Is it a plant? No. Is it an animal? No. Is it a fungi? No. What is it? It’s a slime mold – a simple organism that consists of an acellular mass of creeping gelatinous protoplasm containing nuclei, or a mass of amoeboid cells. They move. They appear, They decompose. They disappear. Not really so simple.
Join Mycologist, Serenella Linares to examine the life cycle and ecology of slime molds. What are these creatures that appear and disappear in a matter of hours? Where can you find them and how can you get a better look at them? Learn why the intelligence of one slime mold has been compared to the work of the engineers who created Tokyo’s transportation system. This day of discovery will begin at the Natural History Society of Maryland with a lecture followed by a field exploration of a nearby natural area. Open to adults only.
Principal Park Naturalist, Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Co-Chair of Naturally Latinos. and former Director of Adult Programs at Nature Forward. Linares is an award-winning program, team, and conference leader with 20 years of experience designing and implementing nonprofit programs in the Greater Washington Region. Ms. Linares has also worked as an assistant park naturalist with the Prince George’s County Department of Parks and Recreation from 2011-2016 at an urban nature center serving predominantly African-American and Hispanic communities. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in biology from Universidad Metropolitana de Puerto Rico, a Master’s degree in atmospheric science from Howard University, and graduate training in mycology from University of Maryland. When Ms. Linares is not teaching, she explores natural areas, photographs practices nature photography, and participates in citizen science projects.
Cancellations made greater than 7 days before the start of the class will receive refunds. No refunds available if cancellations are made within 7 days of the class.
image: pretzel slime mold by Serenella
Inage: Lycogala-epidendrum-slime-mold-2022.05.15-By-Serenella-scaled.jpeg
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