Oak Ridge Today

Bird courtship to be discussed in UT Arboretum Society program

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Bird courtship will be discussed in a pre-recorded program of the University of Tennessee Arboretum Society in February.

“Bird courtship has begun!” a press release said. “Either from new partnerships being formed or existing pairs renewing their bonds, it is that time of year when birds are looking for a mate. Each species is slightly different with some feeding, some grooming and some snuggling. But can we call it love? Join us for this pre-recorded program to discuss bird courtship.”

Michelle Campanis, education coordinator at the University of Tennessee Arboretum, and naturalist Stephen Lyn Bales will discuss aspects of avian pair bonding in a pre-recorded program for February’s First Thursday Nature Supper Club, the press release said.

“This is one of our favorite and most requested programs!” the press release said.

[Read more…]

Arboretum Nature Book Trail features new insect book

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The Nature Book Trail at the University of Tennessee Arboretum features “Bugs on the Job,” a book by author Nancy Kelly Allen and illustrator Martyna Nejman. (Photo by UT Arboretum Society)

The Nature Book Trail at the University of Tennessee Arboretum features “Bugs on the Job,” a book by author Nancy Kelly Allen and illustrator Martyna Nejman.

The Nature Book Trail is about half a mile in length. It begins near the parking lot by the UT Arboretum Visitors Center at 901 South Illinois Avenue in Oak Ridge.

“It is an easy trail for children and adults to hike, with two benches to rest on along the way; however, it is non-accessible for people with disabilities,” the press release said. “The 14 beautiful trail signs feature Ian Sect, a roving reporter who interviews 10 different insects to learn about their roles in nature as decomposers, pollinators, or colonizers.”

[Read more…]

Butterfly Festival will feature butterfly release, insect zoo

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The insect zoo at the Butterfly Festival. (Submitted photo)

The annual Butterfly Festival will feature an educational release of 500 butterflies and an insect zoo at the University of Tennessee Arboretum on Saturday, September 17.

It’s the seventh annual festival, and it’s scheduled from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. September 17 in the UT Arboretum Auditorium and surrounding area at 901 South Illinois Avenue in Oak Ridge.

The festival is presented by the UT Arboretum Society. The purpose is to educate the public and teach people how to protect these pollinators, a press release said.

The UT Insect Zoo, two butterfly tents, educational lectures, a butterfly release, and children’s art activities are among the educational activities that will be offered, the press release said.

The butterfly release is scheduled for noon.

[Read more…]

Learn why bugs are good

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Submitted

Every bug has a purpose. Did you know that very few caterpillars reach their mature size because birds gobble them down? It is estimated that one pair of chickadees must find 6,000 caterpillars to feed one brood of fledglings. Carpenter bees pollinate tomatoes. Flies pollinate pawpaws. Gnats pollinate Jack-in-the pulpits, while hummingbirds eat gnats. Ants plant trillium seeds, and flickers eat ants. Cardinals eat adult beetles, while brown thrashers eat their grubs. It is a complicated and intricate circle of life. The list goes on and on. 

Join local naturalist Stephen Lyn Bales to learn about why “Bugs are Not Bad” at the University of Tennessee Arboretum Society’s First Thursday Nature Supper Club via Zoom on Thursday, August 4, at 7 p.m.  Eastern time.

The program is free, but registration is required to receive your link. Register at www.utarboretumsociety.org.  This program will be recorded, and closed captioning is available. 

[Read more…]

UT Arboretum Society resumes hikes after almost two years

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The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society will resume its Third Saturday Hike on Feb. 19 after almost two years due to COVID-19 closures. (Submitted photo)

It has been almost two years since the University of Tennessee Arboretum Society has had a Third Saturday Hike because of COVID-19 closings.

“The organization is excited to announce the resumption of the hikes beginning February 19 at the UT Arboretum in Oak Ridge, 901 South Illinois Avenue,” a press release said. “Enjoy over 260 acres of forest and trails in this lovely wooded setting.”

The theme for February is a newcomer’s hike, the press release said. Everyone is welcome to participate in this free guided hike. Newcomers to the area, newcomers to the UT Arboretum, and newcomers to hiking are encouraged to join as well as previous participants. The hikes have been a staple of the UT Arboretum and UT Arboretum Society for more than 13 years This is a great opportunity to “walk off” the food and festivities of the Super Bowl and the Olympics, the press release said.

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UT Arboretum Society has online fall plant sale from Sept. 25-Oct. 10

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Conifers from East Fork Nursery of Sevierville (Submitted photo)

The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society’s Annual Plant Sale will be online only this year. It is scheduled from September 25 to October 10. You can shop for new plants from home.

The UT Arboretum Society’s plant sales are some of their biggest fundraisers of the year. They help support the arboretum’s community education, trail improvements such as its Nature Book Trail, and children’s programs, a press release said.

The online plant sale will give you a chance to enhance your garden this fall.

“Fall is always a wonderful time for planting as it gives your plants time to establish great root systems for the spring,” the press release said.

[Read more…]

UT Arboretum Society has Fall Plant Sale on Saturday

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University of Tennessee Arboretum Society Fall Plant Sale (Submitted photo)

The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society’s Fall Plant Sale will be held Saturday at the UT Arboretum in Oak Ridge.

The sale is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, October 19, at the UT Arboretum, which is at 901 South Illinois Avenue in Oak Ridge.

“Fall is the ideal time to add plants to your landscape because of milder temperatures and more dependable rainfall,” a press release said. “In addition, the fact that plants are not putting energy into their top growth but devoting all their resources to developing a strong root system will give them a head start in the spring and a much better survival rate.”

[Read more…]

Butterfly Festival is Aug. 3

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The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society will have its fourth annual Butterfly Festival on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019. Highlights will include a release of monarch butterflies, the UT Insect Zoo, speakers, and children’s activities. (Photo courtesy UT Arboretum Society)

The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society will have its fourth annual Butterfly Festival on Saturday, August 3. Highlights will include a release of monarch butterflies, the UT Insect Zoo, speakers, and children’s activities.

The festival is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. August 3 at the UT Arboretum Auditorium and its surrounding grounds at 901 South Illinois Avenue in Oak Ridge.

The charge is $5 per carload, a press release said. This is a change from previous years. The gate will be open at 9:30 a.m. The event will take place rain or shine, the release said.

[Read more…]

UT Arboretum Society presents history of CRESO on March 28

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John Byrd of CRESO (Submitted photo)

John Byrd of CRESO (Submitted photo)

 

The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society will sponsor a talk by the Clinch River Environmental Studies Organization, or CRESO, on Thursday, March 28, at the UT Arboretum Auditorium.

The talk is scheduled from 7 to 8 p.m. March 28. The UT Arboretum is at 901 South Illinois Avenue in Oak Ridge.

John Byrd, principal investigator with CRESO, and Fred Holtzclaw are retired high school biology teachers, a press release said. [Read more…]

UT Arboretum Society will have Spring Plant Sale on April 13

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University of Tennessee Arboretum Society Spring Plant Sale (Submitted file photo)

University of Tennessee Arboretum Society Spring Plant Sale (Submitted file photo)

 

The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society will have its next Spring Plant Sale on April 12 and 13.

The public sale will be held on Saturday, April 13, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the UT Arboretum at 901 South Illinois Avenue (State Route 62) in Oak Ridge.

The Arboretum Society’s “Members Only” sale will be on Friday evening, April 12, from 5-7 p.m. Society memberships or membership renewals may be purchased at that time for this “early bird” shopping opportunity, a press release said. By joining UTAS on Friday night, people can enjoy the membership benefit of having the first pick of the beautiful selection of plants, some of which sell out that evening, the release said. Checks, cash and credit cards will be accepted.

This is the UT Arboretum Society’s 52nd Spring Plant Sale. [Read more…]

UT Arboretum Society has New Year’s Hike on Tuesday

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University of Tennessee Arboretum hike in Oak Ridge (Submitted photo)

University of Tennessee Arboretum hike in Oak Ridge (Submitted photo)

 

Do you get overloaded on football, food, and festivities on the first day of the new year? The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society is offering a great alternative, a press release said: the Fifth Annual New Year’s Hike at the UT Arboretum.

The hike will be at the Arboretum, which is at 901 South Illinois Avenue in Oak Ridge, on Tuesday, January 1, 2019.

“Start out the year on the ‘right foot’ by joining the walk that begins at 9:30 a.m. at the UT Arboretum Auditorium, where you will be greeted by fellow hikers and offered coffee, hot chocolate, and snacks,” the press release said.

At 10 a.m. the group will leave for a guided hike that will last about 45 minutes. The hike will follow a forest trail and will visit the Elmore Holly Collection. [Read more…]

Turtle expert to be featured at UT Arboretum Society dinner, community event

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George L. Heinrich with an adult male alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) in Harris County, Texas. (Photograph by Jordan Gray)

George L. Heinrich with an adult male alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) in Harris County, Texas. (Photograph by Jordan Gray)

 

The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society is offering two opportunities to hear renowned turtle expert George L. Heinrich in October as part of a nationwide speaking tour. Heinrich is executive director and co-founder of the Florida Turtle Conservation Trust.

The first opportunity to hear him speak will be at the UT Arboretum Society’s Annual Membership Dinner and Silent Auction. It’s scheduled to start at 5:30 p.m. Monday, October 15, at Calhoun’s Event Center at 100 Melton Lake Peninsula in Oak Ridge. Heinrich will be the featured speaker. The public is welcome to attend, and the cost is $30 for members and $35 for non-members of the UT Arboretum Society, a press release said.

Reservations are required for the dinner. To reserve a place or for more information on the annual dinner and silent auction, call Pat Row at (865) 482-9096 or send her an email at [email protected]. Credit cards, cash, or checks will be accepted at the door, the press release said.

“Come enjoy an evening of great food, an interesting presentation, and silent auction,” the press release said. [Read more…]