Identifying commonly seen ferns is fun and easy. Unlike flowering plants — with leaves, buds and flowers to remember at different times of the year — ferns look much the same all season, so there is just one set of characteristics to learn. Hildy Ellis, recently retired program manager for Knox-Lincoln Soil & Water Conservation District, will demonstrate how to identify ferns using the “Quick Guide to Common Ferns of New England,” which she will provide to all participants. In addition to identification tips, the talk and walking tour will cover fascinating fern natural history, reproduction and ecology.

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