February 2009

BUILD A BIRD HOUSE (Kids)  

Saturday, February 7
10:00 to 11:00 a.m.

Kids will build a sturdy cypress bird house, and learn what birds need for food and shelter in this workshop with Carl Heberg, leader of Byrd’s Chapel Boy Scout Troop 86 in Henleyfield. All materials provided. Suggested ages 8-14 years, with parent or guardian for each child or group of children. Materials fee, $6 for members children, $8 for non-members’ children. Please register by February 5.

MISSISSIPPI’S NATIVE PLANTS: GETTING TO KNOW THEM (Adults)

Saturday, February 7
1:00 to 2:00 p.m.

Prepare for our Arbor Day Sale with an overview of our Mississippi native trees and shrubs with Arboretum  Curator Pat Drackett.  Learn which plants will perform best on your property, and how to select plants to fit your specific needs.  Admission, free for Arboretum members and $4 for non-members.  Please register by February 5.

ARBOR DAY PLANT SALE

Saturday, February 14
Members’ Only Sale – 9 to 10 a.m.
General Public Sale – 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

To celebrate Mississippi Arbor Day, choose from a variety of trees and shrubs at this plant sale.  Winter is a good time to plant trees and woody shrubs, so come early for the best selection of many hard-to-find plants.  Plant professionals will be on hand to help you find the right plant for the right place on your site. Free admission.  Take Service Entrance road to the Arboretum greenhouse.

KIDS’ FIELD WALK & CLAY CLASS

Saturday, February 21
10:00 to 11:30 a.m.

Journey down the Arboretum paths to collect natural materials, and return to make impressions in clay slabs that will be formed into lasting memories.  Children will create items such as bowls, trivets, tiles, or wind chimes, using stoneware clay. Pieces will be fired by clay artist Marc Pastorek and picked up later. All children or groups of children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Materials fee, $6 per child; members’ children, $8 for non-members’ children.  Please register by Feb.19.

 MISSISSIPPI NATURAL HERITAGE AREAS: PROTECTING RARE & ENDANGERED PLANTS

Saturday, February 21
1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Sherrie Surrette, Ph.D., Natural Heritage Program Coordinator with the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science will talk about the purpose of this program, which identifies and collects comprehensive data on our state’s most significant natural areas, including documenting the status and distribution of rare plant species.   Free for members, $4 non-members.  Please register by Feb. 19.

SCAVENGER HUNT USING GPS (Family)

Saturday, February 28
1:00 to 2:00 p.m.

Have fun learning how to use Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) technology in a real life setting at The Crosby Arboretum with Scott Langlois, Research Associate, of the MSU Coastal Research & Extension Center.  GPS receivers will be provided, and a short training session will precede a scavenger hunt where participants will locate individual plants or other features along the Arboretum paths. Bring the whole family!  Weather permitting.  Free for members’ families, $8 per non-member family. Please register by February 26.