guides & resources Archives - Cook Forest Conservancy

Stargazing in Cook Forest

Sadly, most Americans can’t see our galaxy due to light pollution, but you can still celebrate the Milky Way beneath the dark skies of Cook Forest State Park – a great site for stargazing.

The Milky Way, lots of constellations, and several planets are easily visible from open areas in Cook Forest. You don’t even need a telescope (or astronomy binoculars), just clear skies, a weak moon, and a couple of tips. Here are some resources for stargazing in and around Cook Forest:

Cook Forest Stargazing Links:

ClearDarkSky.com – forecast for sky-viewing quality for thousands of sites, including this direct link to the current astronomy forecast for Cooksburg, the village inside Cook Forest State Park. From the main site, explore light pollution maps and stargazing forecasts for locations across North America.
this map from LightPollutionMap.info will show you the best areas, locally, and where to avoid setting up your blanket
Interactive Sky Chart – know which stars you’re seeing! If you have cell or wifi service… if not:
the Evening Sky Map is an excellent printable guide to the night sky, updated monthly. Download a current PDF for free!

Northwestern Pennsylvania Astronomy Resources:

IDApgh.org – the Interntational Dark Sky Association, Pittsburgh chapter, has information on events in the area, current dark sky projects, and educational resources.
Cherry Springs State Park – Pennsylvania’s only “Dark Sky Park,” and the only site in the state recognized by the International Dark-Sky Association, Cherry Springs is a must-stop for stargazers.
Clarion University, Pierce Planetarium – the physics department hosts frequent star shows in its 40-foot dome – follow their facebook page for upcoming events.

Happy stargazing!

But, before you go, here’s an excellent illustration of the difference darkness makes when stargazing – or, when practicing celestial navigation:

Light pollution threatens wildlife health, disrupts circadian rhythms, derails pollination, and greatly reduces the quality of stargazing. Find out how you can help combat it, and keep our skies dark:

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Birdwatching Basics

Coronavirus cabin fever? Lots of house-bound folks are getting into birdwatching lately – a fun & easy outdoor springtime activity, even better when you’ve got a couple of guide books and apps, and a pair of decent binoculars. While we at the CFC are beginning birders ourselves, here’s a list of resources that we find helpful.

Birding Apps:

Audubon Bird Guide – amazingly comprehensive. Download the Eastern data file to access multiple search indexes, high-res images, and bird call audio when you’re offline.
Merlin Bird ID – identify that bird by key, by photo – or BY SOUND! Just hit a button on your phone to record songs, and this excellent free app analyzes and interprets all the birds who are singing – and links to more info on each
eBird – Cornell Lab’s quick & simple app interface for tracking sightings – use this one for The Great Backyard Bird Count

Birdwatching Books:

Peterson Field Guide to Birds of Eastern and Central North America, 6th Edition – a classic, this beautifully-illustrated guide from our friends at the Roger Tory Peterson Institute is the one we reach for most often. (NB: a newer edition has been published.)
Birds of North America, Golden Field Guides – great for young & old alike, with vibrant illustrations in a compact format.
What It’s Like to Be a Bird: From Flying to Nesting, Eating to Singing — What Birds Are Doing, and Why (Sibley Guides) – fun facts and lovely illustrations.
The Laws Guide to Drawing Birds – easy-to-follow step-by-step bird blueprints for field sketching your sightings.
How Birds Live – a 1940s softcover guide to the many mysteries of birds, and an interesting method for charting their songs and calls

Online Birding Resources:

Seneca Rocks Chapter of the Audubon Society – www.senecarocksaudubon.org
Cornell Lab of Ornithology – https://www.birds.cornell.edu/home/
American Bird Conservancy – https://abcbirds.org/birds

Items that Help Bring the Birds to You:

binoculars – probably the only investment a beginning birder should make. Audubon has a comprehensive guide to binoculars at various price points here, and from this list I bought the Celestron Nature DX 8×42 and have been really pleased with their brightness and clarity. I also have the 10×42 model of the Nature DX, and it’s great, too – they magnify a bit more, and are a bit harder to target and hold steady.
bird feeders – these models by Brome are an incredibly well-built and thoughtfully-designed investment – and the squirrel-proof models actually seem to deliver on that promise.
hummingbird feeder – this model is easier to clean than the bottle types. Hummingbird feeders should be boiled or washed with a weak bleach solution between fillings, so they don’t harbor mold & bacteria. Here’s the best recipe for hummingbird nectar – only use plain white sugar and water, in a one to four ratio.

To pick up any of the above, and enjoy their excellent backyard bird sanctuary, visit The Birdwatchers Store in Slippery Rock. Happy birding!

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Plant Propagation Resources

Save money and multiply your favorite heirloom plants for your yard and to give to friends — hardwood cutting techniques are simple and inexpensive to do at home, once you’re familiar with the procedures. Ty Ryen, PA DCNR Bureau of Forestry Service Forester and Certified Arborist, compiled a list of recommended resources:

Books on Plant Propagation:

Secrets of Plant Propagation: Starting Your Own Flowers, Vegetables, Fruits, Berries, Shrubs, Trees, and Houseplants, by Lewis Hill
Plant Propagation A to Z: Growing Plants for Free, by Geoff Bryant
Plant Propagator’s Bible: A Step-by-Step Guide to Propagating Every Plant in Your Garden, by Miranda Smith
RHS Propagating Plants, by Alan R. Toogood
The Complete Book of Plant Propagation, by Graham Clarke & Alan R. Toogood
The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation: From Seed to Tissue Culture, 2d Edition, by Charles W. Heuser and Michael Dirr
Making More Plants: The Science, Art, and Joy of Propagation, by Kenneth Druse

Plant Propagation - Online Resources:

Penn State Extension –https://extension.psu.edu/programs/master-gardener/counties/chester/how-to-gardening-brochures/propagating-by-cutting-or-layering
University of Maine – https://extension.umaine.edu/gardening/manual/propagation/plant-propagation/
2017 slideshow – Hartman Presentation on Plant Propagation
USDA Woody Plant Seed Manual – information on starting from seed

Plant Propagation Supplies:

You can usually use things you have on hand – just disinfect all potting vessels (pots, nursery flats, etc.) with hot water and dish soap, or a 10% bleach solution, to protect cuttings & seedlings from disease. Make sure your pruners are very sharp, and disinfect these as well between cuttings, too. A pair of high-quality pruners to consider:

the ARS, HP-130DX 7-Inch Ideal Light Pruner – excellent, and should be about $30
the 7″ ARS HP-VS7XZ Heavy-Duty Hand Pruner – great, but likely overkill for propagation cutting

Buy or mix a high-quality planting medium, ideally also sterile. Ty suggests 60% perlite and 40% soil-less growing medium, i.e. coconut coir, peat moss, or very fine compost. Don’t use a mix with fertilizer, as this can burn cuttings.

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