mm ■:-V " ' '-A? 7 . www. uwbotanicgardens. o r g HORTICULTURE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON BOTANIC GARDENS COLLEGE OF FOREST RESOURCES AUTUMN 2 0 0 5 3 MOUNTAINEERS TEACH ORIENTEERING 8 CLASSES AND PROGRAMS 4 MILLER LIBRARY NEWS 12 YOUTH AND FAMILY PROGRAMS 5 EARTH-FRIENDLY LAWN REMOVAL 13 EVENTS CALENDAR 6 ARBORETUMN FOUNDATION AND UWBG NEWS 15 REGISTRATION FORM 7 VOLUNTEER NEWS AND OPPORTUNITIES 16 DIRECTOR'S NOTES WPA/CUH Linked in New Organization: University of Washington Botanic Gardens A new name now links the Washington Park Arboretum, Center for Urban Horticulture, Elisabeth C. Miller Library, Otis Douglas Hyde Herbarium, and Union Bay Natural Area: The University of Washington Botanic Gardens. “By giving all five institutions a common name under which to operate, we very specifically recognize the important conservation, research, and educational outreach that is going on here,” said David Mabberley, who as director of the five groups now assumes the title of director of the University of Washington Botanic Gardens. “It is not a move to change the name ol the five entities that fall under its heading, but rather a way for them to relate in a more meaningful way.” The new name will put the University of Washington Botanic Gardens on par with similar institutions around the world and will allow it to take its rightful place among world-class botanic gardens, says David Mabberley. Most universities here and abroad operate in a similar manner with their botanical enterprises. The new name is an outgrowth of the major role the University has played in the life of the Arboretum and the other four entities. It made sense, David Mabberley said, to have one logo, one letterhead, and one organization. The new name received the support of Ken Bounds, Superintendent of the Seattle Parks Department, which owns most of the Arboretum property and manages its infrastructure, and the Arboretum Foundation, which has supported the Arboretum since 1935. Top officials at the University gave their official approval in June. Changing, But Still the Same. What will change as the University of Washington Botanic Gardens takes shape and what will stay the same? Very few changes for the general public. None of the five entities that fall under the Botanic Gardens umbrella will change names or addresses. This means that the Washington Park Arboretum, which is managed jointly by the University and the Seattle Parks and Recreation Department, will not change its name or management structure. The Arboretum Foundation will continue to support the Arboretum. The Center for Urban Horticulture will continue to host classes and events, both university-sponsored as well as those held by other horticultural organizations. These groups will continue to meet at the Center. ( continued on page 2) ers‘ty ofVVas^ -SSS5* Elisa i , Bay Natural Area Hn~-r ‘-"‘ban ^'culture Elisabeth C Miller Library OtisDoug'as Hyde Herbarium UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON BOTANIC GARDENS AUTUMN 2005 UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON BOTANIC GARDENS AUTUMN 2005 2 (Continued from page 1) The Elisabeth C. Miller Library and Otis Douglas Hyde Herbarium are in Merrill Hall, located at the Center, and will fall under the domain of the University of Washington Botanic Gardens, as does the Union Bay Natural Area. Programs such as Rare Plant Care and Conservation, CUH and WPA Education and Outreach, and grounds maintenance at both sites, also will fall under the banner of the Botanic Gardens. This Urban Horticulture Newsletter will eventually get a new name, and the Botanic Gardens will have a new logo and graphics. Foundation Honors Long-Time Volunteer Joy Spurr, long-time volunteer with the Washington Park Arboretum, received the first Arboretum Foundation Volunteer Legacy Award at the spring ceremony. The new award will be presented annually to individuals with a substantial history of volunteering, making special efforts, or sharing unique talents. In making the award, Foundation Executive Director Deborah Andrews said Joy Spurr has clearly done all of these. Joy has been an active volunteer since 1956 and is a lifetime member. She has served as a member of the Foundation Board of Directors and the Northwest Flower & Garden Show committee and as an Arboretum unit chair, among many contributions. She is best known, however, for the beautiful Arboretum photos she has taken over the years that have been used widely in publications and public relations activities. David Mabberley Named President of International Taxonomist’s Association UW Botanic Gardens Director David Mabberley was elected president of the International Association for Plant Taxonomy (IAPT) at the association’s July meeting in Vienna, Austria. Taxonomy is a branch of biology that deals with the naming and classifying of organisms. Scientific names of plants are governed by the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature, the provisions of which are managed by the IAPT under the ultimate authority of the United Nations. Professor Mabberley succeeds Ghillean T. Prance, former director of Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in the UK. College Lecture Series Available on the Web Dan Hinkley’s lecture, “Form and Textural Contrast in Garden Design and Plant Selection’’ is now available via the University of Washington TV website as streaming video. Dan Hinkley, CUH alum, lectured originally on February 10, 2005 as part of the “Sustaining our Northwest World: From Fire to Flowers” lecture series sponsored by the College of Forest Resources. Other lectures from this series include Jim Agee on “Forests Aflame: Strategies and Challenges for Managing Fires in the West” and Gordon Bradley on “Who Shapes the Visual Landscape and Does it Matter?” Link to the UW TV web page: www.uwtv.org/programs/displayevent.asp?rid=26l0. City Resurrects Old Arboretum Entry Pylon Stored for many years behind the scenes in the Arboretum is an old WPA era stone monument believed to have been part of a kiosk at the intersec- tion of Lake Washington and Interlaken Boulevards which was removed in 1952 due to vandalism. This summer, the Seattle Parks Department’s Heavy Equipment crew is placing it at the corner of Lake Washington Boulevard and 26th Street to mark the north entrance to the Arboretum. The Parks masonry crew has refurbished the masonry to appear similar to the original. Mountaineers Teach Rare Care Volunteers Orienteering Rare Care Seeks Volunteers for 2006 Season The Rare Care Program needs volunteers interested in serving as the first line of defense in rare plant conservation. Monitors assess rare plant populations throughout the state. Seed Collectors travel to known populations and collect seed to be stored in the Miller Seed Vault at CUH for long-term conservation, research, and restoration. To apply to the program, phone 206-616-0780 or email rarecare@u. washington.edu. Six volunteers from The Mountaineers this spring taught xx Rare Care volunteers how to navigate in the wild. Thanks to The Mountaineers’, Rare Care volunteers will be better able to accurately map rare plant populations even with out-dated maps. This training will also keep them from getting lost when searching for wild populations of rare and endangered native plants. James Fairchild spent countless rainy hours on the Union Bay grounds preparing field exercises. He also developed classroom exercises patterned after directions Rare Care plant monitors and seed collectors receive with their assignments. Credit for this unique partnership goes to Kim Frappier, Rare Care’s Acting Program Manager, and James Fairchild and Lynn Graf of The Mountaineers. Mary Aulet, William Fortney, Peter McCormick and David Suhr joined Jim and Lynn to provide individualized instruction in groups no larger than four. Participants worked with topographic maps, compasses and GPS units to build skills in locating rare plant populations and mapping the populations they find. By the time they finished the field exercises, they knew how to use their pace to measure distances, how to work with compass bearings, how to find specific locations with a GPS unit, and how to measure distances with their fingers. Dimensions of an area are just one piece of data Rare Care volunteers record when they locate a rare plant population. Rare Care volunteer Kim Rasmussen used her new skills on a plant monitoring outing a few weeks later. When she noticed the habitat was changing unexpectedly, she used both GPS and compass, to get back on course. “When I returned home, I still didn’t believe I had gotten off course,” Kim said. “So using www.topozone.com, I navigated on the web to the GPS reading I had, and sure enough, I was where I thought I wasn’t.” James Fairchild (second from left) teaches Gretchen Graber, Betsy Lyons and Sarah Baker how to estimate distances. UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON BOTANIC GARDENS AUTUMN 200S UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON BOTANIC GARDENS AUTUMN 2005 Miller Library News 4 Karen Preuss Named Miller Library Manager Karen Preuss began work August 16 as the new manager of the Elisabeth C. Miller Library. Recently serving as development coordinator for the Montgomery, Alabama City-County Library, she brings strengths in marketing and public relations, grant writing, fund raising, and public speaking in addition to skills in library management. Karen also served as a youth services librarian and in library development in a number of cities including Florence, Oregon, Chester, Pennsylvania, and Santa Fe, New Mexico. In addition, she worked for a couple of theater troupes and designed and sold children’s clothing. Please introduce yourself to her the next time you are in the Miller Library. Library Celebrates 20th Anniversary The Elisabeth C. Miller Library celebrated its 20th anniversary on May 22 with more than 100 supporters and guests. Professor David Mabberley highlighted the occasion with a presentation on the library’s collection of rare books. He also honored librarian Brian Thompson with the honorary title of Curator of Horticultural Literature. Guests were allowed to view several of the more valuable volumes in the Library’s collection along with their fine art graphics. A portrait of Elisabeth C. Miller was unveiled by her son Winlock Miller. It is to be hung in the main room of the library. Betty and her husband Pendleton were the original sponsors and underwriters of the library. Winlock Miller unveils the portrait of his mother, Elisabeth Miller. Karen Preuss, newly-hired manager of the Elisabeth C. Miller Libarary Brian Thompson Elected Treasurer of Botanical Library Group Brian Thompson was recently elected treasurer of the Council on Botanical and Horticultural Libraries (CBHL). He will be working closely with representatives of libraries associated with institutions such as the New York Botanical Garden, The Hunt Institute of Botanical Documentation in Pittsburgh, and the Missouri Botanical Garden. In his work for the Council, Brian also sits on the Literature Awards Committee which makes annual awards to recognize excellence in plant literature. For 2005, CBHL presented the technical award to Ethnoflora of the Soqotra Archipelago by Anthony G. Miller and Miranda Morris of the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh. In the general interest category, the winner is Native Trees for North American Landscapes by Guy Sternberg and Jim Wilson publishes by Timber Press of Portland, Oregon. Look for these books at the Miller Library. Earth-Friendly Lawn Removal CAROL ORION, PLANT ANSWER LINE LIBRARIAN The Plant Answer Line receives frequent requests for information about “the way to kill grass with newspapers.” The method they seek is simple and requires few resources; all you need is newspaper or cardboard, a shovel, mulch and four to six months of time. If you start now, your new beds will be fertile and ready to plant when spring plant sales are in full swing. Garden writer Valerie Easton describes five easy steps in her book Plant Life; Growing a Garden in the Pacific Northwest. Step I : Begin by digging a shallow ditch about 4 inches wide and 4 inches deep outlining the edges of the future bed or border. Throw the dirt and grass dug from this moat into the lawn you plan to get rid of — it becomes part of the mulch. Step 2 : Cover all the grass you wish to eliminate with a layer of newspapers a half-inch thick, overlapping each sheet by 4 or 6 inches. Let the edges fall down into the little ditch. Step 3 : Cover the newspaper or cardboard with a foot-deep layer of mulch: leaves, grass clippings, purchased mulch, or a combination of all three. Step 4: Ignore the resulting mound until spring. It will all rot down, no air or light will penetrate to the grass and it will die, roots and all. The mass will shrink by more than half and you will be left with great planting soil. Step 5 : In the spring, top off the new planting area with 4 to 6 inches of “feeding mulch” (a mixture of bark and manure available at nurseries and garden centers) and voila! You’re ready to plant. Variations on the Theme One approach foregoes ditch-digging in favor of layers of newspaper and composted horse manure, each 6 to 8 inches deep. Another recommends an inch of wet newspapers topped with a foot or more of compost or topsoil and a frosting of bark mulch. If you want to reclaim a slope that would otherwise erode in the process, drape and peg down jute webbing on top of the newspaper/mulch layers (jute webbing is like a huge net made of degradable rope; available at nurseries). In the spring you can poke starts of ground covers between the squares of jute and it will grow to cover and stabilize the slope Carol Orion staffs the Plant Answer Line at the Miller Library. Colored Inks are Okay At one time, gardeners were told to use only the black-and-white sections of newspapers — not sections with colored ink. However, according to the National Association of Printing Ink Manufacturers, about 1 5 years ago newspaper publishers established standards for printing inks which effectively banned compounds of lead or other heavy metals. Some cyan inks may contain small amotints of copper, which is an essential trace element in the soil. The result is that now the entire newspaper can be recycled into the garden! Plant Answer Line The Plant Answer Line is open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call UW PLANT, 206-897-5268, or e-mail your question to: hortlib@u. washington.edu 5 Miller Library fall hours are Monday 9 a.m.to 8 p.m. .Tuesday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON BOTANIC GARDENS AUTUMN 2005 For information on the Arboretum and its programs, please visit the website at www.wparboretum.org. Event information is found at the foundation website: www.arboretumfoundation.org Fall Bulb and Plant Sale Sunday, October 2, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Graham Visitors Center, WPA Member’s Pre Sale Saturday October I, noon to 2 p.m. (bulbs only) Next springs garden begins at the Fall Bulb & Plant Sale! Hundreds of bulb varieties, including species tulips and a great selection of narcissus, daylilies and specialty bulbs. A dozen participating vendors and nurseries (plus the Arboretum’s Pat Calvert Green- house and Plant Donations) offer a wonderful selection of companion plants including shrubs, perennials and ferns. Also, bulb accessories such as pots, fertilizers and potting soil. New for 2005: a great selection of edible bulbs (garlic, shallots and more) for fall planting and spring cooking! This sale benefits Washington Park Arboretum; admission and parking are free. For a bulb catalog, visit www.arboretumfoundation.org after September 1 . 6 Donated Plants for Sale Wednesdays and second Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., between April and Ocrtober. Find favorite and unusual plants, all donated by area gardeners. Pat Calvert Greenhouse Seeks Volunteers The Arboretum Foundation’s Pat Calvert Green- house is seeking new volunteers for fall. Experienced volunteers mentor others on subjects like woody plant ecology and propagation techniques. Volun- teers also prepare plants for weekly sales. Hours of operation are 10 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and Thursdays. Call 206-616-4890 for more informa- tion. Greens Galore Saturday, December 3, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Graham Visitors Center, WPA Freshly cut greens, botanical treasures, hand-made gifts and crafts for holiday decorating and giving. Donated greens will be accepted on Wednesday, November 30, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Graham Visitors Center, Washington Park Arboretum. News from UWBG New Staff Members hired at UWBG Karen Preuss started work as Miller Library Manager in mid August. Pat Chinn-Sloan is the new Fiscal Specialist for UWBG. Mike McLean was recently hired as Gardener 2 at the Washing- ton Park Arboretum. Annie Billotta is the new Gardener 2 on the Union Bay campus. Welcome to these staff members! Riz Reyes Named Mary Gates Scholar Currently finishing an undergraduate year abroad studying in Sichuan, China, Riz Reyes has received a scholarship allowing him to study the flora of Sichuan. His year included expeditions to collect a number of seeds and cuttings, which he has sent back to the Arboretum for possible inclusion in its plant collection. He has also been vouchering collections with herbarium specimens which will soon be available for study in the Hyde Herbarium. “Trees are Good for Business” UW research scientist Kathy Wolf recently published a publication that provides technical guidance on how to plan and implement an urban forestry program in downtown business districts. It was handed in partnership with the PNW Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture and funded by the WA State DNR Urban Forestry Program. Two CUH alums, Elizabeth Walker and Stacey Harris Ray, contributed to the project. It is available free of charge from Dr. Wolf by sending your name and address to kwolf@u. washington.edu. NEWS AND OPPORTUNITIES Cassie Benz and Larry Howard Win 2005 Brian Mulligan Award Two long-time volunteers won this year’s Brian Mulligan Award, which recognizes outstanding service to CUH and WPA. Larry Howard and Cassie Benz accepted the award at the annual Volunteer Dessert Event held to honor all volunteers who give of their time. Larry Howard has volunteered for six years at CUH, donating 297 hours last year alone, gardening in the Soest Garden. His historical knowledge of the beds, individual plants, and the work of previous gardeners is an invaluable resource. But Larry’s creativity and talent go well beyond the end of a rake. He has spent many hours photographing and compiling information on each bed and plant in the Soest Garden, working toward his goal of creating a web site devoted to the garden. When it becomes available, the Web site will contain not only his photographs, but also plant profde information collected by him and others he has recruited for the task. In addition, Larry created and donated sets of note cards of scenes from the Soest Garden that were sold via the non-profit student Hort Club during the Grand Opening of Merrill Hall. Volunteer Larry Howard working in the Soest Garden. Cassie Benz has volunteered for the Washington Park Arboretum Education Department since 1994 leading Saplings school tours. Although the Washington Park Arboretum has undergone changes in staff, style, and curricula during the 1 0 years Cassie has stayed with the program and seen it through. She has shown an absolute commitment to the work, attending enrichment training programs on a regular basis, constantly trying to improve her skills. She has repeatedly helped the staff refine the curricula with her thoughts, gleaned from the feedback she asks for from her i smim <,■ 'Tip m t PAP’ MM WPA Volunteer Cassie Benz groups. Congratulations to Larry Howard and Cassie Benz, Brian Mulligan Award winners for 2005! Volunteering at the University of Washington Botanic Gardens Many programs at the UW Botanic Gardens need your help. Volunteers help garden, work in the Miller Library, monitor public education classes, assist the administrative staff, and do many other jobs. For more information about volunteering, link to the following web page: http://depts. Washington, edu/urbhort/html/info/ volunteer, html 7 UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON BOTANIC GARDENS AUTUMN 2005 UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON BOTANIC GARDENS AUTUMN 2005 UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON BOTANIC GARDENS AND PROGRAMS 8 Fauna (and Flora) of Foster Island DATE &TIME: INSTRUCTOR: LOCATION: FEE: Sunday, September 18, 1 p.m. Janine Anderson Graham Visitors Center, WPA free Early fall is a time of flux in the bird world. Summer residents flock and forage in large numbers; migrants stop by for rest and refueling. Join birding enthusiast and arboretum guide Janine Anderson for a bird-focused exploration of the various haunts and habitats of Foster Island. Binoculars and extra spotting scopes helpful. Creating a Super Natural Basket DATE &TIME: INSTRUCTOR: LOCATION: FEE: Monday, September 26, 7 to 9 p.m. and Saturday, October 1, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p. m. Pat Reese, Co-Author of the book, Grounds for Gathering Douglas Classroom, CUH $55; pre-registration required. Fee includes a $10 materials fee. Bring your own lunch. In this two-part class, learn how to make a unique and useful Appalachian-style potato basket, using grapevine or other plant branches for framework, with weavers of foliage, vines, barks, and even your own handmade cordage or braid. On Wednesday evening, students will get hands-on practice in preparing garden plants for basketmaking, plus a chance to learn about other plants that will be available during Saturday’s class. On Saturday bring a small bucket or dishpan, an old towel, garden snips, gloves, and a sack lunch. Wear old clothes or bring a sturdy apron. Pat Reese has been making baskets for 20 years. Her book will be available for students to purchase. How to Create and Lead Effective Garden Tours DATE &TIME: INSTRUCTOR: LOCATION: FEE: Monday September 26, 9 a.m. to 3:4 5 p. m. Chuck Lennox Graham Visitors Center, WPA $1 10; pre-registration required. Fee includes lunch and book. Do you give tours of your garden? Many people who lead garden tours are not trained tour guides, and don’t always get the results they want. This all- day workshop will assist you to plan an interpretive tour through hands-on practice with program planning, theme development, and goal setting. After learning basic concepts, in the afternoon we’ll progress to outdoor mock tours to hone those new skills. Students are asked to think about a future tour idea or an existing tour they would like to improve before coming to class. Chuck Lennox is a Certified Interpretive Trainer with 25 years experience working with public land agencies, zoos, and private clients. He recently helped to develop the Interpretive Master Plan for the Washington Park Arboretum. Explore the Miller Library Children’s Collection DATE &TIME: INSTRUCTOR: LOCATION: FEE: Fuesday, Oct. 11, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Miller Library Staff Miller Library, CUH $10; pre-registration required. The Elisabeth C. Miller Library’s Children’s Collection is a treasure trove of curriculum materials, garden plans and plant-related books for children of all ages. The library staff will highlight some of the library’s very best educational resources. This class is aimed at parents and teachers, and will be tailored to the needs of the participant UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON Botanic Gardens Newsletter Survey newsle Tell us about you. (Choose as many as apply) O Home gardener O Horticulture professional O Work in an environmental field O Restoration professional O Master Gardener O K- 1 2 educator O UW faculty, staff or student O Other (please specify) Have you visited or used any of the following? (Choose as many as apply) O CUH campus facilities O Elisabeth C. Miller Library/Plant Answer Line O Otis Douglas Hyde Herbarium O Union Bay Natural Area O Washington Park Arboretum O Other (please specify) Are you also one of our: O Donors O Adult/Professional education class attendees O Volunteers O Youth and family program participants How do you find out about our events and classes? (Choose as many as apply) O Urban Horticulture Newsletter O Arboretum Foundation “Groundwork” Newsletter O CUH Website O Arboretum Website O Arboretum Foundation Website O Newspaper Listings O Horticulture Organization Newsletters (Name) O Other (please specify) The new umbrella name of University of Washington Botanic Gardens will mean changes for the Urban Horticulture Newsletter. Please take a moment to fill out this short survey Tell us what you found useful in the past and any changes you would like to see in future issues. UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON Botanic Gardens newsU Tell us about you. (Choose as many as apply) O Home gardener O Horticulture professional O Work in an environmental field O Restoration professional O Master Gardener O K- 1 2 educator O UW faculty, staff or student O Other (please specify) Have you visited or used any of the following? (Choose as many as apply) O CUH campus facilities O Elisabeth C. Miller Library/Plant Answer Line O Otis Douglas Hyde Herbarium O Union Bay Natural Area O Washington Park Arboretum O Other (please specify) Are you also one of our: O Donors O Adult/Professional education class attendees O Volunteers O Youth and family program participants How do you find out about our events and classes? (Choose as many as apply) O Urban Horticulture Newsletter O Arboretum Foundation “Groundwork” Newsletter O CUH Website O Arboretum Website O Arboretum Foundation Website O Newspaper Listings O Horticulture Organization Newsletters (Name) O Other (please specify) PLEASE RETURN BY OCTOBER 1,2005. Which sections of this newsletter do you read and how often? Also rank from I (most important) to 5 those sections that you value most. Always Sometimes Rarely Special Events o o o Miller Library News o o o News from CUH.WPA and the Foundation o o o Volunteer News and Opportunities o o o Classes and Programs o o o Youth and Family Programs o o o Events Calendar o o o Director’s Notes o o o Articles on Horticulture and Gardening o o o Information from the Plant Answer Line o o o Rank What other topics or information would you like to read about? If this newsletter were only available via email, would you still subscribe? O Yes O No Comments: We will be renaming the Urban Horticulture Newsletter to reflect a wider focus under the University ofWashington Botanic Gardens. Do you have suggestions for a new name? General comments or feedback? NEWSLETTER SURVEY University ofWashington Botanic Gardens Box 354115 Seattle, WA 98 1 95-4 1 15 Fall Tour of the Miller Garden DATE & TIME: Wednesday, October 12, 9 a.m. instructor.- Miller Garden Staff LOCATION: Meet in the CUH Parking Lot fee: $50; fee includes transportation Join us as we visit one of Seattle’s most stunning gardens for fall color. Betty Miller collected rare and unusual woody plants from around the world and crafted them into a garden that combines many unique specimens in a woodland setting. Landscape Design Basics DATES &TIMES: INSTRUCTOR: LOCATION: FEE: Saturday October 22 and 29, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Keith Geller, Landscape Architect Isaacson Classroom, CUH & off-site $130; pre-registration required In this two-day class, learn the principles and concepts of landscape design via slide lectures, sketch problems, and field trips where we learn to analyze gardens. This course is intended for students at all levels of expertise. It includes lectures on Saturday mornings at CUH and field trips on Saturday afternoons. Please bring your own lunch. The Street Smart Naturalist DATES &TIMES: INSTRUCTOR: LOCATION: FEE: Tuesday, October 25, 7 p. m. David B. Williams NHS Hall, CUH $10; pre-registration requested David Williams, author of The Street-Smart Naturalist: Field Notes from Seattle, will weave together stories of history and nature to reveal a side of Seattle that many of us overlook. He will talk about fossils in downtown buildings, explore the age-old conundrum “Was Seattle built on seven hills and what are they?” and explain the YUCKIE hypothesis (Young Urban Crows) and how urban development contributes to our ever-expanding crow population. Williams is a freelance natural history writer who has written for Smithsonian, Popular Mechanics, and National Parks. Books will be available for sale after the talk. botanical art Threse classes are planned jointly with members of the Pacific Northwest Botanical Artists (PNBA), a local chapter of the American Society of Botanical Artists. UWBG and PNBA are working to create a Certificate Program in Botanical Illustration. Botanical Drawing I: Intro to Drawing Botanical Forms dates andtimes: 5-part series: Thursdays Oct. 6 to Nov. 3 Section I: 9:30 a.m. -noon Section II: 7p.m. -9:30 p.m. instructors: Kathy McKeehen & Louise Smith location: Isaacson Classroom, CUH fee: $155; pre-registration required This course is designed as a self-contained unit or as an introduction to Botanical Drawing II, for the individual who cannot draw or would like to improve drawing skills. Students will learn about drawing tools, papers, and basic plant forms as they progress through exercises and homework assignments. The emphasis will be on accurate line drawing, the foundation of good botanical art. Bring drawing paper, pencil, and eraser to the first class where a more complete materials list will be provided. Kathleen McKeehen and Louise Smith are noted artists. Kathleen’s training includes a stint at Kew Gardens, England. Botanical Drawing 2: The Pencil Rendered Botanical DATES ANDTIMES: INSTRUCTORS: LOCATION: FEE: 5-part series: Thursdays November 10 to December 15 Section I: 9:30 a. m. -noon Section II: 7p.m. -9:30 p.m. Bev Byrnes & Louise Smith Isaacson Classroom, CUH $155; pre-registration required Some of the most beautiful botanical works are rendered in pencil. This course teaches different techniques used in a fully rendered pencil drawing. The emphasis continues to be on creating accurate botanical art but progresses into concepts of light on form. Mastery of these concepts will be invaluable to the student who wants to continue in the practice of botanical art or is interested in realistic renderings of the botanical subject. A materials list will be sent along with registration confirmation. Bev Byrnes is a superb draftsman who exhibits across the country. n r > (/) (/) m U) > Z O -o 73 O o 73 > z c f) 9 L/T O O - {/) cc Ui > Z D I/) Z < CL o o cc CL Q Z < CO LU (/) CO < U 10 green buildings for green thumbs These classes are planned jointly with the NW Solar Center and CUH’s other “green building” partners. The NW Solar Center consists of 22 utilities, businesses, and non-profit organizations working to Green Home Design Workshop advance solar technologies in the Pacific Northwest. Merrill Hall “Green Building’' Tours DATE &TIME: INSTRUCTOR: LOCATION: FEE: 1st Monday of each month starting at 7 p.m. CUH and Miller Library Staff Merrill Hall, CUH Free Drop by the Miller Library at 7 p.m. on the first Monday of the month (October 3, November 7, December 3) for a tour of the library and the “green features” of Merrill Hall. No appointment is needed. Tours of Merrill are also available at other times, free of charge, to garden clubs, horticultural classes and other groups. Please call 206-543-3889 to schedule. DATE &TIME: INSTRUCTOR: LOCATION: FEE: Tuesday, November 15, 7 to 9 p.m Katherine Morgan, Sustainable Building Consultant Douglas Classroom, CUH $30; pre-registration required. Whether you’re fixing up to sell, or remodeling or renovating for your own enjoyment, we’ll help you design it green and follow it through. Bring your ideas and pictures; we’ll help you set goals for your project and incorporate environmentally friendly aspects. Specific help on how to select green contractors, how to choose materials and equipment, how to reduce water and energy use, and if you’re selling soon, how to help your realtor understand and sell what you’ve done. We’ll review benefits and strategies of green home design, and work through the steps to plan your green design project. Katherine Morgan recently wrote the Built Green Home Website, and will be joined by a ‘green-sawy’ real estate agent for those looking for sales-related guidance. LTl O o tN Z z D H D < (/> Z Ui Q oc < O U z o CD Z o 0 z 1 t/> < * Li. o >- H vi cc UJ > 5 D Solar Tour of Seattle DATE &TIME: INSTRUCTOR: LOCATION: FEE: Saturday, October 29, 9 a. m. to 3:30 p. m Mike Nelson, Director of the NW Solar Center Tour leaves from CUH parking lot $55; pre-registration required. Fee includes transportation. Bring your own lunch Join Mike Nelson of the NW Solar Center on a lively tour of solar power on green buildings in Seattle, both residential and public. You will see small residential solar systems and larger commercial solar systems including free-standing, roof-mounted, and building-integrated. The tour will start at CUH’s Merrill Hall, and then head to the Ballard Library, Carkeek Park Environmental Learning Center, Greenwood Cottages, Meridian Middle School, and Magnuson Park. pro-hort classes ProHort classes at CUH are designed for profession- als in the horticulture industry. Upcoming fall class topics include: Design to Dirt: Beyond Basics Trees and Climate Change See www.uwbotanicgardens.org for more information. Phone 206-685-8033 or e-mail urbhort@u. washington.edu if you would like to be on the ProHort mailing or electronic ListServ list. ingVisa or MasterCard, 206-685-8033. and send in the registration form on page 1 5. o practical gardening lectures Fear of Houseplants (Get Over It!) These lectures and demonstrations are planned jointly with WSU Extension and other non-profit partners. They are presented by experienced WSU Master Gardeners. DATE &TIME: INSTRUCTOR: LOCATION: FEE: Thursday, Nov. 17, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Mary Ann Greco, Master Gardener Douglas Classroom, CUH $ 1 0; pre-registration required Alliums, Leeks, and Garlic DATE &TIME: INSTRUCTOR: LOCATION: FEE: Monday, October 10, 7 to 8:30 p.m. David Kingery, Master Gardener Isaacson Classroom, CUH $10; pre-registration required Houseplants make a wonderful addition to your home. Many are known to filter the air we breathe. Children and adults enjoy watching them grow and change all year long. Master Gardener Mary Ann Greco will cover basic physiology of caring for houseplants including light, water, humidity and fertilization. She is the Houseplant manager at Sky Nursery. This knowledge will help you get over your fear of having these plants be part of your life. Alliums are among the earliest plants to be cultivated by man. According to legend, as Satan left the Garden of Eden, onions grew where his right foot touched the ground and garlic grew from his left footprint. These magical bulbs are indispensable in the kitchen and should be included in every garden. Learn about planting, caring for and harvesting these two alliums and their close relatives. The Ultimate Outdoor Winter Container Fall Plant Care: Putting the Garden to Bed DATE &TIME: INSTRUCTOR: LOCATION: FEE: Thursday, October 20, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Master Gardener Diagnosticians Douglas Classroom, CUH $10; pre-registration required Major fall clean up is critical to a healthier garden for years to come. Disease and insects can over- winter in plant debris. A panel of Master Gardener diagnosticians will discuss early detection of pest infestation and diseases that can be reduced or eliminated with major cleanup in your garden. Fall is also a good time to evaluate plants that didn’t perform as well as expected and replace them with disease resistant plants. DATE &TIME: INSTRUCTOR: LOCATION: FEE: Wednesday, Nov. 30, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Ann Baron, Master Gardener Douglas Classroom, CUH $10; pre-registration required Do your outdoor pots sit empty during the winter or looking just plain dull? Spice up your view from the windows on those grey days, with containers full of fall and winter color and texture in leaves, berries and early blossoms. Master Gardener, Ann Baron specializes in sustainable container gardens and winter outdoor floral arrangements. Get a jump on holiday decorations by creating containers that brighten your landscape. > V) V) m Vi > Z o TJ 73 o o 73 > z V) 1 1 o o (N z r D h D < VI z 111 G cc < o o z 0 CQ z 0 I- u z I V) < S u- 0 >- 1/1 a. uj > z D {/) z < a : U 0 on a. Q Z < to uj to to < _l U 12 youth and family programs For more information or to schedule the following programs, contact the Arboretum Education Office, weekdays at 206-543-8801 or e-mail uwbgeduc@u. Washington. edu. Visit our website: www.wparboretum.org. Saplings School Programs arboretu guided tours Washington Park Arboretum becomes nature’s classroom for Saplings School Programs, educational programs for students in grades K-8. The 90-minute programs are held Monday through Friday 10 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. during the school year. Cost is $2.50 per student. Sapling’s program curricula are aligned with the Washington State’s Essential Academic Learning Requirements and Science Grade Level Expectations. Topics include plant life cycle, wetland ecology, and native plants and ethnobotany. Please call 206- 543-8801 to reserve a date at least three weeks in advance. Enjoy the seasonal splendor of autumn with a guided tour of historic Washington Park Arbore- tum. Stroll through the collections with a trained Arboretum guide while focusing on vivid fall color and the beauty of leaves, bark and berries. Available for groups of 10 or more. 60 to 90 minute themed tours: fall seasonal, native plants, and Foster Island ecology. Fees are $3 per person ($2 for Arboretum Foundation members). 10 person minimum. To reserve a date, phone 206-543-8801; three weeks advanced reservation recommended. LO o o CM z z D h- D < to Z UJ Q on < O U Z 0 ca Z 0 h O z X to < £ LL 0 >- K to on UJ > Z D Self-Guided Pack Programs Family Adventure Packs Investigate the wonders of the Arboretum with a Family Adventure Pack. Family Adventure Packs include games and activities with easy-to-follow directions, maps, field guides, and field equipment. Suitable for groups of up to 5. Designed for young children accompanied by an adult. Available year- round from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Graham Visitors Center Front Desk. No reservation required. $5 fee for two-hour rental; FREE to Arboretum Foundation Members and Arboretum Guides. Arboretum Explorer Packs Explore the Arboretum at your own pace with field equipment, activities and games with easy-to-follow directions, scavenger hunts and maps. An excellent idea for teachers, scouts, camps, daycare and other youth groups. Suitable for groups of 15 children. Appropriate for grades 1-6. A two-hour rental fee is $15. Please call to reserve a date at least three weeks in advance. Weekend Walks at One Free weekend walks are offered the first and third Sunday of the month at 1 p.m. January through November. The 60 to 90 minute walks, led by trained Arboretum guides, focus on seasonal interest in the Arboretum, native plants or Foster Island ecology. Walks depart from the Graham Visitors Center. 0110 CYC FOR AUTUMN 2005 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER : Fauna (and Flora) of Foster Island, 1 p.m., WPA How to Create & Lead Garden Tours, 9 a.m., WPA Creating a Super Natural Basket I, 7 p.m.,CUH Fall Tour of the Miller Garden, leaves CUH at 9 a.m. NHS Lecture, 6:45 p.m., CUH Plant Amnesty, 7 p.m., CUH Botanical Drawing I, 9:30 a.m. or 7 p.m., CUH Creating a Super Natural Basket 2, 9 a.m., CUH Miller Library Drop-InTour, 7 p.m., CUH Ornithological Society, 7 p.m., CUH Iris Society, 7:30 p.m., CUH Rose Society, 6 p.m., CUH Cascade Cactus & Succulent Society, 2 p.m., CUH INW Perennial Alliance, 7 p.m., CUH WA Butterfly Association, 7 p.m., CUH Rhododendron Society, 7:15 p.m., CUH Botanical Drawing I, 9:30 a.m. or 7 p.m., CUH Native Plant Society, 7 p.m., CUH Alliums, Leeks, and Onions, 7 p.m., CUH Miller Lib. Children’s Collection Class, 7 p.m., CUH Puget Sound Mycological Soc.,7:30 p.m., CUH NOVEMBER WA Butterfly Association, 7 p.m., CUH Rhododendron Society, 7:15 p.m., CUH Native Plant Society, 7 p.m., CUH Botanical Drawing 1 , 9:30 a.m. or 7 p.m., CUH Miller Library Drop-InTour, 7 p.m., CUH Ornithological Society, 7 p.m., CUH Iris Society, 7:30 p.m., CUH PS Mycological Society, 7:30 p.m., CUH NHS Lecture, 6:45 p.m., CUH DECEMBER Botanical Drawing 2, 9:30 a.m. or 7 p.m., CUH Native Plant Society, 7 p.m., CUH Seattle Tree Fruit Society, 9:30 a.m., CUH Miller Library Drop-InTour, 7 p.m., CUH Ornithological Society, 7 p.m., CUH WA Butterfly Association, 7 p.m., CUH Audubon Society, 7 p.m., CUH Botanical Drawing I, 9:30 a.m. or 7 p.m.,CUH Fall Plant Care, 7 p.m., CUH Landscape Design Basics, 9:30 a.m., CUH Bonsai Association, 7:30 p.m., CUH The Street Smart Naturalist, 7 p.m., CUH Botanical Drawing I, 9:30 a.m. or 7 p.m., CUH Solar Tour of Seattle, leaves CUH at 9 a.m. Botanical Drawing 2, 9:30 a.m. or 7 p.m., CUH Green Home Design Workshop, 7 p.m., CUH Rose Society, 7:30 p.m., CUH Botanical Drawing 2, 9:30 a.m. or 7 p.m., CUH Fear of Houseplants, 7 p.m., CUH NW Perennial Alliance, noon, CUH Bonsai Association, 7:30 p.m., CUH Winter Container Class, 7 p.m., CUH Botanical Drawing 2, 9:30 a.m. or 7 p.m., CUH Rhododendron Society, 3 p.m., CUH Puget Sound Mycological Society, 7:30 p.m., CUH Plant Amnesty, 7 p.m., CUH Botanical Drawing 2, 9:30 a.m. or 7 p.m., CUH One of my first tasks for the University has been to lead the coming together of the various units I manage as Director under an umbrella name within the College of Forest Resources. Since the last newsletter, all university staff and faculty associated with the Center for Urban Horticulture, the Washington Park Arboretum and Elisabeth C. Miller Library came together to create a new mission and vision for what we agreed would be University of Washington Botanic Gardens (UWBG). This was promptly reported to the Dean who led its passage through the University’s hierarchy. With commendable speed and the blessing of both the Superintendent of Parks and Recreation and the Executive Director of the Arboretum Foundation, all was accepted in June by the University administration. None of the units covered by the umbrella name - and these include the Union Bay Natural area, shorelines which the University manages, and the Otis Hyde Herbarium — will have their names changed. The Umbrella name is a sign to the local, national and international community that the University sees a cohesion and mutual strengthening of all those entities in their common goals and missions. I am pleased to announce the appointment of Karen Preuss as Manager of the Elisabeth C. Miller Library. Though coming to us from Montgomery, Alabama, she was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest. Karen brings strengths in development and fundraising, and has a particular interest in children’s books. Under her lealdership the Miller Library team will strengthen our traditional mission by broadening the Library collections to include environmental, conservational and restoration issues. This will lend strength to our classic focus on outreach to the horticultural communities of the region. Our deepest thanks to Jane St. Germain who heroically led the Library during the hiring process. Lastly, we are waiting to receive a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating from the U.S. Green Building Council for Merrill Hall. This award will be the first for a UW Seattle campus building, and we look forward to a celebration later this fall. I hope to see you there and to discuss with you the way forward for UWBG. WWW.UWBOTANICGARDENS.ORG Mission: Sustaining managed to natural ecosystems and the human spirit through plant research, display, and education Vision: As an international hub for plant science, information, teaching, and stewardship, we will promote an educated, inspired, and engaged society, dedicated to sustainable ecosystem management. Washington Park Arboretum Center for Urban Horticulture Union Bay Natural Area Elisabeth C. Miller Library Otis Douglas Hyde Herbarium CENTER FOR URBAN HORTICULTURE 3501 NE 41st Street Box 354115 Seattle, WA 98195-4115 206-543-8616 (phone) 206-685-2692 (fax) WASHINGTON PARK ARBORETUM 2300 Arboretum Drive East Box 358010 Seattle, WA 98195-8010 206-543-8800 (phone) 206-616-2871 (fax) URBAN HORTICULTURE NEWSLETTER. VOL. 22. NO. 3 UWBG Management Staff: David J. Mabberley, Director Fred Hoyt, Grounds and Facilities Sue Nicol, Outreach and Education Karen Preuss, Elisabeth C. Miller Library DAVID J. MABBERLEY, M.A. (OXON.), PH. D. (CANTAB ), DIRECTOR ORIN & ALTHEA SOEST PROFESSOR OF HORTICULTURAL SCIENCE University of Washington Botanic Gardens College of Forest Resources 3501 NE 41st Street Box 354115 Seattle, WA 98195-4115 NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID SEATTLE, WA PERMIT NO. 62 AUTUMN 2005