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27
January 2008 is the date of an
Advanced
Techniques seminar covering the Goosefoots and
Glandular-Goosefoots of New England.
The genera Chenopodium and Dysphania (formerly considered to
represent one genus─Chenopodium) represent technically
challenging genera of the Amaranthaceae. Because of the many
specialized terms and relatively small reproductive features, many have
avoided tackling this interesting group of plants. Though most are
familiar, at least by sight, of many weedy species, there are many natives
that occur in diverse plant communities, including coastal beach systems,
cliffs and talus slopes, and woodlands overlying high pH bedrock. In
fact, Chenopodium contains several globally and regionally rare
species in New England. This half-day workshop will focus on necessary
vocabulary to use contemporary identification keys. Lecture,
presentations using color digital images, and guided keying of pressed
specimens from throughout New England will allow students to gain
familiarity with the diversity of this genus. Collections available to
the students will include species of conservation concern. The
workshop will be offered at the Delta Institute (Bowdoin, ME) from
12:00‒4:00 pm. Click
here
if you need directions. The class will be taught by Arthur Haines. If you are
interested in enrolling for this class,
please contact the Education Department at the New England Wild Flower Society
by calling 508-877-7630 extension 3303), emailing
registrar@newenglandWILD.org or visiting
http://www.newenglandwild.org/learn. |
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3
February 2008 is the date of a
Core Concepts
class called
Shrubs in Winter.
The
leaves are nearly gone from most of our shrubs, but that doesn’t mean you
can’t learn to recognize them. We will focus on a number of
macro-characteristics such as branching patterns, growth habits, bark,
persistent fruit, galls, and habitats to help us identify more than 20 of
our native
New England shrubs in winter. We’ll also
spend some time discussing the natural history of the shrubs we see. The
program begins with a classroom session and then into the field. We’ll be
looking for such species as witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana),
highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum), and of course, winterberry
(Ilex verticillata) and wintergreen (Gautheria procumbens).
Bring lunch and a hand lens. Class will be run from 10:00‒2:00
pm and will be
taught by Roland "Boot" Boutwell. If you are
interested in enrolling for this class,
please contact the Education Department at the New England Wild Flower Society
by calling 508-877-7630 extension 3303), emailing
registrar@newenglandWILD.org or visiting
http://www.newenglandwild.org/learn. |
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9 March 2008 is the date of an
Introduction to Plant
Systematics course. On this date, the fourth of five modules
will be offered. Module 4 will examine advanced tricolpate families often referred to as Euasterids (e.g., Lamiaceae,
Plantaginaceae, Campanulaceae, Asteraceae). Lecture will use text and images
to describe
both critical characters for family level identification and representative
genera in New England. The course will focus on modern taxonomy and family
arrangements, as set forth in Judd et al. (2008;
Plant Systematics: A Phylogenetic
Approach, 3rd edition) and later publications. Class will meet from 1:00‒4:00 pm
at the Delta Institute of Natural History, Bowdoin, ME (click
here for
directions). If you are
interested in enrolling for this class,
please contact the Education Department at the New England Wild Flower Society
by calling 508-877-7630 extension 3303), emailing
registrar@newenglandWILD.org or visiting
http://www.newenglandwild.org/learn. |
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In 2008, three sessions
of
Foraging
classes will be offered to discuss, harvest, and prepare edible, medicinal,
and useful plants.
Collecting wild plants for food and medicine is becoming an increasingly
popular activity─with good reason. The idea of self-sufficiency, a
connection to the local landscape, and existence of abundant health benefits
are just some of the attractions to foraging. Many wild plants are
known to contain higher levels of nutrients than their cultivated
counterparts. For example, the leaves of Taraxacum
officinale (common dandelion) contain 70 times more vitamin A than oranges
and twice that of spinach. Another example, the fleshy hip surrounding the
true fruits of Rosa (roses) contains as much as 50 times the vitamin C of
lemons. For these reasons and more, learning to identify, gather, and
process wild edible plants can be very rewarding. Delving further,
plants offer us a wide array of medicines for many of the ailments commonly
plaguing our society (e.g., arthritis, colds, upset stomach, wounds, head
aches, diarrhea, eczema). Modern research is now confirming many
age-old remedies and several authorities are even advocating the use of
antimicrobial herbs in place of modern antibiotic treatments (given the lack
of side effects and the number and complexity of phytochemicals to which
bacterial and fungal populations have a difficult time acquiring immunity). This class will lay the foundation for
following in the foot steps of aboriginal peoples around the world, groups
who fed and clothed their families, remedied illnesses, and made the many
things needed for everyday living without polluting the environment.
Though the foraging classes can be taken as a stand alone sessions, they are meant to
join with the other classes to provide a
more complete picture of foraging through the season. Medicinal
preparations such as salves, tinctures, and smoking mixtures will also be
discussed. The instructor is Arthur Haines. Class begins at 7:00
pm on Friday night and will run for approximately 2 hours. Saturday's
class will run from 8:00 am to approximately 8:00 pm. Sunday's
teaching will run from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm. Tent space and limited
housing is available on the Delta Institute grounds (click
here
for directions). Students should be prepared for some travel (by car
pool) to local sites of interest for plant foraging. If you are
interested in enrolling for this class, please contact the Maine Primitive
Skills School (207-623-7298) or visit
http://www.primitiveskills.com/registration00.html. |
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16‒18 May 2008 are the
dates of an edible, medicinal, and useful plant class entitled
Spring Foraging.
See "Foraging" (above) for a general course outline, times for class
meeting, and how to enroll. |
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18‒20 July 2008 are the
dates of an edible, medicinal, and useful plant class entitled
Summer Foraging.
See "Foraging" (above) for a general course outline, times for class
meeting, and how to enroll. |
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26‒28 September 2008 are
the dates of an edible, medicinal, and useful plant class entitled
Fall Foraging.
See "Foraging" (above) for a general course outline, times for class
meeting, and how to enroll. |
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Robin Blankenship will visit the Delta Institute of
Natural History in early May to provide primitive and rustic skills
instruction on a
variety of topics (see below). Robin is the owner of Earth Knack, a
Colorado-based school specializing in primitive skills instruction and
wilderness treks since 1990. Robin has been working in the outdoor field
since 1978, beginning as a leader on horse packing trips into the Collegiate
Peaks Wilderness for Adventure Unlimited Ranches. She has also served
as an instructor for NOLS (the National Outdoor Leadership School), Outward
Bound, and Larry Dean Olsen's School of Urban and Wilderness Survival.
Robin is the coauthor of Earth Knack: Stone Age Skills for the 21st
Century, holds degrees in English literature and Education, and has written
her own music (available on compact disk).
The classes will be offered at the Delta Institute (Bowdoin, ME). Click
here
if you need directions. If you are
interested in enrolling for either of these classes,
please contact the Education Department at the New England Wild Flower Society
by calling 508-877-7630 extension 3303), emailing
registrar@newenglandWILD.org or visiting
http://www.newenglandwild.org/learn. |
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2
May 2008 is the date of
Soap-making with Robin
Blankenship. Plants have
been used for cleansing the human body for millennia. They are free
for use, do not contain harmful chemicals, and lack the often cloying scents
that have been added to modern soaps. Many plants used for as
cleansing agents contain beneficial phytochemicals that are antiseptic,
helping to clean cuts and abrasions and prevent the growth of harmful
micro-organisms. Further, many natural soaps are ideal remedies for
contact dermatitis caused by species of poison-ivy and poison-sumac (Toxicodendron).
Soap-making is a fun past-time that also provides people with one more level
of self-sufficiency. In times of financial worries and troubled world
governments, learning the old ways is one avenue to help people gain
peace-of-mind. Robin will teach soap-making in the tradition of the
American pioneers, using lye and lard as a base, then adding plant
components to affect the aroma, color, and texture of the soap.
Several different plant ingredients will be discussed, including some that
have mild medicinal action for those dealing with skin issues. Robin
will also discuss plant species that can be used fresh as a soap substitute
(i.e., the leaves and/or flowers lather without any processing). This class will run from 10:00‒5:00 pm on Friday. |
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3‒4
May 2008 are the dates of a
Primer in Primitive
Skills with Robin Blankenship.
This two-day course will provide students with exposure to some of the core
primitive technologies that were used by aboriginal people for daily living.
Robin will lead students through a progression of simple stone blade
manufacture, cordage making, fire building, and primitive cooking.
Additional topics, such as shelter construction, container manufacture, and
weaving may be incorporated into the weekend. Participants should
expect to leave this class with an understanding of some of the important
skills possessed by those who live with a close connection to the landscape.
It is interesting to note that many people with an interest in archeology
(amateur or professional) have found that attending primitive skills
workshops and seminars have gained a better understanding of the materials
and tools used by aboriginal people, which in turn has assisted their
research projects.
This class is open to students of all abilities and anyone who has ever been
curious about the recent interest in stone age living skills will enjoy
Robin's passionate and gentle manner of teaching. In a field so often
dominated by men, women are encouraged to spend time with Robin and see how
she has mastered many primitive and pioneer skills. Class will start
at 9:00 am on Saturday and end at 3:00 pm on Sunday. Tenting and
limited rooms are available on the Delta Institute property. |
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23‒25
May 2008 is the date of a foraging trip called
Wild Crafting in the
Sandy River Valley.
Participants of this trip will spend two nights camping on the pristine
Sandy River (Franklin County, Maine), in the region where the Amaseconti
Indians formerly lived. The days will be spent gaining practical
experience foraging for wild edibles. This is the time of year when
spring greens and shoots, as well as various "root vegetables" (e.g.,
tubers, corms, rhizomes) are prime for collection. Though there will
be some instruction, lecture time will be minimal and students, along with
instructors, will gather the necessary items for food and food procurement.
Students will have the opportunity challenge themselves on a variety of
levels, and are encouraged to push themselves as far as they wish with their
source of nutrition for the weekend. However, along with learning, an
important goal for the weekend is to enjoy our time and the company of our
fellow foragers. Therefore, those wishing to bring some prepared
foods, such as dried meat and fruit, to augment class collections are
welcome to. Topics will not be limited to food collection, and,
depending on time and weather, additional items may be discussed and
demonstrated, including fiber arts, natural containers, primitive cooking,
trapping, and hunting. The Sandy River is also renown for brook trout
fishing, and persons with a valid Maine fishing license can also try their
hand at angling. Class attendance is limited to four students, with
priority given to those who have participated in past foraging classes of
the Maine Primitive Skills School. If you are interested in enrolling
for this class, please contact the Maine Primitive Skills School
(207-623-7298) or visit
http://www.primitiveskills.com/registration00.html. As the date
approaches for this class, contact the Maine Primitive Skills School for
instruction on what to bring for the weekend. Class will begin at 7:00
pm Friday, and the evening will be used to set up camp, discuss the layout
of the weekend, and share stories. |
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6, 13, and 20 June 2008
are the dates of a
Core Concepts
class called Introduction to the
Taxonomy of Free-sporing Tracheophytes.
Free-sporing plants, such as the ferns and fern-like plants, are an easily
recognizable group that are very common on the New England landscape.
They present many challenges to plant enthusiasts and have a specialized
vocabulary for describing their leaves, stems, and reproductive structures.
This class will focus on providing students with the necessary framework
identifying New England's fern and fern allies, including clubmosses,
firmosses, horsetails, grapeferns, moonworts, and the many genera of true
ferns. Classes will include digital presentations, guided keying
of pressed specimens, and field study. Class sessions are offered for
three consecutive Fridays, each continuing forward and building on the
previous lesson. Students will meet from 11:00‒3:00 pm, at the Delta
Institute of Natural History, Bowdoin, ME (click
here
for directions). Bring a lunch, a hand lens, and clothing to protect
from rain, sun, and biting insects. The class will be taught by Arthur
Haines. If you are
interested in enrolling for this class,
please contact the Education Department at the New England Wild Flower Society
by calling 508-877-7630 extension 3303), emailing
registrar@newenglandWILD.org or visiting
http://www.newenglandwild.org/learn. |
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11‒13 July 2008 are the
dates of a taxonomy workshop called
Systematics of New
England Roses. The genus
Rosa (rose), along with other woody members of the Rosaceae (rose
family), has a well founded reputation for difficulty. This group of
plants, similar to Crataegus (hawthorn) and Rubus
(blackberry), has been a source of taxonomic difficulty for centuries.
Hybridization and polyploidy are two of the major phenomena that have
contributed to the problems faced when attempting to identify species of
Rosa. New England is also home to noteworthy local variations that
have confounded taxonomists, as well as numerous introductions from the Old
World. Recent systematic studies have shed some light on the taxonomy
of Rosa. Walter Lewis, author of many articles on
Rosa taxonomy and contributor for Rosa in the upcoming Flora of
North America volume, will share some the insights he has gained from years
of study in this genus. The workshop will be offered at the Delta
Institute (Bowdoin, ME). Click
here
if you need directions. Class will begin at 7:00 pm on Friday and end
in the early afternoon on Sunday. Limited housing and tenting is
available on the property (other local options exist). If you are
interested in enrolling for this class,
please contact the Education Department at the New England Wild Flower Society
by calling 508-877-7630 extension 3303), emailing
registrar@newenglandWILD.org or visiting
http://www.newenglandwild.org/learn. |
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6 September 2008 is the
date of a West
Rock Flora field trip in New
Haven, Connecticut. West Rock is a prominent ridge with views of the
ocean made of dolerite, colloquially known as traprock. It harbors an
interesting flora with southern affinity, as evidenced by the numerous
species that are more common to the south of New England, including post oak
(Quercus stellata) and, historically, eastern redbud (Cercis
canadensis) and hairy lip fern (Cheilanthes lanosa). West
Rock is still home to a number of rare plants that are of regional
conservation concern, including southeastern wild-rye (Elymus
glabriflorus--one of only two extant populations in New England),
prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis), Willdenow's sedge (Carex
willdenowii) and lace lovegrass (Eragrostis capillaris).
New additions to the flora of West Rock continue to be made, such as the
recent discovery of Reznicek's sedge (Carex reznicekii), the
only extant population known in New England. This field excursion will
explore the slopes and ridgeline of West Rock, identifying the components of
the oak-hickory woodlands. Family level taxonomy will also be
discussed to integrate lecture material from the Plant Systematics courses
offered by the New England Wild Flower Society. Be prepared for rough
and uneven ground, dress for the weather, and bring a lunch with plenty of
water. The field trip will run from 10:00‒3:00 pm and will be lead by
Arthur Haines. If you are
interested in enrolling for this field trip,
please contact the Education Department at the New England Wild Flower Society
by calling 508-877-7630 extension 3303), emailing
registrar@newenglandWILD.org or visiting
http://www.newenglandwild.org/learn. |
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12 October 2008 is the
dates of an
Introduction to Plant
Systematics course. On this date, the fifth of five modules
will be offered. Module 5
culminates the series of modules on
plant systematics. Building on topics from the introductory module and the
survey of taxa, lecture and discussion will provide students with an
understanding of the breadth and complexity of plant classification.
Hybridization, including its consequences and detection, will be a key topic.
Phylogeny reconstruction, taxonomic characters, reproductive biology, molecular
data, and chromosomes are additional subjects that will be discussed. A
fundamental theme of this module is the importance of evolutionary history in
understanding the relationships between and among organisms. The course will
use Judd et al. (2008; Plant Systematics: A Phylogenetic
Approach, 3rd edition) as a primary textbook. The class will meet from 1:00‒4:00 pm
at the Delta Institute of Natural History, Bowdoin, ME (click
here
for
directions). If you are
interested in enrolling for this class,
please contact the Education Department at the New England Wild Flower Society
by calling 508-877-7630 extension 3303), emailing
registrar@newenglandWILD.org or visiting
http://www.newenglandwild.org/learn. |