FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                           Media Contact: Barb DeGroot, 952-443-1459

 A Sweet Hello to Spring at the Arboretum
Annual Sugarbush Pancake Brunch and Maple Syrup Tours, Plus Auxiliary Spring Sale!

 Chanhassen, Minn. (March 7, 2013) - Shed your winter blahs and waken to another glorious spring as the Arboretum collects sap from its sugarbush maple trees for delicious maple syrup. Enjoy all-you-can-eat pancakes drizzled with Arboretum-made maple syrup and learn how Arboretum syrup is made during the annual Sugarbush Pancake Brunch and Maple Syrup Tours, Saturday, March 23,  9 a.m. - 1 p.m.  You may even spot some of spring's early blooms as you wander through the gardens.

Take the self-guided Maple Syrup Tour and discover how maple trees are tapped, how sap is collected and how it is processed into pure maple syrup, using traditions of native Americans and settlers. Along the way, learn to identify varieties of maple trees without their leaves. The Maple Syrup Tours run continuously throughout the morning and are free with purchase of brunch tickets.

Tickets can be purchased at the Arboretum's Oswald Visitor Center the day of the event. Advanced reservations and reserved seating are not available. Ticket prices are $9 for members, $11.50 non-member and $6 for children (ages 3 and under eat free). For more information about other Arboretum spring events call 952-443-1400; for special learning opportunities call 952-443-1422; or visit www.arboretum.umn.edu.

While you're here, check out opening day of the Arboretum Auxiliary's Welcome Spring Sale of handcrafted green and growing baskets, fairy gardens, whimsical arrangements, delightful wearables, spring sachets and more in the Oswald Visitor Center.  The sale continues through March 31.  Proceeds from the pancake brunch and Auxiliary sale benefit the Arboretum.

 The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, the largest public garden in the Upper Midwest and a premier northern arboretum, is part of the University of Minnesota's College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences and  is located nine miles west of I-494 on Highway 5 in Chanhassen.  The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity employer and educator. 

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