August 24, 2017 • 9:00 a.m.–4:45 p.m.
Ives Run Visitor Information Center • Tioga, PA 16946-9733

Instructor: Timothy A. Block, Ph.D., The John J. Willaman Chair of Botany
Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania

Cost: $ 125.00. Register online now!

The two-fold purpose of this workshop is to foster a greater appreciation for the ecological roles and diversity of vascular plants inhabiting the waters of Pennsylvania, and introduce participants to the observational and technical skills necessary to identify aquatic plants to species.

While many of the approximately 200 aquatic species of Pennsylvania will be covered, particular emphasis will be placed on problematic groups such as Potamogeton (pondweeds), Sparganium (bur-reeds), and Myriophyllum (water-milfoils). Live material will be provided for examination and identification as available.

No prior knowledge of aquatic plant species will be assumed, but some familiarity with basic plant biology will be helpful. Magnification is a must for identifying aquatic plants.  Please bring along a magnifier of about 10x. Microscopes will be provided for use during the indoor portion of the workshop.  We will be using Aquatic Plants of Pennsylvania: A Complete Reference Guide (University of Pennsylvania Press, 2011; ISBN 978-0-8122-4306-2) for hands-on plant identifications. A few copies will be available for use during the workshop, but if you have one, bring it along.

Part of the workshop will be outdoors to familiarize participants with finding, collecting, and identifying aquatic plants in the field. Bring along boots, or be prepared to get your feet wet.

Agenda

9:00 – 9:15 a.m. — Introductions and Overview of the Day

9:15 – 10:15 a.m. — Introduction to aquatic ecology/biology

10:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. — Aquatic plant Identification (indoors)

12:15– 12:45 p.m. — Lunch

12:45 – 1:45 p.m. – Aquatic plant identification (indoors) continued

1:45 – 4:45 p.m. – Identification, collecting, specimen preparation (outdoors)