[Maipc] Fw: Workshop in CT on invasive ID in late winter 22 March in Norfolk CT

[Betsy_Lyman at nps.gov]

"Distinguishing Invasive Plants and Native Look-A-Likes In Late Winter and
Early Spring." An Aton Forest Workshop, led by Botanist Bill Moorhead.

Thursday, March 22, 2012, 8:30 AM - 5:00PM at Aton Forest, 270 North
Colebrook Road, Norfolk, CT 06058.

This workshop focuses on field identification of terrestrial invasive
plants
in late winter/early spring, prime season for pulling invasives but a
difficult time to identify many plants using guides and manuals, as many
are
somewhere between dormant and leaf-on state. The emphasis will be on
distinguishing invasives from native species with which they co-occur and
may be potentially confused, especially when in young/immature state. The
workshop will emphasize development and reinforcement of field
identification skills in situ - it is planned that most of the day will be
spent in the field, after a brief introductory classroom session. The
workshop is designed for people who are already interested in and/or
involved in hands-on invasive plant control, including land managers
associated with land trusts, professionals looking to brush up on their
skills, and private land owners managing their properties as natural areas.
The workshop will also cover a number of so-called "watch list" species,
i.e., plants that it is suspected may become invasive, and plants known to
be invasive that have not yet become common in the area.

This is the third time we have offered this popular program, and it is
being
taught at a new location (Aton Forest in Norfolk, CT), which will allow us
to visit plant communities and study species in the field we have not
covered in previous workshops. Field sites this year will include several
habitats in the calcareous districts of northwest CT and southwest MA. In
the event of weather too severe for field work, all or part of each session
may be changed into a lab/classroom session, using fresh collected
specimens.

Each participant should bring: a good quality hand lens with at least 10X
magnification; a field notebook (preferably waterproof) and writing
implement[s], bags for collecting specimens; his/her choice of sun
protection; appropriate footwear for both cold mud and hiking up to 2 miles
on not-very-rugged terrain; clothing that allows you to stand around for
5-10 minutes in chilly and/or wet weather conditions in sufficient comfort
to concentrate on listening and taking notes.

Location: AF Headquarters, 270 North Colebrook Road, Norfolk, CT.

Lunch will be provided.

Cost: Tuition is $95.00; make checks out to Aton Forest, Inc. and mail to
PO
Box 509, Norfolk, CT 06058.

The first 10 enrollees will receive a $20.00 discount if payment is
received
by March 15th.

Limited to 15 participants.

For more information and directions please contact John Anderson: Phone
(860) 542-5125, Email <contact at atonforest.org>, or go to the Aton Forest
website at <www.atonforest.org> and click on Aton Forest Workshops.

Instructor: Bill Moorhead, Consulting Field Botanist, 486 Torrington Rd,
Litchfield, CT 06759. Telephone: 860-567-4920. Email:
<whmoorhead at optonline.net>.

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 has
worked in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, and Virginia. His clients
include the Farmington River Watershed Association, Connecticut Dept. of
Environmental Protection, The Nature Conservancy, National Audubon Society,
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife, Northeast Utilities, and
various local land trusts. Highlights of his work include the rediscovery
of 26 plants species resumed extirpated in CT, and the discovery of over
600
new populations of rare plants. 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.



Steve

Steve Young
Chief Botanist
New York Natural Heritage Program
Coordinator, Long Island Invasive Species Management Area
625 Broadway, 5th Floor
Albany, NY 12233-4757

518-402-8951
518-402-8925 FAX
smyoung at gw.dec.state.ny.us
website: www.nynhp.org

The New York Natural Heritage Program is a partnership between The Nature
Conservancy and the New York State Department of Environmental
Conservation.