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"Thomas F. Vining" <[log in to unmask]>
Mon, 15 Mar 2004 17:02:43 -0500
text/plain (81 lines)
15 March 2004
 
Dear Natural Historians,

Here is the latest news from the Delta Institute of Natural History in
Bowdoin, Maine.
 
DELTA INSTITUTE COURSES
Registration for the four courses arranged by the Delta Institute of Natural
History is progressing well, but there are still openings for each course.
Here are the courses and number of open spots:
   Salix (Willows), June 11­13, instructor: George Argus ­ 10 openings
   Carex, July 3, instructor: Tony Reznicek ­ 8 openings
   Dryopteris and Hybrids, August 27­28, instructor: James Montgomery ­ 12
openings
   Isoetes, August 20­21, instructor: Carl Taylor ­ 13 openings
Spaces remaining are updated almost every day and can be seen at the
Institutešs home page (http://www.vfthomas.com/deltahome.htm). Purchasing a
conservation easement or a tract of land to protect a population of a rare
species will cost many thousands of dollars and much time and effort.
Eradicating invasive plants can be equally expensive. Decisions about these
matters are based on the survey work of one or sometimes a few individuals
whose correct identification of the species in question is critical. It is
equally important that rare species are not overlooked. How well do you know
Salix, Carex, Dryopteris hybrids, and Isoetes?
 
NEW ENGLAND WILD FLOWER SOCIETY COURSES
The New England Wild Flower Society (NEWFS) has announced its schedule of
courses, including course fees and enrollment limits, for the summer and
fall of 2004. The three that will be held at the Delta Institute are 3-day
courses taught by instructor Arthur Haines. They are:
  Introduction to Grass (Poaceae) Taxonomy ­ June 18, 25 and July 9
  Introduction to Taxonomy of Free-sporing Tracheophytes ­ July 15, 30 and
August 6
   Northern New England Shrubs ­ August 27 and September 3, 10
Registration for these courses is handled by the New England Wild Flower
Society. Please call the registrar at 508-877-7630 ext. 3303 or e-mail
[log in to unmask]
 
HERBARIUM ACQUISITION
During the summer of 2003, a number of friends of the Delta Institute
collected and pressed plants for the beginning of what was anticipated to be
a slowly growing herbarium. In addition, several individuals contributed
personal collections of mounted and unmounted material for the herbarium.
Things took a dramatic change in early 2004 when Clark University in
Worcester, MA, contributed the Hadwen Botanical Clubšs collection that
focused on Worcester County, MA, but with many of the speciesš being found
throughout New England. The collection had been carefully packaged in
ninety-nine(!) 18" x 18" x 18" boxes. Now, instead of a planned acquisition
of one herbarium case every year or so to accommodate the herbarium as it
grew, an order will be placed soon for five double-wide cases. These will be
in place in time for the June 11­13 Salix course with George Argus.
 
COMPLETION OF BUILDING RENOVATION
In early March, the contractor and crew who had developed the lecture and
lab portion of the Delta Institute during the fall of 2003 returned to
renovate the remaining portion of the building to house the library and the
herbarium. Progress is remarkably rapid, and the anticipated completion date
is early to mid-May.
 
VISITING HOURS
I welcome visitors to stop by and see the progress. I am almost always here,
but it is best to call (207-266-5748) or e-mail to be sure. Directions are
posted on the Delta Institute web site
(http://www.vfthomas.com/deltahome.htm).

As usual, if you prefer not to receive news from the Delta Institute, please
let me know and I will remove your name from the Institutešs e-mail list. I
am also pleased to hear from individuals who wish to be added to the list. I
hope to see you this summer.

Tom

Thomas F. Vining
V. F. Thomas Co.
Delta Institute of Natural History
219 Dead River Road
Bowdoin, ME  04287
207-266-5748 = 207-BOOKS-4-U
http://www.vfthomas.com

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