MEGHAN GUATTERY
Staff Writer
The biology department will be continuing this year’s overall convocation theme of “Joyful Discovery” with an open-forum, titled “Maintaining Joyful Discovery in Natural Spaces.”
“When you’re exploring, and you’re outside, it is just really exciting and fun to see all of the incredible, really cool, amazing things out there in nature,” said Dr. Jonathan Titus, professor of biology and core organizer of the event.
The workshop will consist of three one-hour forums, each with their own topic relating to the overall theme. The forums will feature speakers from the biology, curriculum & instruction, art & new media and English departments as well as the Faculty Student Association (FSA). Speakers from the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History and Nature Sanctuary Society of Western New York will also be featured, along with an independent forester.
“Children, Students and Adults and Discovery”
Professor of Science Education Dr. Michael Jabot will begin the first program with his discussion, “Nature Education/No Kid Left Inside,” centering on encouraging increased contact between children and nature and the benefits that Jabot believes come from the connection.
“My work is trying to help future teachers feel comfortable with taking their students outside to try to reconnect them with nature,” said Jabot.
College Lodge Resident Manager Joseph Pusch will continue with his discussion, “The Joy of Nature at the College Lodge Day-to-Day.” Pusch came to Fredonia over a decade ago and quickly took to the McClurg Museum in Westfield. He researched the history of the area more than two centuries back.
“My part of the discussion is going to be talking just a little about day-to-day operations, but mainly what I’ve discovered in 13 years,” said Pusch. “I’ll be talking about the lodge before people and what has changed here from 1800 to now.”
KimMarie Cole, associate professor of English, will conclude the first forum with her presentation, “The Language of Nature; The Language of Safety.”
“Biodiversity, Preserve Management and Discovery”
The second forum will begin with a presentation by Twan Leenders, president of the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History, titled “Joy and Discovery in Biodiversity Monitoring.”
Dennis Wilson, an independent forester, will continue the forum with his discussion, “Discovery in Forestry and Natural Areas Management.”
The second forum will conclude with a discussion of “Kids in the Outdoors and How Land Conservancies Provide Joy to Society,” by President of the Nature Sanctuary Society of Western New York Jacqueline Courtney Swift.
“Language and Art and Discovery”
Titus will begin the final forum with his presentation, “The Joy of Discovery in Intact Ecosystems.”
“One of the threats to our natural areas are non-native natural species: plants and organisms from other part of the world,” said Titus. “When they get here, they are outside of their natural environment and have left behind their natural enemies. They are generally very aggressive and take over. They simplify our natural systems, and it becomes just a few dominant aggressive species.”
Invasive species are not only present in Fredonia, but are affecting areas all over the world. Titus plans to
introduce his audience to invasive species and show how they are changing the Fredonia area, specifically.
According to Titus, the Eurasian Honeysuckle is an invasive, non-native bush that is taking over the woods around Ring Road. There is also an invasive plant at the College Lodge called Periwinkle Pulls, which originated in Europe.
The conclusion of the third forum will consist of a discussion entitled “Reconnecting,” by Alberto Rey, Distinguished Professor of Drawing and Painting. He will be showing a short video titled, “Dreaming of Silver.”
Mark Baldwin, former director of education at the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History will then give a presentation on “Nature and the Joy of Discovery.”
A lunch and refreshments consisting of locally-grown products will be provided by FSA.
Following the discussion forum, a van will be provided to transport participants to the College Lodge for a nature walk to a local beaver dam.
“We will go to parts of the College Lodge with and without a trail. It’s good to leave the trail once in a while if you can, to stem out,” said Titus.
Situated on over 200 acres of woodland in Brocton, NY, the College Lodge is located 10 miles from the Fredonia campus.
“This is a great place,” said Pusch. “It’s peaceful, beautiful, and there is discovery all the time. I am always amazed when something pops up. I have seen a lot of neat stuff.”
The College Lodge has been in operation since 1941. Its five miles of hiking trails are open to the public year round, and can also be booked for events: everything from chair meetings and elementary school field trips to college group retreats and banquets.
“For the people and groups that are willing to unplug, because they want a place to get away from it all, the Lodge is a great place,” said Pusch.
Students, faculty and nature enthusiasts alike are welcome to attend the workshop and nature hike.
“When you really look at something, when you slow down and look, what you see can be really amazing,” said Titus.
“Maintaining Joyful Discovery in Natural Spaces” will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 29 from noon to 3 p.m. in the Williams Center S204-D.