admin | NYFA

First Test of Leafsnap Tree Identification App

admin — Sun, 15 May 2011 19:40:38 +0000

In a recent post the new tree identification Apple app Leafsnap was featured. I collected 5 tree leaves today to see how well it worked. Here are the results: 1. American elm – It had it listed as its 4th guess. 2. Witch hazel – It was not in the database. I guess it considers it a shrub. 3. Gray birch – Right on its first guess. 4. Cottonwood – Right on its first guess. 5. White ash – It was listed as its 10th guess. There are quite a few exotic trees in the database which are very similar to our native leaves, especially the compound leaves. It certainly was not perfect but we will test more leaves soon to see if it does better. – Steve Young

2011 Summer Courses in Wetland Plants and Graminoids with Jerry Jenkins

admin — Thu, 12 May 2011 18:39:45 +0000

Click on the flyer below for information.

The Native Plant Center at Westchester Community College

admin — Tue, 10 May 2011 18:08:49 +0000

Here is a great resource for native plants in the Lower Hudson Valley and 91��Ƭ�� City areas. To see their web site .

Leafsnap iPhone/iPod Touch App for Identifying Trees

admin — Sun, 08 May 2011 18:06:22 +0000

Many years in development, the leaf identification app Leafsnap is finally available for the iPhone and iPod touch with camera and wifi connection. It will be interesting to see how it will be integrated into dendrology and other flora classes. See the YouTube video below to see how it works. Are the graminoids next?

Is Wild Chervil Exploding in 91��Ƭ��?

admin — Fri, 06 May 2011 17:43:39 +0000

Wild chervil, Anthriscus sylvestris, a non-native plant from Europe seems to be exploding in numbers and range across the state. It can be seen flowering along roadsides, fields and forest edges in late May or early June. I became aware of this plant in the late 1990s when Ed Ketchledge showed me plants that had colonized the road up to Whiteface Mountain. It is getting fairly common in some areas of the Adirondacks now. If you find it outside these areas it would be good to collect a specimen and let the know. Or you can join and map it yourself. They need more data on the species – Steve Young

Here is a video on how to identify it:

The Mysterious Plantmaps.com

admin — Fri, 06 May 2011 17:16:30 +0000

This is a website which displays maps for hardiness zones and range maps for selected plants. Unfortunately they don’t have any information about who they are and what information they use to produce their maps. If anyone can find more information about this website please post a comment. – Steve Young

to see the website.

Adirondack Botany Courses Offered by Shingle Shanty Preserve

admin — Wed, 04 May 2011 02:01:54 +0000

Shingle Shanty Preserve and Research Station, near Tupper Lake, is accredited by the 91��Ƭ�� State Department of Education and is offering these exciting courses this summer.

Ecology of Mosses and Liverworts
Instructor: Sean Robinson
June 27th through July 1st, 2011

Adirondack Wetland Plants and Plant Communities
Instructor: Jerry Jenkins
August 11th – 15th, 2011

Fantastic Fungi of the Adirondacks
Instructor: Rick Van de Poll, Ph.D.
August 16th – 19th, 2011

For details about the courses and costs .

Study here!

Northeast Conservation Status Report April 2011

admin — Tue, 03 May 2011 19:50:29 +0000

From their website: The Nature Conservancy’s Eastern Conservation Science office, with funding from the Northeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, is pleased to release a benchmark report summarizing the results of a comprehensive three-year assessment of animal species and natural habitats across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region.

In an effort to evaluate the gains of a century of conservation and take the pulse of the natural world, scientists synthesized information from over 30 sources, including State Natural Heritage Programs, US Forest Inventory and Analysis, the Breeding Bird Survey, State Wildlife Action Plans and the Conservancy’s Regional Science Center.

Based on the recommendations of the Northeast Performance and Indicator Framework, this technical report evaluates key indicators for six natural habitats: forest, wetlands, rivers and stream, unique habitats, lakes and ponds and animal species of concern. For the report .

When will there be a Northeast Association of Botanical Agencies to fund the same studies on plant species of concern?

Photo Show: Every Tree Tells a Story

admin — Tue, 03 May 2011 00:19:27 +0000

The Cultural Landscape Foundation presents: Every Tree Tells a Story featuring extraordinary trees and tree groupings at twelve sites around the country and Puerto Rico. The show includes a history of the elms of East Hampton, 91��Ƭ��. For the website .

Adirondack Wild Edible Plant Workshops

admin — Tue, 03 May 2011 00:08:34 +0000

The Adirondack Green Circle is hosting a series of Adirondack Wild Edible Plant workshops with Pat Banker at Heaven Hill Farm in Lake Placid.

The first one is May 30, 2011 at 2pm.

Contact Gail Brill for more information (gailbrilldesign@gmail.com)