***Please note this event has been rescheduled from the orgionally publicized date of August 3rd.***
Date & Time: August 17 from 2 pm – 4 pm (rain date of August 18)
Location: Northfield Town Forest, Meeting at Green Mountain Family Practice Trailhead parking area and hiking to Cheney Meadow
Program Description:
Did you know that beetles (Order Coleoptera) make up over 20 percent of all described species on Earth? If you are interested in learning more about this incredibly diverse group of insects, this is the workshop for you! Participants will learn (and practice!) a few different methods for finding beetles, an introduction to identification, and how to utilize a few different online resources, such as iNaturalist, to assist with identification. We will discuss the importance of beetles within our ecosystems and learn about a few introduced beetles to be on the lookout for.
What to Bring:
- Wear sturdy shoes suitable for the trail and dress appropriately for the weather.
- Be prepared to hike into Cheney Meadow, along some steep trail sections.
- Before attending, consider downloading the iNaturalist app, available for iPhones and Androids.
About Your Guide:
Julia Pupko is a Forestry Specialist with the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation. Based out of the Forest Biology Lab in Randolph, Julia’s focus is on forest health and entomology and the management of the state insect collection. Prior to their time with the state, Julia coordinated the Vermont Lady Beetle Atlas at the Vermont Center for Ecostudies. Additionally, Julia is the Vice President of Sosyete pou Rebwaze Duchity, Haiti, a community-based reforestation and agroforestry organization operating in Duchity. In their spare time, Julia enjoys hiking, birdwatching, and (of course) identifying insects they find in the field.
Registration:
This workshop is free, but you must pre-register by 5 PM on August 16. Space is limited to 20 people, so register early by calling the Brown Public Library at (802) 485-4621.
Parking Instructions:
Green Mountain Family Practice Trailhead
From the intersection of VT-12 and VT-64, follow VT-12 north for 1.7 miles. Take a slight right onto Crescent Ave, followed shortly by a right turn onto Paine Mountain Drive. Green Mountain Family Practice will be on the left. The trails begin behind the parking lot. Please park in designated Town Forest spaces only.
Here is the map for the Paine Mountain Trail System: http://www.trailfinder.info/…/paine-mountain-trail-system
This program is offered for free to the community because of the Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative (VOREC) grant Northfield received.