News
August 19, 2015Science Lecture Series: Nocturnal Moths of the Albany Pine Bush
The Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission and Friends of the Pine Bush Community will co-host an evening lecture at the Discovery Center on Nocturnal Moths of the Albany Pine Bush presented by SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry graduate student Neil Schoppmann on Thursday, August 20 from 7 p.m. – 8 p.m. This lecture is part of a monthly science lecture series presented by scientists and experts and hosted by the Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission at the Discovery Center. Topics vary from tiger beetles, to wild turkeys, to climate research and more.
The Albany Pine Bush Preserve (APBP) is one of the best remaining examples of an inland pitch pine – scrub oak barren. Despite the focus on the endangered Karner blue butterfly, the invertebrate community has not been assessed as a whole since the early 90’s. SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry graduate student Neil Schoppmann will talk about his research in the APBP which examines the community composition of nocturnal moths and changes that have taken place in that community since they were last surveyed and intensive habitat restoration began. “Many species of nocturnal moths are pine barrens specialists and cannot be found in other habitat types. Understanding how 20 years of Preserve management may be influencing these specialists is critical to management decisions” said Neil Gifford, APBPC Conservation Director. He added, “A healthy Pine Bush should support robust populations of these specialists”.
This program is free and is recommended for ages 15+. Pre-registration is required for all programs. The Discovery Center is located at 195 New Karner Road in Albany. To sign up for any of these programs, please visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org and click on “Events Calendar” at the top of the page or call 518.456.0655.
The 3,200 – acre Albany Pine Bush Preserve (APBP), located in New York’s Capital District, protects one of the best remaining inland pitch-pine scrub oak barrens in the world. This extraordinary fire-dependent habitat provides homes for many plants and animals and contains 55 New York State-designated wildlife Species of Greatest Conservation Need, including the federally endangered Karner blue butterfly. The Preserve is a National Natural Landmark, a New York State Unique Area, Bird Conservation Area and a National Audubon Society Important Bird Area. Characterized by rolling sand dunes and miles of trails, the Preserve offers visitors many recreational opportunities including hiking, bird watching, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, mountain biking, hunting, fishing and canoeing. The Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission is a public-private partnership created by the NYS Legislature in 1988 to protect and manage the APBP and provide the public with educational and recreational opportunities.
As the gateway to the Pine Bush, the Discovery Center is a state-of-the-art “green” certified interpretive center where visitors come to understand why the Pine Bush is rare and special. A visit to this unique destination is an exciting exploration where learning comes naturally through interactive exhibits, an outdoor Discovery Trail, and numerous programs on the ecology, natural history, cultural history and management of the Pine Bush. Admission to the Discovery Center is free (there is a small fee for programs). The Center is open daily weekdays 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., weekends and most holidays 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. For more information, visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org or call 518.456.0655.
