Science Lecture II was given on July 17th by James C. Lendemer, Curator of Botany, New York State Museum
Science Lecture II: “Aton Forest Lichens: 70+ Years of Change in Northeast Forests” was delivered on July 17, 2026, by James C. Lendemer, Ph.d.,Curator of Botany, New York State Museum, and New York State Botanist. Link to Lecture Video and Link to Presentation Deck
The Lecture is part of the July 2026 month-long Aton Forest Centennial program which includes an Exhibition at the Norfolk Hub highlighting Aton’s scientific research work, the history of the Egler and Kitchel families’ conservation work in Norfolk and Colebrook, Connecticut, and Egler’s influence on Rachel Carson, the author of Silent Spring.
Aton Forest Inc. is a dual-purpose 501c3 organization: an Ecosystem Field Station and a Natural Area land trust. This year we are celebrating both our Centennial and the 2026 acquisition of the Spaulding Pond Preserve, a 1000-acre Natural Area, the creation of Happy Kitchel Egler.
“Aton Forest Lichens: 70+ Years of Change in Northeast Forest” addressed Mason Hale’s famous 1949 Lichens of Aton Forest Paper and James Lendemer’s follow-up 2026 Report on the Lichens of Aton Forest. Link to Lecture Video and Link to Presentation Deck
The Centennial program also launched the 2026 book: THE SPIRIT OF ATON FOREST: Frank Egler, Rebel Ecologist, and the Pursuit of Science and Natural Area Protection, by Billy Gridley, President, Aton Forest. The book is available for sale at Les Renards Bookstore at Station Place, Norfolk, CT.