Somerset Naturalists
http://www.oocities.org/somersetnaturalists/program-2007-2008.htm

 

 
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Contact Information
Ruth Kaselis
148 W. Franklin St.
Bound Brook, NJ 08805
Phone:  732-356-2428
 

SOMERSET NATURALISTS SPEAKERS SCHEDULE

Meetings are at 8:00 PM , 1st Monday of month (2nd in September and January, no meeting in December) at the Somerset County Library, 1 Vogt. Dr., Bridgewater, NJ 08807.  We meet in one of the meeting rooms on the right just after you enter the library.  See map below and directions to the library on back of brochure or call Ruth at (732) 356-2428.  Visitors are always welcome. 

Meetings 2007-2008

SEPTEMBER 10, 2007: 
East Africa:  Come and learn, from Patti Murray, Naturalist and Professional Photographer, how butterflies are saving a Kenyan coastal forest.  Also witness, through her photos, the wildebeest migration and a cheetah that parked herself on Patti and Bert’s car roof.

OCTOBER 1, 2007: 
Dragons on the Wing:  An Introduction to Dragonflies and Damselflies.  Allen Barlow, aquatic biologist, will present a program on where they live, their habitat and their behaviors. 

NOVEMBER 5, 2007: 
Becky and Phil Witt will present a slide program about their Alaska land trip covering Denali, Nome, and the Pribilof Islands , among other spots.  [, often called the Fur Seal Islands,r Russian: Kotovi) are a group of four volcanic islands, part of the US state of Alaska, lying in the Bering Sea.  [pictures]

NO MEETING IN DECEMBER

JANUARY 7, 2008: 
Grassland Birds in Peril:  Mike Bisignano, Coordinator of Grasslands Bird Monitoring for New Jersey Audubon, will talk about his research in grassland bird ecology, habitat management and population monitoring methodology.  [ref 1, 2, 3]
Becky and Phil Witt will present slides and a talk covering their trip to Brazil. Areas include the Brazilian Pantanal (the world's largest wetlands), Rio, Iguazi Falls and the Atlantic Rain Forest.  See butterflies, birds and some Pantanal mammals such as the Capybara.

FEBRUARY 4, 2008: 
Canyons and Basins 2006:  A Naturalist’s Tour of Zion, Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon, and Great Basin National Parks.  Environmental consultants Sharon and Wade Wander will focus on breathtaking scenery, and the plants and animals (especially butterflies) that bring life to all that spectacular immensity of rock.

 

MARCH 3, 2008: 
The Climate Ahead:  Global Changes and Local Impacts.  Tony Broccoli, Director of the Center for Environmental Prediction at Rutgers University will present this talk on one of the most pressing topics of our time.  [ref. 1, 2 (ppt), 3]

APRIL 7, 2008: 
The Story of Bald Eagle Restoration in New Jersey:  Presented by Larry Niles, Wildlife Researcher for Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ, this program will include discussion of the interplay of protection with land use planning and interesting land use conflicts that have arisen along the way.  [ref 1, 2]

MAY 5, 2008: 
The Great Smoky Mountain Wildflower Pilgrimage:  Take a tour with Holly Hoffman, Photonaturalist, from the rich bottomlands of Cucumber Gaps through the ancient forest near Ramsey Cascade.

NO MEETINGS JUNE-AUGUST
Somerset Naturalists does not meet during the Summer.

Field Trips 2007-2008

(Bring a lunch for AM trips if you wish.  Trips last for 2 to 4 hours, may be cancelled for rain or snow.)

SATURDAY, October 6, 2007, 8:30AM: 
Chimney Rock Hawkwatch.  George Hall helps us identify migrating hawks and falcons.  Directions: Take Vosseller Ave. No. from Rte 22, go left onto Miller Lane.  Park in lot for Chimney Rock County Park.  Call George at (908) 725-5130 for questions.  (Rain date October 7)

SATURDAY, MAY 3, 2008, 7:30-11:30AM:
Mark Tomlin knows where they are and he’ll bring you to them! Directions: Cross D&R Canal bridge off of Weston Canal Rd. ½ mi. NE of Manville Causeway or from 287, take Weston Canal Rd. Exit, take left off ramp, go 2 miles to same bridge on right.  Park and meet behind the tower.  Call (732) 356-0102 x4204.  No rain date.

DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT with Dick Turse
Audubon - Christmas Bird Count, Previous Results

BUTTERFLY Field Trip with Chris Williams.
Visit our links page for websites of many of our speakers, the topics they presented, and additional nature related NJ links.

Library closings due to Weather or Events

The Somerset County Library has occasionally closed due to weather conditions.   Such decisions appear to usually be made in the afternoon (before 3 PM) compatible with businesses in the area.   Although the library tries to notify a member of the club this is not always successful.   If in doubt call the main number at the library (908-526-4016), if the library is closing early the recorded announcement would be changed.
The Library has a Library Calendar available online (one more thing to check).
The library now schedules Sept - Aug  in the same manner as most school and club calendars.

Officers

President:  Gil Wald
First Vice President:  Betty Damron
Second Vice Presidents:  Paula and Chris Williams
Secretary:  Ann Hoffenberg
Treasurer:  Ruth A Kaselis

Committee Chairpersons

Membership:  Paula and Chris Williams
Programs:  Betty Damron and Ann Hoffenberg
Conservation:  Pam Tisza
Publicity:  Eugene Varney

To report errors concerning website:  webmaster