Fiddlers Green Park

The NYSDEC Bureau of Wildlife is asking for photographs from the public to use on reports, social media, posters, DEC's website, and more. While many people have been greatly impacted by current circumstances, New York's wildlife is as busy as ever with seasonal activities. We encourage you to capture and share with us moments in the lives of your wild neighbors -- whether feathered, smooth, furry, or scaly. If you sit outside quietly for an hour, you might be surprised at what kinds of critters visit your own backyard! More at: https://www.surveygizmo.com//561/Wildlife-Photo-Submission

Spring continues, regardless ...

Garlic mustard, a very invasive exotic plant, is budded and ready to bloom in Fiddlers Green Park. It is allelopathic -- it releases chemicals that hinder the growth of other plant species, making it easy for it to crowd out the native plants that insects and wildlife need to survive. It pulls out of the ground very easily when grabbed close to the roots; you can help Fiddlers Green by pulling this plant wherever you find it! More at http://nyis.info/invasive_species/garlic-mustard/

Large numbers of salamanders and frogs cross New York roads on rainy spring nights, trying to get from their hibernation areas to woodland pools to breed. If you see them while driving, give them a "brake"! More at https://www.facebook.com/1480755788866885/posts/2615035705438882/

What’s that growing on that tree trunk? Here's why we like lichens: https://www.post-gazette.com//Why-we/stories/201912200011 With over 3,600 species in North America, lichens are beautiful, diverse and ecologically important.

Attention, all those interested in Fiddlers Green Park! Dues for 2020 are now due; you can pay them by going to http://www.fiddlersgreenpark.org/joinus.htm . Print out and mail the paper form, or click on the "Donate" button to pay by PayPal or credit card. Dues are $20 for individuals, $25 for families, and $50 for businesses. (Students and Senior dues are $10). Be sure to include your personal information. Renew your membership or become a new member today; your dues help us improve our beautiful park!

Fiddlers Green Park Association is a nonprofit group that works to maintain and enhance Fiddlers Green Park. We are looking for new members for the executive board. No special skills are required, just a desire to improve the park. We meet the first Monday of each month. Check out our website at fiddlersgreenpark.org .

Do you own 50 feet of streamside property in New York State? If so, you can apply for 25 free tree and shrub seedlings to help prevent erosion, improve water quality, and create habitat for wildlife along their stream. Qualifying NY landowners will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis now through April 10, while supplies last. Find more information and an application on our website https://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/115903.html

The Town of Dewitt is hosting a tick information and management forum on Thursday, March 5 at 7 pm in the Dewitt town hall board/legal room. Kristina Ferrare from Cornell Cooperative Extension will be presenting on tick bite prevention and personal protection. Additional presenters will be Brian Leydet, PhD from SUNY ESF (ticks and pathogens); Saravan Thagamani, PhD from SUNY Upstate (tick pathogen research lab including community submission of ticks for analysis for potential pathogens); and Kristopher Paolino, MD from SUNY Upstate (tick borne illnesses). There will be the 4 presentations followed by a panel discussion. Questions are welcome!

Always nice to hear water babbling in January!

Nice to hear water still babbling along in January!

Native Plant Profile (from the Wild Seed Project): Shagbark hickories' shaggy bark belies their longevity and strength. Ease of identification is a step toward understanding the ecology of a forest. Winter is perhaps the best time to learn to recognize different tree species: bark is at eye level and there are fewer distractions. More at https://wildseedproject.net//shagbark-hickory-carya-ovat/

Winter Wildlife: Coyote Edition! https://www.ptny.org//20/12/winter-wildlife-coyote-edition

Do birds really need us to feed them in the winter? From the National Wildlife Federation: https://blog.nwf.org/2015/01/tips-for-winter-bird-feeding/