Guild of Natural Science Illustrators, Inc.
2008 Conference and Annual Meeting: Field Trip Schedule
Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY: July 20-26, 2008
Hosted by the GNSI Finger Lakes Chapter | Printer Friendly Version

Walk at Cornell Plantations
Sunday, July 20, 2–3:30 pm | Cornell University
The Cornell Plantations includes an arboretum, a large variety of gardens and other natural areas, celebrating the relationship between plants, people and the natural environment. The 150-acre arboretum is home to a large collection of trees, and a few botanic gardens. The botanical collections are found in 14 different gardens, which display a wide variety of plants and herbs. Magnificently maintained, the gardens are a feast for the eye, aside from their educational value. The guided tour will lead through some of these stunning gardens.

Johnson Museum of Art
Tuesday, July 22, 1-3 pm | Cornell University
We'll pay a visit to the Johnson Museum where Nancy Greene, Curator of Works on Paper, will give us a half hour talk and tour of some of the Museum's print collection, followed by a self-guided general tour.

Kroch Rare Book Library
Tuesday, July 22, 3–5 pm | Cornell University
This tour will take us into the secret depths of Cornell’s Kroch Rare Books Collection, where a Cornell archivist will take us on a trip into the past. We will explore images of past explorations and records; see cuneiform tablets, and the Herbals of Dioscorides; view John Gould prints of birds and iridescent paintings of hummingbirds and examine early 3-D anatomy books with cut-outs and layers, invisible man and woman, early pop-ups and more.... the tour is projected to last approximately 1½ hours.

Bugs and Sea-Beasts: Tour of Spider Lab and the Blaschka Glass Invertebrates
Wednesday, July 23, 3–5 pm | Cornell University
We will visit Professor Linda Rayor’s laboratory (Dept. of Entomology) and museum displays in the atrium of Corson-Mudd Hall, shared by two departments (Neurobiology & Behavior, and Ecology & Evolutionary Biology). Linda studies spider behavior and biology, and has found that they verge on the magical to many people; largely because spiders and their relatives are so intrinsically fascinating…evoking a combination of interest, horror, and curiosity in people of all ages. Dr. Rayor hosts an annual “viewing” of her extensive collection of live spiders and relatives, and she has agreed to hold a view of her spider zoo especially for us. She is a dynamic communicator, and this should be a stimulating visit. From Linda’s lab we will venture over to Mudd Hall’s Atrium, where several small but excellent natural history collections are on view. Paramount among these is the Blaschkas’ marine invertebrate collection. You may be familiar with the better-known collection Blaschka Glass Flowers at Harvard. Cornell has its own collection of exquisitely detailed glass models of squid, octopi, jellyfish, and the like. We will hear the tale of how they were rediscovered by Cornell Professor Thomas Eisner and returned to public view, after decades of obscurity.

Nature Walk & Sketching: Lick Brook Preserve
Thursday, July 24, 8:30–11:30 am
Part of the Finger Lakes Land Trust, this “Lost Gorge” contains unique and largely undisturbed woodlands. Its 128 acres provide excellent examples of the area’s geologic history and ecological systems. Long ago, during an interglacial period, a stream began to cut through the shale, carving out a small streambed that, over thousands of years, became a gorge. In the last ice age, glaciers thousands of feet thick covered much of northern North America, scouring the land, sculpting the Finger Lakes Region’s beautiful topography. As the ice’s tongue retreated, a new, recently thawed stream began to carve a new path through layers of shale. The shallow upper gorge and the wide, deep lower gorge are the result of these different erosion periods. A 140-foot waterfall links the two ages, connecting pasts in a magnificent display. Much of the Preserve is covered by stands of Eastern Hemlock and White Pine, but many tree and shrub varieties thrive, including familiar oak and maple as well as the less common cucumber magnolia. Steep topography dictates the downward flow of soil nutrients, which collect in the forest and meadows at the base of the slope, producing a tremendous springtime wildflower display. Walkers should bring good hiking boots, water bottles and dress appropriately, i.e. lightly. The 2–mile loop walk is strenuous with steep uphills, and downhills of course, but there will be ample time for people to rest, go slowly, or stop for sketching and plant identification. Rain or shine. Betsy Darlington, Finger Lakes Land Trust director and a superb naturalist, will lead the walk. Visit online at http://www.fllt.org for information on the organization which oversees 26 preserves: 6,000 sq. mi. in 10 counties. Brochures available at registration.

Bird Walk followed by Tour at Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Friday, July 25, 7–11:30 am | Cornell University
This field trip begins with an early morning guided bird walk through Sapsucker Woods, a beautiful bird sanctuary on the edge of the Lab, with a picturesque trail winding through swampy woodland surrounding a 10-acre fresh water pond. The visit to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology will offer: the opportunity to watch birds inside a lofty observation hall; a guided tour through the Macaulay Library, housing the largest collection of animal sounds in the world (more than 160,000 recordings); and a tour through the Cornell University Museum of Vertebrates (CUMV), one of several Natural History collections affiliated with Cornell University, containing over 1.5 million vertebrate specimens. The Lab is also home to a beautiful collection of bird paintings and a very special hummingbird showcase. The Lab is a non-profit membership institution whose mission is to interpret and conserve the earth’s biological diversity through research, education, and citizen science focused on birds. For more information or to take a virtual tour of the Lab go to http://www.birds.cornell.edu.

Taughannock Falls Hike, Taughannock State Park 
Monday, July 21, 1–5 pm
An easy, level hike of 1½ miles round-trip along the bottom of Taughannock Creek gorge, to the base of 215 foot high Taughannock Falls, one of the loveliest and the highest waterfall east of the Rockies. Taughannock Creek flows over fossilized patterns in the stepped stone floor, winding along the wide wooded gorge from the falls to Cayuga Lake. There will be opportunities for sketching, wading in the creek, and swimming in the lake.

Buttermilk Falls Experience, Buttermilk Falls State Park
Wednesday, July 23, 8:30–11:30 am
The large, cascading falls are at the beginning of this hike above an inviting swimming area, perfect for those who would like to spend a morning sketching or swimming in the pool below the falls. For those who would like a good walk, the trail winds along Buttermilk Creek above the falls through beautiful woodland scenery, with water carved pools and potholes. Parts of this upper trail are steep; wear comfortable hiking shoes.

The Ithaca Sciencenter
Wednesday, July 23, 2–4 pm
The Sciencenter's mission is to inspire people of all ages and backgrounds to discover the excitement of science through exhibits and programs that promote learning through interaction. Fun for the whole family! Transportation is provided; a discounted admission will be charged at the door.

Upper Treman Gorge Natural History Tour, Robert H. Treman State Park
Thursday, July 24, 9 am–12 noon
Join naturalist Tony Ingraham on this tour of Upper Treman gorge, one of the loveliest of the gorges, and likened to Tolkien’s Rivendell. The trail follows a rugged gorge past many waterfalls, between towering rock walls, including 115-foot Lucifer Falls. Tony will explain the area’s geology, from the laying down of sediments in the Devonian to the carving of the present-day gorges since the last glacial retreat. Much of this history is visible on the walls of the gorge. Erosion has frequently followed joint lines leaving huge right-angled slabs, which look as if they were machine-cut. Wear good walking shoes or boots for a 2 mile hike on gravel and stone paths with lots of stairs. Read a good review of the park with pictures at: http://www.geocities.com/falzguy.geo/robert-treman-park.html.

Tasting through Time: History of Drinking in the Finger Lakes
Friday, July 25, 12:30–5:30 pm
This tour looks irresistible! Drink, be merry, and learn something too, on this drinking tour through time as we explore the Cayuga Wine Trail with a historical twist. Learn about the various 'fermented favorites fancied in the Finger Lakes': hard ciders, port and sherry, champagnes, and various wines that demonstrate the evolution of winemaking here. The tour includes tastings at one cidery and three wineries, each stop a glimpse into Finger Lakes history, with food-wine parings chosen to reflect the range of the 18th—21st centuries. Avoid a large lunch beforehand: there will be food and drink at each stop during the afternoon as well as snacks and water on the van.

Sketching at Cornell Lab of Ornithology/ CUMV Collection OR Hike in Sapsucker Woods
Friday, July 25, 1–3 pm | Cornell University
The CUMV will be made available this afternoon for sketching to a limited number of participants (6). Others may like to explore, hike and sketch in Sapsucker Woods, and/or visit the gift store. Participants have three options:

1. Visit the Lab of Ornithology guided visit (including the bird walk) in the morning;
2. Participate in the afternoon field trip (sketching in the CUMV Collections or hike and sketch in Sapsucker Woods); or
3. Participate in the morning and afternoon session (choose between one or the other of the afternoon activities), and make it a whole day fieldtrip.

Tour of Paleontological Research Institute
Friday, July 25, 2–4 pm
The Paleontological Research Institution, or PRI, is a large facility with a mission to increase the understanding of the history of life on Earth through research and education. The well-known institution conducts, houses, curates, and offers specimen collections and a research library, publishes paleontological books and journals, and educates about Earth’s history and paleontology by providing exhibits and educational materials to the general public. PRI has grown tremendously through the years after its beginnings in 1932. The present facility holds one of the largest collections of fossils in North America (over 2 million fossils and shells), and a 50,000–volume research library. In 2003, to better educate the public, PRI opened the 18,000 square foot "Museum of the Earth," a natural history museum that showcases PRI specimens and takes the visitor on an exciting journey through time. The museum displays information about the geological and biological history of the Finger Lakes area, and includes a guided tour through the museum and through one or more of its special collections.

Watkins Glen Gorge Hike, Watkins Glen State Park
Tuesday, July 22, 8:30 am–2:30 pm
The 45-minute drive winds through the scenic Finger Lakes countryside to Watkins Glen at the foot of Seneca Lake. Watkins Glen State Park is the most famous of the Finger Lakes State Parks, with a reputation for leaving visitors spellbound. Within two miles, the glen’s stream descends 400 feet past 200-foot cliffs, generating 19 waterfalls along its course. The gorge path winds over and under waterfalls and through the spray of Cavern Cascade. Wear good walking shoes or boots for this moderate level hike with bridges, stairs and tunnels. On the return drive we will stop at Upper Taughannock gorge for a spectacular view of Taughannock Falls and more opportunities for sketching and photos. A picnic box lunch is included in the price. Be sure to indicate your preference for vegetarian or omnivore on the registration form.

Corning Glass Museum
Thursday, July 24, 8 am–3 pm
The Corning Glass Museum in Corning, a 45-minute drive from Ithaca, houses the world’s best collection of art and historical glass and offers live, narrated glassblowing demonstrations every day. You can also make your own glass at the Museum’s unique try-it-yourself glassmaking program. At the Glass Market you can purchase glass treasures from around the world.

Seneca Lake Wine Trail Tour
Thursday, July 24, 9 am–5 pm
This all day coach tour goes through the rural Finger Lakes countryside to wineries overlooking beautiful Seneca Lake. "...Carved thousands of years ago by grinding glaciers, Seneca Lake’s deep waters and gently sloping hillsides create the ideal mesoclimate for growing quality wine-producing grapes. The climate supports not only the growth of hardy native grapes and premium hybrids, but also more delicate varieties such as Riesling, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir." New York Finger Lakes wines and wineries are among the country’s best, and a recent assessment in the San Francisco Chronicle, says the Finger Lakes have been arguably the source of America’s finest dry Rieslings for the last 20 years. We will stop for wine tastings at six different premium wineries, led by an experienced and knowledgeable chauffeur. Box lunches for a picnic at one of the wineries are included in the tour price. Please indicate omnivore or vegetarian on your registration form.