NOTE FROM THE FIELD CHAIR

 
This year the Torrey Botanical Society has scheduled 17 trips for the 2010 field season.  Two of these are Bioblitz events that will involve the greater community.  Of the regular field trips this year, 9 are in New Jersey and 6 in New York and 1 in Connecticut.  This year the annual joint meeting of the Torrey Botanical Society, the Philadelphia Botanical Club, and the north east section of the Botanical Society of America will be held at the Buxton School, Williamstown, MA.

THE FIELD TRIPS

Field trips are one of the most important activities of the society. Some of the trips are for general study and monitoring of the flora and ecology of an area. Other trips are led by individuals who specialize in certain groups of plants and their trips are planned accordingly. The location may be a city park or any place of botanic interest which is usually within 50 miles of New York City. While most trips emphasize plant study, other aspects of natural history are not neglected. Trip participants are always free to ask questions about anything of interest they see. The leader or other members of the group can often supply an answer.
We are not a hiking club and walking distances are usually not great. Frequent attendance on the field trips is one of the best ways to increase one's knowledge of local plants. Those who come on the field trips are urged to participate in the society's other activities as well.

The postal addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses (when available) of each leader are given at the end of each trip description. Trips generally go rain or shine; if in doubt, call the leader. Some trips are reachable only by automobile. Those in need of rides and those who are offering rides should post and check for messages posted on the Torrey Botanical Society group page hosted by Yahoo Groups [http://groups.yahoo.com].  In addition, it would be helpful if those planning to drive who are willing to take extra passengers could let the leader know in advance.  Bus and train schedules listed in trip descriptions are subject to change; those who use public transportation are advised to check updated schedules in advance. Trip participants are urged to confirm attendance with the leader. Interested guests and non-members are always welcome on field trips.

Field trip leaders are urged to send trip reports and notes on any new or unusual plants or vegetation types to the field chair (Steve Glenn, The Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 1000 Washington Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11225; Email: steveglenn@bbg.org). The information will be included in Torreya. In addition, full vegetation lists are solicited as a permanent record of our local flora. These lists, when submitted, will be made available to all interested persons by contacting the field chair.

17 April (Saturday).  GARRET MOUNTAIN RESERVATION, WOODLAND PARK/ WEST PATERSON, PASSAIC CO., N.J.

Meet at 10:00 AM in the parking lot of Mina’s on the Mountain Restaurant in the strip mall along Rifle Camp Road opposite the Park. By car: via Route. 80, east or west-bound take Squirrelwood Road exit (Exit 56), bearing right and proceed through the light for about 0.5 miles to the intersection of Rifle Camp Road.  Look for the strip mall with corner restaurant opposite the New Street Reservoir. By bus: Take NJ Transit 192 bus from Port Authority Bus Terminal in N.Y.C.  Get off of the bus at the corner of Valley Road and Fenner Avenue in Clifton and could be met at the Getty Service Station for pick up and short shuttle to the meeting place. Please check most current bus schedule with NJ Transit in advance of the trip. Call first trip co-leader by early Friday evening so local transportation can be arranged.  After a brief meeting we will car caravan via the lower Park loop road to the parking lot at the south end of the Pond.  We will explore the south end of the Park for early spring flora of the First Watchung Mountain and compare our findings with the last previous trip here in April 2005.  The trip will cover the most “natural” area of the Park and will be dedicated to the late Dr. S. Marie Kuhnen, botanist and educator.  The trip will finish around 12 noon. Wear sturdy footwear for rocky/wet trails and bring beverage and insect repellant; binoculars and camera optional. Trip Leaders:  Joseph A. Labriola, 863 Allwood Road, Apt. D-1, Clifton, N.J. 07012; 973-472-8451; Email: jlabriola49@optimum.net and Dr. Barbara Brummer, State Director, The Nature Conservancy, NJ Chapter, Chester, N.J., (908) 879-7262, Ext. 350; Email: bbrummer@tnc.org.


18 April (Sunday) PROSPECT PARK, KINGS CO., NY. JOINT TRIP WITH THE LONG ISLAND BOTANICAL SOCIETY.

Meet at 12 pm at Grand Army Plaza entrance into the park. By subway: take the 2 or 3 train to Grand Army Plaza or Q train to 7th Avenue and walk to park entrance (across from the Brooklyn Public Library) We will explore the Vale of Cashmere and work our way towards the boathouse and along the shore of Prospect Lake. The tour will highlight notable trees and a mixed urban flora. Please bring a beverage and sturdy walking shoes as the walk will last approximately three hours. Trip leaders: Chris Roddick (croddick@bbg.org) & Uli Lorimer (ulorimer@bbg.org) 718-623-6421; Brooklyn Botanic Garden 1000 Washington Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11225.


24 April (Saturday) SHU SWAMP PRESERVE, MILL NECK, NASSAU CO., NY. JOINT TRIP WITH THE LONG ISLAND BOTANICAL SOCIETY.

Meet at 10 AM at the small parking area on Frost Mill Rd (Mill Neck Rd.?). This preserve is an excellent place to see spring ephemerals on Long Island.  We hope to see Trout Lily (Erythronium americanum), Red Trillium (Trillium erectum), Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris), Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginiana), LI’s only population of Dog Violet (Viola conspersa), and Long Island Dwarf Ginseng (Panax trifolius).  There are also some very old trees exceeding 3 feet in diameter including Black Tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica), and Tulip Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera).  By car only: from the LIE, take exit 41N to Rt 107 North.  Continue on 107 for 3.1 miles, then turn right onto Wheatley Rd.  Cross Rt 25A after 1 mile where Wheatley Rd. turns into Wolver Hollow Rd.  Continue on Wolver Hollow Rd. for 1.5 miles and turn right onto Chicken Valley Rd.  Follow Chicken Valley Rd. for 1.3 miles, continuing straight for another half mile on Glen Cove Oyster Bay Rd.  Turn right onto Frost Mill Rd. and look for small parking area around 1 mile on the left. Shu Swamp is rather wet, so wear footwear appropriate for muddy conditions. Trip leader: Carol Johnston, Email: johnfjohnston2@optonline.net.


24 April (Saturday). STOW CREEK AREA. CUMBERLAND CO., NJ. JOINT TRIP WITH THE PHILADELPHIA BOTANICAL CLUB.

By car only: Meet at 10:00 AM at the entrance to Gum Tree Corner Wildlife Management area on County Rt. 623 (Canton Rd.) S of County Rt. 660 (Landing Rd.) and Garrison Corner and N of County Rt. 639 (Gum Tree Corner Rd.) and Gum Tree Corner (p. 67 of New Jersey Atlas & Gazetteer). Forested and open communities will be visited to see early blooming wildflowers, including Jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum), cut leaf toothwort (Cardamine concatenata), Virginia spring beauty (Claytonia virginica), trout lily (Erythronium americanum), bluets (Hedyotis caerulea), Canada mayflower (Maianthemum canadense), false Solomon’s seal (Maianthemum racemosum), Indian cucumber root (Medeola virginiana), Solomon’s seal (Polygonatum biflorum), golden club (Orontium aquaticum), and bellwort (Uvularia sessilifolia). A sandy pine barren-like area will also be visited to see trailing arbutus (Epigaea repens) and ipecac spurge (Euphorbia ipecacuanhae) in bloom. The serviceberries (Amelanchier), wood rushes (Luzula), club mosses (Lycopodium s.l.), blueberries (Vaccinium), and violets (Viola) will be critically studied. Rare species we may be able to see include swamp pink (Helonias bullata), southern twayblade (Listera australis), narrow-leaved crabapple (Malus angustifolia), adder’s tongue fern (Ophioglossum pusillum), woolly groundsel (Packera tomentosa [Senecio tomentosus]), mistletoe (Phoradendron leucarpum), swamp cottonwood (Populus heterophylla), basket oak (Quercus michauxii), coastal azalea (Rhododendron atlanticum), and crane fly orchid (Tipularia discolor). Afterwards, trip participants are welcome to join the leaders for dinner in Fortescue at the Charlesworth Hotel restaurant (b.y.o.b). Trip leaders: Renée Brecht (cell: 856-305-3238) and Gerry Moore (work: 718-623-7332, cell: 609-432-8012). E-mails: rbrecht.cumaurice@yahoo.com, gerrymoore@bbg.org.

8 May (Saturday). TURKEY MOUNTAIN NATURE PRESERVE, WESTCHESTER CO., NY.

Meet at 10:00 AM at the parking lot of the trailheads off Highway 118. By car only: from the Taconic State Parkway, exit east on Hwy 131. In about 2 miles, turn right (south) on Hwy 118.  Proceed on Hwy 118 for about 1.7 miles to park entrance on right (west side) opposite Croton Heights Rd.  Proceed straight west to the dead-end parking area. Turkey Mountain Nature Preserve is 125 acres of mixed wet to dry habitats owned by the town of Yorktown. There is a moderately rigorous but short (0.2 mile) hike to the 830 foot summit. The effort will be well rewarded with wonderful lunchtime views; and a special Prunus surprise, the likes of which one will not soon forget! We will also explore the surrounding, lower wetland areas, so prepare for wet walking; but those who wish to remain dry, can so. Bring plenty of beverage, lunch, insect repellant, hand lens, binoculars, and sturdy footwear.  Trip leader: Steve Glenn, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 1000 Washington Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11225-1008; 718-623-7314; Email: steveglenn@bbg.org.


15 May (Saturday) SUSSEX BRANCH TRAIL, ANDOVER TOWNSHIP, SUSSEX CO., NJ.  JOINT TRIP WITH THE PHILIADELPHIA BOTANICAL CLUB. 

Meet at 10:00 AM in the parking lot of the Twin Lakes Boat Launch.  By car only: from Route 80, take Exit 25 to Route 206 north toward Newton.  After passing through Andover Borough (about 7.5 miles) look for Goodale Road on your right.  Follow Goodale Road for about half a mile.  Twin Lakes Boat Launch is on the left.  The Sussex Branch Trail goes through a variety of limestone-based habitats, including a wetland in an old sinkhole, limestone outcroppings, ponds, and woods. Plant diversity here is high. We are returning to this site to catch species in flower that were well past on last year’s trip.  We expect to see Ranunculus flabellaris, Trillium cernuum, and several other showy species. The rocky habitats offer Aquilegia canadensis, Arabis lyrata, and several species of Asplenium.  Be prepared for soggy ground and some bushwhacking. Bring lunch, beverage, and insect repellant. Trip leaders: David Austin, (973) 714 0013 cell; Email: davidaustin@verizon.net and Janet Novak, philbotclub@gmail.com, (215) 248-2642 home, (215) 534-6700 cell.


23 May (Sunday) BARTLETT ARBORETUM AND GARDENS, STAMFORD, FAIRFIELD CO., CT.

Meet at 10:00 AM in the main parking lot.  By car only: take Merritt Parkway to Exit 35, High Ridge Road.  Turn north on High Ridge Road and go 1/3 of a mile to Brookdale Road on the left.  Turn into Brookdale Road and follow along to the entrance on the right for the Arboretum. Drive to end of entrance road to the parking lot.  We will be walking through woodland and along a wooden swamp walk. Bring water and lunch.  Trip leader: Carol Levine, 203-322-2051; Email: Carolflora@optonline.net.

5 June (Saturday).  WETLANDS ALLEY POND PARK, QUEENS CO., NY. JOINT TRIP WITH THE LONG ISLAND BOTANICAL SOCIETY.

Meet at 11:00 AM at Alley Pond Environmental Center, 228-06 Northern Blvd., Douglaston.  By car: take Cross Island Parkway.  Exit at Northern Blvd. eastbound and go 600 yards to the parking area of APEC.  For World Environment Day we will conduct a mini bio blitz to explore early summer flora. Bring beverage, lunch, insect repellant and sturdy footwear.

OAKLAND LAKE AND RAVINE, ALLEY POND PARK, QUEENS CO., NY. JOINT TRIP WITH THE LONG ISLAND BOTANICAL SOCIETY.

Meet at 2:00 PM at Alley Pond Environmental Center, 228-06 Northern Blvd., Douglaston.  By car: take Cross Island Parkway.  Exit at Northern Blvd. eastbound and go 600 yards to the parking area of APEC.  We will explore early summer flora and will probably access muddy areas, so be prepared for wet walking.  Trip leaders:  Andy Greller and Aline Euler, Alley Pond Environmental Center, 228-06 Northern Blvd., Douglaston, NY 11363; 718-229-4000; Email:  aeuler@allypond.com.


12 June (Saturday).  BIOBLITZ, ESPOSITO PARK, CLARK RESERVOIR, CLARK; AND MILTON LAKE PARK, RAHWAY, UNION CO., NJ.

Meet at 9:00 AM (Note earlier than usual starting time) at BioBlitz Central. Contact trip leader for specific location to meet.  Lunch will be provided to Bioblitz participants. Bring plenty of beverage, insect repellant, hand lens, and sturdy footwear. Trip leader: Steve Glenn, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 1000 Washington Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11225; 718-623-7314; Email: steveglenn@bbg.org.


12 June (Saturday). EDWIN B. FORSYTHE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, BARNEGAT DIVISION, FORKED RIVER AND VICINITY, OCEAN CO., NJ.  JOINT TRIP WITH THE PHILADELPHIA BOTANICAL CLUB.

Meet at 10 AM in the parking lot of the Wawa Food Market, Route 9, ca .9 miles south of the intersection of Route 9 and Lacey Rd. in Forked River. Best known as a birding hotspot, the 47,000 acre EB Forsythe Refuge is also the site of some unique coastal plant communities. We have permission to visit areas within the Refuge that are closed to the public.  One is a very diverse maple-ash-sedge swamp, where we should see at least 15 sedge species-including a couple of oddballs-and lots of forbs.  At another site, we’ll visit a savanna-like successional area where we should see bog asphodel, lingering early orchids, bladderworts, sundews, sedges, and many species of Sphagnum. Bring insect repellent, lunch, plenty of water, and be prepared for wet walking.  By car only: using Mapquest, use the destination “Wawa Food Market, 444 S. Main St., Forked River, NJ 08731”, or contact the leader by phone or email for directions. Please contact the leader prior to the trip if possible. Leader: Linda Kelly (732) 363-1266; Email:  kellylc01@aol.com; Cell – for use on the day of the trip ONLY (732) 986-4682.


20-24 June (Sunday to Thursday). JOINT FIELD MEETING OF THE TORREY BOTANICAL SOCIETY, THE PHILADELPHIA BOTANICAL CLUB, AND THE NORTHEAST SECTION OF THE BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA.  BUXTON SCHOOL, WILLIAMSTOWN, MA.

The 2010 meeting will explore the Botany of Berkshire County, Massachusetts. The meeting is based at Buxton School in the heart of Williamstown, down the street from the Clark Art Institute and Williams College. This is a lovely country setting with hiking trails close by.
Program: Field trips, by bus, will include Mt. Greylock, the highest mountain in Massachusetts with its own unique sub-alpine boreal forest and rare plants, and Bartholomew's Cobble, National Natural Landmark, which has one of North America's greatest diversity of fern species and many interesting plants amid the unusual geology of the cobbles. Other trips will depend on the best botanical locations at the time. There will be a variety of evening lectures. Leaders are Pam Weatherbee, Berkshire County Botanist, and Dr. C. Barre Hellquist, Biology Professor Emeritus, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.
Housing, meals, and cost: Accommodations are in the school dormitory rooms, though other options are available. The price of the field meeting will be $350 including four nights lodging and meals from Sunday night through Thursday breakfast. Buxton has the reputation of having very good meals using local produce when available. The price without room but including meals is $225.
For registration and additional information, download the invitation at: http://www.ansp.org/hosted/botany_club/field_trips.html
or contact Nan Williams, Chairperson, at 413-339-5598 or Email: nnwrowe@gmail.com.

25 July (Sunday).  TED STILES PRESERVE AT BALDPATE MOUNTAIN, MERCER CO., NJ.

Meet at 10:00 AM at the parking area at Fiddler’s Creek Road.  By car only: the entrance to the parking lot is approximately 0.3 miles east of Route 29 on Fiddlers Creek Road. From Route 29 continue on Fiddler’s Creek Road past a gated driveway and large "Green Acres" sign to the entrance to the parking area which is a few hundred feet to the east of the gated driveway (See www.njtrails.org for more information). We will explore newly emerging invasive flora along with the recovering native forest understory species responding to effective deer management.  The trail leading up to the peak is somewhat steep in places.  Bring plenty of beverage, lunch, insect repellant, and sturdy footwear.  Trip leader: Michael Van Clef, Ecological Solutions, 9 Warren Lane, Great Meadows, NJ 07838; 908-528-6674; Email: mvanclef@hotmail.com.

7 August (Saturday). MAURICE RIVER, CUMBERLAND CO., NJ. JOINT TRIP WITH THE PHILADELPHIA BOTANICAL CLUB.

By car only: Meet at 10:00 AM in Waltman Park in Millville located just NW of where State Rt. 49 (Main St.) crosses the Maurice River in downtown Millville. The primary emphasis of this trip will be to document the flora of a recently developed nature trail running along the Maurice River just below the Union Lake dam. Coastal woodlands (uplands and lowlands) and freshwater tidal marshes will be visited. This area has a good mix of species of pines (Pinus) and oaks (Quercus) and that will be studied. Rare species we may be able to see include estuarine beggartick (Bidens bidentoides), fringe-tree (Chionanthus virginicus), American waterwort (Elatine americana), Parker’s pipewort (Eriocaulon parkeri), riverbank quillwort (Isoëtes riparia), pond pine (Pinus serotina), and loblolly pine (Pinus taeda). If there is time, areas north of Union Lake may be visited to search for historical populations of swamp pink (Helonias bullata), New Jersey rush (Juncus caesariensis), curly grass (Schizaea pusilla), and death camas (Zigadenus leimanthoides). Trip leaders: Renée Brecht (cell: 856-305-3238) and Gerry Moore (work: 718-623-7332, cell: 609-432-8012). E-mails: rbrecht.cumaurice@yahoo.com, gerrymoore@bbg.org.

18 September (Saturday).  THE NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN, BRONX CO., NY.

Meet at 10:00 AM in the lobby of the Watson Building (on the grounds of NYBG), which offers parking in the immediate vicinity.  Enter NYBG through the Mosholu Gate (opposite the Metro-North “Botanical Garden” train station), tell the guard at the booth that you are attending a Torrey Botanical Society field trip, and ask for directions to the Watson Building lobby.  The purposes of this trip are to 1) botanize the spontaneous flora of the NYBG grounds, including the original-growth NYBG Forest; 2) showcase efforts to manage a suite of invasive plant species on the grounds, and solicit ideas on improving the management; 3) showcase efforts to restore native vegetation to portions of NYBG, and 4) involve field trip participants in the NYBG Natural History project by helping to document the spontaneous flora of NYBG.  Be prepared for walking in some wet and muddy areas.  Bring beverage, lunch, and sturdy footwear.  Trip leaders: Jessica Schuler, Rob Naczi, Daniel Atha, and Michael Nee, The New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd., Bronx, NY 10458; 718-817-8061 or 718-817-8087; E-mail: jarcate@nybg.org or rnaczi@nybg.org.


25 September (Saturday). BIOBLITZ, DELAWARE WATER GAP NATIONAL RECREATION AREA, WARREN and SUSSEX COS., NJ.

Meet at 9:00 AM. (Note earlier than usual starting time). Contact trip leader for specific location to meet. Bring plenty of beverage, lunch, insect repellant, hand lens, and sturdy footwear.  Trip leader: Steve Glenn, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 1000 Washington Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11225-1008; 718-623-7314 (work), Email: steveglenn@bbg.org.

Oct 9th (Saturday) SOURLAND MOUNTAIN PRESERVE, HILLSBOROUGH, SOMERSET CO., NJ.

Meet at 10 a.m. at trail head parking lot. We will explore the pipeline cut and adjacent woodlands to see what is to be found here later in the season. Bring lunch, liquids. Sturdy footwear recommended. By car only: from 206 Southbound: Follow Route 206 through Somerville and Hillsborough - approximately six miles from the Somerville Circle to Route 514 which is Amwell Road. Make a right turn onto Amwell Road and proceed two miles to East Mountain Road. Turn left onto East Mountain Road. Travel for two miles, and you will see the Sourland Mountain Preserve entrance sign on the right.  Northbound: Follow Route 206 through Princeton and Montgomery. Traveling up a small ramp, make a left onto Route 601. Follow Route 601 for a half mile, and make a right turn onto East Mountain Road by Carrier Foundation. Travel for one mile, and you will see the Sourland Mountain Preserve entrance sign on the left. Leaders: Sam Saulys (203-481-9451; Email sam.saulys@comcast.net) and Karl Anderson.



17 October (Sunday).  MUSCOOT FARM, SOMERS, WESTCHESTER CO., N.Y. 

Meet at 10:00 AM at main parking lot. By car only: take I-684 north to exit 6 (Katonah), turn left on Route 35.  Continue west to Route 100, turn left.  Muscoot is a mile and a half on the right. Or take the Saw Mill River Parkway north to I-684 and proceed as above. Or take the Taconic State Parkway to Route 100 (MIllwood) exit. Turn right and proceed north on Route 100. Muscoot is about eight miles up on the left.  We will be looking for wildflowers in their fall and winter state determining identification.  Bring lunch. Trip leader: Carol Levine, 203-322-2051; Email: carolflora@optonline.net.

Connecticut

BARTLETT ARBORETUM AND GARDENS, STAMFORD, FAIRFIELD CO., CT. (23 May).


New Jersey

DELAWARE WATER GAP NATIONAL RECREATION AREA, WARREN and SUSSEX COS., NJ. (25 September).

EDWIN B. FORSYTHE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, BARNEGAT DIVISION, FORKED RIVER AND VICINITY, OCEAN CO., NJ. (12 June).

ESPOSITO PARK, CLARK RESERVOIR, CLARK; AND MILTON LAKE PARK, RAHWAY, UNION CO., NJ. (12 June).  

GARRET MOUNTAIN RESERVATION, WOODLAND PARK/ WEST PATERSON, PASSAIC CO., N.J. (17 April).

MAURICE RIVER, CUMBERLAND CO., NJ. (7 August).

SOURLAND MOUNTAIN PRESERVE, HILLSBOROUGH, SOMERSET CO., NJ. (9 October ).

STOW CREEK AREA. CUMBERLAND CO., NJ. (24 April).

SUSSEX BRANCH TRAIL, ANDOVER TOWNSHIP, SUSSEX CO., NJ. (15 May).

TED STILES PRESERVE AT BALDPATE MOUNTAIN, MERCER CO., NJ. (25 July).


New York

ALLEY POND PARK, QUEENS CO., NY. (5 June).

MUSCOOT FARM, SOMERS, WESTCHESTER CO., NY. (17 October).

NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN, BRONX CO., NY. (18 September).

PROSPECT PARK, KINGS CO., NY. (18 April).

SHU SWAMP PRESERVE, MILL NECK, NASSAU CO., NY. (24 April).

TURKEY MOUNTAIN NATURE PRESERVE, WESTCHESTER CO., NY. (8 May).


Massachussetts

BUXTON SCHOOL, WILLIAMSTOWN, MA. JOINT FIELD MEETING OF THE TORREY BOTANICAL SOCIETY, THE PHILADELPHIA BOTANICAL CLUB, AND THE NORTHEAST SECTION OF THE BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA. (20-24 June).