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

We've created a quiz for one of those days when you just don't want to go outside. Here is an indoor safari quiz. No matter how fastidious you are about your dwelling, there are still going to be minibeasts around. See how many of these creatures you can identify and then to see if you are right and to learn more about them.  The answers are at the bottom of this newsletter.

Check out some of our recent posts below from our social media accounts. If you are interested in seeing more of what is happening and being seen at The Arboretum then please consider liking or following us on one or more of our social media accounts. We are on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Flickr. Search for us at uogarboretum. If you click on the posts below it will take you to the actual post so you can read the text.

We still have some of our 2019 Arboretum Calendars available. They are on sale for $10 each (including tax). You can purchase them on-line or by stopping by The Arboretum Centre during business hours.

               

I hope everyone had a happy Valentine's Day! If you or someone you know is lucky enough to have given or received that special ring and proposal and are beginning to plan for that exciting day please be sure to check The Arboretum out for the ceremony and reception. For further information please contact Dawn Ann Webster at 519-824-4120 ext. 54110 or [log in to unmask]. Further information on our unique reception facilities and outdoor ceremony sites can be found on our website.

 

 

Join Sally 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 winter wonderland that The Arboretum grounds has been transformed into. 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.

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. 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.

Top left - Rove Beetle
These beetles have long abdomens that, unlike most other beetles, aren't covered by their wing cases. Most rove beetles are predators and are doing their best to rid your house of other unwanted guests. Back to Quiz

Top middle - Silverfish
Silverfish like damp places and may show up when you move something off the floor in your basement. This individual got stuck in a bathtub. They like to eat papery products or dropped bits of food. Back to Quiz

Top right - Pseudoscorpion
Before you freak out, you do not have scorpions in your house, at least not if you are in southern Ontario! This guy is less than 5 mm long and, while it looks like a true scorpion, it isn't. These tiny carnivores eat other minibeasts that inhabit your house. Back to Quiz

Middle left - Deer Mouse
One of the best known of our house guests is the Deer Mouse. In our area, this mouse is much more commonly found in house than the more aptly named House Mouse. Deer Mice are native rodents to Ontario whereas House Mice are introduced from Europe. Back to Quiz

Middle - Small Millkweed Bug
Every indoor safari might have some surprises. Adults of the Box Elder Bug often overwinter in congregations in the foundations of houses and may end up inside your house. The similar-looking Small Milkweed Bug also may overwinter in congregations but less commonly in houses. When I first found this invader I automatically thought it was a Box Elder Bug, but closer inspection showed the black heart shape on the back of a Small Milkweed Bug. Back to Quiz

Middle right - Masked Bed Bug Hunter
Another indoor predator, the Masked Bed Bug Hunter (what a great name!) is one of the more formidable looking insects that you might see in your house. This species of assassin bug doesn't just eat bed bugs, so don't assume you have bed bugs if you find one of these guys! The nymphs of this insect are sticky and get covered in dust and carpet fibers which helps them blend in. So, if you see a tiny moving dust bunny, it might actually be a Masked Bed Bug Hunter. Back to Quiz

Bottom left - Sowbug
Sowbugs or Woodlice are actually terrestrial crustaceans. Most of their relatives live in the ocean. Sowbugs are often found in rotting wood, leaf litter and damp basements. Back to Quiz

Bottom Middle - Millipede
Millipedes are commonly found in houses and most of the ones we see are introduced species to southern Ontario. Most segments on a millipede have 2 pairs of legs each! Back to Quiz

Bottom Right - Asian Lady Beetle
This species needs no introduction for most of us. But, it was introduced to us anyway, likely by pecan farmers in the US trying to control pests in their orchards. In the fall, these and some other lady beetles congregate in warm, sunny nooks to spend the winter. Often this leads them into houses where they will try to stay until the following spring.

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]