Arboretum Paths: Looking ahead to summer activities!

Published 7:00 am Wednesday, May 30, 2018

By Patricia R. Drackett, Director and Assistant Extension Professor of Landscape Architecture
The Crosby Arboretum, Mississippi State University Extension Service

Celebrate summer this week! Plan a visit to the Arboretum and enjoy spending time immersed in the natural world. Take a wildflower field walk to see the incredible diversity of blooming perennials that call our Pitcher Plant Bog home, or simply sit on a bench in the lovely outdoor setting of the Pinecote Pavilion.

Nature discovery and exploration is a consistent theme that serves to tie together many of the programs and events offered at the Crosby Arboretum. In addition to exploring native plants during several of our programs this summer, you can take advantage of several photography programs designed to help you make better use of your camera.

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Wonder what goes on here, but have never stopped in? Attend our free opening event for our summer Pinecote Gallery exhibit on Saturday, June 9 from 11:00 a.m. to Noon. Dave Snyder, along with his daughter, Samantha Snyder Fabacher, will be displaying photographs documenting their many travels. Light refreshments will be served.

Walk our trails to learn plants that will thrive in the heat, such as buttonbush, blooming on our Arrival Journey bridge. Other tough plants are found in our Pollinator Garden, such as milkweed, Stokes’ aster, and Gaura, also called Whirling Butterflies. Our Gaura came from Paul Bounds Feed and Seed in downtown Picayune last spring. A native perennial, it has spread and is performing beautifully this year!

Volunteers have also been potting up native milkweed that will be available during the summer. Some of this milkweed was propagated from sources right here in Pearl River County!

This summer, we will be offering many children’s programs that will explore nature. But you can do this on your own any day of the summer. A simple project to make at home is a plant press to collect plant material such as leaves or flowers, to preserve and flatten the plants. Once they have dried you can use the plants for cards, bookmarks, or glued into a frame.

Such presses don’t need to be cumbersome, or expensive. One of the most petite and portable handmade presses I’d ever seen was quite easy to tuck into a pocket or backpack. Such a simple press can be made from materials you have at home, such as cardboard, copy paper or newspaper, and rubber bands.

On Wednesday, June 6, Mary Beth Magee and Jennifer Buchanan will lead a workshop on Nature Bead Crafts from 9:00 a.m. to Noon. Children will gather items during a walk of the grounds to use in projects along with eye-catching paper beads they will learn how to make, and combine these into bracelets, necklaces, key chains, and bookmarks. An ancient craft, paper beading is a simple process with stunning, durable results. Most supplies can be found around the house. Cost for members’ children is $5; non-members children $7. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Space is limited and registration is requested.
Are you traveling this summer? Mark your calendar to attend the “Travel Photography: Capturing the Moment” program on Saturday, June 9, from 9:00 to 10:30 with Dave Snyder, our featured summer artist in the Pinecote Gallery. In this indoor program, Dave will provide instruction to guide you in recording lasting memories reflecting your own unique trips. He will dispel common myths, and provide instruction on planning and documenting your trip, to create photos that go from “typical” to “stunning”. The program is free to members and $5 for non-members. At 11:00 a.m., Dave’s gallery exhibit will officially open, which will include work by his daughter, Samantha Snyder Fabacher. Admission is free to all. We hope to see you there!

A children’s Insect Workshop will take place on Friday, June 15, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., led by Hancock County Extension Agent Christian Stephenson. Cost for members’ children is $3, and non-members’ children $5. Another children’s craft workshop on making Nature Journals will be led by Kim Johnson on Thursday, June 28, from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.  Children must be accompanied by parent or guardian (no charge for adults). Cost for members’ children is $3 and non-members’ children $5. Reservations are requested for all programs to guarantee your seat. There is no charge for the adults in a children’s program. Please call 601-799-2311 to sign up.

For more information, please see our website at www.crosbyarboretum.msstate.edu. The Crosby Arboretum is located in Picayune, I-59 Exit 4, at 370 Ridge Road, and is open Wednesday through Sunday from 9 AM to 5 PM.