Month-long Exhibit on Global Warming, Star Party, Garden Tour, and More... at Landis Arboretum in July

CAPITAL REGION (07/06/2009)(readMedia)-- Whatever the day, month, or season, there is always a reason to visit Landis, the Capital Region's Arboretum - for family fun, relaxation, and learning....

July 1 - July 31

GLOBAL WARMING EXHIBIT

Moon and River Café, Schenectady

Without missing a beat after returning from a national conference at which climate issues took priority, Ferdinand Breglia, the Landis Arboretum's ISA Certified Arborist, again walks his talk with an exhibit focused on global warming. Already mounted in Schenectady's trendy Moon and River Café, the month long exhibit will run through July 31. A special reception is slated for Friday, July 17, and will feature Mr. Breglia's own band, Organized Chaos.

Subtitled "Can't Stand the Heat? Its only gonna get hotter!", the exhibit will showcase 10 of Mr. Breglia's highly praised pieces, which have arrived at the Schenectady location after successful openings at Gallery 107 (Cobleskill) and Cooperstown Art Association (CAA) in conjunction with Earth Festival 2009.

Moon and River: 115 South Ferry Street, Schenectady; 5183821938; http://www.moonandrivercafe.com/ See for yourself what the excitement is about!

July 11, Saturday, 10 AM - 1 PM

EYE ON: NATURE THROUGH THE CAMERA'S LENS

Landis Arboretum, Esperance, NY; www.landisarboretum.org

A photography class for all levels of proficiency,

The 548-acres Arboretum becomes a photographer's paradise in this dynamic three-part exploration of nature as seen though the camera's lens.

Led by nature photographer Bill Combs, Jr. and members of the Schoharie County Photographers Club, the informal three sessions are designed to engender excitement and a deeper appreciation of technique, patience and experience when nature is the dynamic subject of pursuit.

  • July: Look out and all around! Celebrate the abundance of Wildlife that makes the Arboretum a boundless source of inspiration and satisfaction for your mid-day photographic adventure.

The 3-hour segment includes:

  • 90 minutes with camera in hand, exploring the natural splendors of the Arboretum.
  • 90 minutes of shared time as you display your images in a group setting, learn from shared suggestions and recommendations for improving technique, engaging nature, and expanding creative options. Held at the Arboretum's Harkness Library, which doubles as a classroom, art studio, workshop area.

Requirements: Enthusiasm; a digital camera, appropriate clothing (depending on season), and sensible shoes for the natural terrain of Landis. Bring a brown-bag lunch and a non-alcoholic beverage. Segments can be taken individually although participation in all three sessions will yield maximum satisfaction and learning. Cost: $25/session for members; $35/non-members.

Your Guides: Cobleskill resident Bill Combs Jr's interest in photography began in high school. What began as a hobby developed into a privilege, taking him to places he never would have visited otherwise-from countless hours exploring the wildlife of the exotic Everglades National Park in Florida to photographing the buffalo round-up in South Dakota and elk and bighorn sheep in the Rockies. Bill and his family often can be seen exploring the trails and rich natural resources of the Arboretum.

For more than a decade, the Schoharie Photo Club has provided common ground for regional photographers -- both amateur and professional. Members discuss their art, share techniques, display their images, and discuss their body of work. Members' work is displayed at the Cobleskill Fair each August as well as in group showings at the TriCounty Arts Council Gallery in Cobleskill. The Club hosts presentations by guest speakers and knowledgeable members on various topics during its monthly meetings. www.scphotoclub.com; info@scphotoclub.com

July 12, Sunday, 2 - 3:30 PM

NATURE ART AT THE MEETING HOUSE

Landis Arboretum, Esperance, NY; www.landisarboretum.org

Stop by the Arboretum's Meeting House and create art inspired by nature. We'll make animal track t-shirts (each participant should bring a plain colored t-shirt), sun print book marks, leaf prints and natural dyes. George Steele, Science Educator. $5/person; $15/family.

July 18, Saturday, 11 AM - 3 PM

2009 GARDEN TOUR

Join this exploration of nine special gardens in the Burnt Hills/Scotia areas of New York State's extended Capital Region. Alone or by the carful, this Arboretum classic is a must event for gardeners and a civilized day of gardening insights.

Tickets are $25 for all nine Gardens. Arboretum Members, 20% off! Buy tickets online at www.landisarboretum.org, or at Hewitt's Garden Center, Charlton Rd & Rt.50, Scotia, NY. Tickets include destination addresses, a detailed description, and a map. This is a day gardeners won't want to miss.

July 17/18, Friday/Saturday, 10 PM

PUBLIC STAR PARTY

Landis Arboretum, Esperance, NY; www.landisarboretum.org

THE ALBANY AREA AMATEUR ASTRONOMERS (AAAA) meet regularly by the Landis Arboretum under the leadership of Alan French. The public is invited and attendance and parking are free. Experience this event for yourself!

  • July 17 & 18 (Fri/Sat) at 10:00 PM
  • August 18 (Tues) at 7:30 PM
  • August 21 & 22 (Fri/Sat) at 9:30 PM : Club meeting (Meeting House) and star party
  • September 11 & 12 (Fri/Sat) at 8:30 PM
  • October 16 & 17 (Fri/Sat) at 8:00 PM
  • November 13 & 14 (Fri/Sat) at 8:00 PM

Alan French and his wife, Susan, have been sharing the night sky with people at star parties in the Capital District for close to 40 years. French is a telescope maker, but also enjoys naked-eye astronomy. He is Vice President of Dudley Observatory's Board of Trustees and the Albany Area Amateur Astronomers.

The AAAA owns an 18 inch telescope, and members bring a variety of other telescopes to these gatherings, and are happy to share the views of deep sky wonders or offer help to those new to the hobby. Programs such as The Walk Among the Stars include constellation tours, the myths, and stories associated with the constellations, and hints on enjoying the night sky.

Visitors to the Arboretum event should bring something to sit on, and dress according to the season. A sweater is always a good idea for late evenings at Landis. Programs are cancelled if the sky is cloudy. Participants are encouraged to register by calling 518-374-8460 so that they can be notified if cloudy skies force a cancellation. Those who do not pre-register can call to check about two hours before the start time.

July 25, Saturday, 2 - 3:30 PM

POND ECOLOGY

Landis Arboretum, Esperance, NY; www.landisarboretum.org

The pond ecosystem is full of life. Join us as we explore who is who, what they do, how they grow and where they go in the pond environment. George Steele, Science Educator. GEORGE STEELE is a seasoned and award-winning environmental education consultant and a popular guide at Landis, the Capital Region's Arboretum. Since 1992, he has worked with a wide range of programs for children's summer camps, museums, nature centers, outdoor education centers, state agencies, libraries, and schools throughout the Northeast. $5 per person; $15/family.

Calling Children of All Ages

The Arboretum offers classes, workshops, guided and self-guided nature study. Workshop subjects include hawks, moths, birds, amphibians and reptiles, and arthropods. Horticultural interests are the focus of classes in pruning, tree identification, daylilies, roses, trillium, and plant propagation. Ancillary workshops have focused on photography, botanical illustration, and landscape painting.

The Arboretum is an ideal outdoor classroom for children. With more than 2,000 labeled species of trees, shrubs, and herbaceous perennials from around the world and two old growth forests with diverse wildlife habitats, children love the Arboretum and are eager to learn in this environment.

A 2008 partnership with the Wildlife Learning Company (Oneonta) has heightened interest and participation in Arboretum events. A full-service environmental education company offering services and products to schools, libraries, environmental organizations and members of the general public, the Wildlife Learning Company/Arboretum partnership promotes conservation through education and strives to connect people to nature by providing programs and products that foster an appreciation of the natural environment, impart an understanding of how natural systems function, and create a desire for people to explore the natural world further and take personal responsibility for its protection and care. Wildlife Learning Company provided programs to more than 6,000 participants last year.

The Landis Arboretum includes a nationally recognized collection of oaks and is registered with the North American Plant Collections Consortium (NAPCC). The Arboretum also is included in the New York State Route 20 Bluebird Trail, bringing even more birdwatchers to the site. The Arboretum's vast dark sky and wide horizons attract area astronomers to its meeting house and parking field for sky-watching events

The Arboretum is central to the New York State Wine and Spa Trails and in close proximity to historic Sharon Springs. And, it is a natural stop for those traveling to the high-volume tourist attractions between the Albany, Cooperstown, and Finger Lakes Regions.

The Landis Arboretum is located 1.5 miles off Scenic designated Route 20 in Esperance, NY, a beautiful and easy drive from within the Capital Region. There, with decades of history and the riveting beauty inherent in the Arboretum's world-class, global collections, generations of extraordinary plantings continue to impart their secrets to its visitors.

For more information, call 518-875-6935; http://landisarboretum.org. Directions: http://landisarboretum.org/map.html