Wildwood Outdoor Classroom
Summer Lecture Series 2013

Full Schedule
Thursdays at 7:30 pm


June 13  Snakes of Virginia
Frank Taylor: Biology Teacher, Radford High School

  • Virginia has an amazing thirty species of snakes. Most are non-poisonous and harmless to humans and all play important ecological roles. Learn about these species and conquer your fears as you will be invited to engage, “hands-on,” with live specimens of these remarkable reptiles.

Black Rat Snake


June 27
  Adams Cave Adventure: Wildwood Park’s Unique Treasure
Frank Taylor: Biology Teacher, Radford High School and Cave Volunteers After a brief introduction to caving, we will hike up to the entrance of Adams cave. Children under twelve are welcome if accompanied by an adult.  Expect to be on hands and knees to enter larger rooms. Dress appropriately: Flashlights, long pants (jeans) and work gloves recommended.


July 11   Conserving Our Forest Pharmacy: Wild-harvesting Wildflowers
            Christine Small: Forest Ecologist, Radford University Department of Biology

  • Appalachian forests are home to hundreds of edible and medicinal wildflowers, many of which are collected and sold throughout the world.  Learn about wild-harvesting and our work to conserve Appalachian medicinal plants.  Find out how you can get involved!


July 25
  What Wild Animals Do When No One is Watching-Wildlife Cameras for Research and Fun.

            Karen Francl: Community Ecology/Wildlife Management, Radford University Department of Biology

  • Learn about a year-long wildlife camera research project involving critters at the Radford Arsenal.  With a myriad of amazing wildlife pictures and hands-on specimens, learn how to pick, choose and place a camera, and identify secretive subjects in your own backyard!


August 8
  Sex in the City: Reproductive Behavior of Radford’s Bluebirds!

            Judy Guinan: Behavioral Ecologist: Radford University Department of Biology

  • Who has not noticed all the trail-side bird boxes in Wildwood Park and the Riverway and wondered who they are for?  These boxes are designed to entice our native Bluebirds to nest!  Find out why these boxes are important and learn more about Bluebirds’ amazing behaviors.
Bluebird

Orange Mycena


August 22  Wildwood’s Wonderful Fungi
            Rebecca Rader: Master Naturalist, North American Mycological Association, NRV Mushroom Club

  • Learn about the hidden world of Mushrooms.  When do we see them and where are they when we don’t?  How do they “make a living’ and why it is so important to the ecosystem.  We will look at some common mushrooms in photos and also see what’s growing in the park right now!

 


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Page last modified: 14 May 2013