June 8, 2010* Tuesday, 5:30 PM (please note early start time for the barbecue)
Annual Barbecue: The annual barbecue, featuring Chef Eric's made-to-order hot dogs and hamburgers. Salads, deviled eggs, desserts, etc. gladly accepted. The traditional location—on the green behind the Muttontown Preserve meeting house.
Location: Bill Paterson Nature Center, Muttontown Preserve, East Norwich

September 14, 2010* Tuesday, 7:30 PM
Susan K. Pell:  "The Cashew Family (Anacardiaceae): Fruits, Genes and Dermatitis."
Anacardiaceae includes many familiar edibles including cashews, pistachios, mangos, and pink peppercorns, but is more notorious for its contact dermatitis-causing members, including poison ivy and poison oak. This lecture will present an overview of the family from our local sumac species to the characters that distinguish Anacardiaceae. Recent research on its evolution will be highlighted with an explanation of the taxonomic, biogeographic, and morphological implications of the results. Susan earned her Ph.D. in Plant Biology from Louisiana State University studying the systematics of the cashew family (Anacardiaceae). She has continued this research as the Plant Molecular Systematist and Laboratory Manager at Brooklyn Botanic Garden (BBG), where she also teaches botany courses through Continuing Education. In addition to her duties at BBG, she serves as the Program Chair and Corresponding Secretary for the Torrey Botanical Society and as the Continuing Education Botany Program Coordinator at the New York Botanical Garden.
Location: Bill Paterson Nature Center, Muttontown Preserve, East  Norwich

October 12, 2010* Tuesday, 7:30 PM
Margaret Conover: "Botanical Reflections: from Peck's Woods to Petermannia."
From her childhood in Harmony Corners, Wisconsin, Dr. Conover has travelled to all the corners of the world to pursue her interest in botany. This talk will be illustrated with her botanical photographs from the remote areas of Iceland, Malaysia, Australia, Scotland, and Long Island. Spring ephemerals, apical meristems, island biogeography, big trees, leaf venation patterns, recalcitrant houseplants, and green aliens are among the topics she will address. Margaret is editor of the LIBS newsletter and a part-time researcher and teacher at the New York Botanical Garden and Stony Brook University.
Location: Museum of Long Island Natural Sciences, Earth and Space Science Building, Gil Hanson Room (Room 123), SUNY at Stony Brook, Stony Brook

November 9, 2010* Tuesday, 7:30 PM
Dave Taft: "Orchids Among Us."
Learn how to discover and document orchids. This talk will highlight the native wild orchids of the heavily urbanized Northeast, notably those within driving range of New York City. Dave is a Manager for the National Park Service at Gateway National Recreation Area, and he is the Conservation Chair for the Greater New York Orchid Society.
Location: Bill Paterson Nature Center, Muttontown Preserve, East Norwich

December 14, 2010* Tuesday, 7:30 PM
Members Night
Members are welcome to bring photos, stories, specimens, and tales of peculiar sightings of favorite plants. A great opportunity to show what you have found while exploring on Long Island or elsewhere. Please call Rich Kelly (516-354-6506) in advance to advise as to the approximate number of images/slides that you would like to show and preferred medium of presentation. Thanks.
Location: Bill Paterson Nature Center, Muttontown Preserve, East Norwich

Reminder: there will be no meetings in January or February.

Next meeting March 9, 2011.

* Refreshments and informal talk begin at 7:30.
Formal meeting starts at 8:00 PM.
Directions to Muttontown: 516-571-8500
Directions to Stony Brook: 516-354-6506