Butterflies and More. The Pine Bush Project

Transcription

1 Butterflies and More The Pine Bush Project 1

2 Forward Butterflies and More is a product of the Pine Bush Project, an ongoing program at Farnsworth Middle School to enhance the ecological restoration of our community through education. We hope you enjoy this booklet and help us to make the world a better place. Dr. Alan Fiero, Coordinator Table of Contents Abiotic Factors... 3 Fire in the Pine Bush... 4 Biodiversity... 5 Controversy... 6 Karner Blue Butterfly... 8 Butterfly Gardening... 9 Banded Hairstreak Banded Purple Black Swallowtail Cabbage White Common Ringlet Common Sulfur Eastern Tailed Blue Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Great Spangled Fritillary Karner blue Little Wood Satyr Monarch Mourning Cloak Pearly Crescent Question Mark Silver Spotted Skipper Viceroy Wood Nymph Awards and Grants Butterfly Census Pine Bush Project Butterfly Station Special thanks to Adam Greenstein for his help in producing this book, and to Ann B. Swengel for her photographs. Cover by Christina Fanciullo 2

3 Abiotic Factors by Jean Kang The origin of the Pine Bush is mainly how it has become what it is now. It was formed about 20,000 years ago when the Wisconsin Glacier receded, and the melting ice filled the present-day Albany Inner lowland Basin with water, which formed the glacial Lake Albany. Then, about 12,000 years ago, Lake Albany drained, exposing the sand at the bottom. Winds blew the sands to Albany, forming sand dunes. The Pine Bush was also once part of the Great Plains. The climate of the Pine Bush is warmer and drier than surrounding areas. The driest time is usually before the spring growth and after the season growth s end. Winters are cold but not severe, and the average annual temperature is 48 degrees Fahrenheit. The average annual precipitation is 33 inches, including about 67 inches of snow. The surface sands in the Pine Bush lack silt and clay, both having been blown away by the wind while the dunes were being built. The soil in the upland pine barrens is not very rich because the organic matter is usually burned off before it can decay. The dry pine needles, oak leaves and other organic material provide excellent fuel for fires. The Pine Bush aquifer, an underground water supply, has very highquality water because the sand cleanses the water as it drains through. The Pine Bush is located between Albany and Schenectady. It once covered an area of 25,600 acres, but it dwindled to 3,500 acres by In 2004, there were 3,010 acres, and officials wanted to increase it to 4,600. Also, 1,371 fire manageable acres were preserved in The Pine Bush is currently separated into 5 different areas, and people say that the sections should all be connected, for reasons such as it would allow animals to escape to another section if their home area was burned. 3

4 Fire in the Pine Bush By Taylor Pangman Fire is a necessary part of the Pine Bush ecology. Controlled burning helps prevent wildfires. It also helps preserve native vegetation. Non-native plants cannot withstand the fires, and do not survive well so they won t over populate the Pine Bush. Without fire the Pine Bush would become like any other forest in the Northeast. Many plants have adapted to help them survive Pine Bush fires. When fires became common, plants began to adapt. The thick bark of Pitch Pine protects the trees from almost every fire except the most intense heats. Pitch Pines only open when there is fire so the seeds can come out. The Blue Lupine needs the space that the fire creates. Before humans started lighting fires, nature sparked fires that swept through the Pine Bush. Now prescribed fires are a way of maintaining the Pine Bush. Specific weather and environmental conditions must be met before any prescribed burn happens. These burns are conducted only by well trained crews. Controlled burns will be halted if the weather is too windy, dry or wet. Officials of prescribed burns prefer humidity between 35 and 70 percent. Winds speeds should be between 2-10 miles per/ hour. Safety is the most important thing in a prescribed burn. Today wildfires are uncommon in the Pine Bush. The driest time in the Pine Bush is usually before the spring growth of leaves or after the season s growth has ended. During the spring time or extremely dry weather conditions, the Albany Pine Bush is prone to fires. Scrub oaks, huckleberries and other vegetation become dry and flammable. The sandy soil does not retain water and the ground surface dries quickly after a rain shower. 4

5 Biodiversity By Kevin Ghizzoni Species diversity is the amount of different species of animals, plants and fungi that live in an ecosystem, all of whom have adapted to their environment and have a niche, or role to play in that environment. With empty niches, an ecosystem could not exist. Species diversity is also a reflection on the environment; the more species there are, the healthier that environment is. Ecosystems are the support of all life, carrying unique species and habitats. If that support is destroyed, the species dependant on that ecosystem will perish. In the present time, human activities are threatening biodiversity most of all. Acts such as deforestation, pollution, and the hunt and trade of endangered species, hurts biodiversity and the environments that need it. A scenario such as upstate New York with its many species of butterflies can demonstrate if biodiversity weakened in that area. The many species of butterflies in the area help pollinate and speed up the reproduction of plants. If some butterfly species were to go extinct the pollination process would slow down as there are now fewer butterflies and butterfly species to carry out the process of maintaining the environment. It is important that we try to maintain biodiversity as best we can. It has the benefits of ensuring adaptation in the face of environmental changes, keeping useful organisms in healthy supply, and simply keeps the planet we live on habitable. There are still many species we have not discovered yet and they may hold keys to a new wonder drug, a process that may help conserve energy, anything. Without biodiversity, the Earth would just a giant wasteland, the oceans just as empty, and that is not a world we should live in. 5

6 Controversy By Emily Hayko There are many reasons that the rare Pine Bush should be saved. It is one of the world s largest intact inland barrens. The restoration would save the unique pine barrens community including pitch pinescrub oak barrens and pine barrens vernal ponds. It is a very rare ecosystem that ought to be a resource for all citizens to enjoy. If people want to hike on the trails, they will not be able to see the beautiful Pine Bush if it is destroyed. There are no sidewalks in the area surrounding the Pine Bush so everyone has to drive, which pollutes more. Increased traffic pollution and sprawl creates a decrease in natural scenery and Pine Bush habitat. If the dunes get leveled off, everything on them will be killed. If saved, there will be protection of soil and water resources within and adjacent to the preserve. There will also be management of wildlife species to prevent the loss of habitat. There would be protection of rare species and their habitats, including the endangered Karner Blue Butterfly if the Pine Bush is saved. There has been a 90 percent decrease of the Karner Blue population since the 1970 s. The Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission was created in 1988 to protect and manage the unique and endangered natural communities and species in the Albany Pine Bush. People created a Save the Pine Bush Club for the same reason. If the Pine Bush is saved there will be improvement of public safety by reducing the hazard of wildfire. Proposed capital improvements and staffing recommendations will 6 (Continued)

7 (Controversy: Continued from page 6) generate a modest amount of income and employment-producing activities. More knowledge about the Preserve brings more educational opportunities for area schools. There will be enhancement of public access and appropriate recreational opportunities for a wide variety of users if the Pine Bush is saved. There will also be control of undesirable uses such as trespassing, trash dumping, and off-road vehicle use. If the Pine Bush is saved, scenic resources will be kept, even in an increasingly developed suburban area. There will also be protection and increased appreciation of significant historic and archaeological resources in the Preserve. The most important argument against saving the Pine Bush is that it is valuable land for business. In addition, there are impacts on air quality due to smoke associated with a more aggressive fire management plan. For people hiking in the Pine Bush, deer ticks can be a problem because they carry Lyme disease. There would be increased costs for protecting more land and education and outreach programs. The Crossgates Mall is on the Pine Bush Preserve. There will also be increased costs for the Discovery Center. 7

8 Karner Blue Butterfly By Christian DePersis The Karner Blue Butterfly is currently an endangered species. Public funds go toward research to try to help the butterfly. If the winter snow pack line moves any farther forward, the Karner Blue can become a global warming victim, and become extinct. There are many reasons why the Karner Blue Butterfly has become endangered. One is because of the lack of the Blue Lupine. The caterpillars need it to live, because it is the only thing the caterpillars can eat. Fewer caterpillars mean fewer butterflies. Other reasons include the development of land in the Pine Bush, farming, and the lack of fire. Without fire clearing open spaces, the Blue Lupine cannot grow, and without that, the caterpillars cannot live. Also car exhaust and pollution from developing the land can be blamed for the loss of more butterflies. There are many unique traits about the Karner Blue. Its egg is only about 1 mm in diameter. The egg is a pale greenish white, and is hard to see because it is almost transparent. Its larva is about 3/4 of an inch long at maturity. It is green with a vertical green dorsal stripe with light side stripes. The caterpillar is greenish, and is about 1.5 inches long. It can only eat the Blue Lupine plant until the pupil stage. Also the pupa is 3/4 of an inch and pale pea green. The adult male butterfly is blue and the female is blue on the outside of her wing, getting browner as you move inward towards the body. It is about 1 inch long (wings fully expanded). The Karner Blue has a very unique Life Cycle. It has two broods. Second brood eggs last about 7-8 days. First brood eggs last about 3 months because they live through the winter under snow and in the ground. Eggs are laid on a Blue Lupine leaf. 8

9 Butterfly Gardening By Christine Groat In creating a Butterfly Garden, it is essential that the needs of a butterfly are met. Attributes such as light, shelter, water and food all need to be considered when constructing your garden. Shelter It is very crucial that plenty of shelter is provided for the butterflies. Butterflies need shelter for various reasons. One is that when they face the wind, their body temperature drops. When this occurs butterflies can t take advantage of their full flight ability. Also, it is proven that butterflies thrive better in a sheltered area than in an open area. Lastly, butterflies need not struggle in flight if the area is protected from the harsh weather and wind. Solution: Shelter can be easily provided for butterflies. Things that you already have set up in your yard, such as shrubs, trees, fences, or walls, are efficient in providing shelter. Alternatively, plant fruit trees such as cherry, plum, pear, chestnut, or any other trees that supply nectar as well as shelter. Keep in mind that the positioning of the shelter is very vital. It needs to be positioned so as not to block out too much sunlight. During the winter, shelter can be provided in the forms of log piles or piles of leaf litter. Sunlight Sunlight is very crucial for butterflies. For this reason, butterflies typically aren t seen on cloudy days and in the morning. Butterflies are unable to take advantage of their full flight abilities without heat (Continued) 9

10 (Butterfly Gardening: Continued from page 9) from the sun. When maximum amount of sunlight is available, it gives them more time to mate and for the females to lay eggs. Also, butterflies can begin feeding and flying earlier with more heat. Studies have proved that providing butterflies the maximum amount of sunlight has increased growth rates. Solution: To give the butterflies the utmost amount of sunshine, provide ample open space in the garden, preferably in the center. It is important that butterflies are given adequate room to fly and catch the sun. Also, it is important to locate nectar flowers in areas where butterflies can get an abundant amount of sun. Another option is to put rocks throughout the garden to give them areas in which they can bask while absorbing the warmth from rocks. Water and Nutrients A necessary aspect of a butterfly s life is what is known as puddling. This is when butterflies gravitate to areas where moisture has soaked into soil or sand, leaving mud or a damp area. About two dozen butterflies may gather in this type of area. Mostly males gather, for they need minerals, such as salt, that puddling provides. Solution: Fill an old pan with sand and leave it in your garden. If it dries out just add some more water. Another way of providing nutrients for the butterflies would be to set up salt licks throughout the garden. In addition, an important asset to a butterfly garden is to install streams or ponds, which would provide water as well as nutrients. Lastly, allow damp areas to form all through the garden, adding salt water from time to time. Setting up a Garden When actually planning the set-up of a butterfly garden, most people will only think about the plants. The kinds of plants and how they re set up will determine the success of the garden. Flowers blooming in large numbers and large areas typically attract butterflies. The more 10 (Continued)

11 (Butterfly Gardening: Continued from page 10) area that is covered and the more flowers blooming, the more the quantity of butterflies will increase. To maximize the population, you must also take into consideration growing plants that are food for the butterflies caterpillars. Solution: When planting flowers make sure to check that they have a blooming season from early spring to late fall. Plant a good mixture of annuals, which bloom through summer. Also, plant perennials, which bloom more restrictedly but reappear each year. Butterfly bush and weeds are both excellent food for butterflies. Check the list of larval foods in the guide. Plant some larval food in or near your garden. 11

12 Name - Banded Hairstreak Author - Chris Gockley Scientific Name - Satyrium calanus Size in. ( cm) Color and Markings - Male: Below is warm brownish black. Female: Slate color red. Above for both is a jet black with a sooty cast. Both have tails. Flight - It first appears between 6/6 and 6/21. One brood in late June and early July. Habitat - Deciduous forests, woodland clearings, edges of roads, railways, power lines Life Cycle - Egg overwinters. Caterpillars are yellow-green or brownish and have side stripes and deep brown wide band along back. Hairy, mottled brown chrysalis. Larval Host Plants - Walnuts, oaks, shagbark hickory. 12

13 Name - Banded Purple or White Admiral Author - Furdowse Nazir Scientific Name - Limenitus arthemis Size inches ( cm) Color and Markings - Upperside blue to blue-green, forewing has two costal orange bars, hind wing has orange spots. Flight - It first appears between 2/22-4/05. Two broods, first in June/ August and second brood in July. Habitat - Northern forests, along water courses. Life Cycle - Caterpillar is blue, gray, and white. Larval Host Plants - Birch (betula), poplar (populus). 13

14 Name - Black Swallowtail Authors - Matt Russo and Jason Rackowski Scientific Name - Papilio polyxenes Size inches ( cm) Color and Markings - Black body with yellow spots along each side. The wings are black with yellow markings running up and down. Distinctive red spot near the tail. Females have a distinctive blue band of coloration on lower hind wing. Flight - It first appears between 4/5 and 4/27. Two or three broods, April and October. Habitat - Open spaces including farmland and meadows. Life Cycle - Egg: yellow. Mature caterpillar: leaf green with black bands broken by red yellow or orange spots. Chrysalis: wood-like brown or leaf green. Larval Host Plants - carrots, parsley, celery, Queen Anne s Lace and dill. 14

15 Name - Cabbage White Author - Jennifer Nevatt Scientific Name - Pieris rapae Size - 1 3/4-2 1/4 inches ( cm) Color and Markings - White, Male: One black spot. Female: Two black spots. Flight - It first appears between 3/18 and 4/5. Three or more broods, April to May. Habitat - Any type of open or lightly wooded area, gardens, roadsides and agricultural land. Life Cycle - Egg: yellowish, vase shaped. Caterpillar: 3/4 inches, bright green with yellowish black stripes. Chrysalis: speckled green or tan. Larval Host Plants - Mustard family, crucifiers: cabbage. 15

16 Name - Common Ringlet Author - Derrick Soscia Scientific Name - Coenonympha tullia Size - 1 3/6 inches ( cm) Color and Markings - Very pale, yellow cream to orange brown. Black dots on upper side of wings. Flight - It first appears between 5/29 and 6/4. Two flights from June to August. Habitat - Low grassy areas. Life Cycle - The eggs are small and very round. Caterpillar is dark green with pale stripes. Larval Host Plants - Grasses. 16

17 Name - Common Clouded Sulfur Authors - Maggie Broderick and Jeffrey Armer Scientific Name - Colias philodice Size - 1 5/16-2 3/4 inches ( cm) Color and Markings - Male: upper - clear yellow solid black outer margins. Female: yellow/white with yellow spotted black border. Below - Both greenish yellow in spring and clear yellow in midsummer. Double red rimmed silvery spot near end of cell, row of brown spots slightly inward of wings. Flight - It first appears between 3/20 and 5/10. Three broods, May through October. Habitat - Open fields, roadsides, suburban areas. Life Cycle - Egg laid singly on leaves of different kinds of legumes, especially clovers. Caterpillar is bright green with dark black stripes and light side stripes. The chrysalis is green and overwinters. Larval Host Plants - White clover, trifolium and various legumes. 17

18 Name - Eastern Tailed Blue Author - Steven Rose Photo courtesy of Harvey Kirsch Scientific Name - Everes comyntas Size - 3/4-1 inch ( cm) Color and Markings - Male: Bright silver-blue, thin dark margin, orange and black HW spots near tail. Female: Slate gray and brown, shot with blue. Gray-white below with distinct curved rows of grayblack spots. Both sexes have white fringe. Flight - It first appears between 4/24 and 5/12. Three broods often overlapping; first brood in early spring Habitat - Crop fields, gardens, railroad lines, power line cuts. Life Cycle - Eggs laid in flower buds and stems, caterpillar dark green and downy with brown and light green stripes, chrysalis buff colored. Larval Host Plants - Clover, beans, tick tree foil, wild pea. 18

19 Name - Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Author - Teresa Sarles Scientific Name - Papilio glaucas Size inches ( cm) Color and Markings - Tails on wings like swallowtails (birds). Male: yellow and black striped markings on wings. Yellow, blue, and red dots on wings. Female: Two forms. One like the male and the other brown or black, mimicking the poisonous Pipevine Swallowtail. Flight - It first appears between 4/5 and 4/27. Two broods, May and September. Habitat - woodlands, grasslands. Life Cycle - Tiny yellow-green eggs grow to brown and white caterpillar or green caterpillar with yellow and black stripe on neck. Brown chrysalis. Larval Host Plants - tulip tree, sweet bay, wild black cherry, ash, lilac, aspen, birch, or choke cherry. 19

20 Name - Great Spangled Fritillary Author - Michael Stevens Scientific Name - Speyeria cybele Size inches ( cm) Color and Markings - The upper side of the male is tan to orange with black scales on the forewing veins. The female is darker than the male. The under side of the hind wing has pale bands and large silver dots. Flight - It appears between 5/31 and 6/12. One brood in mid-june and another one in mid-september. Habitat - Open fields and valleys and brushy pastures. Life Cycle - The eggs are laid in late summer on or near violets. The newly hatched caterpillars don t feed until spring when they eat young violets. The caterpillar has black spines with orange tips. Caterpillars are nocturnal. Larval Host Plants - Types of violets. 20

21 Name - Karner blue Author - David Roer (The Karner blue is an endangered species and therefore is not considered common to New York State.) Scientific Name - Lycaeides melissa Samuelis Size - 1 inch (2.5 cm) Color and Markings - Males: Their top side is silvery or dark blue. Females: Are grayish brown especially on the outer wings, orange and blue bands on topside. Flight - First brood mid-april to mid-may. Second brood late June to mid-july. Habitat - Pine and oak barrens (places with blue lupines). Life Cycle - First brood overwinters as an egg. Larvae is slug-like. Larval Host Plants - Blue Lupine. 21

22 Name - Little Wood Satyr Author - Greg Masto Scientific Name - Megisto cymela Size - 1 3/4 inches ( 4 cm ) Color and Markings - Most of the body is light brown, two yellow eyed rimmed spots. Underside is brown. Waist is brown and also grainy white. The female is a little darker but also has the two yellow eyed rimmed spots. Flight - It first appears between 5/15 and 5/26. One brood, June-July. Habitat - Grassy woods and openings, old fields Life Cycle - Eggs are pale white-very light brown. Eggs are laid on blades of grass. Caterpillars are pale brown and tinged with green. The feet of the caterpillar are white. The chrysalis is dark brown. Larval Host Plants - Blades of grass. 22

23 Name - Monarch Author - Karly Blase Scientific Name - Danaus plexippus Size - 3 3/8-4 7/8 ( cm) Color/Marking - Males are bright orange with black scent patch in the middle of the hind wing above. Females are a dull orange brown with more thickly scaled black veins. Flight - First appears between 5/9 and 6/13. During warm part of the year, one to three broods. Habitat - Open weedy areas, roadsides, pastures and marshes. Life Cycle - Caterpillar is ringed with yellow, black, and off-white on each segment. Head capsule with three pairs of black fleshy tubercles. Adults migrate in October to central Mexico. Larval Host Plants - Milkweed plants and rarely dogbane. 23

24 Name - Mourning Cloak Authors - Stephanie Fink and Sean Davis Scientific Name - Nymphalis antiopa Size - 3 1/8-4 inches ( cm) Color and Markings - Upperside is purple-black with a wide, bright yellow border on outer margins, and a row of blue spots at the inner edge of the border. Flight - It first appears between 2/22 and 4/5. Usually one flight from June - July. Habitat - Woods, openings, parks and suburbs; and especially in riparian areas. Life Cycle - Egg: pale, becoming black when hatching. They are laid in groups by twigs. Caterpillar: velvety black with white specks, with a row of red dots on back rows of branched bristles. Chrysalis: tan to gray to head horns. It hangs upside down. Chrysalis with several tubercles along the body. Over wintered adults mate in the spring. Larval Host Plants - Willows, elms, and aspens. 24

25 Name - Pearly Crescent Author - Matt Russo Scientific Name - Phyciodes tharos Size inches ( cm) Color and Markings - Male has orange areas with black margin. Female has a heavier black margin. Flight - It first appears between 4/26 and 5/12. Several broods from April - November. Habitat - Open spaces, moist meadows, fields, roadside and streams. Life Cycle - Eggs laid in clusters on leaves to eat. Caterpillar brown, with yellow spines. Chrysalis molted gray, yellowish or brown. Larval Host Plants - Asters. 25

26 Name - Question mark Authors - Allison Hostetter and Bob McIver Scientific Name - Polygonia interrogationis Size inches ( cm ) Color and Markings - Upperside of wing in summer: mostly black with tail-like projections. Winter: orange and black with longer violet tipped projections. Underside of wing in winter: pearly silver question mark on hind wing. Summer: darker violet question mark on hind wing. Flight - It appears between 3/28-5/26, two broods Habitat - woods, open areas, near rivers and lakes. Life Cycle - Egg: light green, laid on top of other eggs vertically. Caterpillar: 1 5/8 inches, buff to rust colored, black spines on head and several on each segment. Chrysalis: 7/8 inches grey brown with olive mottling, hangs down like shriveled leaves. Adult: overwinter and appear again in April. Larval Host Plants - Hops, nettles, elms, hackberries, and other related trees. 26

27 Name - Silver Spotted Skipper Author - Patti Evans Scientific Name - Epargyreus clarus Size inches ( cm) Color and Markings - Brown and black. Silver spot in the middle of the hind wing. Brown and gold spots. Metallic band on hind wing. Flight - It first appears between 4/28 and 5/18. Two or more broods, May and September. Habitat - Costal hammocks and swamps Life Cycle - Caterpillar stout, yellow-brownish; has a white powder which makes its markings. The chrysalis is an off-white and green color. Larval Host Plants - red mangrove, black locust, and wisteria. 27

28 Name - Viceroy Authors - Emily Funigiello and Matt Ketz Scientific Name- Limenitis archippus Size - 2 5/8-3 5/16 inches ( cm) Color and Markings - The upper side is orange on burnt orange with black lines on hind wings and a single row of white dots on the black lines. It is a mimic of the Monarch. Flight - It first appears between 5/20 and 6/13. Two or three broods, May through September. Habitat - Canals, riversides, marshes, meadows, wood edges, roadsides, lake shores and deltas. Life Cycle - Olive green caterpillar with a white dorsal blotch. Chrysalis 7/8 (2.2 cm) brown. Eggs look clear but are very pale white, compressed oval shape. Larval Host Plants -willows, aspens, apples, cherries and plums. 28

29 Name - Wood Nymph Author - Karly Blase Scientific Name - Cercyonis pegla Size - 1 7/8-3 inches ( cm) Color and Markings - Brown. On the underside their hind wing has a number of post median eyespots. Flight - It first appears between 6/14 and 6/28. One brood, late June- October. Females fly later. Habitat - Prairies, old fields, pinewoods, bogs, and open meadows. Life Cycle - Lay eggs toward end of flight period. Caterpillars: green becoming yellow with pale stripes. Larval Host Plants - purpletop and other grasses. 29

30 1995 National Science Teachers Association - Toyota Tapestry Award 1996 Environmental Excellence Award - Sea World National Gardening Association Award Audubon Sanctuary Award (Pine Haven Country Club) PTA Award Student Council Award 1997 NYS Environmental Empowerment Grant Captain Planet Foundation Grant Audubon Sanctuary Award (Pine Haven Country Club) PTA Award 1998 Christa McAuliffe Fellowship Audubon Sanctuary Award (Pine Haven Country Club) PTA Award 1999 Presidential Teaching Award - NYS semifinalist Audubon Sanctuary Award (Pine Haven Country Club) PTA Award 2000 EPA Region 2 Environmental Quality Award Center for Environmental Education Human-i-tees Award The Bay Foundation Environmental Award The Melinda Gray Ardia Environmental Foundation Grant Audubon Sanctuary Award (Pine Haven Country Club) PTA Award 2001 Learn and Serve America Grant Fleet Bank All Stars Award Audubon Sanctuary Award (Pine Haven Country Club) PTA Award 2002 Learn and Serve America Grant PTA Award Awards and Grants 30 (Continued)

31 (Awards: Continued from page 30) 2003 Learn and Serve America Grant EPA Environmental Education Grant PTA Award 2004 Learn and Serve America Grant Sleeping Bear Press Community Service Award PTA Award 2005 Audubon Sanctuary Award (Pine Haven Country Club) Learn and Serve America Grant PTA Award 2006 Learn and Serve America Grant PTA Award 2007 Learn and Serve America Grant PTA Award 2008 State Farm Youth Advisory Board Grant Learn and Serve America Grant PTA Award 31

32 Butterfly Census Please fill out the chart as you see butterflies around your home. Send the chart to us in October. Date Type of Butterfly Location Plant found on

33 Date Type of Butterfly Location Plant found on Please return to: Butterfly Census Attention: Dr. Alan Fiero Farnsworth Middle School 6072 State Farm Road Guilderland, NY

34 The Pine Bush Project In 1995 The Pine Bush Project began at Farnsworth Middle School. The program was designed to empower children and allow them to make a real difference in the world around them. It started with one seventh grade teacher and 100 students. The Pine Bush Project now involves over 1,000 students and several schools. As part of the program, students have become active in authentic scientific research. In collaboration with the Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission, students conduct long-term studies in ecological restoration. Native gardens at the school provide seeds and plants that are returned to the Pine Bush. Sixth grade students conducted research on germination and growth of the blue lupine. Seventh grade students have built eight large exclosures to protect native lupine, one large exclosure to protect the pitch pine seedlings they planted, and have girdled over 35,000 invasive aspen trees. The effect of their work and the knowledge it generates has made a difference in preserving the Pine Bush. 34

35 Butterfly Station at Farnsworth Middle School A train once stopped in the middle of the Pine Bush. People from around the world would come to this spot to walk through the Pine Bush and look at the many wonderful butterflies. The stop came to be known as Butterfly Station. Butterfly Station at Farnsworth Middle School hopes to once again bring people into this beautiful and globally rare ecosystem. It is a student run community service program designed to make the school a center for the ecological restoration of our community. Butterfly Station is a place where education and fun go hand and hand. Students learn by sharing and teaching. Young and old enjoy the beauty of the butterflies and the gardens. But most of all, everyone learns to appreciate their own natural community. 35

36 Printed June