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Explore diverse habitats in southern Connecticut and learn to identify plants and the birds that depend on them. Through classroom discussion and field application, we will address ways to attract wildlife by creating aesthetically pleasing landscapes with ecological value. The fall session concentrates on berry-producing shrubs and trees and on seed-producing perennials and annuals.
Of all the ways to protect ourselves against Lyme disease, planting “this” instead of “that” isn’t usually part of the conversation. And yet, knowing which plants attract disease-carrying ticks can make a difference. Japanese barberry, a non-native ornamental shrub that’s popular for its deer resistance, became established on New England’s post-agricultural lands in the early 1900s. It has invaded our forests, stifling native tree and wildflower regeneration and altering soil chemistry. Extensive research has revealed there is a link between Japanese barberry infestations and blacklegged (aka “deer”) ticks and the causal agent of Lyme disease with which they are infected.