AM 3:30 PM
• Mendon Ponds Park (Beach Parking Lot Near Canfield Woods Shelter)95 Douglas Road, Honeoye Falls, NY 14472 (map)

Sponsored by the Genesee Valley Chapter of ADK and Monroe County Parks, this event is free and open to the public and is held at beautiful Mendon Ponds Park. Local clubs and organizations are on site to talk about their work, share knowledge of the outdoors, and provide a variety of workshops and hikes.
Come and enjoy some delicious food and ice cream as well!
No registration required. For more information, go to https://adk-gvc.org/play/outdoor-expo-before/

• Sunday, June 22, 2025
• 8:00 AM 10:00 AM
• Burroughs Audubon Nature Sanctuary301 Railroad Mills RoadVictor, NY, 14564United States (map)

It’s the start of summer and time to heat up your checklist! Come for an informal hike led by BANC’s own Derek Pulhamus around the Burroughs sanctuary, where we will try to find the birds enjoying their summer residence during the breeding season. Look for our club mascot, the Scarlet Tanager, along with colorful friends such as Baltimore Orioles, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, and many more.
Bring binoculars if you have them, but there will be a few pairs available if you don’t.
Registration is not required. Leader: Derek Pulhamus (585-750-2265)