Learn About Lichens

Are they plants? Are they fungi? No, they’re both! Lichens are everywhere you look, and they are as fascinating as they are ubiquitous. Join lichenologist Dennis Waters to learn about these remarkable botanical partnerships—how they work and how they have grown to be so dependent on each other. Following a short talk, we will take an excursion into the Preserve to find lichens growing on trees, on rocks and on the ground. You will learn about their lifestyles, their habitats and their important contributions to ecosystems. And you’ll have plenty of chances to try your hand at figuring out which lichen you’re looking at. Please bring a 7-10x hand lens if you have one. A limited number will be available to borrow. For ages 15 and up.

Dennis Waters has been a lichenologist for 10 years. He is currently completing the first lichenological survey of Mercer County, N.J., in collaboration with the New York Botanical Garden, the Mercer County Park Commission and the D&R Greenway Land Trust. In recent years, he has participated in lichen surveys in Quebec’s Gaspé Peninsula, the Dare Regional Biodiversity Hotspot in North Carolina, the Straits Counties of Michigan, and the Talladega National Forest in Alabama.

Advance registration required by Nov. 16.  Member fee: $15; Non-member fee: $20.

Sorry, this session is FULL.