For both ecological and economic reasons we no longer print and mail a seasonal program listing our workshops and special events. The information is now distributed via this e-newsletter and is always available on our website. We do 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 or who have received our seasonal program in the past who do not receive this e-newsletter, we would appreciate if you would pass this information on to them. To subscribe to the newsletter simply send an e-mail to [log in to unmask] with “subscribe to newsletter” in the subject line and include your e-mail address and first and last name in the text of the e-mail.

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.

To register please call 519-824-4120 ext. 52358.

Please note 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.

by Chris Earley

Since we are often promoting native plants to gardeners, I thought we would do a native plants quiz this month. Can you recognize these blooms? All of them are wonderful wildlife plants. The answers are at the bottom of the newsletter.

by Bryna Belisle

I am the Summer Naturalist here at The Arboretum. It is, in my opinion, the best job ever! I run the Wednesday Night Walks as well as some other programs. I also help out with some of the research going on here at The Arboretum. I am fortunate to work with the incredibly knowledgeable Chris Earley on a daily basis as well getting help and support from the rest of the staff here at The Arboretum Centre.   Read more.

Bryna Belisle

Join us Saturday, September 8, 2012 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. for our Annual Auxiliary Plant Sale. The sale is at the R.J. Hilton Centre on College Avenue East. This year, a large selection of unique plants is available, including rare natives such as blue ash, pawpaw and dwarf chinquapin oak, as well as some outstanding exotics, like the goldenrain tree and Siberian spindle tree. As always, you’ll also find a diverse selection of native wildflowers, ferns, grasses and high quality ornamental perennials. The Arboretum plant sale is known for its extremely affordable prices with people lining up from across the province for the chance to take home a unique plant. So, come early for the best selection! Check our website soon for a listing of the plants that will be available at the sale.

Only 3 weeks of our Wednesday Evening Walks series remain. Join us at the J.C. Taylor Nature Centre at 7 pm as our starting point. These 1 ½ hour walks will be on a different topic each week and are $2 / person (children under 5 are free). Below is a schedule for the next few weeks.

August 15 - Snap Shots - Nature Photography in The Arboretum
Explore the beauty of The Arboretum through the camera lens. Special guest naturalist and nature photographer Kyle Horner will teach us how to get nature in focus. Make sure to bring your camera!

August 22 - Taking Time for the Little Guys - Starting an Insect Collection
Our world is full of bugs whether you like it or not, so why not love it! We will figure out where and how to find some of the fantastic and beautiful insects that call Ontario home. We will also talk about the two major ways to start your own insect collection: pinning or photographing.

August 29 - Surviving the Elements - You’re lost in the woods?
Take hints from the animals! Many survival strategies used by people came from animals. We will explore the world of wilderness survival by investigating how all the critters around us survive.

Although it definitely doesn't look or feel like Christmas outside, it is time to think about booking your company's Christmas Party. The Arboretum is a perfect location for your Christmas party. We can accommodate up to 150 people for lunches or dinners with a picturesque view of The Arboretum grounds. We still have some good dates available … book soon before they are gone. For further information please contact Barb Watson – Ash, Marketing and Bookings Co-ordinator at extension 54110, [log in to unmask] or check out our website. All catering is provided by Hospitality Services, University of Guelph. For further information on the catering please call extension 53350 or e-mail [log in to unmask].

Does your organization book meetings at off site locations? Do you have a special occasion such as a wedding, anniversary, birthday, retirement or other event coming up? The Arboretum has three meeting rooms available for rental, all with ground to ceiling windows and spectacular views of the gorgeous Arboretum grounds. The Auditorium seats 150 people at round tables or 225 lecture style. The Boardroom seats 20 people and the Sun Room seats 14 people. The Arboretum's location gives you the feeling of a tranquil country setting with the convenience of being within the City of Guelph. Catering is provided by Hospitality Services, University of Guelph. For further information on booking The Arboretum please contact Barb Watson - Ash at [log in to unmask] or ext. 54110.

Auditorium

The Annual Wall Custance Memorial Forest Dedication Service is on Sunday, September 16, 2012. For further information please contact the Wall Custance Funeral Home at 519-822-0051 or www.wallcustance.com.

2011 Wall Custance Memorial Forest Dedication Service

This seems to be the summer of the frogs - we have buckets of them. Literally! They have become so common in some of our garden ponds that we have had to move some to our bigger "natural" ponds. Their numbers became so large in the Italian Garden pond that they were sitting on each other on their floating pads. Bryna (our summer naturalist) and I (Chris) caught about 60 of them in less than 3 minutes. We think the large numbers are due to our drought conditions and natural water reservoirs drying up. The frogs come across our garden ponds while dispersing and decide to stay.

The lack of rain may be the reason that our goldenrod has started blooming earlier than normal, too. This may work well for current pollinators but may be a problem for insects that depend on goldenrod later in the season. A jumping spider seemed to be fine with the early bloom as it attracted a wasp that it decided to eat for lunch. Another Arboretum predator, the Cooper's Hawk, is also making itself known on our grounds. At least two chicks fledged from our Wild Goose Woods nest and are noisily begging for food from their very busy parents. Recently, a female chick was see defending her meal from her smaller brother who was smart enough not to get too close. Sibling rivalry in the bird world.

  
Bucket of Frogs                                Cooper's Hawk female chick

  
Goldenrod blooming                         Jumping Spider with wasp prey

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 The BetterPlanet Project site! Follow these easy steps:

• Follow this link http://www.thebetterplanetproject.ca/bpp_donate_2.html
• Choose your type of gift "-One-time gift-", "-Sustaining gift-", or "-Tribute Giving-"
• On the drop down menu "-Choose a Program-" select Arboretum" and fill in the amount of your donation
• Click Calculate
• Fill in your personal information

It's that easy!

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]

Please identify The Arboretum as the focus of your donation. If you would like information on bequests and planned giving to The Arboretum please contact:

Ross Butler
Director, Gift Planning
at (519) 824-4120 ext. 56196 or by e-mail at [log in to unmask]