--Friday, May 6: National Public Garden Day. As an incentive to visitors, the Arboretum is one of many public gardens offering two free admissions on May 6 to anyone arriving with a voucher, exclusively available through Better Homes and Gardens magazine. (To download this voucher, visit BHG.com/freegarden.) The voucher is valid only on May 6 and is made possible through a partnership with the American Public Gardens Association, Better Homes & Gardens and Rain Bird irrigation products. For more information on National Public Gardens Day, visit http://www.NationalPublicGardensDay.org.
Go to Gardening School. The “Beautiful Lawns” class takes place Saturday, May 7, 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. You can have a lawn that requires less mowing, less water, and less chemical use and cost. And it will be greener and more beautiful. (Next weekend: Hard Core Perennials, Saturday, May 14, 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Find out which perennials can really handle Minnesota's seasons of extremes and which are longest-lived and easiest to maintain.) $30 member/$40 non-member. http://www.arboretum.umn.edu/gardeningschool.aspx
--Saturday, May 14: Walks for the Curious, 10:30 a.m. Spend a few hours with a leading Arboretum expert to discover what plants are unfurling and blooming and which creatures are coming and going throughout the Arboretum. Register at http://www.arboretum.umn.edu/walksandfitness.aspx
--Sunday, May 15. Bog Bash! Celebrate the re-opening of the boardwalk on Green Heron Pond, a remnant glacial bog. The Bog Bash celebration features music by Charlie Maguire at 1 and 2 p.m. and appearances by the creators of the "Big Belching Bog" book! All at the Ordway Picnic Shelter and along bog trail.
--Monday, May 16: “Nature Principle” book tour. Be among the first to hear Richard Louv discuss his newest book "The Nature Principle," when the author comes to the Arboretum for a discussion emceed by Don Shelby and book-signing. The event begins with 6 p.m. registration, appetizers and cash bar; with a discussion with Louv at 7 p.m. and book-signing and further conversation at 8 p.m. $35/$40. Call (952) 443-1422 or visit
http://www.arboretum.umn.edu/richardlouvandnatureprinciple2011.aspx
In addition to the May 16 , Louv will be keynote speaker at the Arboretum's "The Nature Principle: Health, Nature and the Quality of Life" public policy conference on Tuesday, May 17. 7:30 a.m.-noon, $50-$65. Call 952-443-1422 or visit http://www.arboretum.umn.edu/learn.aspx.
-- It’s prime time to act on options for children’s classes, camp, gardening and activities at the Arb this summer: http://www.arboretum.umn.edu/kidclasses.aspx |