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 - January 4, 2009) - Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park will celebrate Australia Day January 24, 2009. The day in "the land down under" will feature Outback storytelling and a tour through the Arboretum's towering 100-foot tall Eucalyptus Forest followed by a didgeridoo concert.
Australia Day is an annual event dedicated to showcasing the Arboretum's Australian forest collections.
The walking tour begins at 11:00 am followed by the storytelling session and concert from 1:30pm until 3:00pm. "Didgeridoo" is a large bamboo or wooden trumpet of the Australian aborigines.
The walking tour showcases the nearly 450 species of Australian plants at the Arboretum, the Walkabout Trail, and the Drover's Shed. Visitors will also see "Mr. Big," a 140-foot River Red Gum tree planted in 1926 when the Arboretum first opened to the public.
Storytelling will feature Australian folklorist Paul "Walking Stick" Taylor, who will share his bush ballads, Outback poems, and didgeridoo music.
Australia Day activities are free to all visitors with admission.
Visitors are invited to learn to play their own didgeridoo at a morning workshop the same day. The one-of-a-kind class is from 9:00 am until 11:30 am. Cost is $35 for non-members and $25 for members. Pre-registration and pre-payment are required. Phone 520-689-2723 to enroll.
New Guided Tours in January
Would you rather enjoy the great outdoors instead of watching football all day January 1? Would you like to learn about the 3,200 different plants or 230 bird species observed during the past 80 years at the Arboretum? The Arboretum, which has 323 acres of plants, trees and animal communities, has added a new, special tour during January. The guided tours begin January 1 and will be held every day through the month from 11:00 am until 12:30 pm.
The tours are free with admission.
Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park is located three miles west of historic Superior on U.S. Highway 60. Visit http://ag.arizona.edu/bta for more information.
For information about Arizona State Parks call (602) 542-4174 (outside of the Phoenix metro area call toll-free (800) 285-3703) or visit the website at www.azstateparks.com.
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Learn more about Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park 
link to this page:
http://azstateparks.com/press/2009/PR_01-04-08.html
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