Biodiversity Day 2015

Cheverly Biodiversity Day Schedule and Participant Guidelines

Saturday, May 16, 2015

Plant and animal surveys will be conducted in separate teams for different biota categories. All teams will meet first at the Green Infrastructure command post table in front of the Cheverly Community Center, 6401 Forest Road, Cheverly, MD 20785, where your team leader will provide necessary instructions on what to expect and what you will be doing. From there you will fan out to your respective areas. Most hikes will be in the Woodworth Park area, but one or two may be in other areas. Please arrive 15 minutes before the designated starting time

Separate sign-in is required for each of the sessions so we will know how many participated in each and for a head count afterwards. Have contact information available in case of emergencies.

May 16^th is also Cheverly Day, Cheverly’s annual celebration, with activities for all ages (www.cheverlyday.com). This year’s theme is Keep Cheverly Wild. All are welcome to join in! Food and drink vendors will also be on hand. Cheverly Day activities begin at 2 PM at the Cheverly Community Center. Parking will not be available in the Community Center lots. Find parking on the nearby streets in the morning. In the afternoon there will be a circulator bus. See the Cheverly Day web site for details.

The Cheverly Green Infrastructure Committee has also organized a Wild Cheverly Photo Contest. The entries will be on display inside the Community Center throughout Cheverly Day.

MORNING HIKES

8:00 to 10:00 AM

Wildlife in Cheverly

Learn about the diversity of animal life all around you in Cheverly. Lifelong wildlife observer will show you how to locate birds, find various mammals by the signs they leave, and describe the various habitats they frequent. Matt T. Salo, Cheverly naturalist and Chair of the Green Infrastructure Science Committee.

Native Plant Walk

Board member of Maryland Native Plant Society and expert on native plants will lead a walk to identify local native plants and explain what distinguishes them from alien invasive species, ornamentals and cultivars, and why a diversity of native plants have special value for us. Karyn Molines, Calvert County Natural Resources Division Chief.

10:00 AM to 12 Noon

Invasive Plants Identification

Learn to identify the most common and worst invasive plants in Cheverly and learn about the problems they cause for native plant biodiversity. Marc Imlay, an invasive plants specialist, and conservation biologist at M-NCPPC Park Ranger Office.

Reptile and Amphibian Survey

Discover what snakes, turtles, lizards, frogs, salamanders and other reptiles and amphibians lurk in our grass, creeks, ponds, under logs and other hideouts. Team will be led by Fred Abbott, herpetologist, Ecological Society of America.

AFTERNOON HIKES

12:30 to 2:00 PM

For Future Scientists: Children’s Nature Walk

Cheverly naturalist will introduce children to wonders of nature. Observations will be recorded by the leader and added to those obtained in other sessions. Elaine Friebele, recently retired from her position as a naturalist at the Jug Bay Wetland Sanctuary, will lead the group.

Insects

About one hundred thousand insect species inhabit North America. Although they are everywhere, we know most of them only by their generic names, such as ants, bees, beetles, butterflies, dragonflies or grasshoppers, and not as individual species. Peter Touhey, who is a specialist in insects, will introduce you to the diverse and fascinating world of these ubiquitous creatures and explain their diverse roles in supporting our Green Infrastructure.

1:30 PM to 3:00 PM

Cheverly Trees and Shrubs

Woody plant walk at the top part of Woodworth Park, identifying as many trees, shrubs and perhaps a few of the most notable herbaceous species that can be encountered next to, or near the trail. Marla McIntosh, Professor of Urban Forestry, UMD.

Additional sessions are possible, but have not yet been affirmed. Please watch for schedule additions at the Cheverly Green Infrastructure website or at their table on Cheverly Day.

GUIDELINES FOR PARTICIPANTS

Highly recommended: Long sleeves, and pants that can be tucked into sturdy shoes or boots. For a stream or marsh hike, knee length rubber boots are best, but you could get along with an old pair of sneakers if you don’t mind getting them wet. Shorts, short sleeves, and flip flops are NOT recommended.

Also, because this is the beginning of the hot season, bring a hat and a bottle of water; although temperatures under trees can be 10 degrees cooler, there will still be sunny areas. Those who burn easily should bring sunblock lotion. Insect repellent with DEET is also recommended against ticks and mosquitoes. Binoculars are very useful for the wildlife session.

Optional gear: Dip nets for stream exploration; cameras if you wish to record specimens or just have a record of what you did; stiff notebook or clipboard if you wish to keep your own record of observations (team leaders will keep a comprehensive tally).

You are welcome to bring field guides appropriate for your sessions, but the command post table and team leaders will have several available for lookups if needed. Traveling light is recom-mended.

The areas you will visit are not particularly dangerous, but whenever you are out in rough terrain you should exercise common sense caution to avoid falling or getting scratched. Because we frequently have storm damage, do not go under trees with hanging branches or broken­off tree tops. There are places with green­briers, roses, and brambles that have sharp thorns, as well as poison ivy, so know the plants and avoid them if you are sensitive. For annoying insects see advice above.

Do not wander off paths or specified observation areas, and be especially careful in areas with sensitive plants (your leader will advise you). We do not want any rare or endangered plants to be trampled. Do not break branches or otherwise damage trees or shrubs. Do not collect any plants or other specimens; you are there to only observe and study. ONLY your leader may collect specimens for further identification, but you are welcome to take pictures

Also this is the season when many animals and birds are having their young so be careful not to cause them undue alarm, by making a lot of noise or approaching them.

GIGO ­ ­ DO NOT LITTER; if you bring drinks, snacks or anything else in make sure it also goes back with you. There are trash containers at the parking lot, but not in the woods.