Fascinating adaptations, galls are highly modified tissues in plants caused by arthopods, fungi, viruses, or bacteria. Surprisingly little is known about the biology and ecology of galls, making them a prime topic for naturalists to study. This New York Botanical Garden online class on January 18 at 6:30 pm will focus on the ecology of galls created by wasps, midges, aphids, psyllids, and more in the northeastern U.S. Participants will receive some tips on how to identify some of the more common species around so you can begin to study them come spring.

John Butler, the lecturer, earned a bachelor’s degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology from the University of Vermont in 2013, and in 2021 a masters degree in Geographic Information Sciences at CUNY Lehman College. Currently the Program Director of Restoration & Stewardship at the Van Cortlandt Park Alliance, John develops goals for forest restoration and management across the park’s 640 acres of forested land, all while engaging community members in this important work.He is a Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner through the Society for Ecological Restoration and a lover of salamanders.

NYBG members $45, nonmembers $49. Register HERE