Friday, September 25, 2009

Green Skyscraper

An 82-story building, still being built in Chicago, is using materials which will help minimize birds strikes. Kudos to designer and architect Jeanne Gang! Check out the original article here:

http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/theskyline/2009/09/a-skyscraper-for-the-birds-aqua-gets-an-award-from-animal-rights-group-.html

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Foraging in Prospect Park

A trip to Prospect Park this past Saturday with “Wildman” Steve Brill was a strange but insightful experience. Equipped with a stroller and a whistle Steve was ready for an afternoon of foraging and brilla-phone entertainment. Steve showed tasty plants and warned which should be avoided. Among the favorite treats found were Washington Hawthorn berries, Asiatic dayflower, Yellow wood sorrel, Wild Mustard seed, and Sassafras root. Sign up for a tour at http://www.wildmanstevebrill.com/, but remember don’t eat the White Snake Root!

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Wandering the Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Last weekend I tried out my new membership at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, breezing through the "members only" entrance with a flash of my shiny green card. Nice.

I ended up in the Native Flora Garden and happily toured the masses of vegetation, looking for shade tolerant plants for a particular project involving constructed rocky stream banks adjacent to high security walls.

Some of the more interesting plants included:

Fuzzy on top, with very minty leaves (above): Mountain-mint (Pycnanthemum muticum)

Bizarre, extremely poisonous berries and a creepy, fitting name: Doll's eyes (Actaea pachypoda)

And, just for fun, this artistic conifer cultivar with curled needles: Twisted white-pine (Pinus strobus 'Contorta')


Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Hudson River Foundation Seminars

The Hudson River Foundation is sponsoring a seminar series on scientific issues related to the environmental quality and resources management of the New York/ New Jersey Harbor Estuary. All Seminars will be held at Hudson River Foundation, 17 Battery Place, Suite 915, New York, NY 10004. RSVP to info@hudsonriver.org or call 212-483-7667 (seating is limited)


Tuesday, October 6, 2009 @ 10:30 AM
Ecological Functions of Hudson River Salt Marshes and Submerged Vegetation
Dr. Stuar Findlay, Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies

Tuesday, November 10, 2009 @ 10:30 AM
Salt Marshes: A Natural and Unnatural History
Dr. Judith Weis, Rutgers University

Friday, December 4, 2009, 10:30 AM
Historical Changes in Bathymetry in the Lower Passaic River
Dr. William Hasen, Worcester State College
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