Water Willow (Decodon verticillatus)
Photo courtesy of Donald J. House

Saturday, April 19, 2014 10 AM
Coffin Woods, Locust Valley, Nassau Co., NY
Trip Leaders: Carol Johnston

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). The Preserve has been awarded a grant to eradicate a stand of the invasive hardy kiwi vine. Work will begin this spring, and we will take a look at the affected area. 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.

Saturday, May 24, 2014 10 AM
Christie Estate South (Muttontown South), Nassau County, NY
Trip Leaders: Mike Feder and Rich Kelly

This is a former Winthrop estate, and the habitats include mixed upland woods, successional fields, and kettle hole ponds. Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and insect repellent. This will be similar to a LIBS walk here in July of 2011, however, we will spend some time exploring a wet area of the field where some interesting plants were found last summer. This will be a long but easy walk with some optional wet walking. It would be best if you could carry your lunch. Please contact the leader prior to the trip.

Directions:
Meet at 10:00 AM at the parking area for Nassau Hall at 1864 Muttontown Road, Syosset. By car only: From either the Long Island Expressway or Northern State Parkway, go north on North Broadway (Rtes. 106/107) in Jericho. Very soon after passing under Jericho Tpke., bear right onto Rte. 106 which is Jericho - Oyster Bay Road. Continue north for 2.2 miles and turn left onto Muttontown Road/Eastwoods Road. Go west 0.4 mile and turn left at Nassau Hall. If the gate is locked, backtrack a few feet and take the driveway that goes through the building.

Saturday, June 7, 2014 9 AM
Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Queens Co., NY
Trip Leaders: Richard Stalter

Jamaica Bay Wild Life Refuge encompasses 3,705 hectares. The refuge is part of the Gateway National Recreation Area, the country’s largest urban national park. Although much of the natural environment has been modified by grading and filling, many native plant species have been remarkably preserved.

Directions:
Meet at 9:00 AM at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitors’ Center.

By car: From Brooklyn—Belt Pkwy. (east) to exit 17 (Crossbay Blvd.) go over North Channel Bridge and continue 1 mi. past the bridge at the traffic light to the entrance to the Refuge on the right. From Rockaway—Take Crossbay Bridge (94 St.) and go through Broad Channel Community. Refuge visitor center is about 0.5 mi. on the left.

By public transportation: By Train—Take the A train going to Rockaways. Exit at Broad Channel Station. Walk west to Crossbay Blvd. then north, (right), about 0.5 mi. to the refuge. By bus—Take Green Bus Line Q21 from Liberty Ave. (Queens) to 116th St. (Rockaway) to the refuge; or take Triboro Q53 bus from Roosevelt Ave./Jackson Heights. Exit at refuge stop. You can also take the Greenline Q21 from the intersection of Woodhaven and Liberty Ave. Exit at refuge entrance.

Saturday, June 14, 2014 9 AM
Appalachian Trail, Dutchess County, NY
Trip Leaders: Rich Kelly

We will hike the Appalachian Trail and pass through at least 9 different ecological communities, so plant diversity should be great. We will make a particular effort to look for Spiranthes lucida (shining ladies’-tresses). There should be plenty of birds and insects to observe as well. Bring lots of water to carry, insect repellent, sunscreen, and a hat. Bring lunch, but you do not have to carry it, as we will return to the cars to eat. In the morning we will do an uphill hike at a slow pace, and the climb is not particularly taxing. You will have to pass over 3 wooden stiles along the way. In the afternoon we will do a different uphill hike that is more strenuous, so you could skip out after lunch if you are concerned, and still see many plant species from just the morning..

Directions:
Contact the trip leader to register and for meeting place directions

Sunday, August 17, 2014 10 AM
Pelham Bay Park, Bronx, NY
Trip Leaders: Leah Beckett and Rebecca Swadek

Pelham Bay Park has a diverse set of habitats including extensive salt marshes dotted with upland "islands," formed by exposed gneiss-quartz bedrock overlain by glacial till soil. It is the southernmost example of a rocky New England coastline, and is the largest park in New York City. A walk along the upland-salt marsh boundary in mid-summer will include mature oak-hickory forest, shrub-dominated marsh edges, and salt marsh dominated by Spartina alterniflora, S. patens, and Distichlis spicata. Other salt marsh species will include Iva frutescens, Baccharis halimifolia, Pluchea odorata, Solidago sempervirens, Salicornia depressa, and possibly Bolboschoenus robustus, Limonium carolinianum and Symphyotrichum subulatum (S2). The low marsh, inundated twice daily by tides, also harbors live ribbed-mussel communities, breeding marsh wrens, and a few relic oysters. Other shore birds such as great egrets, snowy egrets, great blue herons, and birds of prey can be seen on the bedrock outcrops in the marsh. Be prepared for possible wet walking. Knee boots or taller waders are recommended if you want to venture out of the upland. Low tide is at noon. Bring plenty of water and be prepared for ticks.

Directions:
Meet in the Southeast corner of the Split Rock Golf Course parking lot. The parking lot entrance is off of Shore Road just north of Orchard Beach Rd. The southeast corner is the far corner (the side farthest away from the clubhouse) closest to Shore Road.

Saturday, September 6, 2014 9:30 AM–2:30 PM
Locations in Delaware and Otsego Counties, NY
Trip Leaders: Al & Lois Lindberg

We will visit Franklin Mountain Sanctuary, 100 acres of diverse hilly woods and fields, and the site of a noted hawk watch. Nearby Emmons Pond Bog Preserve consists of 140 acres of wetland meadows and a sphagnum bog. September gives the birders among us the opportunity to take a look at some early-season hawk migrants. Oneonta is in central New York State, approximately 4 hours from LI, and there are several motels in the area for overnight accommodations. Please bring lunch.

Directions:
Email or call for further details and directions to the meeting location.

Saturday, October 4, 2014 11 AM
Cranberry Bog Preserve, Riverhead, Suffolk County, NY
Trip Leaders: Andrew Greller

Join botanist Andy Greller to explore this magnificent community, complete with carnivorous plants, when it is at its most beguiling.

Directions:
Please Email Mike Feder for meeting place and directions. Enrollment is limited.

Saturday, October 18, 2014 10 AM
North Fork Preserve, Northville, Town of Riverhead, Suffolk County, NY
Trip Leaders: Eric Lamont

The day will include about 2 miles of walking and the emphasis will be on the diversity of ecological communities and the dominant plant species that characterize them. Many different freshwater wetland communities will be observed and classified, as well as a rare upland forest ecosystem. Bring lunch and be prepared for ticks. Participants must register with trip leader to attend.