Come discover the mind-boggling adaptations of lichens!

Superpowers of Lichens

Saturday, January 24, 2026, 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM

Learn how lichens grow where other plants can't and even survive freezing temperatures! After taking a magnified look at these organisms, we'll search along our trails to see how many we can find.

Not classified as a plant, lichens are a combination of a fungi and an algae living so interdependently that they form a single being. Participants will begin indoors, learning different facts about lichens, including how they survive our harsh winters. There will also be tools on hand to take a magnified look at the intricate details of these symbiotic organisms.

Afterwards, attendees will gear up and head outside to discover lichens in their natural habitat, searching to discover how many different kinds can be found along the trails.

This program offers a unique opportunity to slow down and get up close to lichens. Often overlooked, they have a multitude of adaptations that allow them to live almost anywhere.

Advanced registration is encouraged, as space is limited.

Fee

$4 per person and up to $12 per family

Register

https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/SuperpowersofLichens_235

Contact

Katrina Relyea
4-H Natural Resources Educator
kmr276@cornell.edu
315-963-7286 ext. 401

Location

Amboy 4-H Environmental Education Center
748 State Route 183
Williamstown, New York 13493

Last updated December 18, 2025

Philosophy

The best way to learn about ecology is to be out in it! Amboy 4-H Environmental Education Center is a laboratory where youth and adults can observe nature first hand, alone or under the guidance of one of the Center’s Environmental Educators. Public programs often feature guest presenters who are recognized leaders in the fields of wildlife management, outdoor education, and botany. It is also the Center’s belief that learning should be fun.