Natural History Week at Bearnstow

A Natural History Week at Bearnstow 2016

Held June 20–24 at Bearnstow
Download the 2016 Natural History Week full program (PDF)

Monday, June 20
Peter Warny, Wildlife Ecologist and Herpetologist, New York
“Reptile Ecology Along the East Coast, USA” — Download PDF flier

Pete Warny with bull frog

Pete Warny launched Natural History Week with a hunt for reptiles and amphibians and other critters, which included a trip to the horse stables, netting frogs and salamanders along Uncle Daniel's Brook, and seining for fish and invertebrates in the shallow water down at the bathing beach.

Photo by Anabel Sagrero

Tuesday, June 21:
Justin Waskiewicz, Lecturer, Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources,
University of Vermont
“Forests as Dynamic Ecological Systems” — Download PDF flier

On the forest walk Justin Waskiewicz explains the different strategies trees have developed to ensure their success in the forest environment.

Photo by Anabel Sagrero

Wednesday, June 22:
Dan Miller, Northeast Climate Science Center, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
“Climate Change in New England: A Long-term Perspective from Lakes” — Download PDF flier

Dan Miller in question-and-answer session

Dan Miller in question-and-answer session

Driven inside by the rain, Dan Miller continued a question-and-answer and discussion session in the Main Hall.

Photo by Jonathan Trejo

Friday, June 24:
Kevin Doran, Natural Science Educator, Maine Forest Service
“Maine Woods: Finding the Right Balance” — Download PDF flier

Kevin Doran (right) prepares to take a core sample from the trunk of a tree.

Photo by Dylan McLaughlin

Bearnstow lies on 65 acres of nearly pristine woodland alongside 2,400 feet of Parker Pond’s rocky shoreline. In a walk along the trails beside the lake and the brook, we can see a vast variety of vegetation—according to one state forester, “more than any other site I have visited.” Since 1922 the property’s natural environment has been carefully protected, first by Colby College biology professor Webster Chester, and then by Bearnstow.

We have a registered State of Maine “Big Tree” (an Alleghany service berry), trailing arbutus, five kinds of native evergreens visible from one vista, reindeer moss, and lichen once used to make lavender dye. Parker Pond’s pure water is phenomenal: over the years it has never failed to test safe for drinking.