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Protectors of Pine Oak Woods … What's New? … Events

Calendar

Free Nature Walks to Pond and Park
for Children and Parents
With Experienced Naturalists—All on Staten Island!

Bring your 49ers Walk Book!

Walks with an asterisk (*):

As of the publication date, most Staten Island parks were still closed because of storm damage. If you see an asterisk next to a date, you should contact the walk leader to confirm if the walks are on.

Saturday, May 18, 10:00 to 12 Noon

Exploring Clay Pit Ponds State Park Preserve–Join Gert Coleman to explore the trails and terrain of Protectors of Pine Oak Woods initial success story. The unique habitats of Clay Pit Pond Park host a varied collection of plants and animals not seen elsewhere on Staten Island. Wear sturdy shoes and a hat. Meet in the nature center parking lot along the service road. For more information call Gert at 718-356-9235.

Saturday, May 18, 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.

Forest Restoration Workshop in the Egbertville Ravine–Meet at the side of Meisner Road (toward the Eger Home) close to the intersection of Meisner and Rockland. We will follow the White Trail south to Nevada Avenue where we will uproot the Mutliflora Rose and Garlic Mustard that competes there with native plants. If you don’t have your own, Protectors has tools (& refreshments). After a two-hour work session (our 201st monthly workshop), we will take a short walk over nearby trails. Call Don Recklies at 718-768-9036 or Chuck Perry at 718-667-1393 for more information.

Sunday, May 19, 1:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M.

Buck’s Hollow and surrounding Trails – Discover the woodlands and wetlands of this portion of the Greenbelt on an educational walk with Clay Wollney on the trails from Eger Nursing Home to Buck’s Hollow. Along the way enjoy the sounds of spring as nature comes alive beside Buttonbush Swamp and other specialized habitats of the Greenbelt. For more information call Clay at 718-869-6327.

Sunday, May 19, 9:00 P.M. to 11:00 P.M.

Night Sounds of the Marsh – Spend an evening afield with Cliff Hagen as he shares the songs and calls of a spring night in the marshes of Saw Mill Creek Park. Rails and sparrows, owls, warblers and woodcock sing aloud through the night. Learn to identify the many species of birds by ear. Meet at the corner of Chelsea Road and River Road. For more details call Cliff at 718-313-8591, or email chagen72@gmail.com.

Saturday, June 1, 1:00 P.M. to 3: P.M.

The Sounds of Cicadas – This year the Seventeen Year Periodic Cicadas will emerge en masse across Staten Island. Self-taught entomologist, Paul Lederer, a research associate with the Staten Island Museum, will share everything cicada during a discussion at the Greenbelt Nature Center. After an hour-long discussion, with an opportunity for questions and answers, Paul will lead a walk to investigate these intriguing insects. Meet at the Greenbelt Nature Center. For more information call Paul 718-987-1576. Note: In the event of rain, the discussion will still be presented at the Center.

Saturday, June 8, 10:00 to 12 Noon

Writing about Nature with Gert Coleman – Come spend a quiet morning at the beach. Bring a notebook or notepad and learn to improve your nature writing. The tentative meeting location is in the parking lot at the end of Sharrots Avenue on Hylan Boulevard. If the area remains closed through spring a new location will be announced. For more details call Gert at 718-356-9235.

Saturday, June 8, 2:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M.

Great Kills Park–Meet at the first, beach-front parking lot, about ¼ mile from the entrance to Great Kills Park. From the starting point, near where the bath house once stood, we will walk the recently leveled shoreline and explore the mudflats at low-tide. We will investigate the many and varied forms of intertidal life that show themselves during low-tide which will occur at 2:48 p.m. For more information phone Clay Wollney at 718-869-6327.

Saturday, June 15, 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.

Forest Restoration Workshop on the Red Trail in LaTourette–Meet at the back of the LaTourette Golf Course parking lot on Richmond Hill Road (close to the Edinboro Road entrance). We will walk the Red trail removing invasive vines that strangle or pull down shrubs and saplings. If you don’t have your own, Protectors will supply pruners, gloves (& refreshments). After a two-hour work session (our 202nd monthly workshop), we will take a short walk over nearby trails. For more details call Don Recklies at 718-768-9036 or Chuck Perry at 718-667-1393.

Sunday, June 16, 10:30 A.M. to 12:30 P.M.

High Rock Walk–Join naturalist and former New York State archaeologist Mike Shanley as he explores the beauty of High Rock Park. We will be searching for late migrants, nesting birds, turtles and other wildlife as we make our way toward Pouch Camp. For more information call Mike at 917-753-7155, or email Falecore@yahoo.com.

Sunday, June 16, 12 Noon to 2:00 P.M.

Reed’s Basket Willow Swamp–Discover this hidden natural park in Dongan Hills. We will visit the three bodies of water in the park and hike through the woodland slopes. Meet at the park entrance at the top of Spring Street in Dongan Hills. For more information call Clay Wollney at 718-869-6327.

Important Disclaimer—While we strive for safety, the activities of Protectors of Pine Oak Woods (“Protectors”) have certain uncontrollable hazards which each participant undertakes and for which each participant is responsible. Neither the leader nor the substitute leader is responsible in any way whatsoever for any of these hazards. All participants assume the responsibility and risks of hiking and participating in Protectors events, and release Protectors, its leaders or substitute leaders, from any liability whatsoever for any loss, damage to personal property, or injury, however caused, of any kind, nature, and description.