News
September 10, 2015Science Lecture Series: Fungi of the Albany Pine Bush
The Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission and Friends of the Pine Bush Community will co-host a 7 p.m. evening lecture on Thursday, September 17 at the Discovery Center on Fungi of the Albany Pine Bush presented by Dr. Thomas Horton, Associate Professor of Mycology at the State University of New York School of Environmental Science and Forestry and a specialist on mycorrhizal fungi and their essential role in plant establishment. The evening lecture will draw on his studies from around the world that provide insight into what fungi are likely helping pitch pine restoration efforts at the Albany Pine Bush. Dr. Horton will also present results from students in his lab that are currently identifying what fungi are mycorrhizal with pitch pine seedlings from the Albany Pine Bush Preserve. “The role of these fungi is one of the least studied aspects of pitch pine-scrub oak barrens ecology, and potentially critical to the success of our wildlife habitat restoration” said Conservation Director, Neil Gifford. “We are thrilled to be collaborating with Dr. Horton and SUNY-ESF.” This lecture is part of a monthly science lecture series presented by scientists and experts and organized by the Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission at the Discovery Center. Topics vary from tiger beetles, to wild turkeys, to climate research and more.
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, please visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org or call 518.456.0655.
