Fall Botanical Lecture and Workshop: Fabulous Ferns
Tuesday October 14th
Time: 7:00p.m.-8:30 p.m.
Location: Frances Plecker Education Center

Green is in! You’re invited to another exciting free workshop at the Edith J. Carrier Arboretum and Botanical Gardens at James Madison University, and become an expert on one of our region’s garden favorites! The workshop Tuesday, October 14, 2008 from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM, at the Frances Plecker Education Center will focus on one of nature’s botanical show-offs! 

It is said that, “nature produced ferns to prove what it could do with leaves.”  The clearly seen erect parts of ferns are the leaves… but where is the stem?  And what are all those little dots on the backs of fern leaves that are attractively arranged, even artistic?  Are ferns flowering plants?  Do they produce seeds?  How do they reproduce?  Have you ever heard of a frond, a fiddlehead, a sorus, a gametophyte?  How many kinds exist?  Where do they grow? Do they have value?

The EJC Arboretum will offer a free workshop where Dr. Norlyn Bodkin will answer these questions and will include a hands-on element of the workshop using live specimens and herbarium sheets of species found in our region.   You'll learn the secrets of this beautiful group of vascular plants found in diverse ecosystems throughout our planet, but that remain little known to most people. You’ll probe the mystery of ferns using a 20X hand lens and even a dissecting microscope to see fern structures.  You’ll get to experience the method professional botanists use to identify plants: diagnostic keys.   Keying uses a dichotomous method  that will lead to solving the name of the subject species! And yes -  keys are books!  In this exciting way, you’ll learn to identify various fern species.

Attend this workshop with a friend or fellow garden enthusiast, and you’ll know the difference between ferns, fern allies, gymnosperms and angiosperms and have a great time in the learning process.  You’ll broaden your understanding of how important ferns are and how they fit into plant ecosystems.  And after attending this workshop, the ferns in your garden will be the most vibrant and green they can possibly be!  For more information contact the Edith J. Carrier Arboretum and Botanical Gardens at (540) 568-3194.

September Art in the Arboretum
Location: Edith J. Carrier Arboretum
Cost: Free!
 

Artist Debora A. Bevenour, member of the Alleghany Craft Network holds her Bachelor of Sudio Arts from James Madison University. Bevenour's work will be exhibited at the Frances Plecker Education Center at the Edith J. Carrier Arboretum and Botanical Gardens at James Madison University, beginning September 1st and continuing through the 30th. The exhibit will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays. Her art has been shown with Shenandoah Watercolorist Society exhibits and is also now on exhibit at the Artisan's Center of Virginia in Waynesboro.

Bevenour's work includes series peices using dyed paper pulp on multile blocked screens. Each successive screen of colord pulp is couched to the previous sheet. Six to twelve colors are applied seperately to give depth and create form. No two works in a series are identical. This artist's intention is to incorporate painting styles she enjoys most (soft edge color field, atmospheric impressionism and analytical cubism) inter her paper pieces using elements of nature for objective imagery. Bevenour hopes her viewers will experience a sense of restful enjoyment from her work that she considers a safe haven for the mind and eyes! For more information about upcoming exhibits, call 540-568-3194.

Brown Bag Lunch Series
Wednesday June 18th-July 30th
Time: 12:00p.m.-1:00 p.m.
Location: Edith J. Carrier Arboretum Pavilion
Cost: Free!
 

Bring your brown bag lunch and join us in the Arboretum Pavilion for a series of garden lectures on Wednesday afternoons from 12 noon until 1:00pm beginning June 18, continuing June 25,July 9, 16, 23 and concluding July 30th.  The lecture series is free, seating is provided, and advanced registration is not needed.  You'll enjoy learning from professionals.

Summer Solstice Van Tour of the Allegheny Highlands
Saturday, June 21st
Time: Departure at 8:00 a.m., return approximately 4:30 p.m.
Location: Departure from Upper Arboretum Parking Lot
Cost: $35 per person
This will be an all-day van tour to the Allegheny Highlands at Dolly Sods West Virginia.  Traveling Rt. 33 west from Harrisonburg through three major Forest Associations and into the Appalachian Extension of the Boreal Forest at Dolly Sods, we'll be viewing mountain habitats with elevations of 4000+ft and plant communities similar to those in central Canada.  Contact the Arboretum offices at 540-432-6092 or be e-mail at turnbugl@jmu.edu to register for more information.
 

In Honor of Historic Garden Week in Virginia
Early April '09
Time: 2 p.m.
Location: Frances Plecker Education Center located in the JMU Arboretum
A free guided tour of the arboretum and the new Frances Plecker Education Center building. Local photographer, Frank Doherty, will show his work of the flora and fauna of the Edith J. Carrier Arboretum. Prior registration not required.

Native Plant Sale
Late April '09
Time: 9:00 a.m.-2 p.m.
Location: EJC North Parking Lot
Featuring shrubs, trees, native wildflowers, perennials and more. We will have dwarf varieties for containers and plenty of drought tolerant plants. Cash and checks accepted at sale.

7th Annual Herb and Garden Festival
Late May '09
Time: 9 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Location: Festival Conference Center Parking Lot on Carrier Drive off University Blvd.
Featuring vendors from areas of Virginia, plus Maryland, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina selling zone appropriate perennials, herbs, trees, shrubs and other garden items. Please check Web site at www.jmu.edu/arboretum for additional information.

The Arboretum accepts Cash, Checks, at its Fall Plant and Annual Bulb Sales.

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The Edith J. Carrier Arboretum invites you to step into a world of natural beauty. If you prefer serenity, you can follow the winding trails through the native Oak-Hickory Forest or wander through the sea of daffodil blooms in the April Walk garden in the spring.
If you prefer exploring nature through educational programs, the arboretum offers classes, lectures, tours, travel programs and other special events to serve your needs.
The arboretum is an outdoor living classroom available for use by all teachers, professors and students from the area. With its forested slopes, lowland swale, pond and forested savanna, the arboretum provides a unique habitat for a wide diversity of flora and fauna.