2012 FIELD TRIPS

APRIL 14, 2012 (SATURDAY) 10 AM

Coffin Woods, Locust Valley, Nassau Co., NY

Trip leader: Carol Johnston Email: johnfjohnston2@optonline.net

Coffin Woods Preserve is a 70 acre mature oak/beech, tulip tree woodland.  Besides our native trout lily, Erythronium americanum,  there is a stand of the lavender European trout lily, Erythronium dens-canis,  red trillium, Trillium erectum in abundance, wood anemone, Anemone quinquefolium, Siberian geranium, Geranium siberica, and Galax aphylla, among other wild flowers. Rarely seen on Long Island, is a healthy stand of Strawberry Bush, Euonymus americanus. We will also look in detail at an invasive Leucothoe that has overrun many parts of the woods. The trails are easy. Bring a bag lunch.

Directions: Coffin Woods Preserve, part of the North Shore Sanctuaries, is located behind Portledge School, Duck Pond Road, Locust Valley, 7/10 of a mile east of the intersection with Piping Rock Road, and on the left. Enter the Portledge campus, go past the Lower School on the left, past the Middle and Upper Schools, and at the end of the parking lot you will see tennis courts. Park behind the tennis courts.

APRIL 28, 2012 (SATURDAY) 10 AM

Massapequa Preserve, Massapequa, Nassau Co., NY

Trip leader: Andrew Greller, Ph.D. Email: agreller2@optonline.net

Botanist Andrew Greller will guide us through this delightful Nassau County-owned 423-acre preserve that was voted Long Island’s best nature preserve by Long Island Press in 2006.

Directions: We will meet at the north side of the Long Island Railroad Massapequa train station in the far east parking lot.

May, 17, 2012 (THURSDAY) 10AM (NOTE NON-WEEKEND DAY)

Forest Park, Queens Co., NY

Trip leader: Michael Feder Email: mdfeder2001@yahoo.com

Designed by Frederick Olmsted in the 1890s, Forest Park is the third largest park in Queens. We will get a last look at some fading spring ephemerals, visit some oddball plant populations, see a restoration site that was formerly a Norway maple stand and find good representation from the parsley (Apiaceae) family. If you'd like to do some bird watching before or after the walk, bring binoculars. Forest Park is an excellent place to view migrating warblers.

Directions: We will meet at 10AM at Wallenberg Square which is located at the southwest corner of Park Lane South and Metropolitan Avenue in Kew Gardens. Take the Grand Central Parkway or Van Wyck Expressway to the Jackie Robinson Parkway. Get off at exit 6, Metropolitan Avenue. Make a left onto Metropolitan Avenue. Wallenberg Square will be about 1/4 mile down the road on your right at the intersection with Park Lane South.

JULY 14, 2012 (SATURDAY) 9 AM (NOTE EARLY START TIME)

Montauk Point for seaweeds, Suffolk Co., NY

Trip leader: Larry B. Liddle, Ph.D. Email: larry.liddle@gmail.com

We will meet an hour before low tide for a little talk in the parking lot and to walk the tide out. We will walk in the intertidal (very rough walking) pools below the lighthouse and then walk north on land about 150m to a "cove" to see the drift, which also could involve wading but on sandy bottom.  There will still be plenty to see for those not wanting to risk wading and walking on slippery rocks.

Directions: Meet at the Montauk Point parking lot. Go East on I-495 to Exit 70, south on County Road 111 to Route 27 and east on NY Route 27 to Montauk Point. Please note there is an $8 parking fee.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2012 (SATURDAY) 10 AM

Hempstead Plains, Uniondale, Nassau Co., NY

Trip Leader: Betsy Gulotta Cell: (516) 317-7267 (Co-listed with the Torrey Botanical Society)

Over 200 species of native and non-native flowering plants have been identified at the 19-acre Hempstead Plains at Nassau Community College.  The native grasses characterizing the tall-grass prairie are particularly beautiful this time of year.  The walk takes about an hour.  Bring water and sturdy shoes.

Directions: From either Meadowbrook Parkway Exit M4 or Merrick Ave. north of Rt. 24 Hempstead Turnpike, take Charles Lindbergh Blvd. west.  Turn at first right into East Parking of Nassau Community College.  Go to first intersection.  See parking along fence and sign for Hempstead Plains.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2012 (SATURDAY) 10 AM

Goldenrod Workshop, Northville, Suffolk Co., NY

Trip leader: Eric Lamont, Ph.D. (Co-listed with the Torrey Botanical Society and New York Flora Association)

The purpose of this free workshop is to teach participants how to identify goldenrods in the field. The workshop will begin with an introduction by Eric who will explain how to use a key to the goldenrods of Long Island. Participants will key out a few species together and then try their skills keying out live specimens on their own or with a partner. We will then ID all of the species together, check our determinations, and explain where participants might have gone wrong in the key. The workshop will end with a walk through North Fork Preserve, Northville. (Purchased in 2011 by Suffolk County and Riverhead Township, these 300+ acres were the largest unprotected tract of open space remaining in Suffolk County.)

Registration is required: You must be a member of one of the sponsoring organizations to register and the workshop will be limited to 24 participants. Please email Eric to register and for directions [Eric Lamont: elamont@optonline.net]. It's important that participants be on time for the intro lecture, but then people can leave or stay as long as desired; the day will end in the afternoon, maybe 3-4 pm. Bring water, lunch, and insect repellent. Dress for potentially moist or muddy habitats in North Fork Preserve.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2012 (SATURDAY) 10AM

Hither Hills State Park, Suffolk Co., NY (Co-listed with Torrey Botanical Society and Long Island Native Plant Initiative)

Trip leaders: Uli Lorimer, Brooklyn Botanic Garden Email: ulilorimer@bbg.org and Polly Weigand, Suffolk County Soil and Water Conservation District Email: Polly.Weigand@suffolkcountyny.gov

We will explore coastal dune grassland habitat. Please come prepared with proper shoes and clothing for hiking in sand, there may be some wet areas as well. Bring plenty of water, insect repellent, and a lunch.

Directions: Please meet at the end of Napeague Harbor Rd, a left turn from Highway 27 headed east towards Montauk. Park along the roadside.

OCTOBER 6, 2012 (SATURDAY) 10AM

Muttontown Preserve, East Norwich, Nassau Co., NY

Trip Leaders: Al and Lois Lindberg Email: ajlindberg@verizon.net

This preserve comprises 570 acres of fields and woodlands amid the rolling hills and kettlehole ponds of morainal northern Nassau County. Goldenrods and asters are abundant in Muttontown's late successional fields and woodlands and will hopefully give us a good show on this early Autumn walk. The preserve is operated by the Nassau County Department of Parks, Recreation and Museums and is open from 9:30 to 4:30 daily. To find out more information about the Preserve and its programming call 516-571-8500.

Directions: Please meet at preserve building at the main entrance. Take LIE ext 41 north following the fork to the right to Route 106. Go north on Route 106 for about 3.75 miles and make a left onto Route 25A. Make another left in 0.1 mile onto Muttontown Lane. The entrance is straight ahead. 

OCTOBER 27, 2012 (SATURDAY) 10AM

Alley Pond Environmental Center (APEC) and Oakland Lake Park, Douglaston, Queens Co., NY

Trip leaders: Andrew Greller Ph.D. Email: agreller2@optonline.net and Aline Euler Ed.D.

Autumn wildflowers and fall colors. Bring lunch and water. Wet walking is optional.

Directions: Meet at the APEC parking lot, 100 yards E of Cross Island Parkway on S side of Northern Boulevard. If using a map search, the address is 228-06 Northern Boulevard, Douglaston, NY 11362.