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See what's happening around Audubon Community Nature Center.
We need insects
Why should insects be loved? Let’s start with what they do for people. Insects are amazing pollinators. Scientists say that about one bite in three comes from a bee. Bees pollinate the flowers that turn into apples, blueberries, raspberries and tomatoes. Without them, we would struggle to help flowers turn into fruit and food.
Bats in the Window
While the numbers of bats in this area have declined dramatically over the past 15 years, it’s not all doom and gloom. In some areas of the country, like New England, scientists are beginning to see a slow increase in bat populations, and while they are far from returning to their pre-White Nose Syndrome numbers, it doesn’t look like total extinction is in their future.
For the first time in over 10 years, when I went to my family cabin for the Fourth of July, a bat was in a window. Although it had been a decade since I last saw a bat there, I never stopped my routine check of all the windows on arrival. While one solitary bat doesn’t signify any great change at a population level, its presence was enough to bring me hope, happiness, and fond memories of childhood.
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.
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.
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....
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.
Address
Audubon Community Nature Center
1600 Riverside Road
Jamestown, NY 14701
(716) 569-2345
info@auduboncnc.org
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
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
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Holmberg Foundation
Hultquist Foundation
Jessie Smith Darrah Fund
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The Ralph C. Sheldon Foundation
David Campbell
Sue and Bill Chandler
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!
Jeanne Wiebenga and Jane Stirniman
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