A Highstead Woodland Conversation - September 18, 2009

On Friday, September 18, at 7:30 pm, Highstead will present a WOODLAND CONVERSATION with Professor Eric Chivian who will speak on Human Health and Global Environmental Change.

Professor Chivian is Founder/Director of the Center for Health and the Global Environment, Harvard Medical School, and both author and Nobel Peace Prize recipient.

Please plan on attending this important address. Details will follow.

Summer Ecology Interns Arrive

Erik Yando (right), a biology major at Connecticut College, and Stephen Murphy, recent graduate in biology from Denison University, have joined Highstead for a 12 week program in field ecology.

Erik and Stephen are resampling a grid of 100 permanent forest vegetation plots across Highstead that were established five years ago.  Highstead’s plots in Redding, Connecticut are part of a network of permanent plots being sampled by Highstead and the Harvard Forest on private preserves and managed forests in Vermont, New Hampshire, Martha’s Vineyard, Central Massachusetts, and southwestern Connecticut.

Wildlands & Woodlands Science Training Held at Highstead

Two National Science Foundation interns from Harvard Forest joined Highstead’s summer ecology interns in June for a two day training session on forest monitoring techniques.

Highstead’s ecologist, Ed Faison, introduced permanent plot methodology and woody plant and forb identification. Botanist, Bill Moorhead (shown at far left), provided training on difficult grasses and sedges.  Wildlands and Woodlands Science is a new long-term effort to evaluate forest conservation and management approaches across New England and is part of the Wildlands and Woodlands Vision.