Earth Day Events at the Pawling Library
By Donald Partelow
Naturalist & Preserve Steward John Foley of the Great Hollow Nature Preserve & Ecological Research Center was our guest presenter for a special Earth Day event entitled Owls of the Night on the evening of April 22. “There’s something inquisitive about them,” said John Foley. “To see one, it’s an experience like no other.” There are approximately 250 species worldwide. Mr. Foley focused on 8 species of owls native to New York State and New England. The program was filled with information about these fascinating birds, the only raptor that is active in the evening. Mr. Foley talked in detail about every aspect of each species, from their unique plumage, their excellent hearing, the ability to fly in silence, and their eyes. “One of the most intriguing parts of the owl are their eyes,” said Mr. Foley. “There is no other animal in the world that has eyes like an owl.” His PowerPoint presentation contained video clips, and recordings of owl calls. Sadly, a number of the owl species he discussed are endangered, such as the short-eared owl, as their preferred habitats are diminishing. At the end of his presentation Mr. Foley accepted questions from the audience. Most of the participants had heard, but never seen, an owl. “We definitely heard a great horned owl in our backyard,” said one person who recognized the owl’s call from one of the recordings. For those who want to see an owl in person, Great Hollow has two barred owls, two screech owls, along with two red-tailed hawks. “Even though screech owls are common, you hardly ever see them,” said Mr. Foley. “This is a great chance for you to get an in-depth look at them.” Great Hollow Nature Preserve & Ecological Research Center is located in New Fairfield, Connecticut, only minutes away from the Pawling Library. The nature preserve is open from dawn to dusk, with acres of trails.
In addition to this program, the Pawling Library collaborated with photographer Lonna Kelly for another Earth Day program called Synergy: Our Earth Art Project. 21 people, mostly local artists, and artists from Italy, Finland and Germany, contributed artwork that they felt expressed the theme of this art project: Our Earth. A total of 26 images can be viewed on the Pawling Library’s Online Synergy Art Gallery and Lonna Kelly’s website. Two posters are also on display within the library, featuring each work of art and the names of the artists.
Lonna Kelly has donated her time and talent to bring us Altered Art: Images of Pawling. This art project is part of a year of celebrations to honor the Pawling Library’s one-hundredth anniversary. Ms. Kelly has photographed four locations in Pawling that have been reproduced onto postcards. Participants in this mail art project will modify and mail the postcards to the library. Artwork will be scanned and posted on the websites of the Pawling Library & Lonna Kelly Studio. Full details of this centennial program can be found on the main page of the Pawling Library’s website.
We thank John Foley, Lonna Kelly and all the artists for making these events possible, for helping our library, and our world.
