Various lichens and moss adorn a tree outside the Tulpehaking Nature Center.
The Mercer County Park Commission will host lichenologist Dennis Waters on July 11 as he unveils the mysterious lichens commonly found throughout the natural world. The event will take place from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and will be held at the Tulpehaking Nature Center located at 157 Westcott Avenue in Hamilton.
Waters will lead two hours of exploration starting at the Tulpehaking Nature Center and winding through the trails of Roebling Park, shedding light on the strange lifestyles and ecological importance of lichens.
Lichens can be found in nearly all of Earth’s environments. Their ability to grow almost anywhere including inside solid rock has enabled lichens to cover 5 percent of Earth’s land surface.
Waters is a lichenologist, member of the British Lichen Society and the American Bryological & Lichenological Society and the Lawrence Township Historian. He recently played an active role in major lichenological field surveys, traveling from the South Atlantic Coastal Plains of Georgia to the Gaspe Peninsula in Quebec.
During this walk, Waters will teach participants how to identify some of the common lichens found in nature, as well as teach about the ecological importance, behaviors and lifestyles of lichens.
The walk is geared toward adults and teens and costs $5 per person or $20 per family.
For more information about the nature center, programs and schedule of events go to mercercountyparks.org.
