Events of Interest
Please visit the Other Organizations Listing * to get contact information for organizations which do not have activities currently listed.
*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 particular 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.
To learn more about GNPS Chapter meetings and events, visit:
West Georgia Chapter
SMPP Propagating Native Azaleas Workshop - March 27, 2 - 4:30 pm. Instructor: Ken Gohring is experienced with native azaleas, their culture and propagation. He is long-time member of both GNPS and the American Rhododendron Society and is very experienced in azalea propagation. Seeds, cuttings and air layering, best techniques for various species, identification.
Cost: $20 for those who don't volunteer at the Stone Mountain Propagation Project. Checks should be made out to Georgia Native Plant Society. The workshop is limited. For more information, please email Elaine Nash.
Georgia Native Plant Society Members Tour - Sunday, April 18, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. GNPS is pleased to offer our membership the opportunity to tour gardens of some of our members. This year there are 2 gardens in Marietta and 2 in Stone Mountain that will be showcased. More information has been provided via the membership listserv. Please contact Jane Trentin for more information.
SMPP Garden Tour: Nature Garden and SMPP - April 18. In cooperation with SMMA.
For more information, please email Marshall Wilson.
Spring Native Plant Sale - April 24 at McFarlane Nature Park. Our annual native plant sales have been very successful and have funded many of the programs and activities of our society. Setup will be on April 23.
If you have any questions, please send an email to Sheri George, or if you would like to volunteer to help, we have set up an Online Form to make it easy.
Fourth Annual GNPS Hike Inn Field Trip - May 2. Sign up early for the Annual GNPS field trip to Hike Inn. On Sunday, May 2nd, 2010, up to twenty four lucky GNPS members will have the opportunity to hike the five mile trail from Amicalola Falls State Park to the environmentally friendly Len Foote Hike Inn in the North Georgia mountains near Dawsonville. Last year, at almost this same time, we saw the pink ladies slippers at their peak of bloom along the trail!
Twelve rooms have been reserved for our group with discounted room rates thanks to member Lynn Almand's husband Bob, who is on the board of the Hike Inn. Anyone wanting a single room will pay only $100.05, and each person in a double room will pay only $73.03. Dinner on Sunday night and breakfast on Monday morning will be included in this room rate. Meals are prepared on site and served family style in the dining hall. After dinner, there will be some type of entertainment and/or educational program. There are books and games in the sunrise room for those wanting to read or play until bedtime. Quiet time starts at 10 p.m. The dining room opens early for coffee the next morning, and breakfast is at 8 a.m. Trail lunches can be ordered the night before and paid for ($6) upon checkout.
Sign up will be until March 30th. All room fees will be due on or before that date, and checks should be made payable to the Len Foote Hike Inn. Please contact trip leader Jane Trentin for further information or to sign up.
May Meeting - May 11.
SMPP Trails Day Open House and Cherokee Trail Hike - June 12. In cooperation with SMMA. Casual Plant Sale for attendees and visitors.
For more information, please email Marshall Wilson.
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, March 13, 10am-Noon. Come help us discover what's up and blooming, pull out a few more invasives and plant new things. If you can stay afterwards, we will have a speaker, Carol Schneier, who works with organizations doing habitat restoration. Bring a sack lunch; drinks will be provided. For more information, please email Connie Ghosh.
Directions: Heritage Park is located at the intersection of Fontaine Road and Nickajack Road in south Cobb County and west of Smyrna. (For searching on Mapquest, the address is 60 Fontaine Rd., Mableton, Ga. 30126). Directions from I-285 on the west side of Atlanta: Take Exit 16 (S. Atlanta Rd.) and go west approx. 1/2 mile to Cumberland Parkway/Blvd. and turn left; in about 1/2 mile Cumberland becomes the East West Connector. (Or if coming from the south, take Exit 15, South Cobb Drive. Go west approx. 1 mile to the East West Connector and turn left.) Follow the East West Connector for approx. three miles to Fontaine Rd. and turn left. Go approx. 1/2 mile to Nickajack Rd. and turn right. Make an immediate right turn into the Heritage Park parking lot.
Stone Mountain Propagation Project Workday - 10am, March 13.Spring Seed Starts session: We need volunteers to start these seeds and care for them until they are ready for potting. Callicarpa americana (Beauty Berry) , Gelsemium sempervirens (Carolina Jessamine), Heuchera americana (Alum Root) , Cephalanthus occidentalis (Button Bush), Coreopsis grandiflora (Coreopsis), Coreopsis auriculata (Mouse-earred Coreopsis), Rudbeckia laciniata (Cut-leaf Coneflower), Yucca filamentosa (Adam's Needle), Hypericum frondosum (Blue Leaf St. Johnswort) , Hypericum nudiflorum (Early St. Johnswort) , Campsis radicans (Trumpet vine), Helianthus angustifolius (swamp sunflower), Hibiscus aculeatus (pineland hibiscus), Hibiscus coccineus (swamp hibiscus), Asclepias tuberosa (butterfly weed), Asclepias syriaca (common milkweed), Liatris microcephala (Stn Mtn), L. pilosa, L. squamosa, and Silphium asteriscus (Starry rosinweed).
SMPP will provide the seed, the seed starting medium and materials and instructions. SMPP will also provide the pots and medium when it is potting time. There is no charge and you get to keep a few plants in the process.
DIRECTIONS to Stone Mountain Plant Propagation area (SMPP): Our plant propagation area occupies the former "Wildlife Trails" in Stone Mountain Park, which is not shown on present park maps. Entering the West Gate (thru the village of Stone Mountain): Turn left and go 0.2 miles. Turn left into the “Walking Trails” Parking lot. Our gate is straight ahead at the cabin. Entering the East Gate off of Stone Mountain Hwy (Hwy 78): Turn right at the first turn and proceed about a mile to the “Walking Trails” parking lot on your right.
For more information, please email Barbara Dorfman.
Stone Mountain Propagation Project Workday - 10am, March 19. Plant clean up and fertilization Potting time for seedlings. Mulching & weed control.
DIRECTIONS to Stone Mountain Plant Propagation area (SMPP): Our plant propagation area occupies the former "Wildlife Trails" in Stone Mountain Park, which is not shown on present park maps. Entering the West Gate (thru the village of Stone Mountain): Turn left and go 0.2 miles. Turn left into the “Walking Trails” Parking lot. Our gate is straight ahead at the cabin. Entering the East Gate off of Stone Mountain Hwy (Hwy 78): Turn right at the first turn and proceed about a mile to the “Walking Trails” parking lot on your right.
For more information, please email Marshall Wilson.
Stone Mountain Propagation Project Workday - 10am, March 27. Distribute plant request list to GNPS Facilitators for rescues. Pot seedlings. Mulching & weed control.
DIRECTIONS to Stone Mountain Plant Propagation area (SMPP): Our plant propagation area occupies the former "Wildlife Trails" in Stone Mountain Park, which is not shown on present park maps. Entering the West Gate (thru the village of Stone Mountain): Turn left and go 0.2 miles. Turn left into the “Walking Trails” Parking lot. Our gate is straight ahead at the cabin. Entering the East Gate off of Stone Mountain Hwy (Hwy 78): Turn right at the first turn and proceed about a mile to the “Walking Trails” parking lot on your right.
For more information, please email Marshall Wilson.
Stone Mountain Propagation Project Workday - 10am, April 1. Nature Garden sign inventory for spring and summer plants and update plant spread sheet for Nature Garden (Spring ephemerals, summer perennial and annual plants – Elaine and Barbara). Pot seedlings & re-pot plants as needed.
DIRECTIONS to Stone Mountain Plant Propagation area (SMPP): Our plant propagation area occupies the former "Wildlife Trails" in Stone Mountain Park, which is not shown on present park maps. Entering the West Gate (thru the village of Stone Mountain): Turn left and go 0.2 miles. Turn left into the “Walking Trails” Parking lot. Our gate is straight ahead at the cabin. Entering the East Gate off of Stone Mountain Hwy (Hwy 78): Turn right at the first turn and proceed about a mile to the “Walking Trails” parking lot on your right.
For more information, please email Marshall Wilson.
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
Orchid Daze: Towers of Flowers! - February 6 - April 11. Check out the lush exotic displays of orchids – the most ever shown in the annual event – soaring throughout the Fuqua Conservatory and Fuqua Orchid Center.
There will be guided exhibition tours on Saturdays at 10:30 am.
Orchid Photography - February 6 - March 14. Fine art orchid images by Jack Cane, PhD, and Ted Mikalsen are on display in the Garden Art Gallery. All work is available for purchase with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Garden.
Orchid Market Weekend - April 3-4, 9 am - 5 pm. Visit the Hardin Visitor Center for a special, orchid-inspired shopping experience featuring gorgeous live orchids from local growers, expert orchid care tips, beautiful orchid artwork, glass and jewelry.
Your newly purchased plant is in good hands at the Orchid Daycare while you wander off to explore Orchid Daze: Towers of Flowers!
Atlanta Orchid Society Show - March 12 - 14, 9 am - 5 pm. The Atlanta Orchid Society presents their annual juried show and sale. Join other orchid lovers to see beautiful exhibits of orchids, meet orchid vendors and choose some for your own collection!
Plus, experience Orchid Daze: Towers of Flowers! Tropical floriculture goes to new heights in dramatic vertical gardens.
Vanilla Sunday - March 21, 1-4 pm. Explore the wonders of the vanilla orchid during Orchid Daze: Towers of Flowers in the stunning Fuqua Orchid Center. Learn about the origins of vanilla, enjoy the different aromas of vanilla beans produced world-wide and watch cooking demonstrations by Chef Ryan Cobb with vanilla products.
Delicious vanilla sundaes will be available for purchase.
Orchid Care Clinic - April 3, 10 am - noon. Join members of the Fuqua Orchid Center staff for some expert orchid advice. Drop in any time between 10 a.m. and noon with your questions and a maximum of two orchid plants for advice on care for your temperamental treasures.
This clinic is free with Garden admission and registration is not required. Materials for repotting orchids are available for a charge of $5 per plant.
Thirty-three acres of beautiful gardens, woodlands and nature trails show the horticultural history of the Atlanta region. Gardens include the Mary Howard Gilbert Memorial Quarry Garden, with native plants, wildflowers, bridges, a pond and stream; Tullie Smith Farm gardens, featuring period vegetables, flowers, herbs and antique species rarely seen elsewhere; Swan house gardens, comprised of formal boxwoods and classical statuary; Swan Woods Trail, labeled for nature study; the Garden for Peace, featuring the Soviet Georgian sculpture "The Peace Tree"; the Frank A. Smith Memorial Rhododendron Garden, featuring dozens of species of rhododendrons and azaleas; the Cherry-Sims Asian-American Garden, featuring species from the southeastern United States and their Asian counterparts including many cultivars of Japanese maples.
General admission to the History Center includes the Atlanta History Museum, gardens and exterior areas surrounding the 1845 Tullie Smith Farm and 1928 Swan House mansion: $10 adults, $8 students 18+ and senior citizens 65+ $4 youths 6-17, free for children 5 and under. Free for Atlanta History Center members. There is a small additional charge of $1 per person for optional guided tours of the interior of the Tullie Smith Farm house and $1 per person for the Swan House mansion. To learn more about becoming a History Center Member, call (404) 814-4100. For general information, call (404) 814-4000 or visit their website at www.atlhist.org.
Quarry Garden & Tullie Smith Farm Workday - Saturday, March 20, 9:15 am - 12:15 pm. Helping in the Atlanta History Center Gardens is an excellent way to learn about horticulture, spend time in a beautiful setting, work alongside interesting people - and often be able to take plants home!
Since we plan our activities based on the number of people signed up for each session, we ask that you let us know if you will be joining us. Likewise, if you have signed up and are then unable to attend - Email: JManion@atlantahistorycenter.com as soon in advance as possible.
Quarry Garden Workday - Tuesday, March 23, 9 am - noon. Helping in the Atlanta History Center Gardens is an excellent way to learn about horticulture, spend time in a beautiful setting, work alongside interesting people - and often be able to take plants home!
Since we plan our activities based on the number of people signed up for each session, we ask that you let us know if you will be joining us. Likewise, if you have signed up and are then unable to attend - Email: JManion@atlantahistorycenter.com as soon in advance as possible.
Chapter meetings and activities are open to the public at no charge. Membership is $40 and includes a chapter newsletter and quarterly journal. For more information visit azaleachapter.com.
March Meeting: Propagation of Native Azaleas - Saturday, March 20, 2 pm at Hastings Nursery and Garden Center, 3920 Peachtree Road, NE, Atlanta. Chapter member John Kohli is a dedicated native azalea authority who has studied and grown rhododendrons, azalea and other flowering shrubs for several years. His prime interest is native azaleas and his garden includes several native azaleas species. He is an accomplished propagator and will discuss his methods as well as other aspects of growing native azaleas. Time permitting, he will discuss his 2009 trip to Gregory Bald in the Smoky Mountain National Park.
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.
Annual Plant Fair and Sale - The Plant Fair and Sale will be open to the public Thursday, March 25 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.; March 26 and 27 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and March 28 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Don't miss one of peak weekends for spring blooms! A premier horticultural event with over 20 vendors of not-so-common plants and groovy garden nick-knacks.
On Saturday and Sunday, the Southern Rivers Guild of Artists and Craftsmen will offer an art show and sale. There will be painters and potters, jewelers and blacksmiths, woodcarvers and mosaic makers, and more displaying and selling their creations.
Admission to the Plant Fair and Sale at the Beach Dome at Robin Lake Beach is free when entering through the beach gate on U.S. Hwy. 27. Admission will be charged to those who wish to visit the rest of Callaway Gardens. Special event pricing for Celebrate Spring! weekends is $18-25/adult; $9-12.50/child; children five and under are admitted for free. Enjoy the explosion of color among the Spring blooming trees, azaleas, and bulbs!
Dinner with the Gardening Experts at the Gardens Restaurant - March 25, 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Enjoy the opportunity to dine, mingle and interact with gardening experts Reeves, Chambers, Kanotz, Bruno and Phillips along with other nursery professionals. The dinner will feature regionally available foods chosen by Callaway Gardens' Executive Chef Bill Justus. He will be sharing information about each dish as well as recipes. A reception and cash bar will be from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. followed by dinner and conversation. The dinner is $48 per person (includes taxes and gratuities) and seats are limited. To register, contact the Callaway Gardens Education Department Email: education@callawaygardens.com or 1-800-CALLAWAY (225-5292) ext. 5153.
Gardening School with Walter Reeves - March 26, 2010. Launch your Spring gardening endeavors with advice from experts at the 12th annual Callaway Gardening School. Join us for a fantastic gardening experience with one of Georgia's own gardening gurus, Walter Reeves.
Reeves, an Atlanta radio host and author, will talk about the latest research on how to correctly plant trees, shrubs, annuals and perennials. This knowledge will save gardeners money and time as well as produce plants that prosper. His practical approach on the basics of gardening makes him a popular and much sought-after lecturer. Reeves will have his books, including Georgia Gardeners' Q&A 501 Answers to Frequently Asked Questions and Guide to Georgia Vegetable Gardening, available for purchase and signing.
Reeves will be joined by current and former horticulturists from Callaway Gardens to create an in-depth question and answer panel including David Chambers, manager of Mr. Cason's Vegetable Garden at Callaway Gardens; Brian Kanotz, manager of greenhouse production; Hank Bruno, director of horticulture at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden of Belmont, NC; and, Helen Phillips, manager of Garden Solutions Garden Center of LaGrange, GA. Bring your gardening questions and challenges to see if you can get your perplexing gardening issues solved as well as receive practical, down-to-earth advice and insight into your gardening activities.
After lunch, Reeves will be available to autograph his many books. These will be available for purchase at the Callaway Plant Fair and Sale. Registration, which includes lunch, is $45. To register, contact the Callaway Gardens Education Department Email: education@callawaygardens.com or 1-800-CALLAWAY (225-5292) ext. 5153. Space is limited so register today.
BONUS: Register for the dinner and gardening school for only $85.
Tabletop Garden: Terrarium Workshop - Saturday, March 13, 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Create a garden under glass for a desk or table top. Instructor: Katie Steinhoff, Education Department. Fee: $50.
Adventures in DSLR #2 - April 10 & 11, Saturday, 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.; Sunday, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Saturday, Mastering Landscape Photography with emphasis on the Callaway Azalea Gardens. Fee: $75. Sunday, limit 20, must attend April 10th workshop. Fee: $40.
Adventures in DSLR #3 - April 17 & 18, Saturday 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.; Sunday 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Saturday, Mastering Flash Photography in Nature and Portraiture. Fee: $75. Sunday, limit 20, must attend April 17th workshop. Fee: $40.
Capturing the Essence in Watercolor - Saturday - Sunday, April 24-25, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Paint "on location" in the Gardens! Instructor: Pat Fiorello. Fee: $195.
Mountain Bike Ride on The Preserve - Saturday, March 13, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Length: 8 miles; strenuous; Ages 12 and up. Bring your own mountain bike and helmet. Fee: $12.
Spring Wildflower Walk - Saturday, April 3, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Length: 2.5 miles; moderate; Ages 12 and up. Fee: $7.
Mountain Laurel Hike - Saturday, May 8, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Length: 2.5 miles; moderately easy; Ages 10 and up. Fee: $7.
National Trails Day Fitness Hike - Saturday, June 5, 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Length: 3.5 miles; strenuous; Ages 12 and up. Fee: $7.
THE CHATTAHOOCHEE NATURE CENTER
9135 Willeo Road, Roswell, GA 30075
770-992-2055
The Chattahoochee NATURE CENTER is a 127-acre private non-profit environmental education facility located on the banks of the Chattahoochee River. 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. Visit www.chattnaturecenter.com for a full listing.
Spring Native Plant Sale - Saturday, March 27 from 9-5, Sunday, March 28 from 12-5. Back by Popular Demand! The Chattahoochee Nature Center presents the Spring Native Plant Sale, in full swing this March!
Do you envision your garden space full of bright prolific blooms, with butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators filling the skies? We have a wide selection of host and nectar plants for the butterfly enthusiast, such as Milkweeds, Sages, Blazing Stars, and more!
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.
Come see what we have in store for your gardens at the Native Plant Sale at the Chattahoochee Nature Center this March! We look forward to helping you help your garden grow!
"Rockin' At The River" An Evening of Southern Music - May 15, 2010, 7:30 - 11:00 pm. Get ready to enjoy sounds of southern music and the season's newest social event. Honorary Chairs, Judie Raiford and the Honorable Mayor Jere Wood of Roswell invite you to join them for this river front extravaganza showcasing the unique new Discovery Center and Ben Brady Lakeside Pavilion at the Chattahoochee Nature Center (CNC). A spectacular natural setting under the stars sets the stage for this year's 8th annual benefit event hosted by the (CNC's) Board of Trustees from 7:30 pm until 11:00 PM.
The evening's events will be preceded by a Patron Party on the Green Roof Plaza of the new Discovery Center. Brooke and Jeff Dickerson, event co-chairs will represent the Trustees at this dressy casual Southern Music extravaganza. A wide spectrum of live, southern musical genres will entertain guests as they move from the Kingfisher Hall and Silent Auction to the Ben Brady Lakeside Pavilion through the beautifully landscaped gardens for a rockin' good time in the moonlight! Patron Tickets are $250 per person and general admission tickets are $125 per person. For more information, contact DeAnn Fordham, Special Events Director, at 770-992-2055, extension 226. Proceeds from the gala will fund the Center's environmental learning programs, horticulture and wildlife services.
GO WILD in Roswell Photography Exhibition by Georgia Nature Photographers - May 22 - June 6. Sponsored by the Georgia Nature Photographers Association and the Chattahoochee Nature Center. This juried photography exhibition is open to the public and cash prizes will be presented. This Exhibition will be displayed at the Chattahoochee Nature Center and the following Roswell hotels during the duration of GO WILD in Roswell: Best Western Roswell Suites; Brookwood Inn; Courtyard by Marriott; DoubleTree; Holiday Inn Roswell and Holiday Inn Express. Photographs will be available for purchase through the photographers.
Georgia Wildflowers Reflections Series - May 22 - June 6. Enjoy this daily reflections series at the Chattahoochee Nature Center in the high definition Cowie Weiss Theater. Visitors are welcomed to enjoy a quiet moment in our new theater and experience beautiful images of Georgia wildflowers accompanied by inspirational music when they visit. Included in general admission price and free for CNC members.
GO WILD: Peeps and Pancakes Bird Walk - May 22, 7:30 A.M. Atlanta Audubon Society and the Chattahoochee Nature Center invite you to a Peeps and Pancakes Bird Walk in Roswell. Meet at the Vickery Creek entrance of the National Park (located on Riverside Road, almost across from Riverside Park in Roswell). Our leader will guide participants on a walk in this very special section of the park. We will walk over the covered bridge, take a peak at the Mill ruins and walk up the hill to J. Christopher's Restaurant for breakfast (each person pays for their own food & drink). Afterwards, we'll wander back through the park to our original meeting place. Moderate hiking ability. (Event will not be held if raining)
Free event - food and drink paid by each participant and parking at the park site is $3.
Venomous Snakes of Georgia - May 22, 10 am - 12:30 pm. Come view the Southeast's venomous snakes in a live animal presentation! Bryan Hudson, southeastern herpetologist and CNC wildlife volunteer, will help you discover fun facts about Georgia's slithering serpents. Come view 5 of the 6 venomous snakes found in Georgia from 10:00 - 11:00 AM, then join in on a presentation at 11:00 where you will enjoy a general introduction to the snakes of Georgia including common snake identification and their ecological importance (presentation is most appropriate for ages 8 - adult.) Stay around afterwards to ask your own snake related questions! Included in general admission price and free for CNC members.
Family Music Series: Mr. Greg's Musical Madness - May 22, 1 pm. Mr. Greg brings fun, interactive music to get your toes tapping. Mr. Greg's shows are an interactive sing-along celebration where all kids are invited to participate. While bringing a timely message about recycling and going green, Mr. Greg captivates audiences of all ages who are eager to bounce, jump, and even play egg shakers along with the show. A great day out for the whole family! Included in general admission price and free for CNC members.
Lost in the Woods Safety & Survival - May 22, 2:30 - 4:30 pm. This presentation at the Chattahoochee Nature Center will be a basic overview of general survival skills. Topics include:
- medicinal and edible plants
- signaling
- tips for being lost while camping, kayaking, or hiking
- the most important things to keep in your day pack
- photos of venomous and non-venomous snakes
- reacting to encounters with snakes, bears or wild pigs
- how to treat reactions from biting and stinging insects
Pre-Register at 770-992-2055 x 222 $12 non-members / $8 members
Hoot and Holler on the Hooch - May 22, 6pm. Square Dancing BBQ & Brew party at Chattahoochee Nature Center! "Come Hoot and Holler at the Hooch to the calls and foot stomping rhythm of Susan Davis and the Tune Dogs." Kick up your heels and watch square dancing demos while you enjoy a BBQ dinner prepared by Spiced Right BBQ Ribhouse of Roswell served in the moonlight at our new Ben Brady Lakeside Pavilion. Join us for this unique evening hosted by our ChattPACK and experience beginner-friendly, old timey mountain-style circles and square dances. Pack a quilt to spread on the grass but come ready to dance - crinolines and boots are optional and the dress is casual. Leave your high heels at home and wear your dancing shoes! All dances will be taught and prompted to live and lively Appalachian string band music played by The Tune Dogs with Jan Smith on fiddle; Scott Russell on guitar; John Kelly playing banjo; and Pete Senkowski on the bass. The Tune Dogs are an Atlanta based band with decades of experience playing old time Southern tunes. Caller Susan Davis has been calling squares dances for beginners for over 30 years. YeeHAW!!
Calling All Artists: Early Admission to Chattahoochee Nature Center - Sunday, May 23, 8 am - noon, ages 12 and up. Are you an artist who enjoys the peaceful quiet of nature? The Chattahoochee Nature Center is often bustling with activity, but not this Sunday morning. We welcome artists of all genres who would like to walk or sit quietly and paint, draw, journal, photograph, etc. This will be a quiet morning. General Admission to Chattahoochee Nature Center is required; free to Chattahoochee Nature Center members.
First Aid on the Trail - May 23, 2 - 4 pm. This hands-on class will be beginner first aid instruction specific to a natural setting. Participants will learn what to bring on the trail, basic wound cleaning, dressing and splinting skills and tips for getting help when needed. This is not a certification class. Ages 12 and up. $12 non-members / $8 members, please register in advance by calling 770-992-2055 x 222
Wildlife Photography - May 23, 1 pm, ages 16 - adult. Come meet Tom Murphy and explore his breath-taking photography. Mr. Murphy's photography illustrates his passionate love for our wild clean earth. Tom's understanding of wildlife is apparent from the beginning. His photographs have been used, both editorially and commercially, in numerous regional, national, and international publications. Clients include: Life, Architectural Digest, National Geographic, Audubon and Time. Newsweek, The New York Times Magazine, National Geographic Adventure, Esquire and others have sent him on assignments. Included in general admission price and free for CNC members.
Lost in the Woods Safety & Survival Class - May 23, 2 - 4 pm, ages 12 - adult. This hands-on class will be beginner first aid instruction specific to a natural setting. Participants will learn what to bring on the trail, basic wound cleaning, dressing and splinting skills and tips for getting help when needed. This is not a certification class. $12 non-members / $8 members, Please register in advance by calling 770-992-2055 x 222
Calling Gardeners for Plant ID 101 - May 23, 3 - 5 pm, ages 14 - adult. Join us at Chattahoochee Nature Center for this hands-on workshop and learn to identify native plants. In this two hour session we will learn the basic structure of a plant and using these basics in identifying native plants. We will learn more about the classifications of families and then keying individual plants out to species level. After the classroom we will walk on our trails and use what we have learned to identify plants. Included in general admission price and free for CNC members.
Nature's Healers: Common Medicinal Plants - May 23, 3 - 5 pm, ages 14 - adult. Did you know that the Dandelion, commonly regarded as a pesky weed, actually contains more calcium than milk and has been prized as a healer to the kidney and bladder for centuries? Many common plants have been used in traditional cultures to promote healing. Join us in an exploration of Nature's Healers commonly found throughout our region. We will begin our journey with a slide show presentation followed by walking tour of these plants which grow at the Chattahoochee Nature Center. Included in general admission price and free for CNC members.
"The National Parks: America's Best Idea" Film Series - Monday, May 24 to Friday, May 28, 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM, ages 10 - adult. The National Parks: America's Best Idea is a six-episode series directed by Ken Burns and written and co-produced by Dayton Duncan. Filmed over the course of more than six years at some of nature's most spectacular locales - from Acadia to Yosemite, Yellowstone to the Grand Canyon, the Everglades of Florida to the Gates of the Arctic in Alaska - The National Parks: America's Best Idea is a story of people: people from every conceivable background who were willing to devote themselves to saving some precious portion of the land they loved, and in doing so reminded their fellow citizens of the full meaning of democracy. Shown in CNC's Cowie Weiss Theater. Included in general admission price and free for CNC members.
Not an Early Bird Evening Bird and Wildlife Walk - May 25, 6:30 pm. Atlanta Audubon Society and the Chattahoochee Nature Center invite you to an evening bird and wildlife walk. Meet at the awesome Big Creek Wetlands Park in Roswell and enjoy an evening of bird watching, wildlife viewing and just a great casual walk. This event is free and open to everyone who hates to get up early in the morning and all those early birds, too. (will not be held if raining)
Directions: Traveling north on GA 400, get off at Holcomb Bridge Road exit and travel east towards Norcross. Go through one light and then turn left onto Old Alabama Road. Approx. 1/4 mile on the left, you'll see the entrance to Big Creek Park. Turn into lot. The immediate lot you enter is the mountain bikers park - go past this lot and down the dirt road which runs along utility lines. At the end of the path, it takes a right turn into the big parking lot - Park Here! Meet by the restroom area at the start of the paved trail.
Family Music Series: Emmy Award Winner Farmer Jason - Saturday, May 29, 1 pm. Get out your bandanas and overalls- Farmer Jason is coming to Roswell and Chattahoochee Nature Center's Ben Brady Lakeside Pavilion! This alternative country music legend will deliver catchy songs and good times while exploring ecology, natural wonders and history. Sure to get you up and dancing, this is a show not to be missed. Included in general admission price and free for CNC members.
Campfire and Backyard Campout - May 29 - 30, 5 pm - 10 am, pre-registration required. Join us as we sleep out under the stars at Chattahoochee Nature Center. We'll provide space, water, bathrooms campfire and a night of fun; you bring the rest. www.chattnaturecenter.org or 770-992-2055 x 237 for details and registration. $35 Non-Member Families/$25 Member Families.
Wildlife Origami with Nathaniel Lachenmeyer - May 30, 1 pm, ages 8 - adult. Award-winning author Nathaniel Lachenmeyer will share his love of nature by introducing CNC visitors to Wildlife Origami. Lachenmeyer, whose work includes the popular children's book "The Origami Master", will guide you through folds and creases to turn ordinary paper into a natural work of art. Included in general admission price and free for CNC members.
"Lords of Nature" Film - May 30, 2:30 pm, ages 10 - adult. Birds, butterflies, beaver and antelope, wildflowers and frogs - could their survival possibly be connected to top predators like the wolf and cougar? Join us in CNC's Cowie Weiss Theater for this exciting film about nature's predators! Narrated by Peter Coyote, this captivating documentary goes behind the scenes with leading scientists to explore the role top predators play in restoring and maintaining ecosystems and biodiversity. Included in general admission price and free for CNC members.
"The National Parks: America's Best Idea" Film Series - May 31 (Memorial Day), 11 am - 1 pm, ages 10 - adult. Join us for the final part of the 6-part series "The National Parks: America's Best Idea." Filmed over the course of more than six years at some of nature's most spectacular locales - from Acadia to Yosemite, Yellowstone to the Grand Canyon, the Everglades of Florida to the Gates of the Arctic in Alaska - The National Parks: America's Best Idea is a story of people: people from every conceivable background who were willing to devote themselves to saving some precious portion of the land they loved, and in doing so reminded their fellow citizens of the full meaning of democracy. Shown in CNC's Cowie Weiss Theater. Included in general admission price and free for CNC members.
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
South Georgia Native Plant and Wildflower Symposium - March 24. The annual symposium is a day long event, cosponsored by the Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. and the University of Georgia. For the first time, the symposium will be held at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center. Enjoy a day at the UGA Tifton Campus learning about the beauty and the benefits of native plants and protecting Georgia's natural resources. The symposium features regionally known speakers.
- Plant Sale
- Dan Miller - Wolf Creek Trout Lily Preserve
- Jim Miller - Forest Plants of the Southeast and Their Wildlife Uses
- Nancy Beckemeyer - Landscaping with Natives
- John and Lamyrl Atkinson - The Challenge of Popularizing Native Plants
- Arboretum Tour
Symposium $30; Lunch additional $10. To learn more about the programs, and to register, please visit www.nespal.org/wildflower/index.html.
Grafting Your Landscape and Garden - Friday, April 9, 9 am - 4 pm, in the UGA Research Demonstration Garden Classroom, Griffin, GA. This program will include hands-on demonstrations on how to graft ornamentals and fruit trees. It is open to all homeowners and Master Gardeners or anyone interested in learning more about grafting. Each participant will take home their own grafted plants and learn techniques to enhance their landscape and garden. Bob Westerfield and Bodie Pennisi, UGA Horticulturists will be the program speakers. Refreshments and lunch are included in the program fee as well as all materials. Cost is $95. Pre-registration required. For more information call Val Schott, at 770-233-5598.
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.
Spring Plant Sale - Proceeds benefit Dunwoody Nature Center. Our savvy Master Gardeners have done it again . . . selected a delightful array of shrubs, perennials, and trees for local gardens www.dunwoodynature.org/do/plantsale/Spring2010plantsale.html. We'll also have organic amendments, rat excluders, and pass-along plants for sale during pick-up days.
Order soon . . . the deadline is March 26! Check out the line-up HERE www.dunwoodynature.org/do/plantsale/Spring2010plantsale.html.
Gardening With the Elements - Saturdays, 9:30 - 11 am. Whether you’re a novice gardener or interested in exploring some new ideas, you’ll find lots to learn from our experienced gardeners. Experienced gardener Jeff Coghill shares his knowledge with an engaging style everyone will enjoy. Classes are family-friendly, so all ages are welcome! Please visit www.dunwoodynature.org for more information and the schedule.
Everyday Photography with Alan Mothner - Mondays, 9:30 - 11 am – 6-Week Class Begins March 8. Whether you carry a cell phone around with you or just got the latest SLR, this is the class to learn how to take better pictures using the equipment you have on hand. We'll focus less on apertures and technical information and discuss how to see like a photographer. Examples will be shown throughout class of what elements make a successful photograph and how you can achieve similar results using your digital camera. Limit 20 students. Please visit www.dunwoodynature.org for more information.
Birding - March 29, 7 - 8:30 pm. Our good friend David Boyd of the Dunwoody Wild Bird Center will lead two birding sessions, each ending with a bird walk around Dunwoody Park. Bring your binoculars to identify birds, both native and migratory, learn the best ways to attract them and feed them, get helpful hints on predators and how to deal with nests in the garage, and more. Choose one or both sessions: content is progressive from the basics to more advanced birding content. Limit 20 per class. Please visit www.dunwoodynature.org for more information.
Birding - Monday, April 12, 7 –8:30 pm. Our good friend David Boyd of the Dunwoody Wild Bird Center will lead two birding sessions, each ending with a bird walk around Dunwoody Park. Bring your binoculars to identify birds, both native and migratory, learn the best ways to attract them and feed them, get helpful hints on predators and how to deal with nests in the garage, and more. Choose one or both sessions: content is progressive from the basics to more advanced birding content. Limit 20 per class. Please visit www.dunwoodynature.org for more information.
Family Nature Hikes - Saturdays, 10 am - noon. Take a hike! Each week, our friendly nature expert will lead families through Dunwoody Park to explore different nature themes including signs of spring, birds, insects & spiders, and more. Pregistration required for each hike. Group limited to 20 children and their adult guests, first come, first served.
Fees: DNC Members $8 per child/ General Public $10 per child (Adults Free)
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.
Environmental Education Alliance of Georgia Annual Conference - March 19-20. REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! The Environmental Education Alliance of Georgia's annual conference will be held at the Kennesaw State University Continuing Education Center in Kennesaw, GA! The theme of "Environmental Literacy" will provide attendees the opportunity to increase and improve their environmental knowledge, skills and behaviors. Sessions, field trips and keynote speakers will inform attendees through four strands: Consumer Choices (Behaviors), Knowledge, Skills Development, and Partnerships for Environmental Literacy. (1 PLU available.) Visit the conference home page for complete details - http://www.eealliance.org/core/item/page.aspx?s=55999.0.121.7182%20.
The Friends of Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites is a non-profit organization. Friends is a growing group of dedicated people who show their support in a number of ways. Some volunteer, some contribute financially, and some seek legislative support for the parks. Whatever your involvement, you are giving back to Georgia in a meaningful way. With more than 25 chapters across the state, you may be just down the road from a place where you can make new friends while making a difference. Plus, a portion of your membership fees is returned directly to these chapters for needed projects. For more information, please visit friendsofgastateparks.org.
Chattahoochee Bend Workday - March 27, 10:00 to 2:00. Trail building. We will meet at the park kiosk and commute to the Clark Rd. entrance gate. Please do not park on Clark Rd. We will clear the access road from the gate south to Flat Rock/Payton Road and north to the river, as much as time and weather permit.
Volunteers please bring gloves, boots, hand saws, chain saws, leaf rakes, steel rakes, shovels, weed-eater, sling blades and safety glasses. For more information, visit www.bendfriend.org.
Items in this section are related to garden clubs around Georgia. Please use the information in the item to learn more about that organization, or the event.
East Lake Garden Tour - Saturday, May 22, 10 am - 4 pm. The East Lake Garden Club invites you to the 2nd Annual East Lake Garden Tour. This self-guided tour will feature seven beautiful and unique East Lake gardens, several of which have utilized a variety of native plants, along with local artwork from various artists.
Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 the day of the tour. Advance tickets are available from GardenHood, 347 Boulevard Dr SE, the East Lake Foundation, 2606 Alston Drive SE, Le Petit Marche, 1963 Hosea L. Williams Dr., and on-line at www.eastlakegardenclub.com.
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.
Gainesville College Nature Trail Privit Pull - March 12 & 13, 10 am - 3 pm. The work will begin at 10:00 am to 12:00 with an hour for lunch. Returning at 1:00 pm and working till 3:00. We have already worked every Saturday in November and there is a lot of progress but still there is much work to be done. The goal is to make the campus a Tree City USA which is a most worthy cause. Please help us with this most worthy project. For more information please Email: smit5857@bellsouth.net.
Azalea Festival 2010 - March 13-14, in Valdosta, Lowndes County. Please visit www.azaleafestival.com for more information.
How to Attract Butterflies - Would you like to know how to attract butterflies to your garden? Then join the Gwinnett County Master Gardeners March 15th when Dawn Hines will present a program on everything you need to know to have a backyard full of butterflies. Dawn is a DeKalb Master Gardener who began her gardening experience very early learning from her grandmother in her gardens. More recently, Dawn encouraged and lead the creation of the Tucker Butterfly Garden on LaVista Rd in 2008 as a new DeKalb County Master Gardener Project. Dawn's latest project is a Butterfly Presentation and Tour for Preschoolers. We will have a covered dish dinner at 6:30. If you would like to eat with us, please bring a salad, side dish or dessert to share. Otherwise, come and hear Dawn at 7:00 p.m. We meet at the Gwinnett Sr. Center at 225 Bethesda Church Road in Lawrenceville off of Ronald Reagan Parkway. Gwinnett Cooperative Extension 678-377-4010.
Pesticide Effects on the Environment - Friday, March 19, 10:00 AM until noon, in Madison, GA. The Morgan County Extension and Master Gardeners are offering a special March Seminar in the Extension Office Conference Room, 440 Hancock Street, Madison, GA 30650. Please call 706-342-2214 to register. Pre-registration is requested.
Hall County Master Gardeners Spring Garden Expo - April 9-10, Friday, 8 am - 6 pm, Saturday, 8 am - 4:30 pm, at Chicopee Woods Agricultural Center. Please visit www.hcmgs.com for more information.
Master Gardener Advanced Training for Urban Trees - Tuesdays, April 20 - May 18, in Rockdale County. You must attend all sessions and this training will not be offered in Rockdale again for 2 years. Info at tinyurl.com/yhbjwnq or Contact Jule-Lynne Macie Email: jlmacie@UGA.EDU for more information.
Garden Tour to Benefit Produce Garden for the Needy - April 30, 6-8 pm, at Thurleston Gardens, 847 Dixie Ave, Madison Ga. Held at the peak of its flowering season, Thurleston Gardens will be the celebration of spring with not only the 19 acre tour, but also hors doeuvre. For the donation/ticket price of $25 (or $20 advance donations up to March 31), you will receive a pass to the gardens and free hors doeuvres. Harvest of the Heart Garden, (formerly Plant a Row for the Hungry of Morgan County) is a 501c3 organization-which feeds yearly approximately 7000+ disabled, jobless, financially disadvantaged individuals of Morgan County, Ga. (The Home will not be on this tour due to the magnificence of the gardens at this time of year.)
Fayette County Master Gardeners Spring Plant Sale and Demonstrations - May 1. For more information, Email: fmga08@gmail.com.
Fayette Master Gardeners Annual Garden Tour - May 8. For more information, Email: fmga08@gmail.com.
Carroll County Master Gardener Plant Sale - May 9, beginning at 9:00 am. The sale will be at the Carroll County Ag Center.
There are two gardens co-located at the Georgia Perimeter College Botanical Garden: (1) the Native Plant Garden and (2) the Ferns of the World Garden. The mission of both gardens is to educate the public about US native plants and temperate ferns by providing a teaching environment.
The Botanical Garden is located in Decatur at 3251 Panthersville Road, behind the parking lot adjacent to the Occupational Education Building. For more information, call 678-891-2668 or visit www.gpc.edu/~decbt.
- 10:30am-11:15am Guided Garden walk Come see what is blooming in the garden! Led by the featured speaker or a garden volunteer
- 11:30am-12:30pm Featured speaker in Bldg SF 2100 * Note new start time
- Bring a lunch if desired
Native Plants for Home and Green Space Beautification - March 31. Dave Funderburk. Woodland Garden walk.
Native Azaleas - April 7. Ernest Koone. Native Azalea walk.
Talking Trilliums - April 14. Tom Patrick & John Little. Trillium walk.
TBA - April 21. Nancy Beckemeyer & Susan Todd. Autumn way walk.
Ephemerals and other Spring Beauties - April 28. Karen Lindauer. Woodland garden walk.
Native Clematis - May 5. Lindy Broder & Rick Barnes. Sun beds walk.
Walkabout in Our Woodland Garden - May 12. Dr. Allan Armitage. Garden walk with Dr Armitage.
Sex in the Garden - May 19. George Sanko. Garden walk around the pond, meadow and beyond.
Jim's Top Ten Native Trees, Shrubs and Perennials - May 26. Jim Rodgers & Jacqueline McRae. Wildlife garden walk.
Plants of the Muck and Mire 101 - June 2. Jerry Hightower & Mary Lou Cannemela. Fern garden walk.
Decatur Campus - 3251 Panthersville Road, Decatur
Phone: 678-891-2668
Every Wednesday - March 31 – June 2
Selected Saturdays - March 27, April 10, April 17, April 24, May 8, May 22, and May 29th
Azalea Madness! - March 27, April 7, 10, and 17.
Come shop at the largest native azalea sale in the southeast. We also have a great selection of native shrubs, native trees, vines, perennials, native ferns, and native grasses.
Highlands Biological Station, Highlands, NC
For 80 years, the mission of the Highlands Biological Station has been to foster education and research focused on the rich natural heritage of the Highlands Plateau, while preserving and celebrating the integrity of the "biological crown of the southern Appalachian Mountains."
During summer months (June - August), guided tours of the Botanical Garden leave each Friday at 2pm from the Nature Center. Interpretive guided walks for private groups are also available throughout the year and can be arranged by appointment. They are generally free of charge, but contributions for the Garden are always appreciated. To schedule a tour of the Botanical Garden, please contact the Nature Center at 828-526-2623.
Please visit http://www.wcu.edu/hbs for more information.
FLESHY FUNGI OF THE HIGHLANDS PLATEAU - July 26 – August 7, with Andrew S. Methven. Course fee: $525 per 2-week course (**$425 for students from HBS member institutions**).
Check website for course applications, detailed descriptions, and prerequisite requirements: www.wcu.edu/hbs/currentyrcourses.htm.
IDENTIFICATION OF SEDGES WORKSHOP - May 24–29, with Dwayne Estes. Workshop fee: $275 per 1-week workshop (**$225 for students from HBS member institutions**).
Check website for course applications, detailed descriptions, and prerequisite requirements: www.wcu.edu/hbs/currentyrcourses.htm.
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.
Wild Azalea Festival - April 10, 10 am - 3 pm. Reynolds Nature Preserve is hosting our first Wild Azalea Festival this spring. This is a family event held in Morrow, GA just 15 minutes south of Atlanta. Join us for exhibit displays, live animal shows, craft vendors, interpretive museum tours, native azalea showcases, good food, and much more! Visitors are also invited to take a hike on the trails and explore the park's natural and cultural history. FREE
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.
Mosses in the Landscape Lecture - Tuesday, March 16, 6:30 pm Biology Auditorium, 101 Duckett Hall at The Citadel. Dr. Wyatt, former Director of the Highlands Biological Station, will focus his talk on ten native moss species that make attractive subjects for a range of garden sites. Topics will include where mosses typically grow, how to grow them, which ones to grow, where to obtain them, and beneficial reasons to grow them. Robert has had a long academic career in the field of botany and has won numerous awards for his teaching and research. He is the author of Ecology and Evolution of Plant Reproduction.
Tour of Charliewood Plantation in the Francis Marion National Forest (2 hrs) - Saturday, March 20 (Rescheduled from Fall 2009), led by Richard Porcher. We’ll meet at 9:00 am at the Sweetgrass Bi-Lo shopping center in Mount Pleasant at the intersection of Hwy 17 and the IOP connector to carpool and depart by 9:10 am. Or you may choose to drive to Charliewood and join us there at 9:30am. This outing will be rich in natural and cultural history as Richard shows us the wildflowers that grow on the banks and reservoir of this old rice plantation on the Wando River marsh. Bring plenty of water, and wear field clothing for hiking.
Lowcountry to Host South Carolina Native Plant Society 12th Annual Symposium: Nurture Nature, - May 7-9, in Charleston. Held on the grounds of the historic Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, the two-day event features guest speakers, field trips and workshops promoting best practices for sustaining biodiversity in our own backyards.
Nurture Nature will bring together a diverse group of people from across South Carolina—master gardeners & horticulturists, home gardeners, landscape architects, nursery & landscape professionals, professors and students, as well as representatives from state and local government - to learn and share best practices for sustaining biodiversity in South Carolina’s private and commercial landscape.
This year’s Keynote Speaker, Dr. Douglas Tallamy, is Professor and Chair of the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware. He is the author of Bringing Nature Home: How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants, which was awarded the 2008 Silver Medal by the Garden Writer’s Association. Chief among Dr. Tallamy’s research goals is a better understanding of the many ways insects interact with plants and how such interactions determine the diversity of animal communities. Calling on his research and lively personal anecdotes, Tallamy will discuss “the important ecological roles of the plants in our landscapes, emphasize the benefits of designing gardens with these roles in mind, and explore the consequences of failing to do so.”
The Symposium will feature workshops by local experts, including “Gardening as if All Life Mattered” by Judith Kramer, “Plant Diseases” by plant pathologist Kari Whitley, “Creating a Personal Herbarium” with botanist Joel Gramling, and a butterfly walk by naturalist and ecologist Billy McCord. Symposium Partners include Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, The Nature Conservancy and the Charleston Parks Conservancy.
To register, go to The South Carolina Native Plant Society website at www.scnps.org.
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 & National Park Experience - April 21 - 25. Online registration is strongly encouraged at www.springwildflowerpilgrimage.org. The majority of available slots for programs are held for online registration. Only 20% of the available slots for programs have been held for phone registration.
Online/Phone Registration Now Open - March 3 9AM - April 17, 4PM. Join us for the 2010 Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage in the Smokies. Visit the Pilgrimage website to learn more about the programs that are offered. To register by phone, call (865) 436-7318 x 222 (9 AM ET to 4 PM ET weekdays). Groups of 10 or more people can only register for identical programs by phone. There is no on-site or online registration for groups. If members of your group wish to participate individually in events other than those assigned to the group, they must register individually.
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.
John Bartram Lives - Friday, March 26, 7:30 pm at the Visitor Center. John Bartram himself (OK, so he really is Pennsylvanian Kirk R. Brown)
visits the Garden in this first-person biographical and historical presentation on the life of America's first botanist and horticulturist. Prepare to be entertained, amused, awed, intrigued and educated as history comes alive! In conjunction with Friends of the Garden Annual Meeting. Please call 706-542-6138 for information. Cost, $10 members; $15 non-members.
Botanica Garden Scavenger Hunt - Saturday, April 17, 10 am - Noon, meet in front of the Visitor Center. What better way to get to know the Garden than to become an explorer! Throughout history and even today, explorers have traveled the globe in search of plants that could be used for food, medicine, shelter, and much more. In the process, they often moved plants from their original location to the one where they are found now. Did you know our own Georgia peach originally came from China? Each team (no more than five) will work together to complete a list of Garden explorations, finding plants and forests treasures and documenting their uses and native regions. Teams must stay together during the hunt. Prizes will be awarded to the first five teams to finish. This program is designed for families but others are welcome as well.
For more information about the programs offered, visit www.uga.edu/botgarden. Cost, members $8; non-members $10 (per team).
Mother's Day at the Garden - Sunday, May 9, 11:30 am - 4 pm, at the Visitor Center. Bring the family to the Garden to enjoy spring blooms, a delicious meal at the Gardenside Café - and a wonderful, lively concert by the very popular Classic City Band. Professional portraits (cash or check) will be available to remember your special day with Mom!
For more information about the programs offered, visit www.uga.edu/botgarden. Cost, Free.
Beekeeping for Beginners Unit 4: Spring Hive Management - Friday, March 12 or Saturday, March 13, meet at the Shade Garden Arbor. 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. In the first outdoor lab, join Dan Harris, Beekeeper, as he opens a hive and examines the inner workings of a living honeybee colony.
For more information about the programs offered, visit www.uga.edu/botgarden. Cost, members $40; non-members $45.
Spring Wildflowers of the Upland Deciduous Forests of Georgia - Thursday, March 25, 8:30 am - 12:30 pm, in the Visitor Center, Classroom 2. This is a Certificate in Native Plants Elective Course, taught 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.
For more information about the programs offered, visit www.uga.edu/botgarden. Cost, members $40; non-members $45.
Plant Conservation: Protecting Botanical Diversity in the Garden and in the Wild - Saturday, March 27, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm, in the Visitor Center, Classroom 2. This is a Certificate in Native Plants Core Course, taught by Jennifer Ceska, Conservation Coordinator, and Jim Affolter, Director of Research, SBG. Plant conservation is an applied science that draws upon many fields of knowledge from ecology to horticulture, to ethics and politics. This course surveys threats to biodiversity in Georgia and worldwide, examples of rare plant research, techniques for restoration and reintroduction, and ways individuals and organizations are making a difference in protecting rare plants species of Georgia. Class will include demonstrations, hands-on activities, group discussions, tours of threatened species collections, and visits to the conservation research lab and the Outdoor Propagation Area for rare plant species at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia.
For more information about the programs offered, visit www.uga.edu/botgarden. Cost, members $90; non-members $100.
Gardening 101 - Monday, April 5, 5:30 - 7 pm at the Visitor Center, Classroom 2. Class will be led by Amanda Tedrow, ACC Cooperative Extension, UGA. New to gardening or Georgia? This quick start class will teach participants the basics of home gardening. The class will touch on the topics of testing and preparing the soil, sunlight and water requirements, planting tips and yearly maintenance. Amanda will provide basic zoning information to help participants plant and maintain annuals, perennials, shrubs, and trees in their yard.
For more information about the programs offered, visit www.uga.edu/botgarden. Cost, members $10; non-members $12.
Beekeeping for Beginners Unit 5: Installing Bees/Spring Buildup - Friday, April 9 or Saturday, April 10, 1 - 3 pm, meet at the Shade Garden Arbor. 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 5. In Unit 5, Dan Harris, Beekeeper, will demonstrate how to install a package of bees into a new hive. He will also open an existing hive and compare it to the previous inspection from Unit 4.
For more information about the programs offered, visit www.uga.edu/botgarden. Cost, members $40; non-members $45.
Basic Botany - Saturday, April 10, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm, at the Visitor Center, Classroom 2. This is a Cartificate in Native Plants Core Course, taught by Robery Wyatt, Adjunct Professor of Ecology, Univerisy of Georgia. Basic Botany provides an introduction to general plant anatomy, morphology, and physiology, with an emphasis on relating form to function. Using live material and slides, students will make detailed observations of root, stem, and leaf tissues and discuss the processes of water and nutrient movements. The mechanisms of flower pollination, seed dispersal, and germination will be explored, along with the basics of plant genetics, photosynthesis, and evolution.
For more information about the programs offered, visit www.uga.edu/botgarden. Cost, members $90; non-members $100.
Spring Wildflowers of the Granite Rock Outcrops of Georgia - Saturday, April 17, 8:30 am - 12:30 pm, in the Visitor Center, Classroom 2. This is a Certificate in Native Plants Elective Course, taught by Linda Chafin, Conservation Botanist, State Botanical Garden of Georgia. Students will be introduced to the ecology of Piedmont granite outcrops and their flora in the classroom, then visit Rock and Shoals Natural Area to learn to identify the species that characterize Georgia's granite rock outcrops and surrounding plant communities.
For more information about the programs offered, visit www.uga.edu/botgarden. Cost, members $40; non-members $45.
Composting is Different for Everyone - Monday, May 3, 5:30 - 7 pm, in the Visitor Center, Classroom 2. Stacee Farrell and Suki Janssen, Athens-Clarke County (ACC) Recycling Division and Amanda Tedrow, ACC Cooperative Extension Service will teach the class. The basic compost recipe is the same browns, greens, water, air and critters. But how do you make it work for you and your space? Join ACC Recycling Division and Cooperative Extension personnel and others, during National Compost Week, as they share recipes for backyard composting. Participants will learn the basic ingredients and directions for making compost at home and different ways to create the perfect compost environment for your needs.
For more information about the programs offered, visit www.uga.edu/botgarden. Cost, members $12; non-members $15.
Got Worms? - Thursday, May 6, 2 - 4 pm, at the Visitor Center, Classroom 2. Taught by Sukin Janssen, Athens-Clarke County (ACC) Recycling Division. Join the ACC Recycling Division staff as they share the secret lives of red wigglers, the composting worm! Participants in this class will construct vermi-composting bins to take home for recycling food scraps. Materials for building the bin are covered in the registration fee. There will be a limit of 20 participants.
For more information about the programs offered, visit www.uga.edu/botgarden. Cost, members $15; non-members $17.
Wetland Plants Identification - Saturday, May 8, 8:30 am - 12:30 pm, at the Visitor Center, Classroom 2. This is a Certificate in Native Plants Elective Course, taught by Jennifer Cruse-Sanders, Director of Research, Atlanta Botanical Garden. Students will be introduced to the functional and structural adaptations unique to wetland vegetation, and to the basic botanical terms used in identifying and describing wetland plant species. We will apply that knowledge to plants in the field, learning to recognize families, genera, and species based on characteristics readily observable in the wild.
For more information about the programs offered, visit www.uga.edu/botgarden. Cost, members $40; non-members $45.
Drawing in Nature: Illustration in the Garden with Toni Carlucci - Tuesday, May 11, 4 - 6 pm in the Visitor Center, Classroom 2. The Georgia Museum of Art, UGA, presents a workshop on drawing from nature at the State Botanical Gardens of Georgia! Join artist Toni Carlucci to learn some of the secrets to drawing plants, flowers, and other objects of nature using techniques that are fun, effective, and easy to practice at home. Open to children ages 8 and older. This workshop is free, but pre-registration is required. Limited to 15.
Our Shared Forests Family Bird Ramble - Saturday, March 27, 10 am, meet at the Shade Garden Arbor. Led by Debbie Mitchell, Education Specialist, SBG. Enjoy a morning with your family in the Shade Garden as you are guided through basic birding activities in this Important Bird Area.
For more information about the programs offered, visit www.uga.edu/botgarden. Cost, Free.
Trees Atlanta is a non-profit citizens' group dedicated to protecting and improving our urban environment by planting and conserving trees. We also educate the public about the value of trees. We are involved in tree issues in the entire metropolitan Atlanta area.
Volunteer projects are typically on Saturday mornings from 9 to noon. Locations vary week-to-week.
All volunteers must sign up to receive weekly emails with detailed project information. Children are welcome if they bring an adult with them. Activities include tree planting and care, depending on community needs and time of year. Visit the Trees Atlanta Web site at www.treesatlanta.org for more information.
Georgia Arbor Day Photography Exhibit - Friday, February 19 - April 30. The Georgia Arbor Day Photography Show, featuring tree images of Atlanta Photographers Kathryn Kolb and David Knox. The event is free and open to the public and will be held at the Trees Atlanta Kendeda Center, 225 Chester Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30316.
Woodlands is a seven acre greenspace in the heart of Decatur. There is an Historic Garden featuring camellias, hydrangeas, Japanese maples and much more, the 60 year gardening project of the family that donated the land. We are now removing invasive and exotic plants and beginning to plant a Piedmont Native Garden of trees, shrubs and perennials.
The Woodlands Midweek Gardeners meet every other Wednesday morning for light gardening, good conversation, and occasional field trips. Saturday workdays occur about four times a year as needed, and usually focus on larger tasks like trail maintenance or tree planting.
Contact Ruby Bock, Garden Manager, at 404.273.1464, or visit www.decaturpreservationalliance.org for more information.