ARIZONA STATE PARKS: For Immediate Release
Managing and conserving Arizona's natural, cultural and recreational resources, both in our Parks and through our partners for the benefit of the people. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Kim Stone at (520) 689-2811, Ellen Bilbrey at (602) 542-1996 or (602) 228-8518, or Monica Enriquez at (602) 542-6997. Contact by Email: pio(at)azstateparks.gov
(Phoenix, Arizona - September 30, 2008) - Special events will highlight the fall plant sale at Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park, which opens to the public October 11 and lasts through October 26.
The annual sale is a major fundraiser for the Arboretum, and this year 12 events will complement the fundraiser, which helps support botany education and conservation at Arizona's oldest and largest botanical garden.
October and November are ideal months to plant, trim and prune in home yards. Visitors to the Arboretum during the sale can buy a wide-range of flowering plants, including herbs, cacti, shrubs, trees and much more. Arboretum experts will be available to answer gardening and landscaping questions every day during the sale from 8:00am until 5:00pm.
Special events just prior to and during the sale include:
Australia-Arizona Walking Tour
Thursday, October 9 from 1:00pm until 3:00pm
Visitors can join Peter Symes, Senior Curator at the Royal Botanic Gardens of Melbourne, Australia for a walking tour through the Australian collections.
Lecture and Tour with Peter Symes
Friday, October 10 from 1:00pm until 3:00pm
Australian Peter Symes will offer a slide show and lecture about climate change, water resources and the Royal Botanic Gardens of Melbourne where he works.
Mesquite Bean Class with Jean Groen
Saturday, October 11 from 10:30am until 11:30am
The author of Sonoran Desert Plants and their Many Uses will demonstrate how to harvest mesquite beans and prepare naturally sweet baking flour. The class precedes her 1:30pm Edible and Medicinal Desert Plants Guided Walk.
Walking Tour with Gerald Rosenthal
October 11 from 11:00am until 12:30pm
Join the author of Sonoran Desert Life: Understanding, Insights and Enjoyment on a tour to explore Sonoran desert ecology..
Story Time with Conrad Storad
Saturday, October 11 from 2:00pm until 4:00pm
Opening day of the plant sale provides a special treat for kids and grand kids as the popular children's author presents a colorful slide show and storytelling session. Storad has authored three books including Life in the Slow Land (A Desert Tortoise Tale).
Guided Bird Walks
October 12, 18, and 26 from 8:30am until 11:00am
Look for the Arboretum's one-of-a-kind hybrid hummingbird or watch for some of the 230 bird species tallied at the Arboretum through the years.
"Grow Your Own Dinner" - a fun class with the Herb Lady
Sunday, October 12 from 1:00pm until 3:00pm
Herb Lady Catherine Crowley teachs how to take your "edible landscaping" from your garden to your dinner table.
Plant Sale "Q and A" with Mary Irish
October 18 from 10:00am until 11:30am
Noted author Mary Irish will be available to answer questions about plants offered at the plant sale, and the many other questions you have about desert gardening. She will autograph copies of her books Month-by-Month Gardening in the Desert Southwest; Agaves, Yuccas and Related Plants; and Arizona Gardner's Guide.
Thrillin' Grillin' with the Herb Lady
Saturday, October 18 from 11:00am until 1:00pm
Catherine "The Herb Lady" Crowley will fire up the mesquite smoker to cook herb-crusted chicken, and share recipes, food samples and culinary advice. She will also have cookbooks and homemade herbal spice packets available for purchase.
Plants-of-the-Bible Guided Tour
Saturday, October 18 from 1:30pm until 3:30pm
Bible scholar David Oberpriller points out palms, figs, olives and many other plants mentioned in the Bible and shares his knowledge about botany, history and the Scripture. This tour is accessible for wheelchairs and walkers.
Butterfly Walk
Saturday, October 25 from 9:30am until 11:00am
Learn about life-cycles and how to identify common species of butterflies as Adriane Grimaldi guides this season finale butterfly walk through the Demonstration and Hummingbird-Butterfly Gardens.
All of these events are free with admission.
Arboretum annual members will have the opportunity to purchase plants October 10 during the Members Only Preview Friday event from 8:00am until 5:00pm. Members save up to 20% off the already reduced plant prices.
Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park is located three miles west of historic Superior on U.S. Highway 60. The Arboretum rests in the shade of Picket Post Mountain and is an easy drive from the state's metropolitan areas. Phone 520-689-2723 or log on http://ag.arizona.edu/bta for more information.
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Learn more about Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park
link to this page:
http://azstateparks.com/press/2008/PR_09-30-08.html
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