Events of Interest
INDEX * Please visit the Other Organizations Listing to get contact information for organizations which do not have activities currently listed.
*NOTICE: The GNPS is not responsible for and has no control over the subject matter, content, information, or graphics of the web sites that have links here. Please contact us with any comments, concerns, or questions. This list has been compiled to make it easier for GNPS members to find events that might interest them. The listing of these events does not imply any kind of endorsement by the GNPS of these organizations.
GNPS meetings are held on alternate months beginning in January, and are open to the public. They are held on the Second Tuesday evening at Day Hall at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, at 1345 Piedmont Avenue, NE, Atlanta, GA. Normal schedule: Social Hour at 6:45, Speaker at 7:30 PM. When you attend a meeting, you can request a $3 voucher off parking when you carpool so bring a friend! If you'd like to get into a carpool, contact Carol Brantley for assistance.
To learn more about GNPS Chapter meetings and events, visit:
GNPS 2012 Symposium - Saturday, February 11, from 8 am to 4 pm. The event will be held at Southern Polytechnic State University in Marietta, GA. More information on the Symposium page.
March Meeting: Live Oaks: Pursuit of Woodland Monsters - Tuesday, March 13, Presenter: Dr. Kim D. Coder, Professor of Tree Biology & Health Care, Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens.
Live oak is the State Tree of Georgia. It represents a native heritage of both culture and ecology. Live oak history follows Georgia history from the founding of the colony, through the days of wooden ships, unto today's few immense trees of yards, parks, and woodlands. Our native live oak is an ecological structure conserving life all around the stem, crown, and roots. There still remains unfound and hidden across Georgia's coastal plain massive live oaks. The search continues for these denizens of an earlier time and their refuges. This talk will show champion live oaks and discuss the history and biology of the species.2012 GNPS Annual Spring Plant Sale - Saturday, April 14, Please plan to volunteer and/or shop the plant sale as it is our major fundraiser of the year…plus volunteering (and shopping) is a lot of fun!
2012 GNPS Garden Tour - Sunday, April 15, More information coming soon - save the date!
Ninth Annual Field Trip to Len Foote Hike Inn - Sunday, May 6, Ten rooms have been reserved for GNPS members. Rooms are spare with only an upper and lower bunk and a few shelves and hooks for storing belongings. There is a community bathhouse with showers, sinks and composting toilets. Linens and towels are provided as are soap and shampoo. Breakfast and dinner are served family style, and everyone is encouraged to leave no waste. The Hike Inn prides itself as being a model for environmentally conscious living. You will be given a tour before dinner and time to relax or play games in the sunroom during your stay. Our own Julie Newell will be our after dinner speaker giving us ideas for making a difference for the environment by "thinking like a bee."
The best part of the field trip is hiking in on the Hike Inn trail and viewing the many Spring wildflowers that will be in bloom in early May. In fact, the trip is timed to coincide with the peak bloom time of the pink ladies slipper (Cypridium acaule). Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum) should also be in bloom on the Approach Trail, an alternate return route from the Hike Inn. For registration, call 1 (800) 581-8032 or go to reservations@hike-inn.com. Room rates are the same as last year, $100.05 for a single person in a room or $146.05 for two people in a room. For further information on the Hike Inn and how to plan for your trip, go to www.hike-inn.com.
Items under this heading will generally be work days for restoration projects that GNPS is participating in. Please use the contact information in the item to learn more about the activity.
Heritage Park Trail Workday - Saturday, February 4, 10am-Noon, followed by chili lunch. For more information, please email Connie Ghosh.
DIRECTIONSStone Mountain Propagation Project Workday - Saturday, February 11, No work day activities planned, due to GNPS Symposium.
Stone Mountain Propagation Project Workday - Thursday, February 16, 10 am. Tending seed flats, possibly start root cuttings/vegetative propagation of select plants, ie ginger.
For more information, please email Karen McCaustland.
DIRECTIONSStone Mountain Propagation Project Workday - Saturday, February 25, 10 am. Tending seed flats, possibly moving select plants to the greenhouse to force growth for the plant sale April 14.
For more information, please email Karen McCaustland.
DIRECTIONSStone Mountain Propagation Project Workday - Friday, March 2, 10 am. For more information, please email Karen McCaustland.
DIRECTIONSStone Mountain Propagation Project Workday - Saturday, March 10, 10 am. For more information, please email Karen McCaustland.
DIRECTIONSStone Mountain Propagation Project Workday - Tuesday, March 13, 10 am. For more information, please email Karen McCaustland.
DIRECTIONSStone Mountain Propagation Project Workday - Thursday, March 15, 10 am. For more information, please email Karen McCaustland.
DIRECTIONS
The Atlanta Botanical Garden is located at 1345 Piedmont Avenue. For more information about programs or to register, call the ABG at 404-876-5859 ext. 2555 or visit www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org.
GARDEN HOURS:
Tuesday - Sunday: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Closed Monday
2012 Perennial Plant Symposium: The Inspired Gardener - Saturday, February 25, 8-3:30 Day Hall at Atlanta Botanical Garden. Presented by Atlanta Botanical Garden and Georgia Perennial Plant Association. $69 GPPA and ABG Members, $79 Non-members; $5 Pre-paid parking, $12 Boxed Lunch. Registration deadline February 17, 2012. Speakers, schedule and info at www.georgiaperennial.org/events/2012/index.htm.
Callaway Gardens is in a unique region of Georgia. In this area, the flat, sandy, Coastal Plain ecosystem meets the rolling hills and clay soils of the Piedmont. In addition, Pine Mountain Ridge, the southernmost mountain in Georgia, is here with plant species typically found growing further north in the Appalachian Mountains. The intersection of these three different plant communities provides natural biodiversity in the forests of this region.
Callaway Gardens is owned and operated by the non-profit Ida Cason Callaway Foundation (ICCF). The 13,000 acres of Callaway Gardens include a garden, resort, preserve and residential communities. Highlights include a butterfly conservatory, horticultural center, discovery center, chapel, inland beach, nature trails and special events throughout the year.
Callaway Gardens is in Pine Mountain, GA, 60 minutes southwest of Atlanta and 30 minutes north of Columbus. For further information, call 1-800-CALLAWAY (1-800-225-5292) or visit www.callawaygardens.com.
Free Admission to Callaway Gardens - Sunday, January 1 - Wednesday, February 29, To kickoff off the 60th anniversary of Callaway Gardens in 2012, Callaway Gardens is providing free admission to all guests for 60 days.
It may be Winter but there are lots of fun things to do and see at Callaway Gardens right now, such as witnessing butterflies emerging and taking flight in the warm, tropical Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center; and exploring the beautiful John A. Sibley Horticultural Center with gorgeous floral displays. While visiting, get outdoors for a little exercise on one of the many walking trails or meander through the Gardens on the Discovery Bicycle Trail (bicycles are available for rent or bring your own). It's amazing what wonders nature provides at this time of year. With free admission, it is also a great time to try out the new TreeTop Adventure aerial obstacle and zipline course.Callaway Gardens Annual Plant Fair & Sale - Thursday, March 22 - Sunday, March 25, at Robin Lake Beach Dome. Thursday, 3 pm - 7 pm; Friday & Saturday, 10 am - 6 pm; Sunday, 10 am - 5pm. The Annual Plant Fair and Sale offers approximately 19 vendors from our area and surrounding states bringing a wide variety of plants and unique garden items. This offers exceptional shopping under one roof. The Annual Plant Fair and Sale is one of the largest fundraising events hosted by Callaway Gardens with proceeds going to the Ida Cason Callaway Foundation in order to support the Gardens and its educational and environmental programming.
Callaway Gardens Gardening School - Thursday, March 22 - Friday, March 23, Launch your spring gardening endeavors with advice from the experts. Join horticulturist, author, and design expert Erica Glasener for an informative and enjoyable learning experience. On Thursday, you have an opportunity for a special day-long Landscape Design workshop. At the close of the workshop you can be on of the early-birds at the Annual Plant Fair & Sale to get first pick at some of the choice offerings. On Friday, Erica will begin the day with an inspiring garden lecture. Following that there will be an extensive Question and Answer Session with Erica and other gardening experts from Callaway Gardens and plant vendors. Space is limited so sign up early to ensure your spot. Bring your gardening questions and challenges to see if you can get your perplexing gardening issues solved! If you didn't get to shop on Thursday, you can spend Friday afternoon shopping and browsing at the Plant Fair & Sale.
Fees: Thursday and Friday - $110.00 (includes two lunches, Thursday workshop, early entrance into Plant Fair, Friday Gardening School lecture and Q&A session); Thursday Only - $79.00 (includes lunch and Thursday workshop); Friday Only - $45.00 (includes lunch, Gardening School lecture, and Q&A session)
The Chattahoochee Nature Center is a 127-acre private non-profit environmental education facility located on the banks of the Chattahoochee River, at 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell, GA 30075. More than 100,000 people visit the center each year. Many come on the weekends to roam the forest trails, stroll the river boardwalk, participate in guided hikes, visit the animals, or attend Sunday Specials. Many visitors come to the Nature Center on school field trips, for birthday parties, scout badge programs, overnight adventures, after-school nature workshops, and adult and family programs.
The center is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
The CNC offers many programs for children, adults, and families. For more information, call 770-992-2055, or visit www.chattnaturecenter.com for a full listing.
Master Naturalist Certification Class - Wednesday, September 14 - Wednesday, May 9, Once a month September 2011 - May 2012, Second Wednesday of the month, beginning September 14, 2011; 9:00am - 4:00pm each day; $350 non-members/$300 members; Pre-Registration Required. The Georgia Master Naturalist program is a hands-on environmental education program that explores habitats and ecosystems in Georgia. This program is a combination of lectures and outside hands-on learning through field studies and relevant resource materials. After completing this fun and interactive program, the Georgia Master Naturalists are encouraged to share their knowledge with their communities by volunteering in local schools or nature centers. For more information on this certification program visit www.forestry.uga.edu/outreach/georgia-master-naturalist.php.
Winter Scavenger Hunt - Thursday, December 1 - Wednesday, February 29, Walk every trail at CNC this winter. Pick up your official CNC trail hiker passport in the Nature Exchange and receive a stamp for every trail you hike. Completing all six trails earns you something special from the Nature Exchange! Included with general admission.
Certified Interpretive Guide Class - Monday, February 6 - Thursday, February 9, 9am - 5pm. Pre-registration deadline: January 2, 2012. Class is limited to 15. Cost: Workshop Fee (includes textbook and workbook)$242. Phone 770-992-2055 ext. 252 The Certified Interpretive Guide workshop is designed for anyone who delivers, or who would like to deliver, interpretive programs to the public. You will learn both the theoretical foundations of the profession, as well as practical skills needed to deliver quality interpretive programming to visitors. For more information, visit chattnaturecenter.org/certified-interpretative-guide.html.
Night Hike - Saturday, March 10, 7-9 pm. Get outside and join a naturalist on an adventurous journey to see what happens as the sun goes down and the night comes to life! Hike through the wetlands or woods, visit with one of our nocturnal animals up close and enjoy a campfire complete with marshmallow roasting. Ages 5 - adult, $10 General Public and $7 CNC Members.
Spring Native Plant Sale - Friday, April 13 - Saturday, April 14, 10am-5pm. Go Native with us this year! The Chattahoochee Nature Center presents the Spring Native Plant Sale; a garden of delights and horticultural adventures is waiting for you! Lisa Cole, CNC Horticulturalist says, "I invite you to look at the gardens and spaces that surround your home. Every native plant that you bring into these spaces not only affects your property, but the larger surrounding area of your neighborhood, community and the local watershed....One garden CAN make a difference, and like ripples in a pond, create and nurture a greater planet for us all." See our website for details at www.chattnaturecenter.org.
Are you hungry to plant some unique vegetable plants and herbs to cook with? Do you envision your garden space full of bright prolific blooms, with butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators filling the skies? Butterfly enthusiasts will want to add our unique Milkweeds, Sages, Blazing Stars, to create wildlife beautiful friendly habitats to their environs! Other host and nectar plants to attract pollinators will include Hibiscus, Salvias, Asters, Fennel, Bee balm and Joe Pye weed.
Don't know how to design a border garden full of interesting textures and colors? Let our plant experts help you create the garden of your dreams! Bring a picture of your yard and we will assist you in picking excellent choices for all conditions, from full sun to full shade! Many of our plants have been propagated from our very own gardens here at the Nature Center, and are reliable year after year for their luscious foliage and beautiful flowers. We'll also have a wide selection of vegetables for your kitchen garden, and you can come visit our Unity Garden to see what is possible. Go Native! You'll find blooming trees and shrubs, native azaleas, early bloomers like Geranium, Columbine, Beardtongue and Irises. Shade-Loving Groundcovers such as Foam flower, Phloxes, Ferns and Alumroot will be available for collectors. Come see what we have in store for your gardens at the Native Plant Sale at the Chattahoochee Nature Center this April! We look forward to helping you help your garden grow!10th Annual Earth Day Kids Fest - Saturday, April 14, from 10:00 am - 3:00 p.m.! Hosted by the Captain Planet Foundation (CPF) and the Chattahoochee Nature Center (CNC). EDKF is a highly-motivational action packed and FUN Eco-Event where children and youth learn how to become great stewards of the planet we all call home. This year's goal is to encourage people to take individual actions as a part of the Earth Day Network's (EDN) "Billion Acts of Green". Through engaging hands-on activities and live performances, kids are given the power to lead the way in preserving and protecting our natural resources and biological diversity. Held on the grounds of the Chattahoochee Nature Center, this exciting, family experience is brought to the community by the Macy's Foundation as presenting sponsor with Comcast and the Atlanta Journal Constitution as media sponsors.
The day will offer a fantastic array of "edutainment" to engage and entertain both families! Start the morning off with a handshake and photo opportunity with the world's first and only eco-superhero, Captain Planet! Laughing Pizza will return to the festival this year to bring their power packed musical performance on stage. And things will get a little wild with live native animal presentations by CNC! Look for much more excitement this year as the planning is underway to provide an entirely new experience for attendees. You'll always enjoy the face painting and canoe paddling on the pond, but don't be surprised to see some new famous faces. A green Eco-Village marketplace will provide guests a place to peruse an array of earth-friendly household goods and ideas to green both homes and businesses. Numerous local organizations will be on hand to help attendees explore eco-themes and get in the spirit to Be a Planeteer! Bring your old cellphones and corks to recycle and check back about what else you can do to participate in the local action to demonstrate "A Billion Acts of Green".
Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors, $5 for children, and children under two are free. Ride a bike from home to receive free admission! Please carpool as parking is limited, but a complimentary shuttle bus service from St. Francis School near the corner of Willeo/Azalea and Highway 120 is available.Fairy Village Workshop: Toad Houses - Saturday, April 21, 11am - 12pm, We are inviting toads to stay in the Fairy Village. Make a toad house to take home for the toads around your house. Afterwards, stay and make a fairy house in the village. Ages 6 - Adult, $15 General Public/$10 CNC Members (one adult helper required for participants 12 and under and is included.) Advance Registration Required.
Come Play In the Dirt With Us! - Sunday, April 22, 1-4 pm. Celebrate Earth Day as we take what we learned at Earth Day Kids Fest and put our knowledge into action!
10 Great Herbs for the Garden: 1pm - 2:30pm. Join Unity Garden Coordinator, Libby Lintel to learn more about growing herbs. Have fun with a lively game of herb trivia, information on raising herbs in north Georgia, and a tour of the Kaiser-Permanente Unity Garden. Following the tour, visitors are welcome to grab a trowel and help out in the garden. Included with General Admission.
Spring Bloomers Tour: 3 - 4:30pm. Enjoy a relaxing and informative hike through the grounds with CNC Environmental Horticulturist, Lisa Cole, to explore the beauty of nature during this exciting time of year. Included with General Admission.
Wetland Restoration Project: 2pm - 4pm, Ages 5 - Adult. Help us restore our wetlands by removing invasive species from the River Boardwalk Trail. Limited spaces are available and advance registration is required by April 17.
Composting Critters: 1 - 2:30pm. In this class dig deep into vermicomposting! Discover how easy it is to set up and maintain your own worm bin by creating one to take home in this class. Ages 5 - Adult (children age 15 and under require adult supervision). Advance Registration Required by April 19, $15 General Public/$5 CNC Members (price per family).
Earth Balloon: 3 - 4pm, All Ages. There's no better way to celebrate Earth Day then getting inside the Earth! Join a CNC naturalist and climb inside Keep Roswell Beautiful Earth Balloon to discover what makes this planet so amazing!Backyard Campout - Saturday, April 28 - Sunday, April 29, 5:00pm-10:00am. Brush up on those camping skills and get ready for the end of school with a camping trip to the CNC! Sleep out under the stars, enjoy night hikes, play games on the meadow, visit with nocturnal animals, roast marshmallows around the campfire and more! $45 General Public/$35 CNC Members (price per tent), Advance Registration Required
The mission of Coastal WildScapes is to actively preserve and restore the highly significant biodiversity of the Southeastern coastal ecosystems by protecting existing native habitats, rebuilding the connectivity of impaired habitats and minimizing the future fragmentation of the coastal landscape. We participate in educational outreach, conservation intiatives and grassroots advocacy to accomplish our mission. For more information, please visit coastalwildscapes.org.
*Certificate in Coastal Native Plants Class Fees are Reduced for Members of the Following Organizations - Friday, January 27 - Saturday, November 3,
Friends of the State Botanical Garden www.uga.edu/botgarden/supmember.html
Friends of the Bamboo Farm and Coastal Gardens www.bamboo.caes.uga.edu/friends.html
Coastal Wildscapes coastalwildscapes.org/join-us
To receive discount, class fees must be paid by check only. You can register by going to www.uga.edu/botgarden/eduregister.html and clicking the Certificate Programs link. Be sure to choose the courses with COASTAL in the name for this program. Contact info@coastalwildscapes.org for more information.Certificate in Coastal Native Plants Program: Basic Field Methods in Botany and Plant Ecology (Elective Course) - Saturday, February 11, 9:00am – 1:00pm. Location To Be Announced (within an hour drive of Savannah). Members $45*, non-members $50. Class led by Rob Sutter, Conservation/Plant Population Ecologist, Enduring Conservation Outcomes, Inc. and Alison McGee, Southeast Georgia Conservation Manager, The Nature Conservancy. This introductory class will teach the basic skills and methods for conducting plant surveys and monitoring plant populations and communities, using both new technologies, such as GPS, and traditional field methods, such as plots and transects, plant press, and reading a topographic maps and aerials. Please dress appropriately for the weather and bring water, snacks, sun screen, and insect repellent.
Certificate in Coastal Native Plants Program: Plant Propagation (Elective Course) - Saturday, February 25, 9:00am – 1:00pm. Jekyll Island Greenhouse. Members $45*, non-members $50. Class led by Cliff Gawron, Superintendent, Landscape & Grounds, Jekyll Island Authority. This course will focus primarily on vegetative propagation methods applicable to native plants, providing students with basic knowledge of plant growth and morphology, as well as the technical and mechanical skills required for successful propagation. Directions will be supplied with registration.
Certificate in Coastal Native Plants Program: Natural Communities of Georgia (Core Course) - Saturday, March 3, 9:00am – 5:00pm. Ogeechee Canal, Savannah. Members $95*, non-members $105. Class led by Dr. Leslie Edwards, Lecturer, Department of Geography, Georgia State University. This course will introduce students to the diverse natural communities of Georgia, from the Blue Ridge to the Barrier Islands, emphasizing basic ecologi cal principles of plant distribution, prehistoric and contempo-rary influences on Georgia vegetation, major vegetation types in Georgia, and common plant and animal species that characterize each vegetation type. We will also discuss the impact of human activities and climate change. A portion of the class will be spent in the field, exploring some important coastal natural communities. Please dress appropriately for the weather and bring water, lunch, snacks, sun screen, and insect repellent.
Certificate in Coastal Native Plants Program: Conservation Landscaping in Coastal Georgia (Elective Course) - Saturday, March 24, 9:00am – 1:00pm. UGA Marine Extension Service, Brunswick. Members $45*, non-members $50. Class led by Keren Giovengo, Educator, UGA Marine Extension Service UGA Marine Extension Service, Brunswick. Choices we make while creating and maintaining our gardens and home landscapes have an impact on land, water, and wildlife. By integrating conservation landscaping principles and practices into our gardens, we can have beautiful and earth-friendly gardens while protecting Georgia's coastal natural resources. This course will provide helpful concepts, tools, and techniques for conserving water, reducing waste and pollution, and creating wildlife habitat in home landscapes while saving time and money.
Certificate in Coastal Native Plants Program: Plant Families (Elective Course) - Saturday, April 21, 9:00am – 1:00pm. Ogeechee Canal, Savannah. Members $45*, non-members $50 (plus $2 park entrance fee). Class led by Dr. Bobby Hattaway, Lecturer in Botany, Biology Department, Georgia Southern University. Knowing plant families facilitates plant identification in the field and helps us understand the evolutionary relationships among plants. Students will study flower structure and other diagnostic characters of prominent plant families in Georgia’s Coastal Plain, and apply that knowledge during a field trip on the Ogeechee Canal’s trails. Please dress appropriately for the weather and bring water, snacks, sun screen, and insect repellent.
Plant Families (Coastal Certificate in Native Plants Elective) - Saturday, April 21, 9:00am - 1:00pm at Savannah - Ogeechee Canal. Led by Dr. Bobby Hattaway, Lecturer in Botany, Biology Department, Georgia Southern University. Knowing plant families facilitates plant identification in the field and helps us understand the evolutionary relationships among plants. Students will study flower structure and other diagnostic characters of prominent plant families in Georgia’s Coastal Plain, and apply that knowledge during a field trip on the Ogeechee Canal’s trails. Please dress appropriately for the weather and bring water, snacks, sun screen, and insect repellent. members $45*, non-members $50 ($2 park entrance fee)
Certificate in Coastal Native Plants Program: Georgia's Coastal Plain Pitcher Plant Bogs (Elective Course) - Saturday, April 28, 9:00am – 1:00pm. Manassas Bog, Evans County. Members $45*, non-members $50. Class led by Carol Denhof, Longleaf Understory Coordinator, Longleaf Alliance, Manassas Bog, Evans County. Coastal Plain pitcherplant bogs and seepage slopes are among the most species-rich of all of Georgia’s plant communities. This class will cover identification of key species and emphasize the importance of understanding the ecological processes (especially hydrology and fire) that sustain this important plant community. Please dress appropriately for the weather and bring water, snacks, sun screen, and insect repellent.
Georgia’s Coastal Plain Pitcher Plant Bogs (Coastal Certificate in Native Plants Elective) - Saturday, April 28, 9:00 am - 1 pm, at Manassas Bog, Evans County. Led by Carol Denhof, Longleaf Understory Coordinator, Longleaf Alliance. Coastal Plain pitcherplant bogs and seepage slopes are among the most species-rich of all of Georgia’s plant communities. This class will cover identification of key species and emphasize the importance of understanding the ecological processes (especially hydrology and fire) that sustain this important plant community. Please dress appropriately for the weather and bring water, snacks, sun screen, and insect repellent. members $45*, non-members $50
The mission of UGA Cooperative Extension is to extend lifelong learning to the people of Georgia through unbiased, research-based education in agriculture, the enviornment, communities, youth and families. To learn more, visit www.caes.uga.edu/extension.
ATHENS: Southern Garden Heritage Conference 2012 - Friday, February 17, 9am - 4pm at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia. Members $95.00; Non-members $105.00 botgarden.uga.edu/ 706-542-1244
GRIFFIN: University of Georgia Horticulture: How to Prune Your Landscape Like a Pro - Friday, February 17, 9 am-3pm Griffin Campus, Research Education Garden Classroom, Griffin. This program will cover the A-Z of proper pruning techniques for all of your ornamentals and will briefly cover pruning fruit trees. Equipment selection and care will be addressed in detail. We will also cover the when, where, and how's to prune certain plants and different techniques for creating a professional looking landscape. We will also spend some time addressing pest prevention through proper pruning procedures. The class will consist of both indoor lectures and outside hands-on demonstrations. Please dress warmly for the outside portion. Refreshments and lunch are included in program. Registration required. Bob Westerfield and Bodie Pennisi, UGA Horticulturists, will be the program speakers.
Cost: $49.00 Lunch and refreshment breaks included. Pre-registration required. Download registration form and agenda atwww.caes.uga.edu/?tiny=3H9SX5. For more information contact Malgorzata Florkowska mflorko@uga.eduGRIFFIN: University of Georgia Horticulture: How to Prune Your Landscape Like a Pro - Friday, February 24, 9 am-3pm Griffin Campus, Research Education Garden Classroom, Griffin. This program will cover the A-Z of proper pruning techniques for all of your ornamentals and will briefly cover pruning fruit trees. Equipment selection and care will be addressed in detail. We will also cover the when, where, and how's to prune certain plants and different techniques for creating a professional looking landscape. We will also spend some time addressing pest prevention through proper pruning procedures. The class will consist of both indoor lectures and outside hands-on demonstrations. Please dress warmly for the outside portion. Refreshments and lunch are included in program. Registration required. Bob Westerfield and Bodie Pennisi, UGA Horticulturists, will be the program speakers.
Cost: $49.00 Lunch and refreshment breaks included. Pre-registration required. Download registration form and agenda atwww.caes.uga.edu/?tiny=3H9SX5. For more information contact Malgorzata Florkowska mflorko@uga.edu
Dunwoody Nature Center is a non-profit organization established to develop, improve and preserve 22 acres of Dunwoody Park as a natural classroom for environmental education. Located at 5343 Roberts Drive in DeKalb County's Dunwoody Park. Call 770-394-3322 for more information or visit www.dunwoodynature.org.
Lunch & Learn: Native Plant and Plant Propagation Techniques - Thursday, February 9, presented by DeKalb Master Gardener, Kendra Boyer. Learn about the benefits of native plants, their various types and identification, and how best to plant, grow, and maintain your native garden. Visitors to the Lunch & Learn may bring a bag lunch of their own, or may purchase a pre-ordered box lunch (including beverage) from the Nature Center that will be ready for pick-up when they arrive. This series is a great way for local business people and residents to expand their knowledge and allows the Nature Center to focus on one of its key mission objectives: educating adults of all ages about the natural world and our place in it. Register now at www.dunwoodynature.org/do/adultclasses.htm.
The Environmental Education Alliance (EEA) of Georgia is non-profit professional education and networking association and state affiliate of the North American Association for Environmental Education. Its mission is to promote communication and education among professionals in the field of environmental education. Annually, EEA offers an Outdoor Classroom Symposium in the fall and Environmental Education Conference in the spring. For more information on membership, resources, events, initiatives, etc., please visit www.eealliance.org.
For additional environmental education events all across Georgia please visit the Statewide EE Calendar at eeingeorgia.org/core/event/month.aspx?s=0.0.68.4863. The Online Guide to Environmental Education in Georgia is located at www.EEinGeorgia.org.
Monarchs in Mexico Trip to the Overwintering Colonies - Saturday, February 4 - Saturday, February 11, State of Michoacan, Mexico. What makes this trip to the monarch butterfly overwintering sites unique? Our itinerary includes visits to three monarch colonies. You'll learn about local efforts to promote sustainable and environmentally sound economic activities. We'll also visit a school near the monarch preserves to donate books purchased through our Mexico Book Project. The emphasis will be on exploring the natural history of the region, but the trip will also include many cultural and culinary delights. This trip is limited to sixteen participants and will be filled on a first come, first served basis. (The trip is open to all adults.) Georgia certified teachers my earn five professional learning units (5 PLUs). Three partial scholarships of $1,000 each are also available to Georgia educators. Apply for a scholarship by October 15, 2011.
Admission: $1,550 per person (double occupancy). The balance of the trip fee must be received by December 31, 2011.
Web Link: www.monarchsandmore.comMonarchs in Mexico Trip to the Overwintering Colonies - Saturday, February 11 - Saturday, February 18, State of Michoacan, Mexico. What makes this trip to the monarch butterfly overwintering sites unique? Our itinerary includes visits to three monarch colonies. You'll learn about local efforts to promote sustainable and environmentally sound economic activities. We'll also visit a school near the monarch preserves to donate books purchased through our Mexico Book Project. The emphasis will be on exploring the natural history of the region, but the trip will also include many cultural and culinary delights. This trip is limited to sixteen participants and will be filled on a first come, first served basis. (The trip is open to all adults.) Georgia certified teachers my earn five professional learning units (5 PLUs). Three partial scholarships of $1,000 each are also available to Georgia educators. Apply for a scholarship by October 15, 2011.
Admission: $1,550 per person (double occupancy). The balance of the trip fee must be received by December 31, 2011.
Web Link: www.monarchsandmore.comEnvironmental Education Alliance of Georgia Annual Conference - Friday, March 30 - Saturday, March 31, South Fulton Arts Center, College Park, Georgia. The idea behind the conference theme is that direct, intimate experience with nature is a crucial element to connect ourselves with our natural world. Art and the creation of art engages our emotions, which in turn, when combined with scientific knowledge of the subject, engages our whole selves making learning more readily retained. More details, including the complete program schedule, scholarship information, and registration will be coming soon! One professional learning unit (1 PLU) is available to Georgia certified teachers. Presentation proposals may be submitted online by October 14, 2011.
Admission: TBA
Web Link: www.eealliance.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=35&Itemid=82
The Master Gardener Program in Georgia is a volunteer training program designed to help Extension agents transfer research-based information about gardening and related subjects to the public by training home gardeners. Master Gardeners currently are active in many Georgia counties. Through this program, volunteers benefit from the classes and ongoing training and the opportunity to share knowledge with others; the agents and community benefit from the service. For more information about the Master Gardener program in your area, contact the Cooperative Extension office nearest you, or visit www.hort.uga.edu/extension/mastergardener/mastgard.html.
Basic Horticulture Classes: Seasonal Garden Interest - Saturday, February 11, Sponsored by the Augusta Council of Garden Clubs, Inc. Vegetables & companion planting—Jacque Rees, Kay Pittman—Tour Summerville Wellness. Price $25 per session. Take as many classes as you like. Get a certificate if you complete six of the seven offered. Space is limited to 35 participants.For more information call or e-mail Judy Kirkland at 706-556-3417; 706-533-1149 (cell); jukirkland@cobridge.tv or go online to www.augustacouncilgc.com for information on speakers and tour locations.
Tifton: The South Georgia Native Plant & Wildflower Symposium - Wednesday, March 28, Want to know more about native plants? How to integrate them into your existing garden? Do you long for an oasis that is alive with plants and pleasant sounds of life? This is the symposium you do not want to miss! Arrive early, shop the plant sale, explore exhibits. UGA's Tifton Campus Conference Center is the place to be, and sgnpws.org is the place to learn more.
McIntosh Reserve Park, named for Chief William McIntosh, Jr., is a 527-acre park run by the Carroll County Recreation Department. It is located at 1046 West McIntosh Circle, off of Highway 5, southwest of Whitesburg. It is open year round with the exceptions of Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. Park hours are 8 am - 8 pm. For more information, please visit www.carrollcountyrec.com/mcintosh_reserve.php or call 770-830-5879.
Walk and Talk - Saturday, February 18, at 10 a.m., in Moore's Bridge Park. There will be someone to unlock the gate at the end of the road. Follow the drive to the old house, where we will meet to begin the hike. It will be led by Trudy Crunkleton, Director of Carroll County Parks, who will provide an overview of what the county is now doing and plans to do to develop Moore's Bridge Park.
Walk and Talk - Saturday, February 18, at 10 am. Trudy Crunkleton, Director of Parks, will take us on a hike, on the Moore's Bridge property, to show where trails are being constructed and to discuss the latest plans for the park.
The National Park System comprises 391 areas covering more than 84 million acres. These areas include national parks, monuments, battlefields, military parks, historical parks, historic sites, lakeshores, seashores, recreation areas, scenic rivers and trails, and the White House. Several of these areas occur in the state of Georgia and surrounding states. Information about individual NPS areas can be found via nps.gov/findapark.
Free Spring Wildflower Walk at Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield - Wednesday, March 21, from 9 am – 12 pm, leaving from the Burnt Hickory Road trail area and heading towards Dallas Highway. The terrain in this area is moderate. Hikers should meet Dr. Meyer at the Pigeon Hill battlefield area, near the Burnt Hickory Road parking lot. For any questions and concerns, please contact the Battlefield from 8:30 am – 5 pm at 770-427-4686 x 0.
Free Spring Wildflower Walk at Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield - Saturday, March 24, from 9 am – 12 pm, leaving from the Burnt Hickory Road trail area and heading towards Dallas Highway. The terrain in this area is moderate. Hikers should meet Dr. Meyer at the Pigeon Hill battlefield area, near the Burnt Hickory Road parking lot. For any questions and concerns, please contact the Battlefield from 8:30 am – 5 pm at 770-427-4686 x 0.
Free Spring Wildflower Walk at Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield - Wednesday, March 28, from 9 am – 12 pm, leaving from the Burnt Hickory Road trail area and heading towards Dallas Highway. The terrain in this area is moderate. Hikers should meet Dr. Meyer at the Pigeon Hill battlefield area, near the Burnt Hickory Road parking lot. For any questions and concerns, please contact the Battlefield from 8:30 am – 5 pm at 770-427-4686 x 0.
Free Spring Wildflower Walk at Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield - Saturday, March 31, from 9 am – 12 pm, leaving from the Burnt Hickory Road trail area and heading towards Dallas Highway. The terrain in this area is moderate. Hikers should meet Dr. Meyer at the Pigeon Hill battlefield area, near the Burnt Hickory Road parking lot. For any questions and concerns, please contact the Battlefield from 8:30 am – 5 pm at 770-427-4686 x 0.
Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center is dedicated to providing quality educational programs and resources that promote environmental awareness and citizen science. Our mission is to inspire individuals to conserve, protect and restore the natural environment. To learn more, please visit oxbow.columbusstate.edu. Our calendar of events is available on the navigation menu.
Gardening with the Masters - Thursday, February 2 - Thursday, March 29, Sponsored by The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. Each Thursday morning session will begin promptly at 10am and end by noon. Classes will be at Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Facility. February 2-It's time to...prune; February 9-It's time to...consider your garden space; February 16-It's time to. prepare your soil; February 23-It's time to. make black gold; March 1-It's time to. choose your plants; March 8- Let's Feed the birds (and bees); March 15- Let's Eat: Growing with Friends; March 22- Let's Eat: Backyard Fine Dining; March 29- Let's get Watersmart! No Refunds, Exchanges, Per Session (general public) $15, Member (MG or Oxbow) $12, Full Series $100 To register: Contact Oxbow Meadows at 706 507 8550 or online at oxbow.columbusstate.edu/. If you have further questions, contact Jennifer Davidson, Muscogee County Extension Agent, 706 653 4200.
W. H. Reynolds Memorial is a 146 acre nature preserve located in the heart of Clayton County in Morrow, GA. The land, preserved in its native state, is a perfect example of rolling hills in the Piedmont region of Georgia. With over 3 miles of hiking trails a visitor can explore the highest ridges in the county in a mixed oak-hickory-pine forest down to the wetlands and ponds fed by natural springs. Also take the opportunity to step back in time and admire old farm equipment, spring houses, and a barn dating back to 1867. Don't forget to stop in the Nature Center to see the live animals, environmental displays or just to talk to a ranger!
For more information and history, please visit www.reynoldsnaturepreserve.org.
Volunteer Workday - Saturday, February 18, 9:45 am-12 noon, alternate weather day is February 25. Plan to attend and give us an hour of two of your time in pulling ivy and privet from the hardwood forest in the preserve. If you plan to attend, please call the preserve at 770-603-4188 and ask to be placed on the list of those planning to work on February 18. (If you do not manage to call and find you can come at the last minute, please do feel free to come anyway and join us.) Volunteer members of the Invasive Plant Committee at Reynolds will instruct you how best to remove the invasives we will be tackling and some precautions to take as you work. Meet us at 9:45 am in front of the center building for these instructions.
Please wear long pants and long sleeves as protection from briars and the limited poison ivy present at this time. Also, bring work gloves to wear while working and dress appropriately for the temperature. While we will be mostly trying to pull up the invasives to remove roots, a pair of clippers may also be helpful for those who will be clipping the ivy from trees, if you have clippers.
Reynolds Nature Preserve continues to be threatened by an overgrowth of invasive exotic plants such as kudzu, privet and English Ivy. The kudzu and the English Ivy are growing on some of our preserve trees and the privet and English Ivy are covering the forest floor in certain areas. We are having the thicker concentrations of invasives sprayed once or twice a year but we need volunteers to pull stragglers left after the spraying.
If we wish Reynolds Nature Preserve to have a future as a native plant - native animal preserve and if we want to protect the hardwood climax forest, the removal of the invasive foreign plants needs to occur, although in some cases we may have to work for containment.
If you visit Reynolds before this date, ask the rangers to tell you about the invasives there and their work in trying to control them. If you have questions about the workday, call Reynolds Nature Center at 770-603-4188 or email one of us, addresses at the top of the page. If there is substantial rain, sleet or snow on February 18, our weather date is February 25.
We look forward to seeing you for a productive morning of work. We appreciate the efforts of those of you who came to previous workdays. If this is your second workday at Reynolds, remember to remind us to give you your complimentary Reynolds t-shirt, awarded upon completion of two workdays and again after four workdays.
The South Carolina Native Plant Society is a non-profit organization committed to the preservationand protection of native plant communities in South Carolina. We work to make this happen by providing programs and activities designed to educate and inform members and the general public about the importance of native plants, support efforts by governmental agencies to protect habitats and endangered species, encourage the use of native plant materials in public and private landscaping, and promote the commercial availability of native plant materials.
For more information, visit www.scnps.org.
Native Plant Sale - Saturday, March 17, 9am-12pm. The Lowcountry Chapter of the SC Native Plant Society, in partnership with Charles Towne Landing, will hold a Native Plant Sale in the parking lot of Charles Towne Landing, 1500 Old Towne Road, Charleston. Admission to the plant sale is free. If exploring Charles Towne Landing on your own, please pay entrance fee at the visitor center. Come get those hard-to-find plants native to our Lowcountry landscapes! Sale to include: perennials, shrubs, trees, ferns, and native grasses. Cash or check only for all purchases. Contact Colette DeGarady for more information: cdegarady@tnc.org, 843-937-8807 ext.15 or visit our website at www.scnps.org/ Native plant list and prices available on our website a few weeks before the sale.
All proceeds from the plant sale benefit the Lowcountry chapter of the SC Native Plant Society a non-profit organization committed to the preservation and protection of native plant communities in South Carolina.
Since 1950, the Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage has been an annual event in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Programs consist of a variety of wildflower, fauna, and natural history walks, motorcades, photographic tours, art classes, and indoor seminars. Most programs are outdoors in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, while indoor offerings are held in various venues throughout Gatlinburg, TN.
The website, www.springwildflowerpilgrimage.org, will have the latest information on Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage events.
Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage - Wednesday, April 25 - Sunday, April 29, Be sure to sign up early to insure that you get the activities you want!
The State Botanical Garden of Georgia is a public educational facility operated under the auspices of the University of Georgia. It is a "living laboratory" for university students and faculty who utilize the collections and natural plant communities for studies in a variety of disciplines. The Garden is also a public garden for enjoyment by the general public who find beauty, knowledge and solitude in a garden setting.
The SBG is located in Athens at the University of Georgia at 2450 South Milledge Avenue. For more information, or to register for any programs, call 706 542-6156. Visit their Web site at www.uga.edu/botgarden.
Garden Geology - Wednesday, January 11 - Wednesday, February 29, Wednesdays, 4-6 pm, in the Visitor Center, Classroom 2. Members $40, non-members $45. Dan Williams, Forest Manager, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, UGA, will lead the class. The sessions will focus on rocks of Georgia's Eastern Blueridge and Inner Piedmont provinces. We will learn how they were formed by the processes of plate tectonics, how to identify them and how they affect plants, animals and people. Participants will make their own collection of Piedmont rocks and minerals. Participants will receive a copy of ‘Rocks of the Piedmont’, a companion to the sessions.
Certificate in Native Plants: Medicinal Plants (Elective Course) - Saturday, February 4, 8:30 am – 12:30 pm, Visitor Ctr, Classroom 2. Members $45; non-members $50. Presented by Patricia Kyristi Howell, Registered Herbalist (AHG). The botanically rich southeastern U.S. is home to a vast array of native plants with a long history of use as medicines. This course introduces the medical botany of our region, emphasizing both traditional and current uses of native plants. Students will learn about the role that native plant medicines have played in U.S. history, the ecological impact of the growing demand for herbal medicines, and what is being done to move towards the sustainable use of medicinal native herbs.
Beekeeping for Beginners Series: Unit 3: ABC's of Assembling a Beehive - Saturday, February 11, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm, members $85; non-members $95 (fee pays for Units 1 - 3). Presented by Dan Harris, Booger Hill Farm, Beekeeper, Danielsville. Have you ever wanted to harvest honey from your own beehive? Would you like to collect beeswax to make candles or soap? Do you have a touch of ‘backyard biologist’ in your blood? If so, we might have just what you need – a series of workshops covering the fundamentals of beekeeping! This is the first half of a six unit series.
This session meets at Douglas Farm, Bishop, GA. Dan will demonstrate how to assemble a commercial beehive kit - from glue and nails to frames, foundation, and paint. He will also explain how to set up your hive.Certificate in Native Plants: Natural History of Georgia Plants (Core Course) - Saturday, February 11, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, Visitor Ctr, Classroom 2. Members $95; non-members $105. Presented by Jim Hamrick, Research Professor, Department of Plant Biology, UGA. This course will introduce students to the wonderfully diverse natural vegetation of Georgia, emphasizing basic ecologi cal principles of plant distribution, prehistoric and contemporary influences on Georgia vegetation, major vegetation types in Georgia, and common plant species that characterize each vegetation type. We will also discuss invasive species and their impact on natural plant communities, Georgia’s rare and endangered species, and potential human and climate change influences on the vegetation of Georgia.
Arbor Day Celebration - Friday, February 17, Tree Trail Ramble - 2-3 pm, meet at the Shade Garden Arbor, led by Linda Chafin, Conservation Botanist, SBG. In 1872, an industrious newspaper editor and political leader, J. Sterling Morton, began a campaign to plant trees on Nebraska's treeless prairie. The first Arbor Day observance was on Morton's birthday, April 10, of that same year, and by 1894 every state and some foreign countries participated in Arbor Day celebrations. In 1941, Georgia chose the third Friday in February to observe Arbor Day. Become involved in Arbor Day this year and discover humanity’s true best friend! Join Linda Chafin to learn about and celebrate the trees at the Garden.
Southern Garden Heritage Conference - Friday, February 17, Treasures Lost, History Saved: Our Southern Garden Heritage - 9 am - 4 pm, in the Callaway Building Auditorium. Members $95, non-members $105 (includes lunch). Join us for this informative daylong conference that examines our Southern garden heritage. Several speakers will describe the importance of Garden Clubs and their efforts to stimulate understanding and appreciation of our garden heritage, perhaps the first step in successful conservation and preservation efforts—work which continues today in the form of cultural landscape inventories and public information. Included in the program are presentations regarding three iconic Southern plantations—Carter’s Grove, Magnolia Plantation and Stratford Hall, and the gardens each inspired. Learn how you can help save our garden history and heritage.
Certificate in Native Plants: Vegetative Plant Propagation (Elective Course) - Thursday, February 23, 8:30 am - 12:30 pm, Horticulture Complex-Head House. Members $45; non-members $50. Presented by Melanie Parker, Greenhouse Manager, State Botanical Garden of Georgia. This course will focus primarily on vegetative propagation methods applicable to native plants, providing students with basic knowledge of plant growth and morphology, as well as the technical and mechanical skills required for successful propagation. Course will take place in the new greenhouse complex.
FRIENDS First Friday: Volunteering at the Garden - Friday, March 2, 9 - 10:30 am in the Visitor Center, downstairs. Gather for a made-from-scratch breakfast by Countryside Catering and find out what brings folks to the Garden to visit and volunteer. To make your reservation, please call 706-542-6138 by Wednesday, February 29. $10 for members; $12 for non-members
Conifer Reference Garden - Tuesday, March 6, 9-11 am. Did you know that one of our native conifers is a host plant for Hessel's hairstreak butterflies? The American Conifer Society Southeast Region initiated the Conifer Reference Garden program in 2007. The purpose of the program is to educate the public about growing conifers and demonstrate their used in the landscape. The State Botanical Garden of Georgia was the first garden in the southeast to be awarded Reference Garden status. Our conifer collection is located throughout the Garden, while the Reference Garden is part of the Callaway Administration landscape. Please join us for a morning of learning interesting facts about conifers, to see how our collection fits beautifully into the landscape and discover how these concepts can be taken to your home garden. Presented by Jeannette Coplin, Director of Horticulture and Grounds, SBG. members $18; non-members $20. Call 706-542-6156 or register online at botgarden.uga.edu.
SBG’s Circle of Hikers - Thursday, March 15 - Thursday, May 17, Thursdays, 8:30 am (about 90 minutes). Meet at the Shade Garden Arbor. Led by Hugh Nourse, Nature Photographer, Author & Naturalist. As part of Michelle Obama's 'Let’s Get Moving' campaign, join us and 'get moving' on the Garden's trails on Thursdays mornings this Spring. While the focus will be on 'getting moving', we will stop to view interesting and amazing plants along the way. Hikers are encouraged to bring nature writings or favorite poems and essays to share with the group. Join us for one or all sessions; these informal rambles are free but donations are accepted in the Garden’s donation box at the entrance to the Visitor Center.
Advanced Beekeeping: Springtime Splits...Swarm Management with a Bonus! - Saturday, March 17, Part 1 of 2. 11:00 am until 12:00 noon, meet at Visitor Center, Classroom 2. Led by Dan Harris, Booger Hill Bee Farm, Danielsville. Limited to 15 participants. This two part class will begin with a one hour lecture in March and a hands-on session in April. The class will learn the benefits of springtime splits and how to detect when a hive is going to swarm. Members $25; non-members $30
Beekeeping for Beginners: Units 4-6 - Saturday, March 17 - Sunday, June 10, led by Dan Harris, Beekeeper, Athens. Have you ever wanted to harvest honey from your own beehive? Would you like to collect beeswax to make candles or soap? Do you have a touch of ‘backyard biologist’ in your blood? If so, these workshops, covering the fundamentals of beekeeping, may be for you. Weather alternative dates will be scheduled if necessary. Completion of the Unit 1 – 3 is not required to attend. However, a protective veil and gloves are required for Unit 4 and 5. members $85; non-members $95
Unit 4: Spring Hive Management
Session 1: Saturday, March 17
Session 2: Sunday, March 18
1:00 - 3:00 pm
Meet at Shade Garden Arbor
Our early spring hive inspection. We will be looking for brood, pollen, honey, drones and, of course, the queen.
Unit 5: Installing Bees/Spring Buildup
Session 1: Saturday, April 14
Session 2: Sunday, April 15
1:00 - 3:00 pm
Meet at Shade Garden Arbor
We will be doing follow up inspections. This is an opportunity to see how the bee colonies build up in spring. We will be looking for many of the same things we saw in March but will also be looking for queen cells.
Unit 6: Products from the Hive
Session 1: Saturday, June 9
Session 2: Sunday, June 10
9:00 am - 12:00 pm Boogerhill Bee Farm, Danielsville, GA
The sweetest of all the beekeeping units! Dan will take capped honey frames from a 'super', remove the cappings and extract the honey.Spring Bird Ramble - Saturday, March 24, 8 am, meet in the upper parking lot. Come join the Oconee Rivers Audubon Society for a morning bird walk at the Garden. Look and listen for our spring migrants. First time birding? No problem. ORAS members will help you spot and identify the feathery creatures. All birding levels are welcome. Bring binoculars if you have them. For more information, visit www.oconeeriversaudubon.org. Free and open to the public.
Certificate in Native Plants: Spring Wildflowers of the Upland Deciduous Forests of Georgia (Elective Course) - Tuesday, March 27, 8:30 am – 12:30 pm, Visitor Center, Classroom 2. Members $45; non-members $50. Presented by Jennifer Ceska, Conservation Coordinator, State Botanical Garden of Georgia. Students will be introduced to the basic botanical terminology used in identifying and describing plants and will learn the basics of using a dichotomous key. We will then visit the Dunson Native Flora Garden and learn to identify a number of spring ephemerals and other early blooming plants. Emphasis will be placed on recognizing the characteristics of plant families and genera.
Certificate in Native Plants: Spring Wildflowers of the Granite Rock Outcrops of Georgia (Elective Course) - Saturday, April 7, 8:30 am – 12:30 pm, Visitor Center, Classroom 2. Members $45; non-members $50. Presented by Linda Chafin, Conservation Botanist, State Botanical Garden of Georgia. Students will be introduced to the ecology of Piedmont granite outcrops and their flora. We will then visit Rock and Shoals Natural Area to learn to identify the species and ecological processes that characterize Georgia’s granite rock outcrops.
Advanced Beekeeping: Springtime Splits...Swarm Management with a Bonus! - Sunday, April 8, Part 2 of 2. 1:00 – 3:00 pm, meet at Shade Garden Arbor. Led by Dan Harris, Booger Hill Bee Farm, Danielsville. Limited to 15 participants. The hands-on class will illustrate step-by-step instruction on splitting a beehive. Don’t forget your veil and gloves! Members $25; non-members $30
State Botanical Garden of Georgia Plant Sale: Part of Plantapalooza - Saturday, April 14, 8:00 am–2:00 pm, Visitor Center & Conservatory. Athens has long been a travel destination for plant enthusiasts, but on Saturday, April 14th many gardeners are expected to journey to Athens to attend plant sales held by the State Botanical Garden, the UGA Horticulture Club and The Trial Gardens at UGA. A wide array of garden plants that thrive in the Southeast will be available at each location from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm, along with horticulturists, volunteers and Master Gardeners to help with plant selections. Admission is free for all plant sales. Gardeners who participate in the 2012 Plantapalooza will be able to get a special card stamped and use that card to receive discounts in area nurseries. Plant lists, directions, and more information are available online at ugatrialgardens.com.
Spring Bird Ramble - Saturday, April 21, 8 am, meet in the upper parking lot. Come join the Oconee Rivers Audubon Society for a morning bird walk at the Garden. Look and listen for our spring migrants. First time birding? No problem. ORAS members will help you spot and identify the feathery creatures. All birding levels are welcome. Bring binoculars if you have them. For more information, visit www.oconeeriversaudubon.org. Free and open to the public.
Certificate in Native Plants: Butterflies: Their Host Plants and Conservation (Elective Course) - Thursday, April 26, 8:30 am – 12:30 pm, Visitor Center, Classroom 2. Members $45; non-members $50. Presented by Anne Shenk, Director of Education, State Botanical Garden of Georgia. This class includes a field search for butterflies and their host plants and an indoor lab focused on the life cycle and natural history of butterflies. Students will learn techniques for propagating host and nectar plants and will receive seeds and cuttings for native butterfly-friendly plants. As part of the Monarch Watch and Monarch Health Citizen Science projects, students will be learn to tag and release butterflies on their migration to Mexico, to test for parasites, and to send data to scientists at UGA. Approximately five volunteer hours toward the Certificate in Native Plants can be earned by applying knowledge from this class.