by Chris Earley

To link to our recent sightings (see below), this month's quiz contains spring warblers and spring wildflowers. Can you figure out these closeup shots? Scroll to the bottom to see full shots of the birds and blooms and our answers. A printable version of the quiz is available here: http://www.uoguelph.ca/arboretum/Listservnewsletter/May%202018/printable_quiz_Warblers_and_Spring_WIldflowers_May_2018.pdf

by Chris Earley

Warblers and wildflowers: they are bold, beautiful...and they're back! Our wildflowers are a bit later than the recent past (though similar to dates over ten years ago) and lots are showing in Victoria Woods. Trout Lilies, White Trilliums, Red Trilliums, Bloodroot, Blue Cohosh, Early Meadowrue...all those names that get field botanists' blood pumping. On the warbler side of things (at the time of writing), we have already had Yellow-rumped, Palm and Black-throated Green Warblers and a nice singing male American Redstart. Other non-warbler migrants include Hermit Thrush, Great Crested Flycatcher, Baltimore Oriole, House Wren and Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Come for a stroll and see what spring is all about!

American Redstart
photo by Chris Earley

Blood Root
photo by Marg Gillies

Palm Warbler
photo by Chris Earley

The grounds are coming alive again. Each Spring we have a number of students who join our staff for the summer to help with the care of The Arboretum grounds. We would like to welcome this year's crew and look forward to working with them. You will see them out on the grounds throughout the spring and summer months. We would also like to welcome Cael Wishart back in his new position as Horticultural Intern and welcome Sally Cheung as our Summer Naturalist Intern. As we welcome our new interns we also bid farewell to Jason Chan, our Naturalist Intern and Tess Sprawson our Horticultural Intern. It was a pleasure working with both of you. Thank you for all your contributions to The Arboretum over your term here!

          
           Emma Davis, Cael Wishart, Andy Miller, Evan Wrigley, Baylea
           Pryma, Breeann Keogh - Chin

                           
                            Sally Cheung, Summer Naturalist Intern

We offer pre-arranged tours of The Arboretum grounds. The tours are a great way to learn more about The Arboretum and explore the great outdoors. They are ideal for bus tours, special interest groups or even conference or meeting groups as a break from the meeting. If you would like further information please contact our Bookings Co-ordinator, Dawn Ann Webster at [log in to unmask] or 519-824-4120 ext. 54110.

Spring is finally here and with that comes our traditional wedding season. The Arboretum offers space for an indoor reception and outdoor ceremony on our beautiful grounds. You can even take your photos on the grounds so you don't have to go anywhere else which makes it easier for your guests. If you would like further information on weddings here at The Arboretum please contact Dawn Ann Webster at [log in to unmask] or 519-824-4120 ext. 54110. Catering is provided by the University of Guelph, Hospitality Services.

 
West Lawn                                         Auditorium

Check out our awesome publications that will help you identify things that you see in nature. Biodiversity sheets and booklets can be viewed on-line at: https://www.uoguelph.ca/arboretum/educationandevents/arboretumbooks. To place an order call 519-824-4120 ext. 52358 or you can e-mail us at: [log in to unmask] (please don't e-mail your credit card information though!)

Join us Saturday, September 8, 2018 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Arboretum Centre for our inaugural Arboretum Expo. Attendees will have the opportunity to "Meet the Trees" while taking part in tours, demonstrations, research exhibits, full-family activities, live music and plant sale. Come connect with Arboretum staff and volunteers to learn about trees you won't find anywhere else in Canada, and learn more about our efforts to conserve endangered species and restore natural habitats.

The Arboretum Expo also marks the return of our hugely popular Arboretum Auxiliary Plant Sale, in our new location and with a renewed focus on only the most unique and rare plants produced in our Arboretum Nursery. Quantities will be limited and selections will include plants not found anywhere else, so please be sure to mark your calendar for this one-of-a-kind event. A full listing of plants available will be posted on our website by July 31, 2018.

Bigger. Badder. Buggier. The University of Guelph is hosting their second Bug Day on August 26th, 2018 and it’ll be hosted right here in The Arboretum Centre! Hikes, interactive booths and displays will be organized and set up for family and friends. It’ll be a full day dedicated to our six-legged friends. Be sure to mark it down on your calendars! Check out the facebook page for more information and to let us know that we will see you there!

https://www.facebook.com/events/198438394259070/?active_tab=discussion

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.

On Wednesday, May 30 our Summer Interpretive Naturalist, Sally will begin our annual Wednesday Evening Walk series. These programs take place each Wednesday evening from 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. beginning at the J.C. Taylor Centre. The cost is $2 per person with children under 5 free. The schedule of walks including topics will be posted on our website near the end of May.

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 10 km 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

Photowalk in Wild Goose Woods, Bird Sounds, Sparrows, Plant Propagation, Sketching Nature and Look, See, Paint workshops are approaching. The dates and registration deadlines can be found in our Coming Events listing in the column on the left side of this newsletter. A detailed description of each course is available on our website. Help us promote our programs… please forward this e-mail on to your friends and colleagues who may be interested. The more participants we have, the more programs we can offer.

Registering early is important for us because we need lead time to decide if there are enough people registered to run the workshop or not. To encourage registering before the deadline, we have an Early Bird Fee. You can still register after the deadline, but it will cost an extra $10, so why not register early?

Registration is available on-line, which allows you to register for our programs at anytime, not just during our regular business hours. A secure link is provided on our website for this easy registration process.

If you do not have internet access, registration can still be made by phone or in person at 519-824-4120 ext. 52358 as in the past. Please remember that a decision is made on the registration deadline as to whether the workshop will run or not, based on the minimum number of required registrants. You may still register after the deadline as long as the workshop is running and there is space.

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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]