The Mount Holyoke Range, a conservation treasure in our backyard, offers many opportunities to explore nature.  Join us on Saturday, May 20, 1:00 – 3:00pm, as botanist Peter Curtis leads us on a Spring Wildflowers Walk along the Dry Brook Trail, which circles the southern side of Mt. Holyoke within Skinner State Park.

Among other notable plants, such as Doll’s-eyes, Canada Mayflower, Starflower, and American Bladdernut, we’ll encounter one of the largest populations of blooming Pink Lady Slipper Orchids in the area. A late spring bloomer, this acid-woodlands plant looks like no other, and a large patch in bloom is spectacular. It is easily recognized by its pink pouch-shaped flower on a single 12-inch stem with two bright-green pleated leaves at its base.

The Dry Brook Trail is moderately challenging in sections and sturdy walking shoes are recommended.

Peter Curtis is a botanist and Professor Emeritus of Ecology at the Ohio State University and resident of Northampton. He has published widely in the area of plant and ecosystem responses to climate change with a recent emphasis on carbon uptake and storage by forests as they age. At OSU he taught courses in botany, ecology, ethnobotany, and climate change biology.

The event is now full. Please email marilyn@kestreltrust.org if you’d like to be added to the wait list.