Volunteer and Docent Newsletter

Transcription

1 November 2013 Volunteer and Docent Newsletter *ONGOING ACTIVITIES* GARDEN TOURS (Included with Garden Admission) EXPLORING TUCSON BOTANICAL GARDENS Fridays, 10AM (September through May) 9AM (June through August) Take advantage of the delightful mornings at the Gardens. This tour delivers some fascinating plant trivia, offers history of the Gardens, and familiarizes you with our native flora as well as the wide variety of plants that grow in Tucson. Free with Garden Admission. 7 BIRDS AND GARDENING TOUR 10AM, 1st & 4th Wednesday of each month (September through May) This 45-minute tour explores the plants and gardening practices that will attract birds to your backyard. We also look for and identify the birds that visit the Gardens and urban Tucson. Free with Garden Admission. HISTORICAL TOUR OF THE GARDENS 10AM, 3rd Thursday of each month (September through May) Want to learn more about the original gardeners of the Gardens? Take a trip back in time with a tour that focuses on the family life of Bernice and Rutger Porter. Discover the historical significance of the property; learn about some of Mrs. Porter s favorite plants, and see some special nooks and secret places. Free with Garden Admission. PLANT CLINIC WITH DR. BESSEY September to June Paul Bessey, retired University of Arizona Plant Sciences Professor, will be available to answer your questions on plant pests, disease and nutrient deficiencies. Free with Garden admission. BACKYARD BUGS 1st Sunday of the month 10AM-3PM Join long-time Gardens volunteer and bug enthusiast, David Jester, as he gets up close and personal with local creepy crawlies. Learn how bugs play important roles in our gardens and the larger ecosystem, ask questions you ve always wondered about, and look at specimens of insects you might see in your own yard. Free with Garden admission. TUCSON ORGANIC GARDENERS COMPOSTING EXHIBIT AT THE GARDENS 1st & 3rd Saturday of the month 11AM-1PM October-May Tucson Organic Gardeners staff will be on hand to answer questions about compost in the Gardens composting area. Free with Garden admission Check out page 2 for Signature Classes 2150 North Alvernon Way, Tucson, Arizona

2 SIGNATURE CLASSES $16, $8 members Discounted four-class package $48, $24 members No preregistration required. All classes are taught by trained docents and include Garden Admission. XERISCAPE NOT ZEROSCAPE! 2nd Saturday, monthly 9:30AM NOON Learn how to design a water-conserving landscape and leave with a plan and tools to develop your own xeriscape design. This class covers the basic principles of xeriscape, including garden design, plant selection, efficient irrigation methods and appropriate garden maintenance. Class concludes with a walking tour highlighting xeriscape features at the Gardens. SUCCESSFUL PLANTS FOR TUCSON GARDENS 3rd Saturday, monthly 9:30AM NOON An excellent follow-up to Gardening for Newcomers and Xeriscape, this class identifies trees, shrubs, perennials and succulents that are smart choices for Tucson. Characteristics that make plants successful locally will be discussed, with a focus on proper selection, placement and planting so that you can achieve a beautiful landscape that will thrive under local conditions. Class concludes with a walking tour highlighting successful plants at the Gardens. RAINWATER HARVESTING 4th Saturday, monthly 9:30AM NOON The class is a broad introductory discussion of rainwater harvesting philosophy and techniques. Visual and technical descriptions illustrate the various alternatives of rainwater harvesting in the Tucson desert. Living in the desert is unique. We can show you how to make the most out of a little rainfall, whether you are interested in a simple low cost project to keep the rainwater on your land, or a more dynamic and sophisticated system to store rainwater. 2

3 Winter Seasonal Classes Register on line at or call , ext. 18. Payment must be received in advance in order to reserve a place in a class, workshop or trip. No refunds will be given if cancellation is made within seven business days of a class. For questions, or to register by phone with a credit card, call , ext. 18. Don t forget: Taking a relevant class at the Gardens counts as continuing education hours for volunteers! DECEMBER YOGA IN THE GARDENS Thursdays, Dec. 5, 19, 26 and Jan. 2 nd, 8-9AM Start your day off on the right foot with weekly sessions of invigorating and centering yoga practice overlooking our beautiful garden setting. Led by Laura Greenlaw, a certified yoga instructor with nine years of teaching experience, each one-hour class will include centering hatha yoga poses taught using good alignment and breath work. Students will learn to create both flexibility and strength in their bodies. No previous experience necessary. After class, take time to wander the Gardens (class price includes admission on each class day). $40, $30 members EXOTIC BEAUTIES: BUTTERFLIES FROM INDIA TO AUSTRALIA with Elizabeth Willott Thursday, Dec. 5, 10:30AM-Noon Join us as we explore the delights of these exotic butterflies. Check out the flamboyantly green, yellow, and black Priamus birdwing males and their dull, but only in comparison to the male, yellow, black and white female companions. Delight in the flagrantly artistic-looking lacewings which truly deserve their name. See the Blue Mountain Swallowtails, whose vibrant blue makes the Blue Morphos look almost drab. These, plus many more, are the butterflies we receive from the region of Indo-Australasia, which encompasses India south of the Himalayas, the western coast of the countries to the east of the Indian Ocean, Australia, and some of the adjacent islands influenced by the Indian Ocean. POETRY IN THE GARDENS Saturdays, Oct. 19, Nov. 16, Dec. 14, 10-11:30AM At its core, poetry asks of us, Who am I and how do I see myself in the larger context of the world? In the second season of this monthly series, docents from Tucson Botanical Gardens and the University of Arizona Poetry Center invite you to explore connections between art, nature and humanity through informal poetry discussions. In October, explore found poetry amid the whimsy of found objects in the Barrio Garden. In November, celebrate the bounty of the season with food poetry in the Kitchen Courtyard Garden. And in December, fly away to other worlds with sci-fi poetry and a visit to the Gardens new exhibit Alien Invasion of the Plant Kind. Docents leading the discussion will provide participants with a packet of poems. No prior knowledge of poetry is needed, but a pen and notebook are recommended. Free with Gardens admission 5 BUTTERFLY FARMS/COSTA RICA BUTTERFLIES Tuesday, Dec. 17, 7-8PM Butterfly Curator, Elizabeth Willott, had the opportunity to visit suppliers in Costa Rica during the summer of This talk covers what she learned about the butterfly farms that supply us with such beautiful butterflies and the impact of the farming on conservation and reforestation efforts in Costa Rica. You ll learn about the farm operations, see some of the scenery, and see the steps from Costa Rica to our exhibit. ARIZONA S DUCKS AND GEESE Thursday, Dec. 12, 6-8PM Most people don t think about ducks when they think about desert birds. But did you know that southern Arizona is the winter home for thousands of ducks? This class will discuss the classification and identification of the ducks and geese that can be found in winter in the Tucson area. Ducks include some of our most interesting and colorful birds. So join Jeff Babson of Sky Island Tours for a look at another type of snowbird. $17, $12 members 3 JANUARY, 2014 YOGA IN THE GARDENS Thursday, Jan. 9, 16, 23, and 30, 8-9AM Start your new year off on the right foot with weekly sessions of invigorating and centering yoga practice overlooking our beautiful garden setting. Led by Laura Greenlaw, a certified yoga instructor with nine years of teaching experience, each one-hour class will include centering hatha yoga poses taught using good alignment and breath work. Students will learn to create both flexibility and strength in their bodies. No previous experience necessary. After class, take time to wander the Gardens (class price includes admission on each class day). $40, $30 members EXOTIC BEAUTIES: BUTTERFLIES OF AFRICA Wednesday, Jan 8, 3:30-5PM The African butterflies we receive include several species of charaxes with their strong bodies and often strong patterns-i.e., the flame-bordered charaxes has a flamecolored border. The patterns on the swallowtails are also amazing. We ll explore what causes the patterns as well as other characteristics of these butterflies. (classes, continued next page)

4 Winter Seasonal Classes (con t) Register on line at or call , ext. 18. Payment must be received in advance in order to reserve a place in a class, workshop or trip. No refunds will be given if cancellation is made within seven business days of a class. For questions, or to register by phone with a credit card, call , ext. 18. Don t forget: Taking a relevant class at the Gardens counts as continuing education hours for volunteers! JANUARY, 2014 INTRODUCTION TO BIRDING Thursday, Jan. 9, 6-8PM Birding is one of the most popular outdoor activities in the country. Tens of millions of people consider themselves birders and the number is growing every year. Join Jeff Babson of Sky Island Tours for this friendly introduction to the world of birding, as we discuss binoculars, field guides, birding hotspots, simple techniques to improve your skills, bird sounds, and much more. Sign up for the Sweetwater Wetlands field trip on Jan. 10 and put your new skills into action! $17, $12 members BIRDING AT SWEETWATER WETLANDS Friday, Jan. 10, 8-10AM Sweetwater Wetlands is one of the finest urban birding spots in the country, home to thousands of wintering ducks and shorebirds, as well, as raptors, songbirds, and much more. Join Jeff Babson of Sky Island Tours as we explore the ponds and basins of a gem of a birding spot. This class is the field portion of the Introduction to Birding class, but is open to all. Birders will meet at Sweetwater Wetlands and should dress for the weather, bring water and bring binoculars if you have them. $20, $15 members THE WEIRD WORLD OF CARNIVOROUS PLANTS Friday, Jan. 17, 3-4:30PM Step right up folks, and dare to learn the ways of plants that bite back! Over 600 kinds of plants can catch and digest prey and some live right here in Arizona. Join Michael Chamberland, the Gardens Director of Horticulture, for an overview of the world of carnivorous plants. Michael has been growing carnivores for 20 years and has visited many of them in their boggy lairs. We ll look at how they can snatch flies from the air and consider why they need to feed. Michael will also give you tips on how to keep them happy and satisfied in cultivation. $14, $10 members BUTTERFLY BASICS Tuesday, Jan. 21, 4:30-6PM Join Elizabeth Willott, Curator of Butterfly Magic, for this basic introduction to butterflies. She ll show some great shots of butterflies from the Gardens and Butterfly Magic, introduce you to butterfly biology and explore the inner workings of our tropical butterfly exhibit. Includes an afterhours visit in the Cox Butterfly and Orchid Pavilion. 5 4 SUSTAINABLE LANDSCAPE DESIGN Saturday, Jan. 25, 9AM-4PM Learn how to map the natural story of the place where you live. With guidance from Dan Dorsey of the nonprofit Sonoran Permaculture Guild, you will create an exciting long-term plan for your sustainable home and landscape one that takes care of the people and the environment at the same time. We ll show you how to put together all the sustainable living strategies you may have heard about rainwater harvesting, gardening, lowwater native plants, greywater recycling, and more into a holistic and sustainable design that will save you money on utility bills and create beautiful natural habitat. We will also practice the skills and strategies needed for effective design, such as mapping the natural and human-made forces that affect a site and using simple elevation-finding tools. Bring a sketch of the site or yard you want to design. $75, $65 members FEBRUARY YOGA IN THE GARDENS Thursday, Feb. 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th, 8-9AM Start your day off on the right foot with weekly sessions of invigorating and centering yoga practice overlooking our beautiful garden setting. Led by Laura Greenlaw, a certified yoga instructor with nine years of teaching experience, each one-hour class will include centering hatha yoga poses taught using good alignment and breath work. Students will learn to create both flexibility and strength in their bodies. No previous experience necessary. After class, take time to wander the Gardens (class price includes admission on each class day). $40, $30 members LANDSCAPE DESIGN USING NATIVE GRASSES Saturday, Feb. 8, 10-11:30AM Please join multi award-winning landscape designer and master of landscape architecture, Shelly Ann Abbott, MLA, for Landscape Design Using Native Grasses. Designing for sustainable desert landscapes is one of the best ways to enjoy our Sonoran Desert. These types of landscapes are very low water and provide beautiful color and interest year round. An important component of sustainability for our region is sharing our landscapes with native wildlife. This can be done up close in your outdoor living space using native grasses. $17, $12 members

5 Winter Seasonal Classes (con t) Register on line at or call , ext. 18. Payment must be received in advance in order to reserve a place in a class, workshop or trip. No refunds will be given if cancellation is made within seven business days of a class. For questions, or to register by phone with a credit card, call , ext. 18. Don t forget: Taking a relevant class at the Gardens counts as continuing education hours for volunteers! FEBRUARY EXOTIC BEAUTIES: BUTTERFLIES OF THE SOUTHEAST ASIA Wednesday, Feb. 14, 5:30-6:30PM We showcase the oriental in February. Among the butterflies we ll explore will be the Atlas Moths that live such short adult lives, the Mormon butterflies with their great diversity, and the deadleaf butterflies that camouflage so well. We ll also visit some butterflies common to Southeast Asia and Indo-Australasia, including revising lacewings. We ll explore different habitat requirements for butterflies. EXOTIC BUTTERFLIES: BUTTERFLY ROMANTICISM (min. age 17) Friday, Feb. 14, 5:30-6:30PM Looking to take your date or yourself out for a distinctive Valentines rather than the usual night of staying home and watch romantic movies? Join us for a fun-filled evening as we explore the courting and mating behavior of butterflies and moths. We dim the lights and start the music as you experience an unforgettable night. This could be the start to your memorable evening, not too late for dinner plans. Price includes light refreshments and entrance to Cox Butterfly and Orchid Pavilion after hours. $22, $18 members Call to receive special pricing for two: $40, $32 members BUTTERFLY BASICS Tuesday, Feb. 18, 4:30-6PM Join Elizabeth Willott, Curator of Butterfly Magic, for this basic introduction to butterflies. She ll show some great shots of butterflies from the Gardens and Butterfly Magic, introduce you to butterfly biology and explore the inner workings of our tropical butterfly exhibit. Includes an after-hours visit in the Cox Butterfly and Orchid Pavilion. OWLS: RULERS OF THE NIGHT SKIES Thursday, Feb. 20, 6-8PM Owls have captivated the imagination of mankind for centuries, symbolizing everything from evil and death to wisdom and protection. In this class we dive into the classification, biology, and conservation of these nocturnal birds. Can t tell a Whiskered Screech-Owl from a Western Screech-Owl? We also learn the identification of owls by sight and sound. Join Jeff Babson of Sky Island Tours for an in depth look at these remarkable birds. $17, $12 members LANDSCAPE PAINTING IN THE MANNER OF JOHN SIGNER SARGENT Monday, Feb. 24 through Thursday, Feb AM-4PM Watercolor artist Kath Macaulay is back and ready to explore the method and the manner of the landscapes of American icon, John Singer Sargent. Working indoors from photographs and outdoors in the Botanical Gardens grounds, participants utilize pencil and/or dilute watercolor beginning by drawing only the essence of the landscape subject. The next step involves intensifying the subject and adding darks to emphasize the light passages and hide distractions, also employing opaque white and wax resist. Supply list will be provided. Register early, enrollment limited. $260, $240 members 5

6 THIS BEAUTIFUL BUTTERFLY CHAIR COULD BE YOURS FOR ONLY $10.00 Purchase your tickets in the Grove Shop, between 9:30am-3:00pm Drawing to be held on December 18th, Thank you for supporting Tucson Botanical Gardens! Friday, November 29th only! Black Friday SALE 20 % off merchandise -Discount taken at register. -Excludes books, clearance and consignment. -May not be combined with Gardens member Discount. 11/29/2013 only. 6

7 2150 North Alvernon Way Tucson, Arizona 85712