Lichens of the UW Lakeshore Nature Preserve 21 April 2024

What’s better than spending the day before Earth Day outside? On April 21st, our field trip leader, Susan Will-Wolf, took participants on a journey to find lichens. Before we began our tour, Susan explained that lichens have three major growth forms: foliose, fruticose, and crustose. We then started our tour at the Rock Wall, where we noticed various lichens, including small leafy and crusty types. As we explored the preserve, we found fallen tree branches covered in lichens.
Tip: Bring a hand lens or portable magnifier to see the intricate details of lichens up close!
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​Report & Photo by Diana Tapia Ramon.

A field trip participant found a leafy lichen on a tree branch.