2011 Wild Resource Conservation Program Calendar
Adapting to a Changing Climate
Pennsylvania’s native plants and animals The Wild Resource Conservation Program
are at risk of becoming threatened, (WRCP) is Pennsylvania’s biodiversity
endangered or extinct for a variety of conservation program. WRCP works to
reasons. One of those reasons is our conserve Pennsylvania’s non-game animals,
changing climate. The growing threat of wild plants and their habitats.
hotter temperatures, more erratic
precipitation and stronger storms means The Wild Resource Conservation Program
that some animals and plants will have to relies on the generosity of people like you to
adapt, move or die. accomplish its important work. To make a
tax-free donation to WRCP call 717-787-3212
The plants and animals in this calendar are or mail your check to: WRCP, P.O. Box 8764,
some that may face particular risks due to Harrisburg, PA 17105-8764.
their limited habitat and sensitivity,
according to data gathered through the To learn more about the Climate Change
Climate Change Vulnerability Index (CCVI) — Vulnerability Index and the Natural Heritage
a project funded by a Wild Resource Program, go to www.naturalheritage.state.
Conservation Program grant. pa.us/ccvi.htm.
Visit us on the web at www.dcnr.state.pa.us/wrcp
JANUARY
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1
What Can You Do? Night-time lights can alter migrating animals’ pathways
and affect nocturnal animals. To help, angle lighting towards the ground to
reduce light pollution. Save energy by using solar powered lights and
motion sensors.
New Year’s Day
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
Martin Luther
King Jr. Day
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
30 31
Tundra Swan (Cygnus columbianus)
Tundra swans breed in the Arctic and subarctic
tundra, where they inhabit shallow pools, lakes and
rivers. Their winters are spent in the continental
United States, including portions of the Atlantic
seaboard and southeastern Pennsylvania. Winters
are spent feeding in open fields, shallow lakes and
estuaries.
Although Tundra swans may be sensitive to certain
climate change-related factors, their CCVI rank
indicates that their abundance and habitat range
within Pennsylvania may increase. One reason for
this is that as over-wintering grounds become less
suitable along the Atlantic seaboard, tundra swans
may shift their range to encompass new parts of
Pennsylvania.
Photo: Charlie Eichelberger, PNHP
Visit us on the web at www.dcnr.state.pa.us/wrcp
FEBRUARY
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 2 3 4 5
Groundhog Day
World Wetlands
Day
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Lincoln’s Birthday
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
Valentine’s Day
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
Washington’s
President’s Day Birthday
27 28
What Can You Do? Plant native trees. A shade tree
near your house can reduce carbon emissions by as
much as 2,000 pounds over its lifetime and cut your
cooling bills.
Red-banded Hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops)
The red-banded hairstreak is an attractive butterfly
that is found in a variety of brushy habitats and
forest edges. It will use abandoned farms and old
fields, hedgerows, rights-of-way and yards with the
right food plants.
As long as habitat and host plant species are
available, CCVI results indicate that changes in
climate may have a positive effect on this species in
Photo: Brent Steury, NPS
Pennsylvania. This species’ range was formerly
limited by their larvae’s intolerance of cold winter
temperatures, but as temperatures increase, the
overwintering success may be enhanced and the
range expanded.
Visit us on the web at www.dcnr.state.pa.us/wrcp
MARCH
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
Daylight Savings St. Patrick’s Day
Begins
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
World Forestry Day World Water Day
27 28 29 30 31 What Can You Do? Invasive plants
are poised to expand their range in
a changing climate. If you remove
invasives, you improve the habitat
for our natives.
Photo: Charlie Eichelberger, PNHP
Creeping Snowberry (Gaultheria hispidula)
Creeping snowberry is a mat-like, creeping ever-
green shrub. The species grows in cool, damp or
wet woods and boggy places, often on rotting logs
and moss-covered ground. Creeping snowberry is
widely distributed in the more northern and cooler
portions of North America. In Pennsylvania, it is
restricted to the northern counties of the state.
The CCVI reveals that creeping snowberry is likely
to decline significantly in abundance and habitat
range within Pennsylvania due to changes in
climate. Increasing temperatures and changes in
moisture levels will likely impact species like
creeping snowberry that are found in cooler
habitats with specific water requirements.
Visit us on the web at www.dcnr.state.pa.us/wrcp
APRIL
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 2
What Can You Do? Ditch the gas-powered lawn mower
and leaf blower. These emit greenhouse gases. Use an
electric or push mower and rake and compost leaves.
April Fool’s Day
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
Administrative
Passover Begins Professionals Day Earth Day
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Easter Arbor Day
Eastern Spadefoot Toad (Scaphiopus holbrookii)
The eastern spadefoot toad is so named for a single,
sharp edged spade on each of the hind feet. This
feature enables it to burrow into sandy or loose soil.
In Pennsylvania, the eastern spadefoot toad usually
lives along stream and river floodplains and in farm
fields. The toad burrows into the soil where it
remains until heavy rains trigger its emergence.
These toads have been found within a narrow range
in Pennsylvania. Many factors associated with its
range within Pennsylvania and its basic biological
requirements make it extremely vulnerable to
changes in climate. For example, changes in heavy
Photo: Charlie Eichelberger, PNHP rain events may impact breeding of the species.
Visit us on the web at www.dcnr.state.pa.us/wrcp
MAY
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Cinco de Mayo
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
Mother’s Day
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
Armed Forces Day
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
International Day for Rachel Carson’s
Biological Diversity Birthday
29 30 31 What Can You Do? Native plants
feed native wildlife. When
choosing plants for your yard, go
native! Go to www.iconservepa.org
for more details.
Memorial Day
Jeweled Shooting Star (Dodecatheon radicatum)
The jeweled shooting star is an imperiled wildflower
limited to fewer than two dozen locations in
Pennsylvania. This plant grows on moist, shaded
limestone outcrops and river bluffs.
The unusual shape of the petals and stamen give the
jeweled shooting star its common name. Red to purple
backwards pointing petals and a central cone-shaped
stamen give the impression of a falling star or comet.
Given that climate change models predict
temperature increases and precipitation changes,
plants like the jeweled shooting star, with very
specific habitat requirements and limited ranges, are
likely to experience a drastic reduction in population
Photos: Rocky Gleason, PNHP size.
Visit us on the web at www.dcnr.state.pa.us/wrcp
JUNE
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
World
Environment Day
World Oceans Day
National Trails Day
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Flag Day
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
Summer Solstice
Father’s Day World Whale Day
26 27 28 29 30 What Can You Do? Ditch the
pesticides and herbicides in your
yard. When it rains, these
chemicals are flushed into streams
where they can harm native
species.
Yellow Lampmussel (Lampsilis cariosa)
The yellow lampmussel is a bright yellow, medium-sized
freshwater mussel up to five inches in length. This species
is found in medium to large rivers, although within its
northernmost range it can also be found in lakes and ponds.
In Pennsylvania, the yellow lampmussel is found within
the Susquehanna and Delaware rivers drainages.
The yellow lampmussel and other freshwater mussels are
declining in number because of the degradation and
destruction of habitat by silt, dredging, dams and pollution.
The establishment of invasive zebra mussels have also
contributed to the dramatic decline. Unfortunately, the
effects of a changing climate, combined with the yellow
lampmussel’s limited ability to move, will likely contribute
to the continued decline of this species in Pennsylvania.
Photo: Elizabeth Meyer
Visit us on the web at www.dcnr.state.pa.us/wrcp
JULY
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
What Can You Do? Thinking about watering your lawn?
1 2
Reconsider. Periods of summer dormancy, when lawns
turn brown, are normal. Your turf will come back to life
after the rains return. If you must irrigate, do so in the
morning to reduce evaporation.
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Independence Day
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31
Bog-rosemary (Andromeda polifolia)
Bog-rosemary is a short, evergreen shrub with small,
narrow blue-green leaves similar to the culinary herb
rosemary. Despite similarities in name and
appearance, bog-rosemary is not related to rosemary.
Bog-rosemary has a wide distribution across northern
North America with Pennsylvania at its
southern edge. The species is mainly located
in the north-eastern counties of the state
where it grows in bogs and wetlands.
The CCVI reveals that bog-rosemary is
likely to decline significantly in abundance
and habitat range within Pennsylvania due
to the impacts of a changing climate.
Photos: Denise Watts
Visit us on the web at www.dcnr.state.pa.us/wrcp
AUGUST
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
What Can You 1 2 3 4 5 6
Do? Grow your
own fruits and
vegetables or
buy them from
a local farmer.
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Smokey Bear’s International
Birthday Youth Day
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30 31
Bog Copper (Lycaena epixanthe)
The bog copper is a small butterfly typically found
in acidic bogs, but may also occur in fens and very
wet acidic sedge meadows. Its range is mostly
limited to the northern counties of Pennsylvania.
Cranberries serve as the host plant for this species
during all stages of its life cycle.
The bog copper is already listed as an imperiled
species in Pennsylvania and will likely be
extremely vulnerable to climate change, according
to the CCVI. Wetland habitat where the bog copper
is found will likely undergo degradation as a result
of increasing temperatures and changes in
Photo: Betsy Leppo precipitation patterns associated with a changing
climate.
Visit us on the web at www.dcnr.state.pa.us/wrcp
SEPTEMBER
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
What Can You Do? Protect water 1 2 3
quality by planting buffers around
streams and ponds. Native trees,
shrubs and grasses can prevent
erosion and stop pollutants from
ending up in the water.
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
National Wildlife Day Labor Day
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
Day for the
Preservation of
Grandparents’ Day
the Ozone Layer
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
International Day
of Peace Autumnal Equinox
25 26 27 28 29 30
Rosh Hashanah
Begins
Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus a. alleganiensis)
The eastern hellbender, known by such nicknames as
devil dog and snot otter, is the largest salamander in
North America. With its flattened head and body and
rudder-like tail, the eastern hellbender is well adapted
for a full-time aquatic life. It is found in medium and
large streams, with a preference for cold, shallow,
moderate to fast-flowing water. The eastern hellbender
occupies the Ohio and Susquehanna rivers drainages.
Habitat degradation and overexploitation by collection
and illegal harvest threaten this species. In addition,
climate change is likely to significantly reduce its
population and habitat range. Changes in water
temperature and water quality related to climate change,
along with specific dietary requirements, are factors
contributing to the vulnerability of this species.
Photo: Pa. Fish & Boat Commission
Visit us on the web at www.dcnr.state.pa.us/wrcp
OCTOBER
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1
What Can You Do? Reduce your use of fertilizers. Most
just run off into nearby streams and become a form of
pollution. If you must use fertilizer, choose an organic
variety or make your own compost. World Vegetarian
Day
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
World Habitat Day
World Animal
World Wildlife Week
Welfare Day
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Wild Resource
Festival at
Columbus Day Point State Park
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
United
Nations Day
30 31 Halloween
Cranefly Orchid (Tipularia discolor)
Photo: Sally Ray
The cranefly orchid is one of approximately 60 orchids found
in Pennsylvania and is limited to forests in the southeastern
portion of the state. The growth pattern of this orchid differs
from that of most flowering plants in that its single leaf
appears in the fall, remains aboveground during the winter,
and then dies back in the spring before the flower stalk
emerges.
Currently, the cranefly orchid is considered
vulnerable in Pennsylvania due to loss of
rich, woodland habitat and degradation of
habitat by invasive species, over-browsing by
deer and forest fragmentation. Changes in
climate will most likely exacerbate the loss of
rich forest habitats resulting in the continued
decline of this species.
Photo: John Kunsman
Visit us on the web at www.dcnr.state.pa.us/wrcp
NOVEMBER
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 2 3 4 5
Election Day
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Daylight Savings
Time Ends Veterans Day
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
Day of Tolerance
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
Universal
Children’s Day Thanksgiving Day
27 28 29 30 What Can You Do? Plant a rain garden. These
specially designed areas help prevent run-off and can
add beauty to your yard. Choose a variety of native
plants that can thrive in wet and dry areas.
Wood Turtle (Glyptemys insculpta)
Photo: Charlie Eichelberger, PNHP
The wood turtle is a medium-sized turtle with a
sculpted shell and orange-colored legs and neck.
The appearance of its shell, and not where it lives,
gives the wood turtle its name. This species is semi-
aquatic and can be found in a variety of terrestrial
settings including open meadows, bogs, forests and
old fields. The wood turtle occurs across the state.
Given that the wood turtle is such a generalist in
terms of habitat requirements and dietary needs,
results from the CCVI suggest that at least in the
short term (the next 40 years), this species’
population is likely stable and may actually
increase in Pennsylvania.
Visit us on the web at www.dcnr.state.pa.us/wrcp
DECEMBER
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
What Can You Do? Capture rain-
1 2 3
water in a rain barrel attached to
your downspout. You can reuse
this water for irrigation, cutting
World Conservation
down on run-off and erosion. Day
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
International
Volunteer Day Human Rights Day
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Hanukkah Begins Winter Solstice
25 26 27 28 29 30 31
Christmas Day Kwanzaa Begins New Year’s Eve
Photo: Jack Bartholomai
Louisiana Waterthrush (Parkesia motacilla)
This bird is a large, ground-nester that looks
more like a thrush or a sparrow than the
warbler that it is. The Louisiana waterthrush
is typically found along flowing streams in
forested watersheds. It is sensitive to water
quality and generally is not found at polluted
sites or in forests that have been fragmented.
Changes in climate may reduce the
abundance or habitat range of this species in
Pennsylvania, as well as in its winter habitat
in the tropics. Changes in seasonal
precipitation patterns may impact stream
quality, resulting in reduced habitat for the
Louisiana waterthrush.