You say your tree has lots of green lacelike material hanging from some of the branches and those branches don’t look very healthy. Is that lichen or Spanish moss? Is it harming my tree? Lichens often seem to confuse people, but they are an excellent example of symbiosis in nature. In this program, educator and lichenologist Jen Riddell will clear up some of this confusion and help you understand and identify this important organism. Watch recorded event here: Local Nature: Lichen Love November 21, 2020
Leader
Jen Riddell, Instructor, UC California Naturalist Program and Plant Biologist and Lichenologist
Jen spent her graduate research days exploring what lichens can tell us about air quality in the urban/montane interfaces of southern California, and now resides in Mendocino County. As an instructor, she specializes in what lichens are, their essential ecological roles, and basic ways to start to identify them all around us.
Logistics
No previous experience or knowledge is required. This event is recommended for ages 16 and up.
During the event, there will be time for you to go out into your own "local nature" areas such as your back or front yard, just down the street, or on your porch to find an example of lichen or something you think might be lichen. After we return, we will look at these samples and learn more about this critical member of the natural world.
Zoom meeting details will be sent to you upon registration. If you have not used Zoom before, please allow time to download and install the application before the event. Please log-in a few minutes early, as it may take more than one attempt if servers are busy.
How to Sign Up
Register at the link below. Each participant should register separately. Registration is free.
About the Center
Sonoma State University’s Center for Environmental Inquiry empowers university students to work with community members on the environmental challenges of the North Bay. Our mission is to create an engaged and environmentally ready society, one where all people have the skills to find solutions to the challenges facing our earth. SSU Preserves are open to everyone engaged in education or research. Reservations are required.