FORCES NYS Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation

It’s Stop Food Waste Day! Here’s what you need to know about food waste: #stopfoodwasteday

Happy #FungiFriday! Source: woodlandtrust.org.uk

During last week’s Summit, FORCES own Carlin Wakefield showed this amazing picture of yarn she dyed with black walnuts that we just had to share! Black walnuts are one of the best native plants to dye with because a mordant, which is a metallic salt that bonds fiber and dye, is not needed to achieve such a beautiful color. To prepare the walnuts for dying just whack the fruit with a rock or a hammer until the hulls are broken and the seeds are exposed, then place the seeds and hills into a mesh bag and let them simmer in a pot of water for one hour. At that point add your material and let it simmer for another hour, allow the pot to cool, rinse your material well, and hang to dry. Black walnuts are known to stain so use clothing and utensils you don’t mind getting stained. Happy dyeing!

Happy #FieldworkFriday! The busiest fieldwork season is just beginning here and we couldn’t be more excited! Stewards in the Finger Lakes Region participated in deer pellet-count surveys to assess deer use of ecologically sensitive areas at Robert H. Treman State Park. What is your favorite kind of fieldwork to participate in?

Today is the day! We will be checking DMs regularly throughout the day so make sure to DM us for the link if you would like to attend the 2021 virtual FORCES Summit tonight from 5 pm to 7 pm. We hope to see you!