Category Archives: Uncategorized

Coastal Forest – a CT DEEP Critical Habitat

FULL SET: https://www.facebook.com/media/set?vanity=sigrun.gadwa.56&set=a.610140136753118 Photos show a low-lying coastal forest in Old Lyme, Connecticut, on a forested ~fifteen-acre “peninsula” bordered by brackish marsh. It is just east of the Connecticut River and north of the Amtrak RR line. Upland forest is … Continue reading

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Tri-Town Preserve in Gabbro Country

Avalonia Land Conservancy is the proud steward of the 527-acre TriTown Forest Preserve in southeastern Connecticut.  Well buffered by extensive additional protected open space, including Natchaug State Forest,  this preserve not only has a wide range of pristine wetland classes. … Continue reading

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Emerald Ash Borer Control in Connecticut

Published in April 2017 by The Connecticut Botanical Society P.O. Box 9004, New Haven, CT 06532   ~Established 1903 ~ The following  article was reviewed by Dr.  Claire Rutledge, in charge of Emerald Ash Borer Research at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment … Continue reading

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Lesser Celandine – a Temptress

When lesser celandine (Ranunculus ficaria) came up in a shady moist part of my yard, I admit, I did not promptly rip it out, though I do know it is a confirmed Invasive Plant Species, on the official Connecticut List.  … Continue reading

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Mugwort’s Milestones

Mugwort or wild chrysanthemum (Artemisia vulgaris) has reached two unfortunate milestones: it has been added to the official, confirmed invasive species list of Connecticut, and it has started producing fertile seeds! It used to spread only by rhizomes, via stray … Continue reading

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Critical Habitats in Connecticut

Introduction I am often asked, just what is a critical habitat, and is it protected or not?   My answer is drawn from  a hybrid  DEEP document  (map plus explanations and keys)  called “Critical Habitats” last revised in 2011.  Recently retired … Continue reading

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Transplanting Soil Blocks, a Biodiversity Rescue Tool

This past Spring (May and June 2012) a group in south central Connecticut transplanted many blocks of peat soil, about 20″ X 20″, with very rare Adder’s Tongue Fern (Ophioglossum pusillum).  This is  an attempt to salvage the population from … Continue reading

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Trace Minerals & Toxins: GMO Concerns

Why does food grown organically seem to taste better than conventionally grown food. Is this my imagination or due to some real difference? I read that levels of trace minerals (micro-nutrients) were usually lower in non-organic food. This makes sense … Continue reading

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Milky Spore Mystery

In about 1990 we applied Milky Spore to our lawn, just once, in the fall, after several years of  trapping Japanese beetles  in funnel shaped plastic bags with flower-scented lures. I’ll never forget the sickly sweet smell after it rained,  … Continue reading

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Ailing from Indoor Air Pollution? Go Outside!

This afternoon I heard on public radio (Faith Middleton Show) that  health problems from indoor air pollution are worst in the most energy efficient, air-tight homes (LEED- certified).  I also heard that on average Americans spend less than 95% of … Continue reading

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