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
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(Phoenix, AZ - March 27, 2009) - The April 4 schedule for the "Aldo Leopold Comes Alive" tribute at Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park has been confirmed.
Aldo Leopold is considered by many as the Father of Wildlife Management in the United States. He was born in 1887 and died in 1948.
But on Saturday, April 4, Aldo Leopold will come back to life in the form of Kim Stone, horticulturist for Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park. Stone will portray the conservationist in costume to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Leopold's time in the American Southwest.
At 10:00 am, Stone will present a talk titled "Chautauquan Portrayal." Another lecture titled "Leave No Trace" will follow Stone's presentation at 11:30am. Stone will then lead a wilderness hike beginning at noon. A "Where's Aldo" geocaching event begins at 2:00pm. The wilderness hike will take place in the rugged "out-of-bounds" areas of the Arboretum.
Children's activities will take place all day.
Stone will be performing as Aldo Leopold nine times at state parks in Arizona. Visit the Aldo Leopold Event Calendar for more details.
Leopold spent time in the Arizona Territory working for the U.S. Forest Service in the Apache National Forest beginning in 1909 before going to New Mexico in 1911. It is reported, but unconfirmed, he and Franklin Crider, the Arboretum's first Director, created a large plant nursery at the Arboretum years later to grow native trees, scrubs and grasses in the Southwest for conservation purposes, and for growing arid-adapted, non-native introductions for landscaping. Plants produced were widely used for soil erosion control in the 1930s, and for landscaping disturbed areas at the Grand Canyon and elsewhere in the 1940s.
"Artisans at the Arboretum" and Mesa Arts League Picnic
Arboretum visitors will have the opportunity to bring their brushes, drop-cloths and easels and paint alongside members of the Mesa Arts league April 4. Their annual member's picnic will be held from 9:00am until 4:00pm. The picnic will be followed by an exhibition of members' work in the Arboretum Gallery. Gold Canyon painter Burdell Moody will present a demonstration of his art techniques.
Additionally, Barbara Plante and members of the Gold Canyon Soroptimists have arranged for nearly three dozen East Valley artisans to have booths exhibiting and selling paintings, photography, sculptures and other art works along paths near the Smith Building. For details call Barb Plante at 480-288-6195
Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park is located three miles west of historic Superior on U.S. Highway 60, just a short drive from the state's metropolitan areas. The Aldo Leopold and Artisans at the Arboretum events are free with park admission. Phone (520) 689-2723 for more information.
For more information about Arizona State Parks call (602) 542-4174 (outside of the Phoenix metro area call toll-free (800) 285-3703) or visit azstateparks.com.
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Learn more about Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park
link to this page:
http://azstateparks.com/press/2009/PR_03-27-09.html
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