by Chris Earley

I can hear you all now, "Goldenrod? Why is he writing about goldenrod?" I'm afraid my favourite flower has a bit of a bad image. Most of this is due to the fact that so many people think they are allergic to it. But in most cases, it is ragweed they are allergic to. Goldenrod has heavy pollen that doesn't float around in the air like
wind-pollinated ragweed pollen does. Goldenrod is insect-pollinated, so it is using its glowing yellow blooms to attract potential pollinators. Since everyone is likely within walking distance of a patch of goldenrod, I thought a goldenrod critter quiz would be the perfect September topic. Can you recognize any of these goldenrod visitors?

The answers are at the bottom of the newsletter. And after the quiz, be sure to hike out to that goldenrod patch and look for other cool beasties hanging out on this fall wildflower.

Thank you to everyone who came out in the rain and supported us at our Annual Auxiliary Plant Sale on Saturday, September 8, 2012. Thank you as well to all of our dedicated Auxiliary members who made the sale happen. The funds raised at the Plant Sale help to fund many projects at The Arboretum.

September 4th was a little quieter at the Arboretum Centre. Bev Healy has retired from her position as Administrative Assistant. As with most staff they are only truly missed when they have moved on, whether it be through retirement, changing departments, changing places of employment or even an extended vacation.

This is most certainly the case with Bev as we move on and come to realize all the behind the scenes tasks that she handled without our realization. Luckily for us Bev has agreed to continue one day a week to work on materials related to workshops.

As an avid animal lover, birder and outdoors person Bev will now not have to strategize when will be the best time to take those days to enjoy these pastimes. However I suspect like most retired individuals she will soon fill her days with activities and will be saying “I don’t know how I had time to work”.

Thank you Bev for 16 years of dedication to The Arb.

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].

Once again we were blessed with a spectacular September afternoon as some 2500 individuals gathered to dedicate a tree planted symbolizing the trees planted in memory of loved ones lost in the past year. A Black Walnut (Juglans nigra) adjacent to the Ivey Trail was used this year, the 24th gathering of family and friends.

Scott Young of Wall Custance welcomed those attending and Sean Fox, Arboretum Assistant Manager spoke of the development and growth of the program during his tenure at The Arboretum. Rev. Emmy Beauchamp recounted the passion her late husband Eric had for trees in the environment and his leadership in the planting of trees for the Rotary program at Guelph Lake Conservation area. This passion and appreciation has been passed down to his grandchildren as they have learned the role trees in keeping our earth a healthy place.

Many families and individuals remained in small groups after the service, some wandered the grounds while others set off for family meals and time together. As we set about stacking chairs and general tidying of the area one such group gathered at the walnut tree and tied a bright ribbon and attached a sparkling butterfly on a branch and then proceeded to have pictures taken with the tree and butterfly in the background. I don’t know what significance the butterfly had to their loved one but watching from afar I could only speculate.

We have already begun preliminary planning for September 15th next year as it will be the 25th dedication service, a milestone in any program. Please mark it on your calendar, we have.

The Mushroom: Beyond Beginner, Fall Landscape Photography, STARboretum and Reptile workshops are all 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]">[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.

It has been an eventful month. One of the coolest things was having a nest of Snapping Turtles hatch out right outside the Taylor Centre. As far as we can tell at least 30-35 babies made it out of the nest. Go to our flickr site http://www.flickr.com/photos/52649814@N05/ for details on this exciting event. As well, we have been tagging monarchs in hopes that one of our mini-migrants will be found in Mexico. If that happens, we will let you know! Monarchs are now traveling south in hopes of making it all the way to their wintering grounds in the Mexican Mountains. Other butterflies seen lately include Eastern Tailed-Blues, Indigo Duskywings, Mourning Cloaks, Silver-spotted Skippers, Sulphurs, Red Admirals and even a Giant Swallowtail that was still laying eggs. Get out and enjoy these beauties now before they disappear for a while. The Butterfly, Moth and Hummingbird Garden in the Gosling Wildlife Gardens is the best place to watch and photograph the butterflies at the moment because our butterfly bushes are still in bloom.

 
Snapping Turtle hatching                      tagged Monarch butterfly

             
               Giant Swallowtail butterfly egg
                          

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]