Adkins Arboretum Announces Winter Education Programs for Adults
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (RIDGELY, MD - JANUARY 19, 2009)
Adkins Arboretum is offering a full slate of programs for winter, focusing on conservation landscaping, green cleaning basics, and rain gardens. Programs include:
Conservation Landscape Design Series
Tuesdays, February 10, 17, 24, and March 3, 1-3 p.m.
Series fee: $125 members; $140 general public
This series of four classes will guide participants through the landscape design process from site analysis and plant selection to installation, with inspiring thoughts from leading conservation designers and stunning photographs of native plant gardens - public and private - from throughout the region. Learn about ornamental native plants that are well suited for residential landscapes, and how to design a landscape that is functional, eco-friendly, beautiful and brings you great pleasure and pride.
The Secrets of Buds and Bark in the Winter Forest
Wednesday, February 11, 1-2:30 p.m.
Fee: $15 members, $18 general public
Break the winter blues and discover the secrets revealed by spring buds and bark as clues to plant identification in winter and to the beautiful greenery of spring to come. The program includes an indoor talk and a walk in the winter forest.
Green Cleaning Basics
Thursday, March 5, 1-2:30 p.m.
Fee: $15 members, $18 general public
Ingredients in commercial cleaners can pollute the environment both inside and outside your home. Learn about natural alternatives to toxic, caustic, and flammable cleaning products and how to make your own "green" cleaning products, and discuss natural products available in stores.
Pysanky: The Art of Ukrainian Eggs
Thursday, March 12, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Fee: $30 members, $45 general public
Create a beautiful egg in a Ukrainian tradition reaching back to antiquity. These eggs use symbolic motifs rooted in nature and the cycles of life. Bring a bag lunch; drinks will be provided.
Back to Basics: Bird-watching
Saturday, April 4, 8-10:30 a.m.
Fee: $8 members, $10 general public
The Arboretum's bird population is diverse throughout the year. Join a walk to learn the basics of bird-watching and identification. Whether you're a beginner or just want to brush up on your skills, you'll learn to distinguish birds by habitat, color, and head and body markings, and practice using a birding field guide. Bring binoculars.
Gardening for a Rainy Day: Using Rain Gardens and Rain Barrels for a "Greener" Landscape
Saturday, April 4, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Fee: $20 members, $25 general public
Gardeners are always looking for ways to keep their gardens green. Consider ways to truly "green" your garden and manage both stormwater and surface runoff in this workshop that addresses two easy methods of capturing rainwater: rain gardens and rain barrels.
__________________________________________________________________
JOURNALING WITH NATURE
WINTER/SPRING SERIES
Workshops about discovering nature through art and words
First Wednesdays in spring - March 4, April 1, May 6, and June 3, 9 a.m.-noon
Fee: $15 per session, $55 for the series for members; $18 per session, $70 for the series for the general public. Pre-registration is required.
This series features two guest presenters who will collaborate with poet Erica Weick to explore creating paper and journals and viewing the natural world through a camera lens. Each workshop stands alone and will help participants unleash their imaginations and let their creativity flow.
DISCOVER NATURE WITH WORDS
March 4 and June 3
Poet Erica Weick will lead planned exercises to ease the way and lead you to explore uncharted territories, to learn fun ways to see spring with all of your senses. We will walk in the forest, listen, take notice, and write. New and experienced writers are welcome, as are those who express themselves through the visual arts.
PHOTOGRAPHY AND THE MIND'S EYE
April 1
Photography can trigger some interesting reflections. Images of nature can reveal truths that are new and interesting, yet profound and awesome. Join photographer Ann Rohlfing to search for symbolism through the viewfinder.
NATURE JOURNAL AS ART
May 6
Join teaching artist and naturalist Maureen Mikolajczak and build your own journal. Using nature as our inspiration, we will experiment with papermaking from natural materials and create our own handmade journals. Bring dried flowers or any plant material you may wish to include in your own distinctive journal cover. A variety of artistic materials will be provided.
Pre-registration is required for all programs. To register, call 410-634-2847, ext. 0 or e-mail info@adkinsarboretum.org for additional information.
Adkins Arboretum is a 400-acre native garden and preserve at the headwaters of the Tuckahoe Creek in Caroline County. Open year round, the Arboretum offers educational programs for all ages about nature and gardening. Through its Campaign to Build a Green Legacy, the Arboretum will build a new LEED-certified Arboretum Center and entranceway to broaden educational offerings and research initiatives promoting best practices in conservation and land stewardship. For additional information about Arboretum programs, visit www.adkinsarboretum.org or call 410-634-2847, ext. 0.