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Saturday, July 25, 2026: Backwoods Project in Perinton
Saturday, July 25, 2026 at 10 AM
Joe Hurley has invited us to check out the Backwoods project in Perinton on Route 31 between Turk Hill and Mason roads.
You may remember reading about Backwoods in our Summer 2026 Vasculum newsletter.
Are you looking for a new trail to wander in search of forest and meadow wildflowers? Joe and Chris Hurley, owners and operators of Kettle Ridge Farm in Victor, have developed a trail on their recently acquired property in Perinton, which passes through mixed deciduous woods, follows a creek lined with wildflowers, and passes through a field packed with summer meadow flowers. They call the 30-acre property they acquired in 2021, “Backwoods,” and have spent the past four years clearing brush, removing dead ash trees, and cutting trails through tangles of invasive plants to create a natural playground. The trails are now open to the public to enjoy from dawn to dusk.
Backwoods address is: 7215 Pittsford Palmyra Rd, Fairport, NY 14450
Please send an email to canandaiguabotanical@gmail.com by Thursday, July 23 if you wish to carpool from Canandaigua.
Lilac Nature Connection Forest Bathing opportunities
Check out these Forest Bathing opportunities with Lilac Nature Connection:
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Thursday, June 11, 12-1:30pm, Forest Bathing at Washington Grove
https://www.
https://www.
Saturday, June 20, 9-11am, Summer Solstice Forest Bathing at Quaker Pond Trail at Mendon Ponds
https://rochesterbrainery.com/
Thursday, July 23, 9-11, Berry Bathing at Wild Hill Farm
Saturday, July 25, 9-10am, Forest Bathing at Highland Park
https://www.
https://www.
Sunday, August 9, 10-12pm, Forest Bathing at RMSC Cumming Nature Center
Past:
Wednesday, August 12, 1-2 PM: PLANNING MEETING
Everyone is invited to meet with us in the Ewing Room of Wood Library (third floor) at 1 PM on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. We will plan events for the fall and begin to think about our 153rd year in 2027. Fred Haynes will be collecting submissions for the Fall 2026 Vasculum newsletter.
If you're unable to attend but wish to share ideas, please send an email to 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 "Summer 2026" issue is
You are encouraged to submit material to fredmhaynes55@gmail.com.
Autumn 2026 submissions should be to Fred by August 15, 2026.
Be sure to let us know how you liked the Fern Word Scramble!
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 listing of archived issues:
Summer 2026: Volume 3, Number 2
Spring 2026: Volume 3, Number 1
Winter 2025: Volume 2, Number 4
Summer 2025: Volume 2, Number 2
Spring 2025: Volume 2, Number 1
Summer 2024: Volume 1, Number 3
Spring 2024: Volume 1, Number 2
Winter 2024; Volume 1, Number 1
Tuesday, August 18, 10 AM: Highland Park tour, Rochester, NY
More information will be added as it is available.
We will have a carpool leaving from Canandaigua by 9 AM.
NATURE APPS Workshop: Saturday, September 12 at 10 AM
Gone are the days when most members carried Newcomb's and Peterson Field Guides. We still have knowledgeable leaders on our walks, but what about when you're botanizing on your own? THERE'S AN APP FOR THAT!
From Field Notes to Smartphones:
Modern Tools for Botanical Observation
and Invasive Species Tracking
Date and Location: Saturday, September 12, 2026; 10 AM at Wood Library, 134 North Main Street, Canandaigua, NY (Hamlin rooms and Reading Garden)
Description:Nature study has always depended on careful observation, strong field skills, and shared knowledge, and today’s smartphones now serve as powerful extensions of that tradition. In this workshop, Associate Professor John Bateman of Finger Lakes Community College explores a curated set of modern nature apps that support botanical exploration, plant identification, and ecological documentation, with special attention to tools useful for tracking invasive species.
We will look at practical applications including plant identification platforms, species observation logging tools, and mapping systems that allow users to record, visualize, and share occurrences of both native and invasive plants. We will also discuss how citizen science platforms contribute to regional and global datasets, and how these tools are being used in real-world conservation and invasive species monitoring efforts. Special emphasis will be placed on how these apps can enhance awareness of invasive species distribution in regions like the Finger Lakes, and how careful data entry and verification can turn everyday field observations into meaningful ecological information.
Designed for members of one of the oldest botanical societies in the United States, this program bridges traditional field botany with modern digital tools, offering practical ways to deepen observation, improve documentation, and better understand the changing plant communities of our landscapes.
Be sure to bring your smartphone!
This program is free and open to all
Saturday, September 19; 10 AM to Noon. USDA Open House
How many apple varieties exist? Why do we need so many? Come visit the USDA Apple, Grape, and Tart Cherry collections at Cornell AgriTech to find out!
The USDA Plant Genetic Resources Unit maintains thousands of unique trees and vines for conservation and research. On Saturday, September 19, 2026 we will host our annual tour at the McCarthy Farm, 2865 County Road 6 (Preemption Road), Geneva, NY, 14456 (across from St. Mary’s Cemetery).
Learn about the value of crop diversity and enjoy a walking tour of the collections from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Please arrive on time. No reservation needed.
Contact Ben Gutierrez at ben.gutierrez@usda.gov or 315-614-9917 for more information.
Please send an email to canandaiguabotanical@gmail.com by Thursday, September 17 if you wish to carpool from Canandaigua.
https://www.ars.usda.gov/northeast-area/geneva-ny/plant-genetic-resources-unit-pgru/docs/publictours-apple/
** 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 152nd year!
** 2026 Canandaigua Botanical Society Events **
This is where you will find Canandaigua Botanical Society *sponsored events* for 2026 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.
Thursday, January 8 at 7:30 PM: Fun Western NY History - online
Saturday, January 10 at 10:30 AM: Invasive Plants in Your Back Yard - Wood Library
Thursday, January 15 at 6:30 PM: The Making of Flower City - online
Friday Mornings: Wander and Wonder Walks at Muller Field Station
* Tuesday, February 10, 2026 from 10 AM to noon: PLANNING MEETING
Thursday, February 19; 6-7:15 PM: Plants with an Attitude by Bruce Gilman
Saturday, February 21; 10 AM: Winter Wonderland Walk at Zurich Bog
Tuesday, February 24 at 6:30 PM: CLWA Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants
Saturday, March 21: Forest Bathing at Devil's Bathtub, Mendon Ponds
* Thursday, March 26, 2026 from 1-3 PM: Lesser Celandine Dig at Mertensia Park (weather permitting)
Saturday, March 28: Orchids of Western NY
Tuesday, April 7: Grassland Birds at Muller Field Station
Thursday, April 9: wild edibles workshop
Friday, April 10: Birds, Butterflies, and Habitats on zoom
Saturday, April 18: Biochar 101 workshop
Thursday, April 23 from noon to 1 PM: Forest Bathing at Highland Park, Rochester
Friday, April 24 at 1 PM: Arbor Day tree planing
***SPRING EPHEMERAL OPPORTUNITIES***
*Crowfield Farm Sanctuary: Saturday, April 25 at 10 AM;
*Breese Park in Henrietta Trillium and Mertensia: Sunday,April 26, 2 PM with VHT;
*Domine Trail in Fishers, NY: Tuesday, April 28 from 10 AM - Noon
* Friday, May 1, 2026: Annual Potluck, Meeting and Presentation
*Bluebells at Mertensia Park: first week of May
*Tuesday, May 5 at 5:30 PM we will have a brief planning meeting in the Hamlin Room B of Wood Library. We will ask for Summer Vasculum submissions to be sent to Fred by May 5.
*Tuesday, May 5th at 7 PM: Sophie Pedzich to speak on Jumping Worms at Wood Library
Master Gardener Plant Sale; Saturday, May 9, 2026
Sunday, May 17, 10-11 AM: Spring Wildflower walk at Gannett Hill with Emily Debolt
*Huckleberry Bog: Saturday, May 30, 2026- 10 AM
Lilac Nature Immersion Forest Bathing opportunities
*Ontario Pathways – National Trails Walk on June 6: Park at Orleans and walk south to Hemlock Grove loop trial.
* Wesley Hill NP – Monday, June 15; 10 AM
Zurich Bog – Saturday, June 20 for orchids (will request registrations to limit group size to 25)
* American Columbo – Monday, June 22 time TBD
Paddle with CLWA - Tuesday, June 23 from Woodville
The Extraordinary Caterpillar at Dryden Theatre: Monday, June 29 at 6 PM
* Lehigh Crossing Park – Sunday, July 12, 2026 at 9 AM
* Letchworth State Park: Tuesday, July 14, 2026; 10AM.
* Backwoods in Perinton - Saturday, July 25, 2026; 10 AM
* Planning meeting - Wednesday, August 12; 1-2 PM.
* Highland Park- Tuesday, August 18; 10 AM
* There's an APP for that! - Saturday, September 12; 10 AM
USDA open house tour in Geneva - Saturday September 19; 10 AM
EVENTS TO LOOK FORWARD TO (information will be added as it is confirmed):
Wolf Gull revisit
Sterling Nature Center
Burroughs Audubon Nature Club
Clark Reservation State Park
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