This plant identification workshop focuses on field identification, ecology, and indicator value of genus Carex, i.e. the “sedges”, the most diverse genus of vascular plants in Connecticut. Considered by many a “cryptic” (i.e., hard-to-identify) group, the sedges are actually a well-behaved taxonomic group with relatively little hybridization. The majority of sedges are in fact identifiable in the field with no more than 10X magnification, and many Carex species have high value as indicators of hydrologic regime, fertility regime, and natural community types of special biodiversity significance. The workshop will emphasize development of field identification skills, as opposed to collection and keying out of specimens in the lab. If/when weather is severe, we will work inside with collected specimens. For the information of those who have attended our earlier Carex workshops, we will cover several of the same habitats and most of the same species as in previous years, but we also visit some new sites and habitats, and will cover some species not covered in previous years. Also, there will be new, improved editions of the class handouts available.
In
addition to the field sessions there will be an optional lab session offered on
July 10th after a dinner break.
Each
participant should bring: a good quality hand lens with at least 10X
magnification; fine-pointed forceps that can be carried in the field; a
centimeter/millimeter ruler; hip or chest waders; his/her choice of insect
repellent, sun protection, etc. The waders are not absolutely essential, but
participants should in any case be prepared be in thigh-deep water/muck some of
the time. A waterproof field notebook and collecting bags are highly
recommended.
Taxonomy
will follow Arthur Haines' Flora Novae Angliae.
BILL MOORHEAD is an independent consulting field botanist based
in western Connecticut. He has
specialized for 20 years in the search for populations of rare plants and their
habitats, and the study of plant communities and the factors determining their
species composition and distribution. He
leads plant and plant community walks and canoe-trip “eco-tours”, and teaches
plant identification workshops in difficult plant groups, such as sedges,
grasses, asters and goldenrods, as well as invasive species and their native
look-a-likes.
Location: Aton Forest Headquarters - 270 North Colebrook Rd. Norfolk, CT 06058
Location: Aton Forest Headquarters - 270 North Colebrook Rd. Norfolk, CT 06058
Date: Wednesday
Time: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuition: $150 - we accept check by mail (PO Box 509 Norfolk, CT 06058) or card via PayPal, lunch and refreshments provided.
- 5 CEU's are available for CT Forest Practitioners
- 4 Credits are available for Accredited Organic Land Care Professionals
- 1 Renewal Point is available for the Society of Wetland Scientists' Professional Certification Program
Workshop limited to 15 participants, registration and payment required in advance.
For more information/registration please contact us at (860)542-5125 or contact@atonforest.org
Reserve a space now! Pay and secure a spot instantly with PayPal:
Note:
If a session is canceled by us for any reason, tuition payments will be
refunded in full, by mail. If a
registered participant cancels, tuition may or may not be refunded, at our
discretion, depending upon the final class size.
