HIKE – Habitat Day

Bring the whole family out for fun in nature as we continue the hike series as part of the Summer-long Art of Zoar Valley III exhibit.

We’re fortunate to have two Entomologists and Naturalists leading the way as we explore a habitat-rich area of Zoar. Wayne Gall will present his “Underwater Monsters” pond life program and we’ll look for dragonflies and damselflies using net and release. Joshua Klostermann will give us the buzz on pollinators and insects in the meadow and beyond. We’ll explore along the trails through the woods and be on the lookout for amphibians in the wetland complex. The kids will fill up their Nature Passports while exploring and learning about the animals, birds, plants, insects, fungi, and more that call Zoar Valley home.

Registered hikers meet at noon at the Ross Pond trailhead at Vail & Unger Roads.

HIKE LEVEL: Easy walk over mostly even terrain on marked trails.

Sturdy footwear and long pants recommended. Please bring a sack lunch, water, and snacks, and anything that makes you comfortable in the woods – hat, insect repellent, etc. 

Pre-registration required. Please register below. 

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Dr. Wayne Gall. Wayne Gall was the first Administrator-Naturalist of Tifft Nature Preserve for the Buffalo Museum of Science (1983-1987). He went on to a 35-year career as an entomologist, including Associate Curator of Invertebrate Zoology (1989-1994) and Curator of Entomology (1994-2001) at the Buffalo Museum of Science; Western Regional Entomologist for the New York State Dept of Health (2001-2016); and Entomologist (Identifier) with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (2016-2023). Wayne has led environmental education outings throughout Western New York, including as an Allegany Nature Pilgrimage leader for over 40 years. Wayne earned his B.A. in Biology at SUNY Buffalo, M.S. in Entomology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Ph.D. in Zoology at the University of Toronto.

Joshua Klostermann. Josh is a life-student of Melittology (the study of wild bees). He has a passion for natural history observation, documenting and recording any species that sparks his curiosity. Currently he is a Phd candidate at the University of Missouri and among many other things he studies how bees interact with biotic disturbances and the efficacy of Farm-Bill funded pollinator plantings.