June in the Arboretum: plein air painting, birding, a tree walk and meadow music

Music in the Meadow 2015
Music in the Meadow 2015

The Connecticut College Arboretum programs in June include birding and painting workshops, the annual Friends of the Arboretum celebration and photography contest, a New London tree walk and a “Music in the Meadow” concert. All are open to the public.

Birding by Ear

Saturday, June 4, 7-8:30 a.m. Free.

Take this walk in the Bolleswood Natural Area of the Arboretum, an important academic and ecological resource and the site of one of the longest studies on breeding bird populations in the country. Connecticut College graduate Mary Buchanan, who participated in the 2012 and 2014 breeding bird surveys, will lead the walk. Different bird species have unique songs, and it’s usually much easier to hear them than it is to see them. Participants will listen for the distinctive sounds of the songbirds and learn about identifying birds by ear.

Painting the Landscape

Wednesday, June 8, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Artists of all skill levels and students of all ages can capture the beauty of the Arboretum with plein-air painting as Julie Garvin Riggs of the Florence Griswold Museum leads “Painting the Landscape.” The outdoor workshop begins with an introductory lesson about the tools and techniques of Impressionist painters. Participants then paint a landscape overlooking the Arboretum pond. Everyone will leave with their completed painting. All supplies are included. The cost is $15 members and $20 for the general public. Participants should use the Williams Street entrance to the Arboretum Native Plant Collection and meet at the Outdoor Theater. For further information, please call 860-439-5020 or email arbor@conncoll.edu. To make a payment online, go to our secure online registration. Please include program title(s) in the "Item(s) Purchased" line.

Annual Arboretum Celebration

Friday, June 10, 6:30 to 9 p.m. Free.

Arboretum members, volunteers and friends are invited to our annual celebration in the Olin Science Center Lounge and Auditorium. The evening features a talk by mountain laurel expert Andy Brand, the annual Photo Contest awards presentation and volunteer recognition.

"Music in the Meadow"

Friday, June 17, 2016

Held in the Arboretum outdoor theater overlooking the pond, this year’s concert boasts another stellar lineup of original bands from the region: the horn-infused rock/funk/soul of The Franklin Brothers; Americana/roots rock stalwarts The Rivergods; and the incredible harmony-rich folk of the Carleans.

Parking is available along Williams Street by the Arboretum entrance, or across the street in the Bolles House parking lot, on campus in the Horizon House (Admission) lot or in south lot.

Gates open at 6 p.m. To reach the concert venue, enter at the Williams Street entrance to the Arboretum’s Native Plant Collection. At the bottom of the Laurel Walk (the grassy pathway) turn right and downhill into the outdoor theater. Guests should bring lawn chairs and blankets (and insect repellent) for an enjoyable, family-friendly outdoor concert under the stars. Munchie's food truck will be on hand and patrons are invited to B.Y.O.P. (Bring Your Own Picnic). Visitors are reminded that no alcoholic beverages are permitted in the Arboretum.

Entrance is $10‌ for adults ($8 in advance) and $5 for children under 12 years. Arboretum members get one free ticket, but they must must register one week in advance by calling the Arboretum at 860-439-5020 or email arbor@conncoll.edu. Discounted advance tickets are available in the Arboretum office, Room 103 in the F.W. Olin Science Center, the first building north of the main entrance gate house. Arboretum ticket hours are 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

New London Tree Walk from A to Z

Saturday, June 18, 10 to 11:30 a.m. Free.

Meet in the Public Library of New London Community Room, 63 Huntington Street.
Within downtown New London there’s everything from Acer to Zelkova trees. Urban trees provide a range of benefits from environmental to social. Learn to identify some of the more common and most unusual specimens on the downtown streets and parks with Arboretum assistant director Maggie Redfern. This tour is for anyone interested in nature in the city.

For further information, call 860-439-5020 or email arbor@conncoll.edu. To make a payment online, go to the secure online registration. Please include program title(s) in the "Item(s) Purchased" line.

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May 17, 2016