Boston Flora

Tag: Arnold Arboretum

  • Monday, March 28, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm – Our Constitution’s Intelligent Design

    The Arnold Arboretum presents an exciting lecture series in 2011: the new Director’s Lecture Series at the Hunnewell Lecture Hall, 125 The Arborway in Boston. The lectures are free but advance registration is required. This particular lecture is for Arnold Arboretum Members Only – you may join online at www.arboretum.harvard.edu/membership, or call 617-384-5767.

    On Monday, March 28, from 6:30 – 8:30 pm, U.S. District Judge John E. Jones III will speak on Our Constitution’s Intelligent Design. In 2005 Judge John Jones presided over the landmark case of Kitzmiller v. Dover, and thereafter rendered an opinion holding that it is unconstitutional to teach the concept of intelligent design as an alternative to the theory of evolution. In the aftermath of that ruling, Judge Jones, an appointee of former President George W. Bush, was subjected to intense criticism. Judge Jones will highlight some of the lessons he learned from these experiences, including the development of his passion for judicial independence, and a belief in the need for better civics education, particularly related to our three branches of government

    Recommended reading related to this talk:

    · Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District (available online), Monkey Girl by Edward Humes,

    · 40 Days and 40 Nights by Matthew Chapman,

    · The Battle Over the Meaning of Everything by Gordy Slack

    · The Devil in Dover by Lauri Lebo.

    Contact Pamela Thompson, 617.384.5277. http://calendar.arboretum.harvard.edu/index.php

  • Saturday, March 12, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Tree Pieces: Painted Fabric Collages by Merill Comeau

    To Merill Comeau, the cacophony and chaos of plant life parallels our shared human experience of coping with a complex and shifting environment. In her large-scale fabric interpretations of the natural world, she makes use of incongruous materials with past lives: artists’ brush cleaning rags, a mother-in-law’s blouse, cast-off sheets from the Salvation Army, plastic mesh bags from garlic bulbs, vintage linens, and colorful fabric samples. The complexity of the work is compelling from a distance, but also draws viewers closer to engage in the sensual surface. www.arboretum.harvard.edu. Opening reception in the Hunnewell Building Lecture Hall of the Arnold Arboretum will take place Saturday, March 12, from 1 – 3, and the show will be on exhibit through April 24.

  • Thursday, March 3, 9:00 am – 3:30 pm – Landscape Maintenance: An Organic Approach

    Learn the basics of horticultural landscape maintenance. James Agabedis, owner of an all-organic land care company, brings a solid understanding of current landscape practices to the classroom. He emphasizes organic techniques for landscape and gardening professionals. Jim will present the following topics: landscape maintenance practices; soil fertility; plant growth and health; plant evaluation; equipment safety; and turf care. The class will take place indoors and on the grounds of the Arnold Arboretum on Thursday, March 3, from 9 – 3:30. $85 Arboretum members, $100 nonmembers. You may register by calling 617-384-5277, or by emailing adulted@arnarb.harvard.edu.

  • Saturday, March 19, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm – Gardening for the Birds

    Join Stephen Kress, author of The Audubon Society Guide to Attracting Birds and Vice President for Bird Conservation for the National Audubon Society, for a lively presentation on desirable gardening practices-from a bird’s viewpoint.  An expert in seabird conservation, Kress successfully led Audubon’s Project Puffin in Maine. He is also an associate at the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology where he teaches a Field Ornithology course. He will explain bird-plant interactions and suggest landscaping options for creating enticing and safe habitats. He’ll provide solutions for reducing bird encounters with windows and cats, as well as some tactics for preventing the spread of avian diseases. He will also share tips for learning to recognize common backyard birds by sight and song. His book will be available for purchase and signing. $40 for ELA, WCFH members, Audubon Society members and Arnold Arboretum members, $48 for non-members. Registrations are limited – call 617-436-5838, or email ela.info@comcast.net. This Saturday, March 19 event is offered in collaboration with the Arnold Arboretum, Boston Nature Center, Grow Native Massachusetts/Cambridge, and Wellesley College Friends of Horticulture, and will take place from 9:30 am – 12:30 pm in the Hunnewell Building of the Arnold Arboretum, 125 The Arborway, Boston.

  • Tuesdays, March 1 – March 29, 6:30 – 8:30 pm – Plant Nomenclature: Determination of the Correct Name of a Known Plant

    In plant names, such as Acer rubrum (red maple), what do the two parts of the name represent? Why do taxonomists change long-accepted plant names and who settles disputes about these names? What is “rule of priority” and why is it rejected occasionally (as in the name of tomato)? What is a ‘type specimen’?

    Dr. Gandhi will answer these questions and more in this introduction to the study of botanical nomenclature and explain the rules of the current international nomenclature code. The classes, on five consecutive Tuesday evenings beginning March 1, will take place at the Harvard University Herbarium, 22 Divinity Avenue in Cambridge, and are sponsored by the Arnold Arboretum.  $120 for Arboretum members, $144 for nonmembers.  You may register by calling 617-384-5277, or emailing adulted@arnarb.harvard.edu.

  • Saturdays, March 5 & 12, 9:00 am – 12:00 noon – Introduction to Winter Tree Identification

    The Arnold Arboretum, 125 Arborway in Boston, will again present one of its most popular class offerings on two successive Saturdays, March 5 and 12, from 9 – 12 noon. Learn the basic information necessary to identify deciduous trees during their dormant season. Looking at specific character combinations, you will determine the genus and species of several types of trees in the Boston area.  Class begins indoors with a discussion of basic classification techniques and continues outside to the Arboretum grounds to examine a variety of trees.  This class is recommended for the beginner-to-intermediate tree observer. Dress in layers for both classroom and outdoor learning. A hand lens may be helpful, but is not necessary.    Price to attend is $65 for Arboretum members, $75 for nonmembers.  To register, call 617-384-5277, or email adulted@arnarb.harvard.edu.

  • Saturday, February 26, 9:00 am – 12:00 noon – Pruning in Winter

    Jen Kettell, an ISA-certified arborist and accredited Organic Land Care Professional, will explain the reasons for pruning and what to consider when pruning dormant trees, shrubs, and vines. She will demonstrate techniques, give guidelines for determining which plants benefit from winter pruning, and explain how plants heal from pruning wounds. The class will take place Saturday, February 26, from 9 – 12 noon at the Arnold Arboretum, 125 Arborway, Boston, MA, and the cost is $30 for Arboretum members, $35 for nonmembers. To register, call 617-384-5277, or email adulted@arnarb.harvard.edu.

  • Sunday, February 13, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm – The Multifaceted Edible Landscape

    Think creatively about your next garden: perhaps and eggplant or two next to a maroon-leafed Weigela?  Or some blueberries among your azaleas?  Horticulturist Nancy Rose will tempt you with creative ideas for multipurpose plantings that satisfy your aesthetic sense as well as your palate.  Topics covered will include site selection, growing and maintenance considerations, pest control, and lots of information on plant selection.  The program takes place at the Arnold Arboretum, 125 Arborway, Boston, on Saturday, February 13 from 1 – 2:30 pm.  Cost to attend is $15 for Arboretum members, $18 for nonmembers, and you may sign up by calling 617-384-5277, or emailing adulted@arnarb.harvard.edu.  ‘Pink Lemonade’ blueberries pictured below.

  • Monday, February 28, 6:30 – 8:30 pm – The Good, The Bad, and Occasionally the Dead: Humanity’s Relationship with Earth’s Nitrogen

    The Arnold Arboretum presents an exciting lecture series in 2011: the new Director’s Lecture Series at the Hunnewell Lecture Hall, 125 The Arborway in Boston. The lectures are free but advance registration is required.

    On Monday, February 28, from 6:30 – 8:30 pm, Alan Townsend of University of Colorado, Boulder, will discuss the occasionally odd, often dramatic history of humanity’s relationship with phosphorus and nitrogen. How do we live the lives we want while maintaining healthy ecosystems that can support future generations? These challenges will define the coming century, and one of them lies at the heart of the most fundamental of human needs: the need to eat, the good these chemical elements do and the harm they cause, and ultimately, the reasons to have hope for a better future.  NASA image below shows nitrogen dioxide concentration over China.

    Contact Pamela Thompson, 617.384.5277. http://calendar.arboretum.harvard.edu/index.php

  • Saturday, February 12, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm – Dwarf Conifer and Juniper Collection via Snowshoes

    Join Jen Kettell on Saturday, February 12, from 10:30 – 12:30 for a tromp through the dwarf conifer and juniper collections on snowshoes. She will help you identify common conifers, share the stories behind the plants, impart the history of the two collections, and describe the microclimate in this part of the Arnold Arboretum.

    Bring your own snowshoes, a travel mug for hot cocoa after the hike, and dress warmly! This tour is not suitable for cross-country skis. Plan for a walking tour in the event that there is no snow. Sunglasses are recommended.

    Space is limited. (Note: this description updates the description printed in Silva.) $20 Arboretum members, $24 nonmembers. For more information email adulted@arnarb.harvard.edu, or call 617-384-5277.  Photo by Steve Greaves.