Right now prairies, meadows, and other open spaces are filled with blooming flowers, colorful butterflies, and the sounds of various insects pollinating colorful blooms. With their small legs, strong wings, and unique markings; pollinators take on a tremendous task to move pollen while they collect nectar. While we most often think of butterflies resting on large colorful blooms with the beautiful wings softly fluttering, many pollinators rely on trees as host plants for their larva. Some pollinators spend most of their lives in the forest feeding on their host plant. Puddles on the forest floor are also a frequent gathering area for butterflies that congregate there to obtain the nutrients that they need.
The August 14, 2015 program will provide an opportunity to learn about how important both open areas and forest habitats are to our native pollinators. Participants will:
Explore the diversity of pollinators found in SE Ohio woodlands
- Understand the important roles that pollinators play in our ecosystems
- Become familiar with woodland plants that pollinators utilize
- Learn how to enhance pollinator habitat in your woods
Guest presenters for this program include Dave Parshall, Ohio Lepidopterists; Marci Lininger, Ohio Pollinator Habitat Initiative; Heather Stehle, Crane Hollow State Nature Preserve, and Jennifer Finfera, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
“A Day in the Woods” and the “2nd Friday Series” are sponsored by the Education and Demonstration Subcommittee of the Vinton Furnace State Forest with support from the Ohio State University Extension, ODNR-Divisions of Forestry and Wildlife, U.S. Forest Service, Vinton County Soil and Water Conservation District, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Hocking College, National Wild Turkey Federation, Glatfelter and Ohio’s SFI Implementation Committee.
Future “2nd Friday Series” programs for 2015 include: Fall Wildflowers and Edibles (Sept.11); Monitoring Woodland Wildlife (Oct. 9) and Identifying Trees in Winter (Nov. 13).
For brochures and more information, visit http://u.osu.edu/seohiowoods. A registration fee of $10 will include meal and program materials. To help prepare materials and plan for meals, please RSVP no later than the Monday preceding the event by returning a registration form, calling 740-596-5212 (OSU Extension Vinton County) or emailing Dave at apsley.1@osu.edu.
Second Friday Series Brochure 2015
Directions – Experimental Forest
Day in the Woods Partners