Paint, plant, hike, listen, learn with the Arboretum’s fall programs
The Connecticut College Arboretum offers another fall full of programs for all ages including tours, hikes, music and theater events, and classes and workshops, with special appeal for homeowners, artists, painters, gardeners, naturalists, crafters and moon-gazers.
All programs are open to the public, and many are free, or available at a discounted rate with a membership to the Arboretum. All programs are free for Connecticut College students (exception: $5 for Music in the Meadow 5).
For membership information or to register for a program, please visit the Arboretum website at www.conncoll.edu/the-arboretum/programs-and-activities/ or call the Arboretum office, 860-439-5020.
To make a payment online, go to the Arboretum’s secure online registration. Please include program title(s) in the "Item(s) Purchased" line.
Subscribe to Arboretum Events on Facebook to stay up to date on all current programs.
Arboretum Tours
Saturdays, September to October, tours start at 10 a.m.
Meet at the blue sculpture near New London Hall.
No registration required.
Free
Take a guided tour to learn more about the plants in each of our collections. Tours last 60 to 90 minutes.
Campus Landscape – Sept. 3 and Oct. 1
Caroline Black Garden – Sept. 10, Oct. 8, Oct. 29
Native Plants – Sept. 17, Sept. 24, Oct. 15, Oct. 22
Shakespeare in the Arboretum: Edward III
Friday to Sunday, September 2 to 4, shows start at 7 p.m.
Meet at the Arboretum Outdoor Theater.
Tickets sold at the show: $15 adults; $10 students, seniors, active military; $5 Connecticut College students
A historical play with ships, knights and swords! The grassy slope and Arboretum pond makes a perfect backdrop to enjoy this annual tradition presented by Flock Theatre. Bring lawn chairs and insect repellent. For more info call 860-443-3119, Email flocktheatre@hotmail.com, or visit Flock Theatre on Facebook.
Painting the Landscape
Wednesday, September 7, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Julie Riggs, Florence Griswold Museum Art Educator
Use Williams Street entrance to the Arboretum, meet at the Outdoor Theater/Buck Lodge.
$15 members, $20 general public
Capture the beauty of the Arboretum with plein-air painting. This outdoor workshop begins with an introductory lesson about the tools and techniques of the American Impressionist painters. Students then paint a landscape using authentic artist’s materials (acrylic paints, palette, brushes, canvas board, smock) down by the Arboretum Pond. Each participant will leave with a completed landscape painting. For artists of all levels and students of all ages. All supplies included.
Music in the Meadow 5
Friday, September 9, gates open at 6 p.m.
Use the Williams Street entrance to the Arboretum, meet at the Outdoor Theater.
Advance tickets adult $8, child $4; at the gate adult $10, child $5; Connecticut College students $5
Featuring another stellar lineup of original bands from the region. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets, a picnic and insect repellent for an enjoyable outdoor concert under the stars.
Full Moon Walk
Thursday, September 15, 8 to 9 p.m.
Maggie Redfern, Assistant Director
Meet at Arboretum entrance on Williams Street.
Free
Experience the Arboretum in a new light, under the Harvest Moon. This night tour will explore best spots for viewing the moon on campus and in the Native Plant Collection. Star gaze as you take in the sights and sounds. Bring your family, your favorite person to watch the moon with and a flashlight.
The Art & Science of Preserving Plant Specimens
Wednesday, September 21, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Susan Hardy Brown, Artist
Meet in New London Hall, Botany Lab room 112.
$10 members, $20 general public
Connecticut College is home to the Charles Graves Herbarium containing thousands of preserved plant specimens from as long ago as 1850. Participants will learn the history of plant collecting and how herbarium collections have been used in education, conservation and research. Following pressing and mounting demonstrations with woody plants, ferns and seaweeds, everyone is invited to create a specimen to bring home.
Fall Bird Walk
Saturday, September 24, 7 to 8:30 a.m.
Jack Beltz, Conn Coll Class of 2018
Meet at Arboretum entrance on Williams Street.
Free
The Arboretum has provided important habitat for birds since its founding. Learn how to use field marks, habitat and behavior as aids to identify year-round residents and fall migrating birds. Bring binoculars if you have them. Walk is limited to 20 people.
Mamacoke Mysteries Revealed
Saturday, October 1, 2 to 5 p.m.
Beverly Chomiak, Senior Lecturer in Geology and Environmental Studies
Meet and park at the east end of Benham Avenue (Waterford) just before the railroad tracks.
Free members, $10 general public
Through the study of geology, we come to understand how the earth came to be. Participants will climb the island, from sand flats to rock-strewn summit, and learn the origins of Mamacoke’s long and complex history. This will be a rugged walk; participants should dress in long pants and wear appropriate shoes.
An Introduction to Dwarf Conifers
Wednesday, October 5, 5 to 6 p.m.
Meet in the Native Plant Collection in the Gries Conifer Collection.
Free
The diversity of conifers in the landscape is tremendous. Fortunately for home gardeners, nurseries have an interesting availability of “dwarf conifers” that are more appropriate for small scale plantings. Join the Master Gardeners who helped plant a new area in the Gries Conifer Collection to learn about the plants selected, design, planting and maintenance.
Cedar Grove Cemetery Tree Walk
Saturday, October 8, 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Maggie Redfern, Arboretum Assistant Director
Meet at entrance, 638 Broad Street, New London.
Free
Founded on this day in 1851, the cemetery still provides a quiet and colorful haven in the midst of urban sprawl. This tour will explore the origins of the garden cemetery movement and how the landscape evolved over 165 years.
SketchCrawl in the Arboretum
Monday, October 10, 4:30 to 6 p.m.
Meet at Arboretum entrance on Williams Street.
Jacinta Meyers, SketchCrawl NL on Facebook
Free
Gather with a group of people to sketch at several scenic spots in the Arboretum. Bring a sketchbook and drawing supplies such as pencils (color/graphite), pens (ink/color), or a small watercolor set. We will finish with refreshments in Buck Lodge and time for everyone to share the sketches.
Invasive Plant Symposium: Our Changing World
“Learn from the Past, Prepare for the Future”
Tuesday, October 11, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
*Hosted by the Connecticut Invasive Plants Working Group and held at UConn Student Union, Storrs.
The Arboretum is a co-sponsor.
This conference features experts as well as citizen volunteers sharing practical solutions for invasive plant management and actions needed to promote native species and improve wildlife habitat. For more information visit: www.cipwg.uconn.edu
Poison Ivy Removal
Wednesday, October 12, 4 to 5 p.m.
Cindy Campbell, The Gloved Hand
Meet in New London Hall, Classroom 101.
Free members, $10 general public
Native to New England, poison ivy is commonly found growing in many types of habitats, is adapted to a wide range of soil conditions and has brilliant fall foliage; but it is one native plant that most people don’t want growing in the garden. This entertaining presentation on poison ivy eradication will cover plant identification, clothing options, digging techniques, clean-up and what to do in case of accidental exposure. Register for pre-class documentary information.
Invasive Plants Talk and Walk
Saturday, October 15, 2 to 4 p.m.
Leigh Knuttel, Arboretum Horticulturalist
Meet at 33 Gallows Lane.
Free
Invasive plants have replaced native species in many different habitats in Connecticut. When native plants are displaced, the diversity of native birds, insects, animals and plants may be decreased and ecosystem functions may be affected. Learn to identify the most common invasive plants and techniques to eradicate or control them.
Local Premier of “Hometown Habitat: Stories of Bringing Nature Home”
Wednesday October 19, 7 to 9 p.m.
Meet in Blaustein Humanities Center, room 210.
Free
A documentary film that flips the landscaping paradigm by raising awareness about the critical role native plants play in the survival and vitality of local ecosystems. Join in on a discussion after the 90-minute film.
All about Autumn Color Tour
Saturday, October 22, 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Glenn Dreyer, Arboretum Director
Meet at the blue sculpture near New London Hall.
Free
New England is one of the best places in the world to enjoy the annual color that happens before our deciduous forests drop their leaves for winter. This walk across campus and through the Native Plant Collection, will highlight some of the most reliable species for adding fall color to your garden and review the processes that lead to the brilliant reds, yellows, oranges and purples.
Painting the Landscape
October 26, 4 to 6 p.m.
Julie Riggs, Florence Griswold Museum Art Educator
Use Williams Street entrance to the Arboretum, meet at the Outdoor Theater/Buck Lodge.
$15 members, $20 general public
Capture the beauty of the Arboretum with plein-air painting. This outdoor workshop begins with an introductory lesson about the tools and techniques of the American Impressionist painters. Students then paint a landscape using authentic artist’s materials (acrylic paints, palette, brushes, canvas board, smock) down by the Arboretum Pond. Each participant will leave with a completed landscape painting. For artists of all levels and students of all ages. All supplies included.
Collecting Seeds for Propagation
Saturday, October 29, 9 a.m. to noon
Maggie Redfern, Arboretum Assistant Director
Meet in New London Hall, Botany Lab room 112.
$15 members, $25 general public
There’s nothing more satisfying to a gardener than growing plants from seed. From wildflowers and perennials to trees and shrubs, success can be achieved if you understand what and when to collect to make it happen. Following a lecture in the classroom, we will collect seeds from the Arboretum grounds. Bring hand pruners if you have them. You will leave class with numerous seeds to care for.
Native Oak ID Workshop
Friday, November 4, 12 noon to 1:30 p.m.
Mary Villa
Meet at the blue sculpture near New London Hall.
Free
In our Native Plant Collection, the oak genus is represented by white, red, pin and black oaks. Do you know we also have scarlet, bur, turkey, scrub, swamp, sawtooth, chestnut, basket and willow oaks? Separating some of the species can be tricky, but it is also interesting and fun. We will closely examine leaves, bark, buds, and acorns in order to hone your skills at identifying the mighty oaks.
Just for Kids: “If I Were an Oak Tree”
Friday, November 4, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Caroline Driscoll, Volunteer
Meet at Arboretum entrance on Williams Street.
Free
Did you ever think about how different your life would be if you couldn’t move from place to place? For this hour, kids will imagine what it is like to be a majestic white oak tree. Through games, crafts and fun, kids will learn about trees. Ages 4-10, accompanied by an adult.
SALT Conference: Deconstructing the American Landscape
Saturday, November 19, 8:30 a.m to 4 p.m.
Meet at Blaustein Humanities Center.
Members* $65 before Nov. 1/$80 after; General Public $75 before Nov. 1/$90 after (*Arboretum, NEWFS, CT Master Gardener, Wild Ones)
Gardening with native plants is becoming the norm rather than the exception. Professional landscapers, designers and home gardeners are choosing to use native plants because they are beautiful and hardy, they provide essential food and shelter for wildlife, they require less maintenance, and because they help to maintain a unique sense of place. Join us for this day-long symposium to discuss the demise of the American lawn, the role of native plants in the built landscape, how native is defined, and the future of native plants in our built landscapes.
Keynote: The Future of Native Plants in the Built Landscape
Larry Weaner, Principal, Larry Weaner Landscape Associates and founder of New Directions in the American Landscape (NDAL) Conference
Presentations:
Ecological Functions of Native Plants
Claudia West, Author and Ecological Sales Manager, North Creek Nurseries
Low-maintenance Plants
Dan Jaffe, Propagator and Stock Bed Grower, New England Wildflower Society
The Evolving American Lawn
Judy Preston, Long Island Sound Outreach Coordinator
Roundtable Discussion: Defining Native
moderated by Mark Richardson, Director of Horticulture, New England Wild Flower Society
Holiday Wreath-Making Workshop
Saturday, December 3, 9 a.m. to noon
Leigh Knuttel, Horticulturalist and Mary Villa, Curator
Meet at 33 Gallows Lane.
$30 members; $40 general public
This festive Arboretum event takes place every year during the holiday season. After a brief demonstration, participants will begin practicing the craft of wreath-making. Each participant will go home with an extraordinary wreath for holiday decorating. Bring hand pruners and any other embellishments you wish to incorporate. Everything else will be provided. Space is limited, register early.
August 30, 2016