Below is a summary of our upcoming workshops. The complete description of each one can be found on our website. Our workshops are an important part of what we do. We appreciate your past and future support of our workshops; the income supports other Arboretum educational endeavours such as brochures, signs, booklets, tours and our website.

If you know of people who may be interested in our workshops who do not receive this e-newsletter we would appreciate if you would pass this information on to them. To subscribe to the newsletter follow the simple instructions as outlined on our webpage at: http://www.uoguelph.ca/arboretum/educationandevents/enewsletter.shtml

If you have a spot in your community or at your workplace where you can display our workshop posters, please send us an e-mail at [log in to unmask] and we will be happy to send them to you.

Below is a list of upcoming workshops at The Arboretum. Please forward this e-mail to your friends and colleagues! The more participants we have, the more programs we can offer.

Our registration is an on-line registration process which allows you to register for our programs at anytime. A secure link is provided for this easy registration process. Click here for the link: https://www.uoguelph.ca/arboretum/educationandevents/register

Yup, it is the letter "T" this month. Which ones can you identify? A printable version of the quiz is available here: http://www.uoguelph.ca/arboretum/Listservnewsletter/April_2018/printable_quiz_letter_t_April_2018.pdf.

The answers are at the bottom of the newsletter.

We know that spring is on the way because our Mallards and Canada Geese are back attending our water features. The pair of mallards that have been hanging around our reflecting pool at The Arboretum Centre were dubbed "Scott and Tessa" because of their Olympian efforts on the ice of the pool. Tessa is nesting somewhere nearby and they are both frequent diners under The Arb Centre's bird feeders. Brenda Doherty found the pictured Canada Goose working on her nest in Victoria Woods pond where a pair has nested for at least the last 27 years. Thanks, Brenda! A Cooper's Hawk pair has been seen around the building, too, so they may be nesting here this year as well. Our Winter Invertebrates Workshop went well with lots of bugs being found including Burdock Seedhead caterpillars, Praying Mantis egg cases, Cattail Moth caterpillars (see photo of us searching through the cattails), Gypsy Moth egg cases, stink bugs, bagworms, paper wasps nests, snail chewing marks, goldenrod galls and more! Our spring bulbs are taking their time this year but snowdrops and crocuses are open with more species coming soon.


Mallard Ducks
Photo by Chris Earley

Canada Goose
Photo by Brenda Doherty

Winter Invertebrate Workshop
Photo by Chris Earley

It is National Volunteer Week (April 15 - 21). We would like to extend a huge Thank You to all of The Arboretum volunteers. They countless hours along with your skills have helped The Arboretum grow into what it is. You are appreciated! Anyone interested in volunteering at The Arboretum please contact Barb Watson - Ash at [log in to unmask].

Join our very own Sean Fox on June 16 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Eramosa River Park for "Trees, Bikes and a Pint: A Tribute to the Late Henry Kock" as part of the 2Rivers Festival. The 10km tribute ride to the late Henry Kock, Guelph's beloved horticulturalist, will celebrate his passion for trees, river systems, bikes and local beer. Participants will enjoy stops along the way with arborist Sean Fox to discover some of Guelph's magnificent trees. This will be a family friendly ride on gravel trails and quiet streets. Mountain/hybrid bikes and helmets are encouraged. For further information visit: https://www.2riversfestival.org/20event_trees_bikes_a_pint_a_tribute_ride_to_the_late_henry_kock.

The Arboretum will also host a Wednesday night walk: "Arboretum Creek Creatures" as part of the 2 Rivers Festival on May 30 from 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. It will begin at the J.C. Taylor Nature Centre. Further information is available at: https://www.2riversfestival.org/13event_arboretum_creek_creatures_2018

The Arboretum’s grounds are the perfect setting for group tours. Our knowledgeable docents (trained volunteer guides) give pre-arranged 1 ½ hour tours of The Arboretum’s grounds, gardens, collections and other points of interest. The tours can be focused on the areas that are seasonally appropriate and / or that are of interest to you and your group. Tours should be booked a minimum of 2 weeks in advance. The cost is $5 per person, with a minimum charge of $60. Tours provide an excellent break for a meeting group. For further information on tours or to make a reservation please contact Dawn Ann Webster at [log in to unmask] or 519-824-4120 ext. 54110.

Check us out on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Flickr and Youtube! Our staff post awesome photos and some great content on the various media platforms to help keep you informed.

Spring is just around the corner and we can both outfit you for Spring and provide you with tools to get out and enjoy nature. We have t-shirts, hats, biodiversity sheets, booklets, journals, window decals and buttons. Check them out on our website.

Join Rachel Wednesdays at 12:15 for the Wednesday walk as she explores the grounds on a 50 minute hike. It is a wonderful way to explore The Arboretum grounds as nature begins to awaken for spring. The walk is free and you should meet at the kiosk at the end of the promenade closest to campus if you are interested in participating.

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Be a part of the BetterPlanet Project by donating on-line:

Your donation can be directed to The Arboretum online through the secure University of Guelph donation page: http://uofg.convio.net/arboretum

If you prefer not to make an online donation, there are several other ways to provide your financial support. You can choose to donate by telephone, mail, fax, or in person:

UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH Attention Alumni Affairs 50 Stone Road East Guelph, Ontario, Canada N1G 2W1 Tel: 1-888-266-3108 ext. 56934 Tel: 519-824-4120 ext. 56934 Fax: 519-822-2670 Email: [log in to unmask]

If you would like information on bequests and planned giving to The Arboretum please contact:

Amy Atkinson
Senior Development Manager, Ontario Agricultural College
at (519) 824-4120 ext. 58652 or by e-mail at [log in to unmask]