June's in Bloom at the Landis Arboretum

ESPERANCE, NY (05/28/2011)(readMedia)-- Come to Landis and spend the day. Hike the trails, stroll past the perennial gardens, and check out the native plant collection. There's something for everyone, with a full schedule of activities and programs, day or night, including a very special celebration of the Summer Solstice.

ANNUAL GARDEN PARTY

Summertime, and the living's easy... when you relax and welcome in the new season at the Arboretum's fabulous Garden Party under the Great Tent. Dinner at twilight with cash bar, live music by Spiral Tango, silent auction to benefit Landis, and incomparable views for which the Arboretum is famous. What better way to unwind and embrace the joys of the Summer Solstice with friends or family? The Garden Party will be held on Saturday, June 18, from 4:30 – 8:30 p.m. Discount tickets of $40 per person, pre-paid, are available until June 10, or $45 after June 10. Buy tickets securely online at www.landisarboretum.org or call (518) 875- 6935. To donate items for the silent auction, contact Donna Vincent at (518) 469-1491. See you there!

STARRY, STARRY NIGHTS

The dark skies of Landis offer excellent views of the galaxies, star clusters, and more. Meet Alan French and the Albany Area Amateur Astronomers on Friday and Saturday, June 3 & 4, at 9:30 p.m., outside the Meeting House, for this month's Public Star Parties. Admission, parking, and use of their telescopes are free of charge, but donations to aid the Arboretum are always welcome. If skies are mostly cloudy, star parties are cancelled. Call Alan at (518) 374- 8460 to confirm the evening's program or for more details.

TAKE A HIKE!

WE OFFER 3 THIS MONTH THAT YOU WON'T WANT TO MISS

On Saturday, June 4, from 9 – 11 a.m., Landis will host a Forestry Talk and Tour with Carl Wiedermann and Tom Wolfe of the NYS Forest Owners Association. You'll learn about preservation of the rural landscape, maintenance of a healthy forest, effects of wildlife and invasive species, forest management strategies and costs, and New York's forest and land use history, all while enjoying the forests of Landis. Arboretum members: $5/person, $15/family. Non-members: $10/person, $25/family.

Bring a picnic lunch to feast on after the forestry tour, and join Science Educator George Steele from 2 – 3:30 p.m., also on Saturday, June 4, for our Animal Tracks and Traces Nature Walk. George will lead you on a walk around the Arboretum in search of clues like nests, gnawing, scat, and, of course, tracks that reveal which animals make Landis their home. Arboretum members: $5/person, $15/family. Non-members: $10/person, $25/family.

Take your dad to Landis for the Father's Day Herpetology Hike on Sunday, June 19, from 2 – 3:30 p.m. We have fields, ponds, and forests to explore as you look for snakes, salamanders, frogs, and turtles. George Steele, Science Educator, will tell you everything you want to know about their habits and their habitats, like the Landis Arboretum. Arboretum members: $5/person, $15/family. Non-members: $10/person, $25/family.

PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT

IN TREES AND SHRUBS

When is the right time to prune your trees and shrubs? Fred Breglia will be wearing his cap as ISA-certified arborist and Director of Horticulture and Operations at Landis on Monday evening, June 27, from 6 – 8 pm, for Pruning: The Basics...and Beyond. All levels of expertise are welcome; Fred will cover the topics of why, when, and how to trim your prized trees and shrubs. If possible, bring your own pruning tools (limited equipment will be available at the Arboretum) to fully participate in the hands-on component of this informative program. Please register by June 20 to reserve your place in the class. Arboretum members: $35. Non-members: $50.

Landis Arboretum

www.landisarboretum.org** (518) 875-6935 ** info@landisarboretum.org