• Sunday,
July 5, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Corson's Brook Woods—Enjoy a morning walk in a rich woodland. We will be
looking at and identifying various trees and shrubs. Of special interest will
be the rare Bladdernut Hickory, Black Walnut trees and ferns. Bring water and
bug repellant, and wear sturdy shoes. Meet at the corner of Jasper St. and
Forest Hill Road.Call Cathy Zelonis for more information 917-596-4198.
• Sunday,
July 5, 12 noon to 2 p.m.
Page Avenue Beach and Woods—Depending on the weather, we may walk the beachfront
and/or through the woodlands. In addition to examining evidence of the recent
and long term history of the area, we’ll study the geology of the beach as
well as the flotsam and jetsam accumulated at the high tide lines to see what
nature's debris has to tell us. It may be muddy so dress appropriately. Pick
up shells and beach pebbles. Meet at the parking lot at the end of Page Avenue on
the left. Find the strange green branched young tree at the side of the
parking lot. For more information phone Dick Buegler 718-761-7496 or Clay
Wollney at 718-869-6327.
• Monday, July 6, 8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Buffalo or
Buck Full Moon: Sunset-Moon Rise Walk at Mt. Moses—Sunset is at 8:30 p.m. and moon rise is 12 minutes
earlier at 8:18 p.m.
However, it takes the moon another 20 minutes to rise above the hills of High
Rock. We should see a full moon rise about 8:40 p.m.,10 minutes after sunset. Meet at intersection
of Rockland
and Meisner Avenues. Flashlight is required for each person in your group.
You may bring a light refreshment to share with others. The walk is barely
fifteen minutes each way. As we walk past the Rockland Avenue intersection, you will
see hundreds of trees and shrubs with dense green foliage and hundreds of
wildflowers and grasses blooming or in seed. NYCDEP planted them in this
newly designed flood control system. Protectors planted daffodil bulbs in
memory of 9/11 along this trail. Children have always enjoyed this brief walk
for an astronomy event and the sharing of refreshments at the top. The walk
leader is Sandra Mechanic. For more information phone Dick Buegler
718-761-7496.
• Saturday,
July 11, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Forest Restoration Workshop and Walk—Buck's Hollow, intersection of Blue and White
trails. Work with us two hours and then stroll the Greenbelt trails for another two. Meet at
the foot of Lighthouse Hill at Meisner and Rockland Avenues. We will remove
exotic, non-native plants that are invading the Greenbelt. We'll also check the
revegetation that DEP spent much money on at Meisner Pond. Bring a friend who
likes to work outdoors. Gloves, tools and refreshments provided by the NYC
Environmental Fund. For more information, phone Dick Buegler at 718-761-7496.
Sunday, July 12, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Orchid survey at Mt. Loretto
Unique Area—Join Dick Buegler in
his annual count of the specimens of the rare Staten Island Ragged Fringed
Orchid that have been seen there for the last few years. Mowing equipment may
have disturbed the orchid site but we hope the plants rebound and continue multiplying
in the two areas we have found them. We are interested in seeing if they
propagate themselves in the southern section of the park where we have not
yet seen them. For more information, phone Dick Buegler at 718-761-7496.
• Sunday, July 12, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Butterflies at Blue Heron
Park—Staten Island is home to a gorgeous collection of butterflies.
The variety of sizes and shapes, colors and styles is no better evidenced
than at Blue Heron Park.
Enjoy time with Cliff Hagen as he shares tips for identifying Staten Island's most brilliant insects. Meet in the
parking lot of Blue Heron Park on Poillon
Ave. between Hylan Blvd. and Amboy Road. Bring binoculars if you
have them. For more information phone Dick Buegler at 718-761-7496 or Cliff
at 718-313-8591
• Saturday,
July 18, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
North Mount Loretto
Woods—This
is a great new purchase by New York State DEC. Explore these beautiful
woodlands' extensive American Beech, Oak and Sweet Gum forest with
naturalist, photographer Sandra Mechanic. Meet at the corner of Bartow and Richard
Avenues off Hylan Blvd
across from Mt. Loretto Unique Aea. Bring bug spray, lunch and beverages. For
more information, phone Dick Buegler at 718-761-7496.
• Sunday
July 19, First Part, 10 a.m. to 12:00 noon
Corson Brook Woods Late Summer Flowering Walk—Meet at the intersection of Forest Hill Road and Jasper Street, near the rear entrance
to College of S.I. Join naturalist, photographer
Sandra Mechanic on an exciting walk searching for late blooming wildflowers
where dozens of wildflower species were in bloom this spring. We will search
for White Snakeroot, Black Cohosh, Spotted Wintergreen and the flowers or
seed heads of the Wild Leek whose tasty leaves appeared for a week or two in
early spring and "melted" away. We may also find the 1 to 3 inch
bladders of the Bladdernut that bloomed in June that now rattle when shaken. Bring
bug spray, lunch and beverages. For more information, phone Dick at 718-761-7496.
Sunday July
19, Second Part, 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
The above walk will continue at Blood Root Valley—Park and Meet Sandra Mechanic at the back end of
Wagner HS on Manor Road, near the JCC, where we can enjoy the deeply shaded
cool mature forest with ancient Red Oaks, American Beech and Sweet Gum trees
and in the brook bottom below, Black Walnut trees laden with edible walnuts
along with dozens of Sugar Maples, a rare Staten Island forest. Bring bug
spray, lunch and beverages. The leaves of the spring blooming Bloodroot may
still be showing. For more information, phone Dick at 718-761-7496.
• Sunday, July 19, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Butterflies at Blue Heron
Park—Staten Island is home to a gorgeous collection of butterflies.
The variety of sizes and shapes, colors and styles is no better evidenced
than at Blue Heron Park.
Enjoy time with Cliff Hagen as he shares tips for identifying Staten Island's most brilliant insects. Meet in the
parking lot of Blue Heron Park on Poillon
Ave. between Hylan Blvd. and Amboy Road. Bring binoculars if you
have them. For more information phone Dick Buegler at 718-761-7496 or Cliff
at 718-313-8591
• Sunday,
July 26, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Old Mill Road and
Latourette Woods—Park at the end of
Old Mill Road, alongside the old St. Andrews Church (at the foot of Snake
Hill). Do not park in the church's main parking lot. Bring a cold beverage.
We'll stroll along Old Mill Road,
a newly designed pleasant multi-use trail, next to Fresh Kills, below the
hills of Latourette Golf Course, and turn right at the end toward Richmond Hill Road.
Clay Wollney will show you the flow of the famous Hessian Spring as it
crosses the road. We may return by the Blue Trail for a lovely change of
scenery. This area has not been accessible for many years and is now open to
the public. We are surrounded by beautiful old woodlands where the very tall,
state rare, Gamma Grass, Yellow Giant Hyssop (a mint) and American Strawberry
Bush grow. Keep your eyes up to catch hawks and Turkey Vultures soaring
above. For more information phone Dick Buegler 718-761-7496 or Clay Wollney
at 718-869-6327.
• Sunday,
July 26, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Three mile walk from Egbertville
Ravine, Amundsen Trailway to Great
Kills Park
Wildflower Garden—Park
and meet Sandra Mechanic at the intersection of Rockland Avenue and Meisner Avenue. Protectors provided and
planted the wildflowers in Great
Kills Park
the last two years. Wear sturdy shoes, bring lunch and beverages. For more
information, phone Dick at 718-761-7496.
• Sunday,
August 2, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Northern Seaview—We will walk uphill to the back of Seaview Hospital identifying
grasses,trees, shrubs and ferns and getting a little history about the
hospital. Bring bug repellant and water, and wear sturdy shoes. Meet at the
corner of Roanoke St.
and Brielle Ave. Call Cathy Zelonis for more information 917-596-4198.
• Sunday, August 2, 12 noon to 2 p.m.
Butterflies at Blue Heron
Park—Staten Island is home to a gorgeous collection of butterflies.
The variety of sizes and shapes, colors and styles is no better evidenced
than at Blue Heron Park.
Enjoy time with Cliff Hagen as he shares tips for identifying Staten Island's most brilliant insects. Meet in the
parking lot of Blue Heron Park on Poillon
Ave. between Hylan Blvd. and Amboy Road. Bring binoculars if you
have them. For more information phone Dick Buegler at 718-761-7496 or Cliff
at 718-313-8591.
• Sunday,
August 2, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Long Pond: Wildlife and
Wildflowers—We will look for
evidence of animal life, especially reptiles and amphibians as the summer progresses
in the woodlands surrounding Long Pond. We’ll also identify wildflowers and
examine the geology of the area during this unhurried stroll through about
one and a half miles of the park. Meet at PS 6, on Page Avenue and Academy Avenue about 3 blocks NW of
Hylan Blvd. For more information phone Dick Buegler 718-761-7496 or Clay
Wollney at 718-869-6327.
Wednesday,
August 5, 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Sturgeon or Buck Full Moon: Sunset-Moon
Rise Walk at Mt. Moses—Sunset is at 8:07 p.m.
and moon rise is 11 minutes earlier at 7:56
p.m. It takes the moon 20 minutes to rise above the hills of High
Rock. We should see a full moon rise at 8:15 p.m., after the sun sets. Meet at intersection of Rockland and Meisner
Avenues. Flashlight is required for each person in your group. You may bring
a light refreshment to share with others. The walk is barely fifteen minutes
each way. As we walk past the Rockland
Avenue intersection, you will see hundreds of
trees and shrubs with dense green foliage and hundreds of wildflowers and
grasses blooming or in seed. NYCDEP planted them in this newly designed flood
control system. Protectors planted daffodil bulbs last year along this trail.
Children have always enjoyed this brief walk for an astronomy event and the
sharing of refreshments at the top. The walk leader is Sandra Mechanic. For
more information phone Dick Buegler 718-761-7496.
Saturday, August 8, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Forest Exotic Plant Study, Blue Heron Park—Join Dick Buegler and Don Recklies in a study to
evaluate the native plant species in the park and compare to what early
studies indicated were present. The extent of exotic plants in the natural
areas will be assessed. A list of such species will be produced. Meet in the
parking lot of Blue Heron Park on Poillon
Ave. between Hylan Blvd. and Amboy Road. For more information, phone
Dick Buegler at 718-761-7496.
• Saturday,
August 8, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Page Avenue Beach and Woods—Depending on the weather, we may walk the beachfront
and/or through the woodlands. In addition to examining evidence of the recent
and long term history of the area, we’ll study the geology of the beach as
well as the flotsam and jetsam accumulated at the high tide lines to see what
nature's debris has to tell us. Pick up seashells and beach pebbles. It may
be muddy so dress appropriately. Meet at the parking lot at the end of Page Avenue on
the left. For more information phone Dick Buegler 718-761-7496 or Clay
Wollney at 718-869-6327.
• Sunday, August 9, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Butterflies at Blue Heron
Park—Staten Island is home to a gorgeous collection of butterflies.
The variety of sizes and shapes, colors and styles is no better evidenced
than at Blue Heron Park.
Enjoy time with Cliff Hagen as he shares tips for identifying Staten Island's most brilliant insects. Meet in the
parking lot of Blue Heron Park on Poillon
Ave. between Hylan Blvd. and Amboy Road. Bring binoculars if you
have them. For more information phone Dick Buegler at 718-761-7496 or Cliff
at 718-313-8591.
• Saturday,
August 15, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Meisner Pond wildflower garden & Buck’s Hollow—Join Sandra Mechanic, naturalist and photographer,
in a stroll around this beautifully planted, landscaped retention pond which
was constructed to protect downstream homes from flooding. NYCDEP planted
hundreds of trees, shrubs, grasses and wildflowers, including orange
Butterfly-weed, purple NY Ironweed, yellow Sneezeweed, Dogwood and
Elderberry. We may see Tree Frogs, an inch and half long sitting on plant
leaves. Then stroll along the shady, cool White /Trail past Buttonbush pond
to Buck’s Hollow where the Persimmon trees grow. Sandra will show you the
house foundation of the farmer who tried to grow grapes on the poisonous
serpentine soil of this rocky hill slope. We will walk only a mile in and
another back to see numerous habitats and dozens of wildflowers. Park at the
intersection of Rockland
with Meisner Avenue,
at the base of the entry road. For more information, phone Dick Buegler at 718-761-7496.
• Sunday,
August 16, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Atlantic Seaboard, Todt Hill Vista
Walk—Walk the Blue Trail from
little Clove Road
to the top of Todt Hill. Meet Sandra Mechanic where the Blue Trail enters the
Greenbelt at
the end of Northern Blvd
by the hole in the fence on Little Clove Road . Wear sturdy shoes, bring a
walking stick and carry a beverage. We’ll see Moses’ Folly, the built but
unused section of a major highway cloverleaf for Richmond Parkway. This area once had a
ski jump facility. Sandra will introduce you to a few streets of the pleasant
Todt Hill community and take the Blue Trail back to the hole in the fence to
your car. For more information, phone Dick Buegler at 718-761-7496.
• Saturday, August 22, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Mt. Loretto Butterfly Walk—Join naturalist, photographer Sandra Mechanic for an
exciting day searching for Spicebush and Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, Pearl Crescent
and Monarch Butterflies and the many wildflowers they feed upon. Bring
binoculars, field guides and camera if you wish. Meet at the Mt. Loretto
Unique Area parking lot south of Sharrott
Avenue on Hylan Blvd. We hope to see many children
for this pleasant rural scenic stroll. We will walk to the bluff to enjoy the
beautiful vista of the lower Bay and New
Jersey's Atlantic
Highlands. For more
information, phone Dick Buegler at 718-761-7496.
• Saturday, August 29, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Mt. Loretto Fall
Migrants—Meet Howie Fischer in the
fenced in parking lot on Hylan Blvd., south of Sharrott Avenue. Binoculars are a must.
We will look for fall migrants that may be numerous in the meadows in late
August. We can expect to see many swallows flocking prior to their southward
migration. If the wetlands hold enough water we may have some good shorebirds
as well. Warblers, vireos and thrushes are already starting to move and we
hope to find these species also. Bring a beverage - it may be hot! For more
information phone Dick Buegler, 718-761-7496 or Howie Fischer at 718-981-4002.
• Friday, September 4, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Fruit,
Corn, Harvest Full Moon: Sunset-Moon Rise Walk at Mt. Moses—Sunset is at 7:24 p.m. and moon rise is 14 minutes earlier
at 7:10 p.m. It takes
the moon 20 minutes to rise above the hills of High Rock. We should see a
full moon rise at 7:30 p.m.,
after the sun sets. Meet at intersection of Rockland and Meisner Avenues. Flashlight is
required for each person in your group. You may bring a light refreshment to
share with others. The walk is barely fifteen minutes each way. As we walk
past the Rockland Avenue
intersection, you will see hundreds of trees and shrubs with dense green
foliage and hundreds of wildflowers and grasses blooming or in seed. NYCDEP
planted them in this newly designed flood control system. Children have
always enjoyed this brief walk for an astronomy event and the sharing of
refreshments at the top. The walk leader is Sandra Mechanic. For more information
phone Dick Buegler 718-761-7496.
• Saturday, September 5, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Fall Migrants at Clove Lakes Park—Meet Howie Fischer at the concrete bridge on Martling Avenue to
begin a park search for migrants. This time of year can produce good numbers
of warblers. As you know many will be in their fall or "basic"
plumage and can be a challenge to identify. Bring binoculars. For more
information phone Dick Buegler, 718-761-7496 or Howie Fischer at 718-981-4002.
• Sunday, September 6, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Buck’s Hollow, Heyerdahl Haunting Hill—This is one of the more remote sections of the Greenbelt that has
wildflowers, persimmon trees and ghostly legends. Join Sandra Mechanic,
naturalist and photographer for a walk through Buck’s Hollow where it is said
you may see the apparition of a young woman in a petticoat, riding a horse.
Look down the slope where Heyerdahl unsuccessfully attempted to grow wine
grapes on the serpentine poisoned soil. Note the steel beam reinforcement in
the Heyerdahl foundation. We will follow the Blue Trail to Travis Avenue and return. Park at the
intersection of Rockland
and Meisner Avenue,
at the base of the entry road. For information contact Dick Buegler at 718-761-7496.
• Sunday,
September 6, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Conference House Beach and Woods—This
activity includes a walk along the beachfront at low tide and concludes with
a stroll through the woodlands. In addition to examining evidence of the
recent and long term history of the area, we’ll study the geology of the
beach as well as the flotsam and jetsam accumulated at the high tide lines to
see what nature's debris has to tell us. Pick up seashells and beach pebbles.
Meet at the parking lot at the Tottenville end of Hylan Blvd. on the left. For more
information phone Dick Buegler 718-761-7496 or Clay Wollney at 718-869-6327.
• Saturday, September 12, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Conference House Park Walk—Sandra Mechanic's walk includes exploring the trails
along the Arthur Kill. We will find many wildflowers, invasive vines and the
famous forest of
Hackberry trees. Meet
at the parking lot at the end of Hylan
Blvd on the left. Bring camera and binoculars.
For more information, phone Dick Buegler at 718 761 7496.
• Saturday,
September 12, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Long Pond Park Wildlife and Wildflowers—We will look for evidence of animal life, especially
reptiles and amphibians as the summer fades in the woodlands surrounding Long
Pond. We’ll also identify wildflowers and examine the geology of the area
during this unhurried stroll through about one and a half miles of the park.
Meet at PS 6, on Page Avenue
and Academy Avenue
about 3 blocks NW of Hylan Blvd. For more information phone Dick Buegler 718-761-7496
or Clay Wollney at 718-869-6327.
• Saturday, September 19, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Conference House Park,
Fall Migration—This park is
referred to by some as "Staten Island's Cape May", where with Howie
Fischer we witness the migrating birds amassing before flying south over
Raritan Bay waters separating New Jersey from Staten Island. Given its
natural woodlands and vegetation, this park can be a fall haven for migratory
birds. Bring binoculars. For more information phone Dick Buegler, 718-761-7496
or Howie Fischer at 718-981-4002.
• Saturday,
September 19, 9 a.m to 12 noon
Staten Island Beach Clean Up at Sharrott Avenue
Beach, Pleasant Plains—Protectors
of Pine Oak Woods has again volunteered to participate in the National Beach
Cleanup. Gloves, tools, bags and light refreshments will be provided. Cleanup
is funded by the NYC Environmental Fund. Meet in the beach parking lot at the
end of Sharrott Avenue
off Hylan Blvd. Rain date will be Sunday, September 20. For more information,
phone Dick Buegler at 718-761-7496 or email him at ProtectorsSINY@aol.com
• Sunday,
September 20, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Lond Pond to North Mt.
Loretto Woods—Join naturalist,
photographer Sandra Mechanic in a pleasant stroll around Long Pond into the N.
Mt. Loretto woods. Meet at the corner of Richard and Bartow Avenues, across
the street from Mt. Loretto Unique Area on Hylan Blvd.We will see Pixie Cups,
Reindeer Moss and British Soldiers among the smaller lichen treasures, and
majestic older Beech, Oak and other forest trees. Bring camera, binoculars
and beverage. For more information, phone Dick Buegler at 718 761-7496.
