Evento

Ferns and Lycophytes of Pennsylvania

This workshop is designed to introduce participants to the diversity of ferns in Pennsylvania. Two primary objectives for the workshop are to introduce participants to the unique biology of pteridophytes as well as teach them the skills necessary to identify our common species.

With over 100 species of Pteridophytes in Pennsylvania emphasis will be placed on the more commonly encountered species. Herbarium and live material will be examined for diagnostic characters for the genera and the species.

No prior knowledge of ferns is necessary for this workshop, but some familiarity with basic plant biology will be helpful. Magnification is a must for identifying many ferns. Please bring along a magnifier of about 10x. Handouts will be provided with keys to the pteridophytes in Pennsylvania and surrounding states. Other reference material will be available throughout the workshop.

Part of the workshop will be outdoors to familiarize participants with finding, collecting, and identifying ferns in the field. Bring along boots, or be prepared to get your feet wet.

Agenda
9:00 9:15 a.m. - Introductions and Overview of the Day. Coffee, tea and snacks will be provided
9:15 10:15 Introduction to Fern morphology and using a dichotomous key
10:15 12:00 Fern identification (indoors), group practice
12:15 12:45 Lunch. Please plan to bring your own lunch.
12:45 1:45 Field observation & discussion of pteridophytes
1:45 4:45 Identification outdoors, collecting & specimen preparation (outdoors)

Location
Powdermill Nature Reserve, 1847 Route 381, Rector, PA 15677

Instructor
Bonnie Isaac is the Collection Manager of Botany and Co-Chair of Collections at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh. She has been employed by the museum since 1989. Bonnie received Bachelors & Masters degrees in Biological Sciences with emphasis in Plant Sciences from Youngstown State University in Youngstown, Ohio and an International Diploma in Herbarium Techniques, from the Kew Royal Botanical Garden in Kew, England. Bonnie currently serves as the President of the Botanical Society of Western Pennsylvania. Bonnie is a native of Clarion County, Pennsylvania and currently resides in Lawrence County with her husband Joe.