News

See what's happening around Audubon Community Nature Center.
Emergence

Emergence

Dragonflies are a fascinating example of insect emergence from their aquatic larval stage to a terrestrial adult stage, but they are only one of many that follow this pattern. Mosquitoes start as small larva underwater, which is why areas with still water tend to be a more mosquito-heavy. Caddisflies, mayflies, and stoneflies (are you picking up on a theme?) are just a few other examples of insects that begin their life cycle underwater. So even though you might see those dragonflies, or a whole host of other flying critters zipping over the pond, remember that sometimes that is only part of the story. There is another stage of life hiding under the surface of the water.

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Duckweed

Duckweed

minor) is the most widespread. Duckweeds are small, with leaves around ¼ of an inch long. In fact, they are the smallest flowering plants. Despite the small size, bees, flies and even spiders pollinate the flowers. They can also just bump up next to each other and pollinate each other. Researchers find that it may be good for food or energy production.

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Wildfires

Wildfires

By Emma Roth, Nature Educator An unusual haze has descended on most of New York and neighboring states, and this area is no exception. The sun shining through my windows this morning gave a weak, yellow light. By 11:00 a.m., the air at ACNC smelled strongly of smoke....

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Diversity in the Details

Diversity in the Details

The constant stream of students at ACNC for spring field trips has made me far more attuned to the presence of insects, especially ants, than I would be on my own. On a warm day, it is hard to take more than three steps without seeing an ant on the ground or climbing up a tree. With students, we watch them carry dirt around as they clear the entrance to a hole in a three-foot wide anthill or carry food as they navigate the blades of grass. There are thousands of kinds of ants in the world and as the students and I find differences in the ones we find in our short exploration at Audubon, I wonder how many we have in this area alone.

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Nature Apps

Nature Apps

I kept hearing stories of people using the Merlin app, which can identify the calls and songs of over 800 birds so far. The program is based on identified recordings – around 500 per species. It also compares known sightings of birds in the same time and place. The people who’ve shared their experience with this app talk about it with the same fascination as one might talk about a really good magic trick. They were amazed at calls and songs around them. Sounds that would have otherwise been relegated to the background, now had a name and an image.

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Planting Native?

Planting Native?

By Jeff Tome, Public Engagement Specialist ACNC recently had a plant sale, and native plants flew off the tables. There could have been many reasons for this. Native plants could be in higher demand right now. Native plant gardeners could be happier in the rain, since...

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    Address

    Audubon Community Nature Center
    1600 Riverside Road
    Jamestown, NY 14701

    (716) 569-2345
    info@auduboncnc.org

    Click here for directions

    Hours and Admission

    Nature Center Hours:

    Monday - Saturday
    10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

    Sunday
    1:00 - 4:30 p.m.

    Building Admission:

    Members - Free
    Non-member Adult (ages 16+) - $6
    Non-member Child (ages 3 - 15) - $2
    Children ages 2 and under - Free
    Maximum cost for a Family - $15
    Free admission to the Nature Center for SNAP/EBT cardholders.
    Free admission for all on Sundays

    Grounds and Outdoor Exhibits:

    Open daily, year round from dawn to dusk free of charge

    Click here for holiday closings

    Thank you, Community Partners

    Audubon Community Partners make a significant financial contribution each year because they believe that every child deserves the opportunity to have a real and healthy connection to nature.

    Bruce and Juline Battler

    Carnahan-Jackson Foundation

    Chautauqua Region Community Foundation

    Donna and Mark Hampton

    Holmberg Foundation

    Hultquist Foundation

    Jessie Smith Darrah Fund

    The Lenna Foundation

    The Ralph C. Sheldon Foundation

     

    Hal and Mary Conarro

    Cummins Jamestown Engine Plant

    Bob and Kathy Frucella

    Kravitz Tree Service

    Thomas Kuntz and Meredith Kuntz

    Doug and Lamae McCullor

    National Fuel Gas Company

    Southern Chautauqua
    Federal Credit Union
    Weinberg Financial Group

    Curt and Susie Westrom

    Whirley-DrinkWorks!