Cranberry Newsletter Spring 2013

7/29/2019 Cranberry Newsletter Spring 2013

1/12

Spring

Mar 2013 - May 2013

In this issue:A Water Pipeline in CranberrysFuture? 1The Curators Journal 2

The Great Bug Off: A Citizens Test ofBug Spray Products 3Introducing our Stewards 5Preserve News7

Plus:Cranberry Creative Corner 8Cranberry Word Search 9Calendar of Events 10

CRANBERRY LAKE PRESERVEWestchester County Parks Dept. 1609 Old Orchard Street, West Harrison, NY 10604 (914) 428-1005

by Mindy Swope-Quintero

What?! A water pipeline through our beautiful park?! I couldnt believe iteither, but the possibility of a water pipeline through the preserve has actually been on

the table for a few years now. As far back as 1991, Westchester Joint Water Works

was unable to secure a filtration avoidance determination from the NYS Department

of Health for the continued operation of the Rye Lake plant, which currently provides

water to the Town of Harrison, Village/Town of Mamaroneck, City of Rye and part of

New Rochelle. As of 2006, construction of another plant was halted due to litigation

and Westchester Joint Water Works, in cooperation with Westchester County, began

to look at other alternatives.

In one option, a water pipeline constructed through Cranberry Lake Preserve wouldconnect the Rye Lake Plant to the plant at Kensico.

(Continued on page 6)

A Water Pipeline in

Cranberrys Future?


2/12

~ 2 ~

The Curators JournalIntroducing our New Curator

Some of you may already know me from when I was the Curator

at Cranberry Lake Preserve 5 years ago. However, I may be new tosome of you, so I wanted to say hello and introduce myself. My name is

Danniela Ciatto and I have been a Curator with the County for over 10

years now. I was the curator here for 6 years before being transferred

to Lenoir Preserve in Yonkers. I have been back about a month now

and when I took my first hike I had really forgotten how beautiful and

special this place really is, a hidden gem as many refer it to.

I am happy to be back and look forward to bringing new and fun

things to the Preserve!!! I hope to see some new faces in the preserve

as well as the friendly ones I already have the pleasure of knowing. I

look forward to seeing you all in the upcoming months.

Sincerely,

Danniela Ciatto

Curator, Cranberry Lake Preserve

Welcome to the Spring

edition of the Stewards o

Cranberry Lake Preserve

Newsletter!

We hope you enjoy our newsletter.

Please consider contributing to

future issues. Send articles,

artwork or photos to

[email protected]

Please includethe author/artists

nameand write Stewards

Newsletter in the subject line. You

can also mail or drop off yoursubmissions at Cranberry Lake

Preserve, 1609 Old Orchard

Street, West Harrison, NY 10604
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


3/12

~ 3 ~

The Great Bug-Off:A Citizen'sTest of Bug Spray Productsby Zaac Chaves

A question often asked at Cranberry Lake

Preserve's nature lodge is how we can most effectively

deter bug bites, usually in regard to mosquitoes and

ticks. Preferring not to use chemical spray, my most

experienced answer to this question suggests a physical

barrier of appropriate clothing; highlights the influence of

certain environments or vegetation types; and notes the

influence of both hygiene and diet. However, many

people have already decided on a chemical spray and

want an expert suggestion on which brand and type of

chemical to purchase. Modern bug spray is a

technologically convenient way to keep bugs away.

Responding to these inquiries, and aiming for

accuracy, we hosted a spray trial at Cranberry Lake

Preserve trialing spray products on our attendees.

Embarking on a hike toward the most noxious mosquito-

swarms we knew of, we personally observed just how

effective these chemicals were, taking notes on the

duration these chemicals remained active. This data

provides the basis for the expert advice we can share:

answering more completely the effectiveness of

chemical-defense spray.

The most effective product demonstrated was

45N 68W (notdeet.com), a natural insect repellant

personally contributed by the companys director, Anwer

Qureishi. Anwer further took time to explain to us

exactly how this product worked. When someone

exclaimed "a mosquito landed on me but its not biting,"

Anwer helpfully replied that this is how most repellents

work, by confusing the sensors of these insects. That is

a major difference between a repellent(ie sensor

disorienting) and an insecticide(ie neurotoxin).

REI in Yonkers was "unflinchingly helpful"

according to David Steinberg who initially approached

the store regarding the Great Bug Off. Their generous

sponsorship consisted of an arsenal of currently

marketed sprays. Initially, we noted odor ranking and

descriptive comments.

Then we applied the spray. For the first time in

years, I applied spray, and this was not a pleasant

feeling. The thin, milky fluid slowly absorbed into my

arms and I was particularly displeased to discover that

even after the chemical effect wore off, that the mock

vanilla-like odor would continue to waft along with me for

the entire day.

While the morning's storm discouraged

attendance, the mosquitoes were ready for us on thahumid and overcast day. We met the mosquitoes

beneath a moist canopy for over an hour, which was

enough exposure for all of us to get bit once. Yet the

time of the first bite, as well as how many bites varied

All data is recorded on the chart on page 4.


4/12

~ 4 ~

With the exception of 45N 68W, bugs weredeterred for an hour maximum. For an effective chemical

barrier to mosquitoes on hikes, it is necessary to reapply

most sprays at hourly intervals. However, 45N 68W

worked for a longer duration, beckoning a later test.

This later test, also known as the second annuaGreat Bug-Off, will be scheduled for an as-of-ye

undecided date in late June or early July. For this tria

we will use humidity and warmth to forecast the most

mosquito encounters possible for an otherwise leisurely

hike. As the bait, you may choose your preferred

chemical arsenal, or lack-of-one, and see the

later results. Your testimony may even be

featured in a later newsletter. Please keep a

keen eye on our events list to hear more

about scheduling for the next Great Bug-Off.

Name Product Duration How does

it feel?

Odor /Description Bites

Todd 45N 68W +1.5hr 7/10, astringent 1

Taro Cutter Picaridin

Advanced

45m dry 6/10, like cookie dough and

nail-polish remover

+4

Anwer Bug Off(for dogs) 45m oily 5.7/10, nasty chemical smell 9

David Coleman

Skinsmart

1hr 3/10, chemically 5

Zaac Repel Natural 1hr mildly oily 7.5/10, mildly sweet; vanilla-

like

3

Fun Facts about Mosquitoes Mosquitoes are more likely to bite you if

you eat bananas. Foods high in potassium

and exercising cause your body to release

lactic acid, which attracts mosquitoes.

They prefer children over adults.

A mosquito can detect movement from 18

feet away.

Only female mosquitoes drink blood.

Male and female mosquitoes drink flower

nectar for nourishment.

Dark clothes attract mosquitoes. They

prefer dark colors.


5/12

~ 5 ~

Introducing our StewardsMelinda Swope Quintero

Greetings! My name is Melinda (Mindy) Swope

Quintero and I am a member of the Stewards of

Cranberry Lake board. I am originally from western PA,

but have lived in the NY area for over 10 years now. I

actually began my career as a fitness professional with a

M.S. degree in Sports Management, but realized my

heart was in the environmental field so I decided in 2008

to go back to school. At the end of 2011, I finished a

degree program through the University of Denver and I

now have a M.S. degree in Natural Resources

Management. I previously worked for the Conservation

division of Westchester County until being laid off at the

end of 2011. While with the county, one of my

responsibilities was summer camp registration for the

nature camps so if you had a child in our nature camps

from 2006-2011, then I probably talked with you on thephone, replied to your email or saw you at camp.

Although I miss my job with the Conservation

division, I found my absolute true love when I gave birth

to my daughter last July. For now I am loving being a

stay-at-home mom and have found ways to keep

busy. One of which is becoming involved with founding

and becoming the President of the Stewards of

Cranberry Lake. I currently live in White Plains, so

Cranberry has a special place in my heart and I want to

make sure the park, its programs and staff are here for

others to discover and fall in love with. Since late 2011 Ihave also been a member of the board of the Federated

Conservationists of Westchester County (FCWC). It

seems like if I am not working on something for the

Stewards then I am working on something for FCWC. I

really don't know how I would have time for a full time

job! When I am not busy 'volunteering' I enjoy many

activities. I love to spend time with my husband,

daughter, friends and family; work on my photography

skills; hike; trail run; ride road bikes; cross country ski;

travel when I am able (taking our first plane ride with an

infant in March); and try to live life to the fullest!

I am thankful for the opportunity to lead this

wonderful group of dedicated individuals as President of

the Stewards. Please let me know if you have any

suggestions, concerns or are interested in becoming

more involved either as a member or as part of the

board. We are just getting organized, but are already

planning some wonderful things for this year so hope to

see you at our upcoming events and at the Preserve!

Cristina Ramos-Payne

Hi! My name is Cristina and I am currently the

vice-president of the Stewards of Cranberry Lake. I am

also editor of this newsletter.

Nature has always been a part of my life. I was

fortunate to grow up across from a city park in the Bronx

and spent a lot of time at the Bronx Zoo and the New

York Botanical Garden. I moved to Westchester County

19 years ago with my husband and our first child, who

was still a baby at the time.

I consider myself a Jack-of-all-trades, master of

none. I am an artist specializing in cartooning andfacepainting. I have worked as a juggler, a gymnastics

and circus arts instructor. I am a homeschooler and

write and draw comics about my homeschooling life

which I post on my blog.

I believe the only way we can instill a love of the

natural world in our children is to make sure they have

as much exposure to nature as they possibly can. My

first experience with Cranberry Lake was when my

oldest was two. We came to the park because it was

close to our home. We walked down a muddy path in

search of the lake and came to the boardwalk along thewaters edge. It would be the beginning of many

adventures at the park, including the oft-told tale of how

lost the purple trail and got lost with my three kids for an

hour. My youngest was five at the time and chose to

wear a dress and party shoes on our walk. We had to

climb down a steep hill with her dressed like this (my

kids will insist it was a cliff) in order to reach a trail.

ended up calling my husband, and after he finished

laughing, he called the park to ask that our car not be

locked in, and whether the red trail would lead us to the

parking lot. I wonder if Danniela answered the phone

that day?

These days the trails are much better marked. I

takes a lot more effort on my part to get lost. Im glad we

were able to put together the Stewards to support this

preserve and its programs. As many times as I have

walked the trails and attended nature classes with my

children, I always find something new to discover a

Cranberry Lake.


6/12

~ 6 ~

Basically, there are two options. One option is for

Westchester County to construct its own UV filtration

plant near Kensico Dam Plaza, but changing regulations

would leave the county vulnerable in the future to

additional costs. If this option is chosen, a water pipeline

most likely would be constructed through Cranberry Lake

Preserve in order to connect the Rye Lake Plant to the

plant at Kensico. The other option involves connecting to

a new UV filtration pumping station in Mount Pleasant

which was recently built by the NY Department of

Environmental Protection. This new plant is the nations

largest ultraviolet water treatment facility with the

capacity to process 2 billion gallons of drinking water

daily. Connecting to this plant would cost Westchester

AWater Pipeline in Cranberrys Future?(Continued from page 1)

$104.8 million. I was unable to determine if this option

would also affect Cranberry Lake Preserve with

construction of a pipeline, but if you look at any map, it

looks like it is definitely a possibility in order to connect

the plant in Mount Pleasant to the Rye Lake Plant.

To date, discussions are still ongoing and no

decision has been made. Either way, we need to

determine if our beautiful park will be affected. So

please keep your eyes and ears open and if you hear

anything about a decision regarding Westchesters

drinking water, please let us know! I will be on the

lookout for any further information also. If I find out

anything, I will be sure to let youknow!

Ripples at Bent Bridge Photo by Sierra Payne


7/12

~ 7 ~

A Farewell and a New Role We extend

our best wishes for Taro, who has taken on

a new position at the Rye Nature Center.

Although he is leaving his curator position,

Taro has joined the Cranberry Lake

Stewards board so that he can continue to

help keep Cranberry Lake Preserve

maintained and appreciated in this new role.

A Warm Welcome Please visit the

Preserve and say hello to Danniela Ciatto,

our new curator. She isnt exactly new to

Cranberry, as she mentions in her bio on

page two, so welcome back, Danniela! She

has some exciting new plans and programsto offer. Check the Calendar for upcoming

events this spring!

In The Nature Center Danniela has

expanded the nature centers anima

collection. There is a new turtle, two doves

and some hissing cockroaches. The nature

center restrooms have been given a fresh

coat of paint.

The Trails Most of the trails are now

open. There are still some hazards along

the red trail from damage done by Hurricane

Sandy. Please be careful!

Photos by Sierra Payne


8/12

~ 8 ~

Cranberry Creative CornerNaturally Random

The Frogs are making quite a racket, enough to stuff your head in your jacket. The

butterflies are swirling round and round to make you stagger with dizziness.

~Sierra Payne, age 10

Above: A frog swims in one

of the vernal pools.

Right: A Mourning Cloak

suns itself on a rock wall.


9/12

~ 9 ~

Cranberry Search for SpringWhats buzzing around, hiding in the trees and rustling through the leaves?

X S P R I N G P E E P E R Q A N R M I U

E K N N M N P H D R A G O N F L Y X I L

R R K K D C H I P M U N K A A R K U M S

E E W C Z P O S D C N S Q K J W N D G B

D D V A J S Z R P P W O O D C O C K M P

T I T A A D E R M E Q O A G P G W V N H

A L P I L E A T E D W O O D P E C K E R

I S S Q U I R R E L K B X S X L M C X R

L D D A S Z E H E R R N B X S N P Q E E

E E I H O X D E E R T I C K T Z F I E C

D R Q D K D O T M D Z X C X I N C D D A

H A Z Y I B Q S A L A M A N D E R E A R

A E P C P X H N U T H A T C H Z O L K K

W D M H A K P O P F T H M T F F X K C C

K E V D X H B U I V J E H S L G V C I A

D R L P M O U R N I N G D O V E W A H L

W M O S Q U I T O J S J T I I W F R C B

V H Q O E S U O M T I T R M F C J G Y B

B J D R I B K C A L B D E G N I W D E R

F V F P N V H J J V N N P F O B H E D M

Black Racer Pileated Woodpecker

Chickadee Red Eared Slider

Chipmunk Red Tailed HawkDeer Tick Red Winged Blackbird

Dragonfly Salamander

Grackle Spring Peeper

Mosquito Squirrel

Mourning Dove Titmouse

Nuthatch Woodcock


10/12

~ 10 ~

Cranberry Lake Preserve Calendar of Events March - June

March

Saturday 30th 1 p.m.Vernal Pools

Come on an expedition to catch, discover, and

release some wonderful processes that occur in

these temporary puddles of melting snow. See a

young dragonfly nymph before she has developed

her wings. Look for young spotted salamanders

and wood frogs too. Marvelous!

April

Sunday 7th 1 p.m.

How to Grow Delicious Mushrooms In Your

Forest Garden

Today the lodge will transform into a hands-on

spawning workshop providing you with a very

special log to take home; from there you might

await a gorgeous bouquet of edible mushrooms.

Saturday 20th 1 p.m.

Nature Story Time

Join the Curator for a nature story time book

followed by a craft. A take home goodie will be

handed out at the end of the program. Pre-

registration required. For ages 4-7. (914) 428-

1005


Reptiles and Amphibians

Come and learn about the differences between

these fascinating creatures. You will get to see

these animals up close and personal. (914) 428-1005

May

Sunday 5th 11a.m.

Mothers Day Spring Ephemeral Walk

Come meet with master gardener Mary Harrington

for a closer look into the delightfuland marvelousworld of spring ephemeral plants. (914) 428-1005


Birds of Prey Day

Join Master Falconer, James Eyring as he shows

you all his amazing Birds of Prey. Sponsored by

the Stewards of Cranberry Lake. (914) 428-1005

Sunday 26th 9:30 a.m.

The Nuts-and-Bolts of Forest Mushrooms

Experienced guides will teach the basics of field

mushrooms identification while sharing advice

useful to develop your own skills in collection.

(914) 428-1005

June

Sunday 2nd 1 p.m.

The Hills at Silver Lake Preserve

On this hike of the Silver Lake Preserve property,

we will seek to reconstruct how this land appeared

150 years ago when it was Westchester's most

densely populated black community. (914) 428-

1005

Saturday 8th1 p.m.

Rockin Geology

Come join us for a hike to the quarry learning

about the different rocks at Cranberry Lake and

make rock necklaces for you to take home. (914)

428-1005.

Saturday 22nd1 p.m.

Managing Invasive Plants with a Fork and

Knife with Free Samples

Before this interactive hike an instructor will

provide edible samples and current information

about incoming disruptive species that are also

nourishing. (914) 428-1005

.


11/12

~ 11 ~

Photo by Sierra Payne

cut along dotted line and return with payment

Cranberry Staff

CuratorDanniela Ciatto

Naturalist Zaac Chaves

Conservation Division of the

Westchester County Department of

Parks, Recreation and Conservation

Newsletter StaffManaging Editor:

Cristina Ramos-Payne

Assistant Editor:

Mindy Swope-Quintero

Staff Photographer:

Sierra Payne

The Stewards of Cranberry Lake

Preserve is dedicated to promoting a

better appreciation and understanding

of the natural world and the value of

Cranberry Lake Preserve. The

Stewards provide financial and

volunteer aid for exhibits, educational

programs, and science equipment.

The Stewards also encourage citizen

participation in local and state

government actions related to the

future of the Preserve and nature

center.

2012 Stewards Board

Members

PresidentMindy Swope Quintero

Vice-President C. Ramos-Payne

Treasurer Catherine McGibney

We are currently unable to accept new memberships.

Become a Member Today!


12/12

~ 12 ~

Stewards of Cranberry Lake

PreserveCranberry Lake Preserve

1609 Old Orchard Street

West Harrison, NY 10604

USA

ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED

Printed on Recycled Paper

Cranberry Newsletter Spring 2013

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