The March into Spring Begins at Landis, the Capital Region’s Arboretum

ESPERANCE, NY (02/25/2008)(readMedia)-- Even with snow shovels in hand, the Education Committee of the Landis Arboretum is hard at work on its March 2008 offerings:

March 6, and April 2, 6:30–9 pm

LANDIS ARBORETUM PLANT PROPAGATION COURSE

The second of the three-module propagation course is set for March 6. This course is a mix of practice and discussion with the intention that participants will emerge well equipped with expertise and interest to begin a plant propagation program at Landis. Instructor: Jeff Schworm, owner of The Nursery at Liddledale (Duanesburg) and Landis Trustee. Location: Library and William T. Raymond Greenhouse at the Arboretum. The course consists of three modules.

  • Module 2: Principles and practices of plant propagation including familiarization with Landis facilities. Participants will practice techniques in the greenhouse and propagation room.
  • Module 3: Continuation of hands-on learning with discussion of an on-going plant propagation program at Landis Arboretum. Cost: Participants who pre-agree to put their newly acquired knowledge to use within the next six months as a greenhouse volunteer will be admitted free of charge. Learn and do at the Landis Arboretum.

March 8, Saturday, 7–9 pm

NATURALISTS’ TRIP TO BRYCE CANYON AND ZION

This is the second in the Arboretum’s Author/Travelogue series with Arboretum members sharing. Popular science-educator and nature enthusiast George Steele presents a slide show on the natural history of the desert southwest/canyon country. Location: The Harkness Library at the Arboretum. Suggested donation, $5.

March 9, Sunday, 1–3 pm

SECOND SUNDAY SNOWSHOE

Explore the Arboretum on snowshoes with ISA Certified Arborist and Snowshoe King Fred Breglia. Along the way, you’ll identify animal signs, discuss winter botany, and, look for harbingers of spring. Beginner and experienced snowshoers are welcomed. Bring your own snowshoes or borrow a pair from the Arboretum. Call 518-875-6935 to reserve your pair early. No snow? We’ll take a hike. Free. But donations are always appreciated at the non-profit Arboretum. Snow shoes, too!

March 22, Saturday, 9:30 am–3:30 pm

FLYING WILD (New York Power Authority, Gilboa)

Flying WILD is an exciting new program developed in 2002 that introduces middle school students to bird conservation through classroom activities and school bird festivals. The program supports educators by providing interdisciplinary, standards-based opportunities to engage students in real-world learning that helps them understand the importance of migratory birds and their conservation. The materials contain more than 40 activities and an extensive guide to planning a student-led bird festival in 360 pages. Materials are funded by Return a Gift to Wildlife in New York State. Preference for this workshop is given for formal and non-formal educators working with students, grades 6–9. $20 per participant. To register contact Wildlife Learning Company by March 12: 607-293-6043.

Education Committee Expanded for 2008

The Arboretum enters the New Year energized by both a new and dynamic partnership with Otsego County-based Wildlife Learning Company and the collective focus of an expanded Education Committee.

In addition to Committee Chair Anne Donnelly, a retired biology professor from SUNY Cobleskill, and career environmental education professional Susan O’Handley, Vice President of the Wildlife Learning Company, its members include:

  • Arboretum Board Chair Barbara Brabetz (Amsterdam), a regular guest on National Public Radio's WAMC’s Vox Pop Science Show and chair of Natural Sciences Department at SUNY Cobleskill,
  • Award-winning nature photographer Bill Combs, Jr. of Bill Combs Jr. Photographic & Design Services (Cobleskill). Mr. Combs plans to combine lectures and practicum in nature photographer at Landis in 2008. His images are readily available at www.landisarboretum.org, and www.FloridaWildlifePhotos.com.
  • Alan French, Vice President, Dudley Observatory Board of Trustees, and Vice President, Albany Area Amateur Astronomers
  • John McKeeby (Esperance), Director, Schoharie River Center, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to educational and cultural programming about the Schoharie Creek and the communities which make up the Schoharie River Valley. www.schoharierivercenter.org).
  • Gina Nielsen, (Glenville), a longtime Landis member and multi-faceted educator whose background includes a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Master of Science degree in Science Education;
  • Gerald Peters, longtime educator, former math teacher, Arboretum Trustee and Treasurer, and current Treasurer of the New York State Reading Association;
  • Steve Ramsey, Community Relations Manager, New York Power Authority, Blenheim/Gilboa facility, and Arboretum supporter
  • Science educator George Steele (Amsterdam), a popular and seasoned, award-winning environmental education consultant since 1992 working with a wide range of programs including children’s summer camps, museums, nature centers, outdoor education centers, state agencies, libraries and schools throughout the northeast.

According to Arboretum Board president Barbara Brabetz, “In today’s economic environment, our Education Committee joins our Trustees in the concerted commitment to explore alternatives to our traditional approach to programming -- and to help the Arboretum to toward promoting the Arboretum’s 548-acres as a dynamic, living laboratory and classroom in which other organizations stage their educational programs. Our expanded, all-volunteer committee already has made major contributions to the future of educational endeavors at the Arboretum. We look forward to an exciting year ahead.”

Wildlife-Arboretum Partnership Raises Bar on Excellence

Wildlife Learning Company, Inc. is a full-service environmental education company offering services and products to schools, libraries, environmental organizations and members of the general public. WLC 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.

“We envision a dynamic collaborative partnership with the Landis Arboretum,” says Susan M. O’Handley, Vice President of Wildlife Learning Company, Inc. “I see this collaboration with Landis Arboretum as a positive step to establishing a strong market for environmental education services in the Central New York region.”

From the perspective of Arboretum Education Committee Chair Anne Donnelly, the synergy created by the shared vision of the Landis Arboretum (LA) and the Wildlife Learning Company (WLC) – coupled with the perspectives of an expanded and forward-looking Arboretum Education Committee – offers a rich diversity of educational opportunities to teach and to learn about nature through seasoned educational professionals working within the spectacular 548-acre Arboretum.

About Landis

As the Capital region’s Arboretum, Landis is a multifaceted natural jewel. It now encompasses 548 acres of trees, shrubs, old growth forest and, of course, breath-taking vistas and memorable gardens.

Long a destination of choice among Capital District gardeners, environmentalists, nature lovers, hikers, bikers, and birders, the Landis Arboretum may be one of the best-kept secrets among Capital Region residents. The Arboretum is located 1.5 miles off Scenic Route 20 in Esperance, NY, an easy drive from anyplace within the Capital Region. The Arboretum is open 365 days of the year from dawn to dusk. Dogs are welcomed as long as they are leashed. Photographers, too!

Beware the Ides of March! Be safe and among friends – at Landis, the Capital Region’s Arboretum.

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