Grasses of New York

David Werier

Register – Member Price – $250

What: Grasses are a large and significant part of the flora of New York, making up around 10% of the flora. They include highly invasive species as well as very rare natives. They grow in deep marshes, on dry rocky summits, and in cracks in sidewalks. Almost all habitats in New York contain at least a few species and often times many more. Yet because they often look superficially similar to each other and their flowers are small and relatively nondescript many people do not make the effort to identify them. Still, many grasses are relatively easy to identify and being able to identify them can enhance ones appreciation of what grows around them.    

This workshop will focus on the identification and ecology of grasses that occur in New York with a focus on late season species. We will spend time in the field and lab, where access to dissecting microscopes will make examination of the small floral structures easier. This workshop is for all levels. There will be a review of basic grass parts and time for self or group study of specimens that will be supplied and/or that students bring. 

Who: David Werier is a student of the flora of New York. He is the author of the Catalogue of the Vascular Plants of New York State and has recently been working on a treatment of the grasses of New York. His passion centers on understanding and becoming familiar with all the vascular plant species that occur in the state and enjoys sharing that knowledge with those that are interested. He has taught numerous workshops on different taxonomic groups including grasses. His intention for the workshop is that participants will walk away with the knowledge and skills to readily identify the grasses they encounter in New York (and beyond).    

When and Where: This workshop will take place from Thursday August 10 at 7 pm to Sunday the 13th in the afternoon (about 3 pm). It will be based out of the Bailey Hortorium Herbarium at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York (Tompkins Co.) and we will travel to various sites in the Ithaca area for field work. 

Cost: The workshop fee is $250 for NYFA members and students; $280 for non-members. Participants are encouraged to become NYFA members. The cost for the workshop includes the entire weekend instructional program, lab space, and dinner at a restaurant in Ithaca on Friday and Saturday. Other meals, housing, and parking fees are not included.

Registration: Participation is limited so please sign up early (see below).  This workshop is co-sponsored by NYFA and the Bailey Hortorium.

NYFA Cancellation Policy: The workshop fee, minus a $20 processing fee, is refundable up to two weeks prior to the start of the workshop. No refunds for cancellations within two weeks of the start of the workshop. Alternatively, the registrant may opt to apply 50% of the fee to a future NYFA workshop to be offered in the same or following year. There will be a full refund if NYFA needs to cancel the workshop.

Inquiries:  For questions please contact grasses@nyflora.org.

Special Notice Regarding COVID 19: Participants should stay home if they feel ill, and are strongly encouraged to take an antigen test in advance of the workshop.  As of now masking will not be required but participants should feel free to wear masks if they choose.  We are hopeful that things will not change for the worse regarding COVID 19. We will be eating out at a public restaurant on Friday and Saturday nights.

We have limited scholarship funds available for those in need. Inquire at grasses@nyflora.org