by Chris Earley

They are back! Can you identify these Arboretum creatures after their
long absence?  The answers are at the bottom of the newsletter.

Join Mike, the new Summer Interpretive Naturalist, for Wednesday Night Walks at The Arboretum June through August. The cost is only $2 with children under 5 FREE! Walks take place every Wednesday evening from 7 - 8:30 p.m., beginning at the J.C. Taylor Nature Centre.

For more information please contact The Arboretum at 519-824-4120 ext. 52363 or go to our website.

June 5th, 2013 – Inspired by Nature
Biomimicry is the science and art of emulating nature’s best biological ideas to solve human problems. Come to The Arboretum to learn how to engage in nature and design through biomimicry and how to apply the process of discovering solutions in the natural world.

June 12th, 2013 – Creatures and Features of the Creek
(FREE event in conjunction with Two Rivers Festival)
Come discover an array of plants and animals that live in The Arboretum Creek and likely in the creek nearest you! In this hands-on workshop we will be discussing the importance of creeks, their natural diversity and conservation practices.

June 19th, 2013 - The Unsung Heroes of Pollination
Although bees and butterflies dominate discussions about pollination, flies are much more important to flowering plants than commonly realized. We will discuss the significance of flies, flowers, pollinator diversity, identification techniques, and explore The Arboretum for live examples.

June 26th, 2013 – Constructing for Wildlife
Humans are most noted for their destruction of the natural environment but we can also aid in construction of a healthy ecosystem or niche. We will talk about the various ways we can attract wildlife using nest bird boxes and feeders, bat roosting and nesting boxes, turtle and snake nests, and native bee houses. We will also be doing some hands-on construction of our own!

by Ric Jordan

Although May has arrived the weather this past weekend didn’t really feel May-like. Below freezing at nights, blowing snow/sleet made it feel more like mid-April but warmer weather is returning for the long weekend. Much like the annual bird migration and flowering times for our trees another sure sign of May is the re-appearance of our summer grounds crew. And a re-appearance it is, as we welcome back a number of individuals.

Joining Lig and Sean working out of the Hilton Centre will be Jenn, Polly, Jim, Nathan, Kellen and newcomers Sally and Robyn. Please if you see them on your travels around the site do stop and chat with them. All will be more than happy to answer your questions if they can or will direct you to one of the other staff for answers.

The Arboretum is working together with 18 other botanical gardens and arboreta in undertaking an effort to better understand who our visitors and users are. Sometime in the near future visitors may be approached by a trained individual and asked to complete a survey to assist us in this venture. If you are approached by someone it would be most appreciated if you do take the time to help us ‘Cultivate our Market’.

Also in the June e-newsletter we’ll be announcing the opening of an outdoor educational exhibit that staff is excited about bringing to Guelph. Further updates will be posted on the web-site closer to the actual opening.

Jennifer, Polly, Jim, Nathan, Kellen,
Sally, Robyn

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 Barb Watson – Ash at [log in to unmask] or 519-824-4120 ext. 54110.

The Look, See, Paint, The Mysterious World of Moths and Night and Low Light Photography 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.

For further information and / or to register please call at 519-824-4120 ext. 52358 or [log in to unmask]. 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.

Blooms everywhere! Victoria Woods is full of Trilliums, Meadow Rue, cohosh, Jack-in-the-pulpits, Trout Lilies and Violets. Not to be outdone, our collections have burst forth with blooming Daphne, Cornelian Cherry, magnolias, forsythias and cherries. On the wildlife front, Mallards are hanging out in our reflecting pool, Leopard Frogs are calling in Victoria Woods pond and Field Sparrows, Brown Thrashers, Chipping Sparrows, Eastern Phoebes and American Robins are singing their hearts out. Come visit to see and hear the joys of spring.

Magnolia and Cornelian Cherry Tree
Photo by Chris Earley

Mallard Duck
Photo by Chris Earley


Trout Lillies
Photo by Chris Earley

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:

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