Jamestown, NY – Continuing a long-standing tradition, on Sunday afternoon, May 12, naturalist Jack Gulvin will lead the Audubon Community Nature Center’s annual Mother’s Day Wildflower Walk at the Bentley Preserve now owned and operated by the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy.

Starting at 2 p.m. at the entrance to Bentley Preserve just north of Jamestown, walkers meander through the woods in search of spring wildflowers and other spring treasures. The hike features all the spring flowers in bloom, from the yellowish green to purple Black Cohosh to Stinking Benjamin.

You are invited to enjoy wildflowers and good company on Audubon Community Nature Center’s Mother’s Day Wildflower Walk. Chautauqua Institution naturalist Jack Gulvin leads a guided tour of beautiful spring wildflowers at the Bentley Preserve of the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy. The toothwort pictured is one of the spring wildflowers that may reward the observant trail walker.

The two-hour Mother’s Day event is an opportunity to take time to enjoy the beauty of even the smallest and most common of our wildflowers. Learn which are native and which were brought here by Europeans, eager to see a familiar sight from the home country. Also learn about some that tagged along, uninvited.   

Jack Gulvin is a naturalist at Chautauqua Institution, where he presents nature talks Friday mornings at 9 a.m. during the Chautauqua season. He also oversees the Purple Martin colonies, leading walks the first four Fridays of the season at 4:15 p.m.

You are invited to meet at the Bentley Preserve at 2 p.m. It is located at the end of Bentley Road, off Fluvanna Avenue (State Route 430) near the Fluvanna Community Church in Greenhurst. If you have been on the walk in the past, you will marvel at the extensive improvements on the trails.

Wear mud-proof footwear and dress for the weather. With the wonderful background information Gulvin provides, a pencil and paper are often welcome accessories. Since it is also a great time for birds, consider bringing binoculars.

The fee is $8, $6 for Nature Center members and children ages 9-15. Reservations are appreciated; walk-ins are welcome but please bring exact change. Reservations can be made by calling (716) 569-2345 during business hours or online at the Programs page at auduboncnc.org.

Audubon Community Nature Center builds and nurtures connections between people and nature by providing positive outdoor experiences, opportunities to learn about and understand the natural world, and knowledge to act in environmentally responsible ways. Visit at 1600 Riverside Road, one-quarter mile east of Route 62 between Jamestown, N.Y., and Warren, Pa., or online at auduboncnc.org.

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