The Columbia County Libraries Association and the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia and Greene Counties present three separate virtual talks on climate, gardens, and native/invasive species.
Dates/Times:
Monday, February 16, 6pm – Gardening in our Changing Climate with Mary Ann Iaccino
Rapidly warming temperatures mean that native species will move hundreds of miles in the coming decades just to support their environment. Our gardens can help native species shift their ranges and adapt to climate change. Plants that grow in a new environment can also develop invasive characteristics. Insect and plant life can make our current plant life vulnerable as they are not adapted to the invading species. Native plantings today seed ecosystems of the future.
Monday, March 9, 6pm –Protecting Our Landscapes: Managing Invasive Plants and Insects with Frieda Pearce
Invasive species are plants, insects, or microorganisms that are not native to a particular ecosystem and whose introduction can cause economic harm, environmental damage, or risks to human health. Because they often lack natural predators, they can spread rapidly, outcompete native plants, trees and insects, disrupt ecological balance, and damage agriculture, infrastructure, and natural resources. Much of the responsibility for managing invasive species falls on landowners and farmers. In New York State, the Department of Environmental Conservation works in partnership with Cornell and other state agencies through the Partnerships for Regional Invasive Species Management (PRISMs), which focus on identifying and responding to new invasions to minimize the impacts of existing invasive species across the state.
Monday, March 30, 6pm – Don’t Get Ticked, Columbia County with Joellen Lampman
Avoiding Lyme and other tick-borne diseases requires avoiding a tick bite! Join Cornell Integrated Pest Management Program’s Joellen Lampman as she talks about the different ticks in New York and their biology, the diseases they carry, and how to protect yourself from being bitten.
Location: All programs are presented virtually via Zoom
Registration: To register and receive each Zoom link, email columbiacountylibraries@gmail.
These programs are a presented in partnership with the Columbia County Libraries Association and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia and Greene Counties
Growing up on a family owned and operated fruit farm in Greendale, Mary Ann Iaccino worked side by side with her family. Gardening is ingrained in her and has been something she always loves to do and talk about. Before moving back to Columbia County in 2005, she became a Master Gardener Volunteer in the 1990s when living in Dutchess County. She has a background in secondary science education and in business, is semi-retired, and only wishes there were two growing seasons here.
Frieda Pearce holds an undergraduate minor in botany and has long been inspired by plant life. Initially focused on tropical and subtropical species, her move to the Northeast deepened her appreciation for native North American habitats and sustainable horticultural practices. While much of her work centers on preserving native species and managing invasive plants, she also values the gastronomic and ecological benefits of incorporating select non-native vegetables that add interest to the table and demonstrate resilience to local pests.
Joellen Lampman is the Tick and School IPM Coordinator with the Cornell Integrated Pest Management program. With a bachelors in natural resources from Cornell University and a master’s in science communication from Stony Brook University, Joellen is a lifelong environmental educator. At the Cornell IPM Program, she utilizes the clear knowledge-based, decision-making process of Integrated Pest Management to teach ecology and make a difference, one property at a time.