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MAY 2013
NC Piedmont Orchid Society Meeting
5 May, Sunday, 1 pm McMillan Greenhouse
Meetings are held at the McMillan Greenhouse on the first Sunday of most months, and are open to the public. A potluck begins at noon and the meeting and program at 1 pm. For more information, visit www.ncpiedmontorchid.org
Guided Garden Tour
7 May, Tuesday, 10-11am McMillan Greenhouse
Join Kathy for a guided tour of the greenhouse or gardens (depending on weather). The first Tuesday of every month we offer a guided tour, free and open to the public (adults & older youth). We will gather at the Greenhouse before heading out to explore the gems of the season. Questions? Email Kathy at kzimmer1@uncc.edu Note: the outdoor gardens cover varying terrain with mulched paths.
Woodland Walk for Children
19 May Sunday, 1:30-3:00 pm McMillan Greenhouse
Looking for a little nature-time for your little ones on a Sunday afternoon? Join Kathy to: Hear a story near the old log cabin in the Glen, explore the woods and collect natural treasures, and do a project.
Ages: 4-8 Cost: $2 per child
Meet: at the McMillan Greenhouse (directions) Parents are welcome to accompany child or may return to pick up at 3:00 pm. Program offered rain or shine (greenhouse if rain) .
Class size is limited to 12, and preference will be given to children who are pre-registered. To register or check on availability, please email Kathy at kzimmer1@uncc.edu
University City Garden Club Meeting
21 May, Tuesday, 6:30 – 8:30 pm McMillan Greenhouse
Newcomers always welcome! May Meeting: Movie Nite. Celebrate spring with plants, food, and great company – an annual event! For more information about the University City Garden Club, email Lorrain Shannon at Lorraine@carolina.rr.com or visit http://www.ucgardenclub.com/
Capturing Nature: Drawing and Photography
23 & 25 May, Thursday , 4-8 pm; Saturday, 9 am – 1pm McMillan Greenhouse
These flowers and trees are gorgeous, so why aren’t my pictures? Photography is both art and science. This course will teach you how to use drawing as an observational skill and take those powers of observation behind the lens. The first session of this course will be an engaging session of sketching and refining observational skills (we promise, no prior experience necessary – this is for everyone!) The second session is designed to enable the participant to use digital photography as a tool to produce images that can be used for illustration and enjoyment in various forms of media. You’ll build on your composition skills, learn about lighting and how to use settings on your camera to take your snapshots to great photos. This hands-on course will get those creative juices flowing! Instructors: Kathy Zimmerman (drawing) and Richard Gross (photography) Location: McMillan Greenhouse, McEniry Building, and outdoor gardens (weather permitting) UNC Charlotte. Materials needed: sketchbook, lead pencils, color pencils, digital camera (slr or one that allows exposure adjustments). To register, email Esther, ecarras1@uncc.edu
Cost: $72.00 (8 hrs)
Basic Ecology – Certificate in Native Plant Studies
30, 31 May + June 1- Thurs & Friday., 6-9; Sat. 9-1:00 McMillan Greenhouse
Species interactions, habitat and niche, yearly life cycle, succession in the Piedmont, and biomes in the Carolinas will be covered. Required Reading: Bringing Nature Home by Doug Tallamy
Pre-requisite: Basic Botany
Instructor: Dr. Jessica Braswell
Cost: $90 (10 hrs) To register or for more information, please contact Esther at ecarras1@uncc.edu
June 2013
Guided Garden Tour
4 June, Tuesday, 10-11am McMillan Greenhouse
Join Kathy for a guided tour of the greenhouse or gardens (depending on weather). The first Tuesday of every month we offer a guided tour, free and open to the public (adults & older youth). We will gather at the Greenhouse before heading out to explore the gems of the season. Questions? Email Kathy at kzimmer1@uncc.edu Note: the outdoor gardens cover varying terrain with mulched paths.
June 6, 8-9
This course will be a brief introduction to the biology of insects and related arthropods, structured around application and investigation of issues related to interactions between insects and plants and insects and humans. The focus will be on biodiversity and ecology of beneficial insects, but will include a primer on insect identification, conservation, and ecology. Insects will be collected during class-time to illustrate collection, curation, and identification methods.
Instructor: Dr. Chris Paradise
Dates and times: Thu. 6 (6pm-9pm), Sat. 8 (9am-12noon) and Sun 9 (2pm-5pm). Total 9 hours.
Location: McMillan Greenhouse and gardens, UNC Charlotte.
Cost: $81.00 Class limit: 16 participants. To register or for more information, please contact Esther at ecarras1@uncc.edu
Conservation Ecology and Rare Plants (elective; pre-requisite: Basic Ecology)
June 13-15
This course focuses on the protection and management of plant biodiversity. Topics include species conservation, causes and consequences of declines in plant biodiversity, habitat fragmentation, management approaches, biological reserve design, restoration of ecosystems, and the role of conservation biologists in plant conservation.
Suggested Reading: Plant by Janet Marinelli (reference book).
Instructor: Dr. Jessica Braswell
Dates and times: Thu. 13 (6pm-9pm), Fri 14 (6pm-9pm) and Sat 15 (10am-1pm)
Location: McMillan Greenhouse, UNC Charlotte and Redlair Farms in Gastonia.
Cost: $90.00 Class limit: 16 participants
Carnivorous Containers for Kids (ages 7-12)
June 15, 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Sign up for this hands-on workshop for ages 7-12 to learn all about the amazing plants that actually capture and digest insects! Kids will plant their own 12″ bog dish garden with a Venus flytrap, pitcher plant, and sundew to take home —and we’ll teach them how to take care of their new green “pets”, too. Cost: $40.00 To register, email Paula at pmgross@uncc.edu
Bog Gardens and Aquatic Plants (elective / open to the public)
June 21-22
Carnivorous plants (think Venus’ fly-traps and pitcher plants) are some of the world’s most fascinating plants – and they are North Carolina natives! Carnivorous plant expert, Larry Mellichamp, will explain the biology of these plants, the native habitats that harbor them, and how you can enjoy them in your own gardens. Participants will construct their own dish garden with at least 5 different bog plants to take home. Since aquatic plants are often confused with bog plants, we will look at those and their cultivation and care, and how to grow them for enjoyment in the home garden. Some will be available for purchase.
Dates and times: Fri. 21 (6:30pm-9pm) and Sat. 22 (9am-4pm – ½ hr. lunch break). 9 hours
Instructor: Dr. Larry Mellichamp
Location: McMillan Greenhouse, UNC Charlotte.
Cost: $81.00 + $30.00 for plant materials
July 2013
Guided Garden Tour
2 July, Tuesday, 10-11am McMillan Greenhouse
Join Kathy for a guided tour of the greenhouse or gardens (depending on weather). The first Tuesday of every month we offer a guided tour, free and open to the public (adults & older youth). We will gather at the Greenhouse before heading out to explore the gems of the season. Questions? Email Kathy at kzimmer1@uncc.edu Note: the outdoor gardens cover varying terrain with mulched paths
Fern Foray (elective; Pre-requisite: Basic Botany)
July 9, 11-12
Ferns are fascinating and much-loved woodland plants – and yet, how does one begin learning to distinguish between the many species that are native to the Carolinas (there are actually more than 65!) This class and field trip combination will serve as a primer to fern characteristics and identification techniques, plus be a great opportunity to see many species in the wild. We will focus on about 20 species, including many of the most easy and desirable to grow. The field trip will include 3-4 great fern sites in the mountains of North Carolina – in the Brevard, Looking Glass Falls, and Mt. Pisgah areas.
Instructor: Larry Mellichamp & Paula Gross
Tuesday 9 (6pm-9pm), Thursday 11 (7am-10pm. Field trip) and Friday 12 (6pm-9pm). Class limit: 14 participants
Cost: $108 + travel supplement (TBA) + $4 fern guide
