What makes a pond so important? This new two-hour field experience provides you with fascinating answers as to the role Willow Pond plays in the Arboretum’s ecosystem. Learn about the planning behind making a ravine and a former stormwater catchment area into an outdoor education center for all age humans and all kinds of critters to enjoy, including the rare Mole Salamander. Even before its official opening to the public, Willow Pond proved an inviting new home for all manner of “benthos” or Benthic macroinvertebrates, the small animals that live among stones, logs, sediments and aquatic plants in ponds, lakes, streams and rivers. Benthos are large enough to see with the naked eye (macro) and have no backbone (invertebrate) and include insects such as mayflies, stoneflies, caddisflies, beetles, midges, crane flies, dragonflies and others. Come learn along with us about this thriving new habitat and understand more about your place in our ecosystem.
- This event has passed.