Inside The New York Botanical Garden
Posted in Photography on January 16 2014, by Ann Rafalko
It took me a few minutes to figure out what this photograph was. It turns out, you have to kind of shift perspective. At first I though it was frost trapped in tire tracks made in mud. Then I realized it was frost on a much grander scale, like on the scale of a gorge and a river.
Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
The Bronx River Gorge
Posted in Photography on December 5 2013, by Ann Rafalko
There may be something to the adage after all.
Bronx River (photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen)
Posted in Photography on November 18 2013, by Ann Rafalko
We offer just a few chances a year to paddle down the Bronx River during our Fall Forest Weekends (sadly now in the past). But our friends at the Bronx River Alliance offer the opportunity on a more frequent basis.
Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Photography on November 13 2013, by Ann Rafalko
It just doesn’t get much better than this.
Bronx River (photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen)
Posted in Photography on October 27 2013, by Ann Rafalko
Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Science on July 18 2013, by Owen Robinson
A recent graduate from Pelham Memorial High School, Owen Robinson worked as a volunteer Forest Intern at the NYBG in the summer of 2012. He will begin as a freshman at the University of Virginia this fall, where he hopes to continue his pursuit of science research as a part of the Echols Scholar Program.
Last summer I conducted a project to determine whether or not invasive trees are negatively impacting aquatic macroinvertebrate populations. Aquatic macroinvertebrates are small, invertebrate insects that play essential roles in their ecosystems, acting as an energy bridge between outside plant life and the rest of their aquatic environment. They do this by breaking down tree leaves.
Invasive trees are an established and worsening problem in our region, one that impacts plant biodiversity as well as some mammalian and avian populations. As little research has been dedicated to my particular focus, I wanted to determine whether the leaves from these invasive trees were less beneficial to aquatic macroinvertebrate populations than the leaves of native trees. If this proved the case, there would be reason to work harder against the takeover of invasive plant species.
Posted in Around the Garden, Photography on January 30 2013, by Matt Newman
Temperature drops make for phenomena even we can’t predict, and this is certainly proof of that. Matthew Cook, Assistant Manager of Arboretum and Grounds here at the NYBG, recently hit the trails to see what he could of the snowfalls and freezing temperatures along the Bronx River–only to find…. well, this baffling design. After asking the Bronx River Alliance if they could hazard a guess at what created these absurd tracks (they couldn’t), this stumped blog staff is now putting the question to its readers.
It definitely looks like one our scientists was doing the worm across the ice, but that’s as much a shot in the dark on my part as “beaver tracks,” “wayward recumbent bicycle,” and “forest hydra.” Maybe there’s a zoologist or accomplished tracker out there who can do us one better. If so, plug in your suggestions in the comments below!
Photo by Matthew Cook
Posted in Around the Garden, Photography on October 12 2012, by Matt Newman
Each time I pass a canoe portage site along the river, I mentally frame the spot and consider how I was stepping off the D train not long before. It borders on surreal.
Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Around the Garden, Photography on July 1 2012, by Matt Newman
My kingdom for a canoe. I wonder if we’ll see boats on the Bronx River return in the fall.
Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen
Posted in Around the Garden, Photography on June 24 2012, by Matt Newman
We can’t tell you how grateful we are to have this running through the NYBG. Sometimes, just lazing on the bridge over the Bronx River is a good way to take the edge off the afternoon heat.
Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen