Deer, Invasive Species and the Health of Our Forests

Bernardsville Public Library is pleased to host Jay Kelly, PhD, and his students at Raritan Valley Community College on Thursday, April 14 at 7:00 pm when they will discuss their findings on issues affecting forest health in central New Jersey.

Dr. Kelly and his students have been working in partnership with New Jersey Audubon since 2013 in an effort to engage students and citizen scientists on issues affecting forest health, focusing on the effects of deer and invasive plant species on forest structure and composition, and how this translates into impacts on birds and other forest-dwelling species. They will present the preliminary results of the first two years of these intensive studies, by student interns and citizen scientists, of forest bird and plant communities, outreach made to local officials to improve forest health, and student research projects focusing on ticks, deer and other factors. Also participating in the program will be collaborators Dr. Nellie Tsipoura and Mike Allen of New Jersey Audubon.

There is no charge to attend the program, but advance sign-up is requested. Register online at www.bernardsvillelibrary.org and follow the link from Adult Programs, or call the library at 908-766-0118 to sign up.