Daily Archives: August 15, 2018

Berkshire Botanical Garden’s Self-Guided Audio Tours

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Berkshire Botanical Garden has announced the addition of self-guided audio tours as a new way of viewing its 23 gardens located in Stockbridge, MA.

New this season, the audio tour allows visitors to walk at their own pace while listening to narrated commentary located at 21 points of interest throughout the 15-acre Garden. The audio tour is included in the price of admission, and BBG members can always take the tour free of charge.

“We are constantly seeking to enhance our visitors’ experience when they tour our beautiful gardens, and this self-guided audio tour will give our visitors the flexibility to hear in-depth knowledge about the plants we feature and the Garden’s history, no matter when they choose to visit,” said Garden Executive Director Michael Beck. “The audio tour includes garden highlights chosen for their visual impact and educational appeal.” Some points of interest include the original 1937 herb garden, the pond garden and the rose collection.

The audio tour was created in conjunction with the Garden’s horticulture and education departments working with Guide ID, which provides interactive guides to museums worldwide, including the Royal Palace of Amsterdam, Hall Place Gardens, Bexley (United Kingdom), and throughout the US including the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, Texas, and the California Science Center in Los Angeles. It was produced by Sandpail Productions with voice talent provided by Grace Angela Henry, owner/founder of New York City-based A Voice for All Reasons.

Berkshire Botanical Garden is located at the intersection of Routes 102/183 in Stockbridge, MA and is open daily, 9 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. In addition to free audio tours, docent-led tours are offered daily at 11 a.m. and are also free with Garden admission.

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Xerces Society and Bee City USA Merge

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For over 45 years, the Xerces Society has worked to make a better world for bees, butterflies, tiger beetles, snails, mussels, and many other invertebrates, and ultimately, to make a better world for us. They have worked to protect the most vulnerable animals on the planet, provided information on how to protect these animals to land managers responsible for millions of acres of wildlands, and helped create and restore more than 700,000 acres of habitat on farms. They have also engaged with people in towns and cities, providing information on how to best care for invertebrates in these built landscapes. In the last year, however, they have greatly expanded their efforts in urban and suburban areas, offering even more resources and training to park managers, gardeners, and others.

Fitting perfectly with this increased presence in urban areas,  Bee City USA is becoming part of the Xerces Society. Bee City USA brings a unique approach that encourages cities and college campuses across the United States to develop and implement a plan for helping pollinators and then receive recognition for their efforts through becoming a “Bee City” or “Bee Campus.” Under the direction of Phyllis Stiles, a tireless advocate for pollinators who founded Bee City USA in 2012, scores of cities and campuses across the US have become affiliates, each making a public commitment to support bees and improving their landscapes for these and other pollinators. Bee City USA has achieved great success. Just a few months ago Phyllis announced the 115th affiliate—70 cities and 45 campuses—and there are more joining each month. Phyllis will continue this effort as a Xerces employee.

Sunday, August 26, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm – Seed Saving

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Seed saving brings tremendous benefits to the willing gardener. Learn how seeds develop, stay dormant, and germinate. This New England Wild Flower Society hands-on workshop on August 26 from 10 – 3 at Nasami Farm Nursery in Whately covers harvesting, cleaning, and storing a wide spectrum of native seeds. Spend time in the field observing and collecting seeds, then practice cleaning. Take your work home with you. Bring a lunch and dress appropriately for the field. The workshop will be led by Kate Stafford, and is $66 for NEWFS members, $80 for nonmembers. Register online at http://www.newenglandwild.org/learn/our-programs/seed-saving-1

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