Meetings, Field Trips

& Events

Gentiana crinita, fringed gentian. Photo by Lincoln Nutting. Flowering Plants of Western New York, Eckert Herbarium, Buffalo State College.

All General Meetings and Field trips are open to the public and free of charge.

General meetings are held at 7:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month, September through November, January through May at the Harlem Road Community Center, 4225 Harlem Road,

one block south of Main Street in Snyder (except December and April meetings).

Please, all field trip attendees, remember to let the trip leader know you are coming!! Mishaps have occasionally happened when plans were changed at the last minute. Guests are always welcome!

Please note: Meetings are listed first, then field trips and other events.

Due to Covid considerations we will be meeting in the auditorium where there is more space.

Past programs are listed in Events Past and on the calendar.

Meetings

GENERAL MEETINGS General meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month, September through May.

Tuesday, May 12, 2026

“Cedar, Samphire, and Sassafras: Historic Plant Communities of Central NY.”

Speaker Catherine Landis is a Postdoctoral Fellow at SUNY-ESF Restoration Science Center.

Field Trips – 2026

Please remember to let the trip leader know in advance that you are coming. Mishaps have occasionally happened when plans were changed at the last minute. Finish times are approximate. Guests are always welcome.

Field trip chairman is Joanne Schlegel, 716-835-6042.

Saturday, April 25, 10:00 a.m.

Royalton Ravine County Park in Gasport.

Directions: Rte. 78 to downtown Lockport. East on Rte. 31 (East Ave.) to Gasport Rd. (Hartland Rd.) Right (south) on Gasport Rd. Park entrance is on right. Leader: Joanne Schlegel, 716-835-6042. Rain date: Sunday, April 26.

Saturday, May 2, 12:30 P.M.

A 55-acre private property near Sprague Brook Park.

The owner wishes us to come at a time when springs and early plants are emerging. Meet at the parking lot just east of Rte. 219 at Rte. 20A. Bring boots. Leader: Joanne Schlegel, 716-835-6042. The owner will be our guide on site.

Saturday, May 9, 10:00 a.m.

Indian Fort Preserve, south of Geneseo.

A Genesee Valley Conservancy property containing several shale ravines running downhill to the Genesee River. Trails circumnavigate the largest ravine, where we should see hackberry, black maple, red cedar and spring ephemerals. Those wishing to carpool meet at 8:30 at Flying J truck stop on the south side of I-90 at the Pembroke exit (Rte. 77). Call Joanne Schlegel, 716-835-6042, for directions and to sign up. Guide on site: Dick Cook. This is a relatively short hike. If any are interested in continuing on after lunch, several excellent sites are nearby including Sonyea State Forest and the north end of Letchworth State Park. NOTE THAT THIS HIKE IS AN ADDITION TO THE PREVIOUS SCHEDULE.

Saturday, May 16, 8:30 a.m.

Harris Hill State Forest in Gerry, Chautauqua County.

We expect to see a rich variety of spring wildflowers along the trails. The walking is not strenuous. Bring lunch. Meet at the Home Depot parking lot on Mile Strip Road, just east of Exit 56 from I-90. Leader: Michael Siuta. Please call or text 716-597-1572 or email michaelsiuta@msn.com.

Tuesday, May 26 – Thursday, May 28

Return to the Bruce Penninsula

Joint trip with Nature Sanctuary Society. Leader: Wayne Gall. Contact him if you are interested in going--wkssgall.1976@gmail.com

Monday, June 15, 8:30 a.m.

Floating Fen, Chautauqua County.

This new 225-acre preserve, owned by the WNY Land Conservancy, includes new trails and an 8-acre fen. We are hoping to see its large blue flag iris colony in bloom, and should also expect to see black gum, mountain holly, sundews, and much else. Meet at the Home Depot parking lot on Mile Strip Road, just east of Exit 56 from I-90. Bring lunch. Leader: Joanne Schlegel, 716-835-6042. We have been offered a guide from the Land Conservancy on-site.

Saturday, June 27, 8:30 a.m.

Houghton Bog and Furman Fen.

Joint trip with Nature Sanctuary Society to two of their preserves. Meet in Sprague Brook Park at the main parking lot, 9674 Foote Road, Glenwood, in southern Erie County. Bring water shoes or boots. Contact Wayne Gall, wkssgall.1976@gmail.com to sign up.

Join everyone for a picnic lunch afterward at Sprague Brook Park; bring lunch or a dish to share.

Thursday, July 16:, 9:00 a.m.

Protection Bog Forest Management Area (Erie County Forestry Lot 5) Wilkins Road, Holland NY.

Lat/Long: 42.6213378,-78.4667601. Meet at the Red & White Café, 17 S. Main St, Holland. Leader: Josh Konovitz, jjkonovitz@gmail.com. Josh notes that in addition to the bog, the peripheral wetland areas seem to be very rich.

Saturday, July 26, 2025, 9:00 a.m.

Genesee County Forest in Bethany, NY.

We will explore some interesting wetlands and a forest and also visit an interpretive nature center at the oldest county forest in the state. Bring lunch. Meet at the D&L Plaza parking lot (By Tops Market) 5171 Broadway in Depew. Leader: Michael Siuta 716-822-2544.

Thursday, August 13, 9:00 a.m.

Beaver Ponds Forest Management Area (Erie County Forestry Lot 4) Wagner Road, Holland, NY.

Lat/Long: 42.6117935,-78.4675621. This is a site with wetlands, headwater streams, beaver ponds, and potential primary forest. Meet at the Red & White Café 17 S. Main St, Holland. Leader: Josh Konovitz, jjkonovitz@gmail.com.

Wednesday-Friday, September 9-11

Extended trip to Syracuse area to visit Green Lake, Chittenango, and Clark Reservation State Parks, and more.

Leader: Wayne Gall, wkssgall.1976@gmail.com. See article elsewhere in Clintonia for additional details.

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