Events of Interest
INDEX * Please visit the Other Organizations Listing to get contact information for organizations which do not have activities currently listed.
*NOTICE: The GNPS is not responsible for and has no control over the subject matter, content, information, or graphics of the web sites that have links here. Please contact us with any comments, concerns, or questions. 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 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. When you attend a meeting, you can request a $3 voucher off parking when you carpool so bring a friend! If you'd like to get into a carpool, contact Carol Brantley for assistance.
To learn more about GNPS Chapter meetings and events, visit:
Annual Facilitator Party and Plant Swap - Saturday, June 2, at the home of Debbie and Randy Meadows. A chance to be with great friends, see a spectacular garden, exchange rescue experiences, swap plants, have a great cookout, and more and more fun.
Details to follow soon.July Meeting: Meadowscaping in Urban & Suburban Spaces - Tuesday, July 10, Catherine Zimmerman presents meadowscaping as a lawn alternative. She explains why meadow and prairie habitats are so beneficial both economically and environmentally and gives a step-by-step primer on reducing lawn size and organically installing a beautiful meadow or prairie in your own yard. No space is too small! Join the movement to bring back native habitat for wildlife and humanlife!
Catherine Zimmerman is a filmmaker and sustainable landscape designer based in the Washington, DC area. She is the author of Urban & Suburban Meadows, Bringing Meadowscaping to Big and Small Spaces and has just released the companion video. The book and video offer the tools to create sustainable, organic landscapes in backyards, schoolyards, churches and communities. Catherine also contributes to the blog, Native Plants and Wildlife Gardens. nativeplantwildlifegarden.com/the-team/catherine-zimmerman.
The blog, book, video and Catherine's Meadow Project are her efforts to help people rethink their pesticide-ridden, manicured, monoculture lawns and return their land to beautiful, natural habitats for native plants and wildlife. Catherine's book and video will be for sale at the July meeting and she will be available for book signing. Learn more about Catherine at www.themeadowproject.com.
Items under this heading will generally be work days for propagation and restoration projects that GNPS is participating in. Please use the contact information in the item to learn more about the activity.
Stone Mountain Propagation Project Workday - Thursday, May 17, 9 am. Up-potting, seed starts, water & any other general maintenance that needs attention. For more information, please email Karen McCaustland.
DIRECTIONSBuffalo Creek Workday - Saturday, May 26, Buffalo Creek Workday - 8 am. Please plan to come with work gloves in hand. We will be removing invasive plants, continuing to put mulch on trail and perhaps planting some things in pots weather permitting. Any questions, please email Flo Hayes.
DIRECTIONSStone Mountain Propagation Project Workday - Saturday, May 26, 10 am. Up-potting, seed starts, water & any other general maintenance that needs attention. For more information, please email Karen McCaustland.
DIRECTIONSStone Mountain Propagation Project Workday - Friday, June 1, 9 am. Up-potting, seed starts, water & any other general maintenance that needs attention. For more information, please email Karen McCaustland.
DIRECTIONSHeritage Park Trail Workday - Saturday, June 9, 10 am - Noon. For more information, please email Price Crafts/Connie Ghosh.
DIRECTIONSStone Mountain Propagation Project Workday - Saturday, June 9, 9 am. Up-potting, seed starts, water & any other general maintenance that needs attention. For more information, please email Karen McCaustland.
DIRECTIONSStone Mountain Propagation Project Workday - Thursday, June 14, 9 am. Up-potting, seed starts, water & any other general maintenance that needs attention. For more information, please email Karen McCaustland.
DIRECTIONSBuffalo Creek Workday - Saturday, June 23, Buffalo Creek Workday - 8 am. Please plan to come with work gloves in hand. We will be removing invasive plants, continuing to put mulch on trail and perhaps planting some things in pots weather permitting. Any questions, please email Flo Hayes.
DIRECTIONSStone Mountain Propagation Project Workday - Saturday, June 23, 9 am. Up-potting, seed starts, water & any other general maintenance that needs attention. For more information, please email Karen McCaustland.
DIRECTIONS
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.
Chapter Annual Cutting Party - Saturday, June 23, Around 9:00 AM Coleman Garden, 7997 Pleasant Hill Rd, Lithonia.
This is an opportunity to get cuttings and propagate your own plants The Coleman's once again will open their garden to members who wish to extend their own collection of azaleas and rhododendrons. Even if you have never tried to root cuttings, you are encouraged to attend as there will be members present who can give you pointers. Bring zip lock bags to hold the cuttings, labels and markers or pencils to identify the cuttings, clippers, a small ice chest to hold the cuttings. Bring a sandwich and join with others for a discussion of methods at lunch time
Contact Joe Coleman (jcoleazalea@hotmail.com)
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.
Plumleaf Azalea Blooms - Sunday, July 1 - Friday, August 10, Cason and Virginia Callaway, founders of Callaway Gardens, saved the plumleaf azalea from extinction. People come from far and wide to see this beautiful, native, reddish-orange flower in bloom. July and into August
The Chattahoochee Nature Center is a 127-acre private non-profit environmental education facility located on the banks of the Chattahoochee River, at 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell, GA 30075. 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. For more information, call 770-992-2055, or visit www.chattnaturecenter.com for a full listing.
Tree Climbing - Saturday, June 2, 10:30am - 1:00pm, Ages 6 - adult, $35 General Public and $30 Members, Advance Registration Required by May 30th. Recreational Tree Climbing is now at CNC! Climbing ropes in trees is great fun for the family. This 2½ hour introductory climb will get you up high in a tree for a new perspective of your favorite nature center. The fee also includes admission to CNC for the day. For more information on climbing (registration is through CNC), call Hank Blaustein at Tree for All (404-229-9224) or see web site at www.funintrees.com.
The Gardener is In! - Saturday, June 9, 10am - 12pm, All Ages. Are you hoping to get a garden started this summer? Would you like to have a tour of our Unity Garden? Would you like to have a chance to chat with our garden coordinator? Here's your chance! Grab you hat, some sunscreen, and a bottle of water and stop by for some informal gardening tips, and a chance to take a look at what we have growing over the summer. This tour is included with general admission to CNC.
The Nature Club Field Trip: Appalachian Trail Backpacking Trip to the headwaters of the Chattahoochee River - Saturday, June 9 - Sunday, June 10, meet at 8am on the 9th, Adults Only, $10 General Public, $5 CNC Members (any additional fees at campsite are the responsibility of each person), Advance Registration Required by May 25th. Our June field trip will be a backpacking trip along the Appalachian Trail. We will depart early Saturday morning from Hog Pen Gap and ultimately arrive at Unicoi Gap. There will be a stopover at Chattahoochee Gap. This is a 13-mile hike rated as moderate. Each hiker will need to be 100% self sufficient and carry all their own food and equipment. Additional information including carpooling and registration is available on our website: www.chattnaturecenter.org/All-About-Nature-Social -Club.html
Night Hike - Saturday, June 16, 8:00 - 10:00PM, All Ages, $10 General Public/$7 CNC Members. The stars at night are magical. Bring the entire family out and join our naturalist on an outdoor adventure to see what happens as the sun goes down and the night comes to life! Hike through the wetlands or woods, visit with a nocturnal animal up close and enjoy a summer campfire complete with marshmallow roasting.
Nature's Healers: Medicinal Plants and Aromatherapy for Women - Saturday, June 23, 10am-1pm, $20 General Public/$15 CNC Members, Ages 16 - Adult, Advance registration required by June 18. One of the most popular programs given by the Horticulture department, this is a fun and interactive way to get to know Mother Nature! Join CNC horticulturist Lisa Cole for an introductory look into the amazing world of healing plants. This class focuses on herbs and oils used since antiquity to treat a variety of ailments, with an emphasis on women's needs. Class includes a hands-on presentation, crafting of floral water and teas for participants to take home, and a tour of healing plants which grow at CNC.
Meeting: CNC Through the Years - Thursday, June 28, 7 - 9pm, Ages 16 - Adult, $10 General Public/$5 CNC Members, Free for CNC Volunteers and Master Naturalist Graduates. Join us for a special Nature Club evening as we celebrate the history of the Chattahoochee Nature Center. Welcome back old friends of the CNC and help us recognize those whose foresight, vision and hard work enable us to enjoy this sanctuary of nature today. Visit our website for details www.chattnaturecenter.org/All-About-Nature-Social -Club.html.
The mission of Coastal WildScapes is to actively preserve and restore the highly significant biodiversity of the Southeastern coastal ecosystems by protecting existing native habitats, rebuilding the connectivity of impaired habitats and minimizing the future fragmentation of the coastal landscape. We participate in educational outreach, conservation intiatives and grassroots advocacy to accomplish our mission. For more information, please visit coastalwildscapes.org.
*Certificate in Coastal Native Plants Class Fees are Reduced for Members of the Following Organizations - Friday, January 27 - Saturday, November 3,
Friends of the State Botanical Garden www.uga.edu/botgarden/supmember.html
Friends of the Bamboo Farm and Coastal Gardens www.bamboo.caes.uga.edu/friends.html
Coastal Wildscapes coastalwildscapes.org/join-us
To receive discount, class fees must be paid by check only. You can register by going to www.uga.edu/botgarden/eduregister.html and clicking the Certificate Programs link. Be sure to choose the courses with COASTAL in the name for this program. Contact info@coastalwildscapes.org for more information.Certificate in Coastal Native Plants Program: Plant Conservation: Protecting Plant Diversity in the Garden and in the Wild (Core Course) - Saturday, June 2, 10:00am – 5:00pm (bring a sack lunch). Bamboo Farm and Coastal Gardens, Education Building, Savannah. Members $95*, non-members $105. Class led by Jennifer Ceska, Conservation Coordinator, and Jim Affolter, Dir. of Research, State Botanical Garden. 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 the rare plants of Georgia.
Certificate in Coastal Native Plants Program: Summer Tree Identification (Elective Course) - Friday, June 8, 9:00am – 1:00pm. Ogeechee Canal, Savannah. Members $45*, non-members $50 (plus $2 park entrance fee). Class led by Linda Chafin, Conservation Botanist, State Botanical Garden of Georgia. Learn to identify common trees of the Coastal Plain by their leaves, bark, branching patterns, and tree form. Students will use a hand lens and a simple dichotomous key for woody plants to identify species. Class time will be divided between classroom exercises and a field trip on the trails at the Ogeechee Canal. Please dress appropriately for the weather and bring water, snacks, sun screen, and insect repellent.
Certificate in Coastal Native Plants Program: Invasive Non-Native Plants of Georgia's Coastal Plain (Elective Course) - Saturday, June 9, 9:00am–1:00pm. Bamboo Farms and Coastal Gardens, Savannah. Members $45*, non-members $50. Class led by Karan Rawlins, Invasive Species Coordinator, Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health, UGA. This class is an introduction to the problem of invasive, non-native pest plants in Georgia. Students will learn to identify the major offenders, their current ranges and habitats, and how these plants impact natural plant communities. Basic management and control strategies will be discussed. After an indoor introduction to the problem and the plants, there will be identification exercises, management strategy discussions, and control demonstrations in the field. Please dress appropriately for the weather and bring water, snacks, sun screen, and insect repellent.
The purpose of the Cullowhee Conference is to increase interest in and knowledge of propagating and preserving native southeastern plant species in the landscape. Both professionals and laypersons will gain valuable knowledge from the informative fieldtrips, lectures and workshops. Please visit www.wcu.edu/5033.asp for more information.
The 2012 Conference - Wednesday, July 18 - Saturday, July 21, Registration Now Open. Register Online or download a printable registration form (PDF). Please review the session descriptions and field trip options carefully before you begin your online registration. You will need to select from several options at various times in order to register. The deadline is July 13, 2012. Sessions or field trips which have reached their seating capacity will no longer appear as options on the online registration form.
More information: www.wcu.edu/5033.asp
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 State Park Workday - Saturday, May 19, Our regular "fourth Saturday" volunteer day falls on Memorial Day weekend, so we'll move the volunteer day up one weekend so y'all can enjoy Memorial Day with your family and friends. Bring 'em out the park and show 'em all your hard work!
For more information or to join the event on facebook Friends of Chattahoochee Bend State Park.
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.
CARROLLTON: Southern Winegrape Symposium - Saturday, May 19, 9 AM-4 PM (Registration 8:30 AM). Carroll County Cooperative Extension AG Center, 900 Newnan Road, Carrollton, GA 30117-6477 $60 per person, $100 per couple (Includes lunch) Sponsored by: The Vineyard and Winery Association of West Georgia www.vinewinega.com/5-19sws.htm.
GWINNETT County Master Gardeners 2012 Garden Tour & Plant Sale - Saturday, May 19, 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Proceeds from the garden tour and plant sale benefit the community projects of the Gwinnett Master Gardeners. Master Gardeners will be available at each site to answer your questions and handle tickets. General Information: Advance ticket price is $15. Advance tickets may be purchased until Monday, May 14th by mailing a check payable to the Gwinnett County Master Gardeners, Attn: Garden Tour, Gwinnett Extension Office, 750 S. Perry St., Suite 400, Lawrenceville, GA 30046.Tickets may be purchased on the day of the tour at any of the three private gardens. Tickets purchased on tour day are $20. Tickets will not be available at Harvest Farm or Parsons Elementary School. www.gwinnettmastergardeners.com/
Mountain Flower Art Festival - Saturday, May 19 - Sunday, May 20, 10am-5pm. The festival, located on the historic square of Dahlonega, Georgia, is a juried art and quality craft festival held for over 20 years on the 3rd weekend in May.
In conjunction with the arts festival there will be local plant and flower vendors as well. Saturday night there will be an artist reception at the Old Cannery Arts Center just off the square, 61 Enota Street, Dahlonega Georgia from 7-9 pm.
For more information, please visit www.dahlonegaarts.org/fm/events/detail/id/59/.NEWNAN: 2012 Spring Garden Gate Tour - Saturday, May 19, presented by Coweta County Master Gardener Extension Volunteers. Tour Hours: 9:00 a.m - 3:00 p.m. Lunch: 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. in the Shade Garden at Andy's Nursery, 915 Highway 16 East, Newnan Catered by Panera Bread Ticket Price: $20.00 lunch included (for tickets through May 18th) (Single Garden Tour Tickets may be purchased at the individual gardens on tour day for $5.00 each; lunch is not included.) Ticket Purchase Locations: All Andy's Nursery locations, Scott's Book Store and The Coweta County Extension Office. www.caes.uga.edu/extension/coweta/index.html.
CUMMING: Forsyth County Master Gardeners Garden Tour - Saturday, June 2, More info: fcmg.sharepoint.com/Pages/GardenTour.aspx
DOUGLASVILLE: Penny McHenry Hydrangea Festival - Saturday, June 2, More info: www.pennymchenryhydrangeafestival.com
GAINESVILLE AREA: Black Soldier Fly: Nature's Bioremediator - Saturday, June 2, 10am - 1pm Cedar Hill Enrichment Center Come learn about bioremediation with this amazing insect. If you have chickens (or plan to raise them)this is for you. Cost is $25 in advance; $30 after May 25. BSF trap plans will be available to take home. To register or for more info info@discovercedarhill.org or 770-887-0051 www.discovercedarhill.org.
HENRY COUNTY: Henry County Master Gardeners Garden Tour - Saturday, June 2, More info: www.caes.uga.edu/extension/henry/anr/HenryCountyMasterGardenersgardenTour.html
CARROLLTON: Pond Management Workshop - Thursday, June 7, 7:00 pm Ag Center located at 900 Newnan Road in Carrollton. Steven Patrick, UGA Cooperative Extension Agricultural and Natural Resources Agent from Habersham County will present a workshop for landowners on pond management. Mr. Patrick will discuss topics related to pond management including site selection, management techniques, fertilization, fish, troubleshooting problems, and more. If you have a pond or are thinking about having a pond on your land, you do not want to miss this very informative program. Pre-registration is encouraged. The cost is $5.00 per person to attend. The program is sponsored by the UGA Cooperative Extension Carroll County office. www.caes.uga.edu/extension/carroll/.
SOUTH CAROLINA: SC Festival of Flowers - Saturday, June 23, More info: www.scfestivalofflowers.org
ATHENS: Public Open House at The Trial Gardens at UGA - Saturday, July 14, More info: ugatrial.hort.uga.edu
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 gpcnativegarden.org.
Native Plant Sales - Friday, May 11 - Friday, May 25, Decatur Campus, 3251 Panthersville Road, Decatur, GA, Phone: 678-891-2668
We sincerely appreciate the support we have received from our plant sales and so are offering a discount of 10% - 20% depending on the amount of your purchase this Friday, May 18 and next Friday, May 25. In addition, we added this Saturday, May 19, for Plant Sales. We still have a few Native Azaleas and all four varieties of Trilliums including cuneatum, flexipes, luteum and a variant sulcatum are also still available; all Trilliums are eight years old and grown from seed. Canada Lilies are also still available (picture above). This is a great plant and one you will enjoy; plus quite a few of them are blooming. We hope you do not miss this opportunity to purchase plants to add to your landscape and the discount applies to all plants. We also have a great selection of other native plants available too including perennials, ferns and shrubs.Plant Sale Hours: 10:00 a.m. - 2 p.m. Unless otherwise noted.The garden only accepts cash and personal checks.
Fridays: May 18, 25
Saturdays: May 19Lunch and Wildflowers Series: Native Shrubs - Friday, May 18, Walks: 11:00 - 11:45, Talks: 12:00 - 1:00. John and Lamryl Atkinson.
Lunch and Wildflowers Series: Clematis - Friday, May 25, Walks: 11:00 - 11:45, Talks: 12:00 - 1:00. Join us for a “Walk with Bartram” led by Debbie Cosgrove. Lindy Broder & Debbie Cosgrove.
McIntosh Reserve Park, named for Chief William McIntosh, Jr., is a 527-acre park run by the Carroll County Recreation Department. It is located at 1046 West McIntosh Circle, off of Highway 5, southwest of Whitesburg. It is open year round with the exceptions of Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. Park hours are 8 am - 8 pm. For more information, please visit www.carrollcountyrec.com/mcintosh_reserve.php or call 770-830-5879.
Walk and Talk: Songbirds - Saturday, May 19, 9 am, conducted by Drs. Barbara Ballentine, Biology Department, University of West Georgia, and Jeremy Hyman, Biology Department, Western Carolina University. They will focus on field and bird call identification. Please meet near the horse camp in the large field along the river.
This category shall hold information about events and opportunities potentially of interest to GNPS members, which come to the attention of GNPS from other organizations, groups and societies around Georgia. Please use the contact information, within each item, to learn more.
Pollinator Conservation Planning Short Course - Thursday, May 17, in Mansfield, GA, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, the USDA Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program, and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) are pleased to announce two upcoming Pollinator Conservation Planning Short Courses in Georgia. These full day trainings will provide you with the latest science-based approaches to reversing the trend of pollinator declines, and will equip you with the recipes necessary to protect and manage habitat for these vital insects.
Cost: Thanks to support from Southern SARE, we are able to offer 15 scholarships at each course on a first-come first-served basis. Registration is $45 per person thereafter. Discounted registration of $35 per person is available to NRCS personnel.
To learn more or to register, please visit the Announcement Page.Mary Scott Nature Park Monthly Walk-in-the-Park - Saturday, May 26, 9am. Audubon bird walk. This walk will be suitable for all ages.
Mary Scott Nature Park Monthly Walk-in-the-Park - Saturday, June 30, 9am. Heritage walk with Mary's son, who grew up on this land. This walk will be suitable for all ages.
Mary Scott Nature Park Monthly Walk-in-the-Park - Saturday, July 28, 9am. The topic TBA. This walk will be suitable for all ages.
The Lumpkin Coalition is a 100% volunteer non-profit 501c3 charitable organization formed to facilitate projects that benefit North Georgia, Lumpkin County, its residents and visitors. We are dedicated to preserving quality of life for all those who share it. To this end, we support the preservation of a clean and healthy environment, responsible living, and responsible growth.
The Lumpkin Coalition is also working to educate the public about the hemlock woolly adelgid, an insect-pest that is decimating our native hemlocks. For more information about us, this pest and how to control it, and our activities, please visit www.lumpkincoalition.org.
Saving the hemlocks has been a ary focus for Lumpkin Coalition since our beginning. Our goals for the hemlock project are:
- Raise public awareness of the hemlock issue and promote action.
- Support establishment of a beetle-rearing lab at the University of Georgia (goal accomplished) and continue to support the efforts of all three labs in Georgia that raise predatory beetles to combat the HWA on public lands.
- Assist businesses and homeowners to protect the hemlocks on private land.
NGCSU Predator Beetle Lab The beetle lab was created in 2007 to mass rear predators of the hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA), an invasive insect destroying the eastern and Carolina hemlock trees. The lab has since released over 122,766 Sasajiscymnus tsugae (St) beetles in 25 hemlock conservation areas throughout Northern Georgia. To learn more about the lab, please visit www.ngcsu.edu/EnvironmentalLeadership/Default_1col.aspx?id=3381.
Save Georgia's Hemlocks is a 100% volunteer, nonprofit organization of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experience who are dedicated to a common goal: helping north Georgia property owners save as many of their Hemlocks as possible for the lowest cost. To learn about the features of the program, how to use the services, and how to participate as an individual or group, please visit www.savegeorgiashemlocks.org. To achieve our goals, the Hemlock Help for Homeowners program is designed to do three things:
- Educate -- Enhance public awareness of the Hemlock woolly adelgid problem and the available controls.
- Enable -- Ensure easy access to information, advice, low-cost solutions, and direct assistance for homeowners without significantly increasing the customer service load on local public agencies.
- Motivate -- Establish a clear understanding of the aesthetic, economic, and environmental reasons for homeowners to take timely and effective action to save their Hemlocks.
Save Georgia’s Hemlocks Hemlock Help Program in Dawson County - Saturday, June 2, The rollout will begin with newspaper articles and a free Hemlock Help Clinic for those who want a good overview of the hemlock problem and what property owners can do to save their trees. We will also offer a Facilitator Training Workshop in each county for volunteers who want more in-depth information and would be willing to serve as local hemlock helpers and advisers to their community.
Watch your local newspaper for details. You can also check the Hemlock Help page of our web site or call the Hemlock Help Line.Save Georgia’s Hemlocks Hemlock Help Program in Pickens County - Saturday, June 9, The rollout will begin with newspaper articles and a free Hemlock Help Clinic for those who want a good overview of the hemlock problem and what property owners can do to save their trees. We will also offer a Facilitator Training Workshop in each county for volunteers who want more in-depth information and would be willing to serve as local hemlock helpers and advisers to their community.
Watch your local newspaper for details. You can also check the Hemlock Help page of our web site or call the Hemlock Help Line.Save Georgia’s Hemlocks Annual Membership Meeting - Sunday, July 8, at Unicoi State Park, picnic shelter #7 beside beautiful Unicoi Lake. The board meeting will be from 10 a.m. to noon, followed by the members picnic and program from noon to 3 p.m. Unicoi Lake and Lodge.
Following a time to greet old friends and meet new ones, the program will feature several interesting speakers, a recap of our accomplishments to date, future plans and challenges, hemlock helping efforts of neighborhoods and other groups, and a prize drawing.
We’ll provide hotdogs, burgers, and a veggie alternative and ask you to bring a potluck dish to share. There’s a $5 Park Pass fee per vehicle, but the picnic lunch is free. Please call 706-429-8010 to make your reservation.
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.
SBG’s Circle of Hikers - Thursday, March 15 - Thursday, May 17, Thursdays, 8:30 am (about 90 minutes). Meet at the Shade Garden Arbor. Led by Hugh Nourse, Nature Photographer, Author & Naturalist. As part of Michelle Obama's 'Let’s Get Moving' campaign, join us and 'get moving' on the Garden's trails on Thursdays mornings this Spring. While the focus will be on 'getting moving', we will stop to view interesting and amazing plants along the way. Hikers are encouraged to bring nature writings or favorite poems and essays to share with the group. Join us for one or all sessions; these informal rambles are free but donations are accepted in the Garden’s donation box at the entrance to the Visitor Center.
Beekeeping for Beginners: Units 4-6 - Saturday, March 17 - Sunday, June 10, led by Dan Harris, Beekeeper, Athens. 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 and 5. members $85; non-members $95
Unit 4: Spring Hive Management
Session 1: Saturday, March 17
Session 2: Sunday, March 18
1:00 - 3:00 pm
Meet at Shade Garden Arbor
Our early spring hive inspection. We will be looking for brood, pollen, honey, drones and, of course, the queen.
Unit 5: Installing Bees/Spring Buildup
Session 1: Saturday, April 14
Session 2: Sunday, April 15
1:00 - 3:00 pm
Meet at Shade Garden Arbor
We will be doing follow up inspections. This is an opportunity to see how the bee colonies build up in spring. We will be looking for many of the same things we saw in March but will also be looking for queen cells.
Unit 6: Products from the Hive
Session 1: Saturday, June 9
Session 2: Sunday, June 10
9:00 am - 12:00 pm Boogerhill Bee Farm, Danielsville, GA
The sweetest of all the beekeeping units! Dan will take capped honey frames from a 'super', remove the cappings and extract the honey.Certificate in Native Plants: Plant Taxonomy (Core Course) - Saturday, May 19, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, Visitor Center, Classroom 2. Members $95; non-members $105. Presented by David Giannasi, Associate Professor Emeritus, Plant Biology, and Herbarium Director Emeritus, UGA. This course will provide students with the plant identification skills needed to name and describe the plants most commonly encountered in Georgia’s natural areas. Students will become familiar with the botanical vocabulary used by plant identification guides and manuals and will learn to identify plants to species level using technical botanical keys.
Certificate in Native Plants: Plant Families of Georgia (Elective Course) - Saturday, June 2, 8:30 am – 12:30 pm, Visitor Center, Classroom 2. Members $45; non-members $50. Presented by Dr. Wilf Nichols, Director, State Botanical Garden of Georgia. This course will emphasize the importance of plant families as a way to understand the relationships among plants and to facilitate plant identification in the field. Students will study flower structure and other diagnostic characters of 10 of the most common plant families in Georgia, and apply that knowledge during an outdoors tour of the Garden’s plantings.
Certificate in Native Plants: Digital Plant Photography: Flower Portraits and Plants in the Landscape (Elective Course) - Saturday, June 9, 8:30 am – 12:30 pm, Visitor Center, Classroom 2. Members $45; non-members $50. Presented by Hugh and Carol Nourse, Nature Photographers/Authors. For flower portraits, the class will cover defining the subject, choosing a lens focal length, focusing, metering, isolating the subject, and lighting. For plants in the landscape, we will discuss how photographing in a larger setting differs from making plant portraits. Working through several examples, we will pay particular attention to how light affects the larger scene, and to composing the image to emphasize what you want to show the viewer. A portion of the class will be spent photographing in the Garden’s wildflower meadow (weather permitting) or the Conservatory.
Certificate in Native Plants: Summer Tree Identification (Elective Course) - Saturday, June 16, 8:30 am – 12:30 pm, Visitor Center, Classroom 2. Members $45; non-members $50. Presented by Linda Chafin, Conservation Botanist, State Botanical Garden of Georgia. Learn to identify common trees of the Georgia Piedmont by their leaves, bark, branching patterns, and tree form. Students will use a hand lens and a simple dichotomous key for woody plants to identify species. Class time will be divided between classroom exercises and a field trip to the woods at the Botanical Garden.
Certificate in Native Plants: Invasive Non-Native Pest Plants of the Southeast (Elective Course) - Saturday, June 23, 8:30 am – 1:30 pm, Visitor Center, Classroom 2. Members $45; non-members $50. Presented by Connie Gray, M.L.A., Consultant in natural area restoration and management. This class is an introduction to the problem of invasive, non-native pest plants in Georgia. Students will learn to identify the major offenders, their current ranges and habitats, and how these plants impact natural plant communities. Basic management and control strategies will be discussed. Most of the class will be indoors; after an early lunch, there will be field identification exercises, management strategy discussions, and control demonstrations. Please note the extended class time and bring a sack lunch.
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.
Atlanta BeltLine Arboretum Docent Program - Thursday, June 7 - Thursday, July 26, on Thursdays, excluding the first week of July, from 9am to noon at the Trees Atlanta Kendeda Center. Sponsored by Kaiser Permanente. We are seeking a group of energetic docents to successfully complete the Summer 2012 training. The training will include personal instruction from area experts on trees of the Arboretum, history and design of the Beltline, and much more!
Docents will be responsible for leading interactive tours and hands-on projects starting in Fall 2012. Potential projects docents might lead include native grass planting and maintenance, plant propagation of historic trees and native grasses, or upkeep of perennial beds. Experience working with others and prior horticulture knowledge is strongly encouraged.
Reservations required as space is limited. Please contact: Kate Baltzell, Education Coordinator, kateb@treesatlanta.org, (404) 681-4897.