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Programs at the Victor-Farmington Library
Please click the links to register to attend these events at the Victor-Farmington Library (15 West Main Street, Victor, NY)
Thursday, September 11; 6-7:30 PM
A Forest Reborn: Reviving the American Chestnut
Tuesday, September 30; 6-7 PM
Adding Pollinator Friendly Plants into the Traditional Landscape
Thursday, October 16; 6 - 7:15 PM
An Introduction to Community Mycology
Monday, October 20; 6-7:30 PM
Growing Native Plants from Seed for Biodiversity
Sunday, October 19, 2025: Mushroom Walk at Harriet Hollister Spencer State Recereation Area
Victor Hiking Trails has invited us along for this Mushroom Walk.
Perfect time of year for a Fungi and Mushroom walk at Harriet Hollister Spencer State Recreation Area. Fred Haynes will lead the walk. Join us!
Harriet Hollister Spencer State Recreation Area
6775 Canadice Hill Rd
Springwater, NY 14560
GPS
• 42.69455, -77.52499
1:50 PM
• Park in the parking lot.
2:00 PM
• Mushroom walk begins.
Notes
• This is an outdoor tour, so dress for the weather.
• Stay hydrated (bring your favorite non-alcoholic beverage).
Reference
• https://parks.ny.gov/parks/harriethollisterspencer/details.aspx
You may register with Victor Hiking Trails using this link.
** Saturday, October 25 at 10 AM: Rob's Trail Nature Conservancy **
Doctors Bruce Gilman and Fred Haynes will lead us
along the Rob's Trail Preserve / Nature Conservancy Trail in Springwater, NY.
We will be meeting at the Rob's Trail Preserve Canadice parking lot, Old Bald Hill Rd South, Springwater, NY 14560. Coming south from the 20A/15A intersection near Dollar General in Hemlock, Old Bald Hill Road S is on the left about 4.8 miles.
Please send an email to canandaiguabotanical@gmail.com if you are interested in a carpool leaving the Sly Street parking lot behind the Ontario County Court House at 9 AM.
Lilac Nature Connection event
Lauren and Elio are excited to share several opportunities to enjoy nature immersions with Lilac Nature Connection. Their website is https://www.lilacnatureconnection.com/
Upcoming events include:
Forest Bathing Transitions - Saturday, September 27; 9-11 AM at Mendon Ponds
Forest Bathing Collaboration with Cumming Nature Center - Wednesday, October 8; 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Cemetery Bathing Halloween Edition at Mount Hope - Saturday, October 25; 4-6 PM
Forest Bathing: Reciprocity - Thursday, November 27; 9-11 AM Thanksgiving location TBD
Thursday, November 6 at 7 PM - Presentation at Wood Library
Judith Alberts will be presenting: If You Plant it, They Will Come - Gardening for Our Pollinators
The presentation will be given in the Ewing Room at the Wood Library in Canandaigua at 7 PM on Thursday, November 6, 2025.
The Monarch butterfly is the poster child of pollinators and milkweed is in high demand at garden centers everywhere. But what about all the other butterflies, moths, and bees that are threatened by habitat loss? Learn about plants that attract and support swallowtails, Red Admirals, Skippers, and more. Virginia Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Emerita Judith Alberts shares here photographs to illustrate her citizen scientist's approach to raising wild butterflies and cultivating native plants.
* A note about our previously scheduled event for this date: CONGRATULATIONS to Sophie! She's been hired for a job out of state with the International Crane Foundaation. Sadly, this means she will not be in NY in November. We hope to have Sophie present the jumping worms program for us in 2026.
Planning Meeting - all are welcome
Thursday, November 13, 2025
12:45 - 2:45 PM
We have the Ewing Room at Wood Library in Canandaigua reserved between 12:45 and 2:45 PM on Thursday, November 13, 2025.
We welcome anyone to join us as we plan future events and perhaps give Fred submissions for the Winter 2025 Vasculum. Where, when, and what shall we do for our 152nd annual meeting? What places shall we visit or revisit? Are there speakers or presentations we should host?
If you have input, but are unable to attend the meeting, please share your ideas with us at canandaiguabotanical@gmail.com.
** Canandaigua Botanical Society's Newsletter: The Vasculum **
Beginning in 2024 Fred Haynes offered to edit a Canandaigua Botanical Society newsletter. The Vasculum is planned to be a quarterly newsletter distributed digitally. We will publish it here on our weblog and members will also receive it as a pdf file via email.
Fred would love to receive
input for future issues from any member who would like to
contribute either a full article, a short text item, or simply an image
or two. The success of any club newsletter is in the diversity of its
content and that is best accomplished with multiple contributors.
The current "Fall 2025" issue is
You are encouraged to submit material to fredmhaynes55@gmail.com.
Winter 2025 submissions should be to Fred by November 15.
Be sure to take a guess at our mystery plants!
We have printed copies of the Vasculum newsletters now available at the Wood (Canandaigua), FLCC, Geneva, Gorham, Naples, and Victor-Farmington libraries.
Here is a chronological listing of archived issues:
Winter 2024; Volume 1, Number 1
Spring 2024: Volume 1, Number 2
Summer 2024: Volume 1, Number 3
Spring 2025: Volume 2, Number 1
Summer 2025: Volume 2, Number 2
** Membership Donations **
The Canandaigua Botanical Society remains dedicated to advancing knowledge and enjoyment of plants found in the Finger Lakes Region and beyond.
Renew or become a Canandaigua Botanical Society member:
Benefits including:
Membership emails
Our Vasculum newsletters
Field trips and indoor presentations
(some for members only)
Learning about regional plants
Supporting the Finger Lakes Herbarium,
NYS FLORA Atlas and
local conservation projects
Enjoying the outdoors
Meeting people with similar interests
Payments of $10 per individual or $15 per family can be made in three ways:
1. By check to Canandaigua Botanical Society (send to our treasurer: Bill Bross, 31 Alpine Way, Victor, NY 14564)
2. By cash or check at Canandaigua Botanical Society events
3. Through the Canandaigua Botanical Society FLACE account at Canandaigua National Bank
You can expect an email receipt when funds are received and we update our membership list.
We look forward to seeing you in our 151st year!
NYS DEC WARNING FOR FLINT CREEK
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2025:
DEC and DOH Lift Recreational Use Advisory for Flint Creek in Ontario County
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), in coordination with the New York State Department of Health (DOH), today announced that the recreational use advisory is now lifted for the entire length of Flint Creek, Ontario County. Water quality sampling and data collection along the creek shows significant improvement and low health risk for fishing/fish consumption, boating, and swimming.
Out of an abundance of caution, DEC and DOH issued the precautionary advisory due to environmental impacts from runoff following a fire at the Eco Operations facility in Gorham on August 30, 2025.
Protecting the health of New Yorkers and the environment is a top priority, and DEC remains in coordination with local, State, and federal officials as the fire investigation and response continues for any potential violations of state environmental laws and regulations.
DEC referred the response action for the proper disposal of hazardous materials to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. There are no indications of impacts to public drinking water supplies.
Anglers are reminded to always consult the New York State advice on eating fish you catch to help reduce potential exposure to contamination. Visit DOH’s website for more information.
https://dec.ny.gov/news/press-
Initial post from August 30, 2025:
This was a notice sent out from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. Flint Creek runs along much of Ontario Pathways. Please do enjoy Ontario Pathways, but be aware to keep yourselves and pets out of the water.
DEC and DOH Issue Recreational Use Advisory for Flint Creek in Ontario County
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), in coordination with the New York State Department of Health (DOH), is investigating environmental impacts following a fire at the Eco Operations facility in Gorham, Ontario County, on August 30, 2025.
Out of an abundance of caution, the public is advised to avoid all contact with the entire length of Flint Creek downstream of Dewey Avenue to the Canandaigua Outlet, including recreational uses such as fishing/fish consumption, boating, and swimming, until further notice. This action follows reports received today of several hundred small, dead fish in the creek.
Protecting the health of New Yorkers and the environment is the top priority and DEC field teams are monitoring water quality and assessing impacts to aquatic life. The public is encouraged to report unusual fish and wildlife observations to DEC at 800-457-7362. At this time, there is no indication of impacts to public drinking water supplies.
DEC will continue to coordinate with local, State, and federal officials as the fire investigation and response continues and keep the community informed as information becomes available.
Images shared by our members:
Check back on occasion to find images submitted by our members. I've added a link to the left column to easily locate this post.
Early April 2025 from Barb Manchee along the Domine trail:
Shared on April 20 by Marie Heerkens. Scarlet cups in Fishers, NY:
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From Mary Perry's yard in Lyons, NY mid April:
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| trillium |
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| Mayapples and more |
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| Trout lilies |
Laura made a visit to Chimney Bluffs State Park on May 10, 2025. Click here to see plenty more images.
** 2025 Canandaigua Botanical Society Events **
This is where you will find Canandaigua Botanical Society *sponsored
events* for 2025 as well as community events we think you might appreciate. Check back often to see the latest updates and links
to past events. Underlined events have links on our weblog or another community site.
iNaturalist online event: January 22 - recording available
Kettle Ridge Farm Pancake Sundays: 9am - 1pm; January 12-March 9
Plant Native - Getting Started: 9:30 - 12:00, Saturday, February 1 at Fairport Library
Winter Plant ID Series: February 2 and 9; Muller Field Station and Cumming Nature Center
Finger Lakes PRISM Hemlock Woolly Adelgid training session - Feb 5
Fruition Seeds Events including a Seed Swap at Wood Library on February 6
* Home Sweet Sanctuary*: Wednesday, February 12; 6 PM at Wood Library
* Winter Walk at Gosnell Big Woods*: Saturday, February 22, 1-3 PM
* Planning meeting at Wood Library*: Tuesday, February 25 at 1 PM
Nature's Resilience: Ash-Absent Ecosystems: Thursday, March 13 at Muller Field Station
*Lesser celandine dig at Mertensia Park*: Thursday, March 27, 2 PM
*Spring Ephemeral walk at Domine Trail* in Fishers, NY: Saturday, April 5, 10 AM
Canandaigua Tree Advisory Board presentation: Thursday, April 24 at 7 PM - Wood Library
City of Canandaigua Arbor Day Tree Planting: Friday, April 25, 1 PM
*Rush Oak Openings Unique Area: Sunday, April 27, 2 PM *
Sanctuary at Crowfield Farm - TRILLIUMS
*Annual Meeting, Potluck and Bluebell wanders*: Friday, May 2, 2025
*Population census for American Columbo* Monday, May 19 - Registration Required
*Planning Meeting at Wood Library*: Tuesday, May 20 at 1 PM
*Zurich Bog walk*: Saturday, May 31 at 10 AM - Membership and Registration Required
*National Trails Day -Ontario Pathways* Saturday, June 7 at 10 AM
*Orchid talk and potluck at BANC*: June 27, 2025 5:30 - 9 PM
*CBS History talk at OCHS*: Tuesday, July 8, 2025; Noon - 1 PM
* Visit to Walton Point *: Saturday, July 19, 10 AM
* Ontario Pathways Walk *: Wednesday, August 6 at 9 AM
Burroughs Audubon Nature Club Tour, Sunday, August 17, 2025
* Cumming Nature Center walk *: Tuesday, August 19 at 10 AM
* Planning Meeting at Wood Library*: Wednesday, August 20, Noon
*Ganondagan Fort Hill Granary Trail*: Saturday, Sept. 20, 10AM
Genesee Land Trust celebration at Mertesia Park: Sept. 20, 1-4PM
Doug Tallamy in Rochester, Monday, September 22, 9:30AM
Ontario Pathways Great Pumpkin Walk, Sat. Oct 18- PM
* Rob's Trail Nature Conservancy * Saturday, October 25, 10 AM
* If You Plant It, They Will Come * Wood Library on Thursday, November 6, 7 PM
* Planning Meeting * Wood Library on Thursday, November 13, 12:45-2:24 PM
Tuesday, September 30; 10 am - Noon: Guided Sanctuary Walk at BANC
Burroughs Audubon Nature Sanctuary
301 Railroad Mills Road, Pittsford, NY
Another great opportunity to check out the Burroughs Audubon Nature Club Sanctuary.
Join naturalist Douglas Bassett as you go on an Autumnal Amble through the BANC Sanctuary. As fall begins, Mother Nature provides us with surprises and delights: insect and bird calls, neotropical migrants heading south, hints of the spectacular color that is to come. Preparing to survive the winter affects all life. Late-flowering plants provide nectar, and fruits provide nourishment, while their seeds will bring forth next year’s life. With vegetation diminishing, it’s easier to discover the abandoned nests of the breeding birds the Sanctuary hosted during summer, while knotholes and crevices reveal potential winter shelter.
Bring your own brown bag lunch to enjoy at the clubhouse after the walk.
Registration is not required. The Autumn Olive Trail, Evergreen Grove, and the Swamp Boardwalk are accessible to all, but other areas we will explore cannot accommodate wheelchairs.
Doug Tallamy comes to Rochester - Monday, September 22, 2025
Would anyone be interested in carpooling?
If so, please send an email to canandaiguabotanical@gmail.com by Wednesday, September 17.
Genesee Land Trust Celebrates at Mertensia Park - Saturday, September 20, 2025
Join Us to Celebrate!
Genesee Land Trust is opening their 20th nature preserve, and first in Ontario County!
Saturday, Sept. 20th 1 - 4 pm
Mertensia Park in Farmington
The new preserve is located just off the Auburn Trail across from Mertensia Park in the Town of Farmington. The ~66 acres of woods and wetlands include beautiful views of Ganargua Creek (aka Mud Creek) and 1 mile of shoreline.
Click here for more information and free registration
Thanks to Bruce, Fred, and Laura who spent the afternoon promoting our efforts to continue lesser celandine digs at Mertensia Park - and encourage lesser celandine digs at GLT's new Mud Creek Nature Preserve.
** Saturday, September 20, 2025 - Ganondagan Granary Trail **
Saturday, September 20, 2025 at 10 AM
Charlie Ippolito and Kim Burkard will co-lead us to where the Seneca built a picketed granary atop Fort Hill to protect the two things they valued most: their lives and their corn. The location of Gah:ha-da-yan-duk is significant to the Seneca. From this hill, looking south on a clear day, the observer can see Bare Hill, the legendary birthplace of the Seneca Nation.
Directions: Travel north on 332. Turn west (left) onto CR 41 and continue on past the traffic light at Ganondagan. The Granary trail head parking will be on the right just past where Murray Road meets Boughton Hill Road from the south.
The Granary Trail at Fort Hill
The Seneca call this site Gah:ha-da-yan-duk, "a fort was there", and early European settlers named it Fort Hill. By any name, the picketed granary which topped this 30-acre mesa has a fascinating history.
The fortifications were made of oak logs, perhaps 13 feet long and sunk 3 feet into the ground. The palisade ran for 800 paces in a rough oval. At the northwest corner of the mesa we find a natural entrance, a gradual slope which connects the crest to the low land. The Seneca could use Gah:ha-da-yan-duk as a refuge in the event of an enemy attack. A spring was located within the reach of the fortifications to provide water during a lengthy siege. No spring is evident near the top today, historians speculate the spring may have migrated down the hill over the centuries.
Gah:ha-da-yan-duk is interesting for a number of reasons. It is the site of a fortification which is not primarily a dwelling place, but a granary. The amount of corn discovered there speaks to the complexity and development of the Seneca economy. It is clear from descriptions of the granary that this was a major depository of corn, and that from here grain was transported to towns within the Iroquois Confederacy and, quite possibly, to those of other Indian nations.
The Seneca built a picketed granary atop Fort Hill to protect the two things they valued most: their lives and their corn. The location of Gah:ha-da-yan-duk is significant to the Seneca. From this hill, looking south on a clear day, the observer can see Bare Hill, the legendary birthplace of the Seneca nation.
It was a beautiful cool morning when ten of us joined Kim for a wander along the Fort Hill Granary Trail at Ganondagan. We took a brief stroll to the right to see the shagbark hickory trees before heading west and then north up the trail to the mesa.
Kim shared this link to iNaturalist with images from a recent visit to the Ganondagan Fort Hill Granary trail.
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| lots of invasive mugwort |
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| mugwort |
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| field horsetail and red Virginia Creeper leaves |
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| horsetails |
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| solomon seal |
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| solomon seal (the pink speckled berries look similar to autumn olive berries) |
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| false solomon seal (berries on tip) |
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| ceramic parchment |
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| ghost pipes |
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| American beech |
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| witch hazel |
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| turtle head to the left of the bridge |
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| Sassafras leaves |
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| sassafras tree growing over the trail |
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| base of sassafras that grows over the trail |
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| black cherry |
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| white campion |
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| knapweed |
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| shagbark hickory nut |
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| young shagbark hickory |
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| asters |
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| crown vetch |
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| gray dogwood |
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| indian grass; bromus |
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| common milkweed |
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| possibly an asteroid moth caterpillar |
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| New England aster |
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| colorful sassafras |
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| goldenrod |
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| wild bergamot |
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| pokeweed |
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| deptford pink |
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| catalpa tree |
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| white fir |
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| calico aster |
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| white pine and birch tree |
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| viburnum |
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| hog peanut |
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| fleabane? |
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| box elder |
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| goldenrod |
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| spleenwort |
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| sumac |
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| yarrow |
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| snakeroot |
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| purple lovegrass |
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| common milkweed |
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| hawkweed |
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| hawkweed |
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| hawkweed |
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| evening primrose |
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| saint john's wort |
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| horseweed |
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| possibly wild oats? |
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| determining the type of oak |
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| view from top looking south east |
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| dogwood |
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| red leaves of Virginia Creeper |
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| yellow toadflax |
Species noted: agrimonia, alyssum, Asters: calico, flat top, New England; Autumn Olive, Beech, Birch, Black cherry, Black oak, Blackcap berry bushes, Boxelder, Catalpa, Caterpillar – possible asteroid moth, Chicory, Crown vetch, Daisy fleabane, Deptford pink, Ebony spleenwort, Evening primrose, false Solomon seal, field horsetail, fungi: old and dry, ceramic parchment, ghost pipes, Goldenrods, Grasses: bromus, Indian Grass (Sorghastrum nutans), bromus; Grey dogwood, Hawkweed, Heals all, Hog peanut, horsetail/equestrian, horseweed, Jewelweed, jumpseed, Knapweed, Maples, May apple leaves, Milkweed, Oriental bittersweet, Pearl crescent, Pokeweed, Purple lovegrass, queen Ann’s lace/wild carrot, Ragweed, Saint John’s wort, Sassafras, Shagbark Hickory, Snakeroot, Sumac, Turtlehead, Tussock moth caterpillar, viburnum, Virginia creeper, White campion, White oak, White pine, wild (summer) grape, Wild bergamot, Witch hazel, X Buckthorn, X Mugwort, yarrow, Yellow toadflax, Young ash,
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