Connecticut’s Notable Trees by Frank Kaputa | Lecture & Lunch
Frank Kapua’s presentation will introduce the Notable Trees project, share its history, and explain what makes a tree notable in our state. Pictures and information about various notable trees will be included, with an emphasis on trees in the Hartford area, especially those in Elizabeth Park.
Frank Kaputa is the co-chair of the Connecticut’s Notable Trees project. Frank has been involved with the project since 2005, and has been involved with all aspects of it, including measuring and photographing trees, public outreach, and the database and website. Frank is a software engineer who lives in Glastonbury.
Lecture & Lunch $48
Wednesday, April 17
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Click HERE to Register.
Ecological Approaches to Garden Design and Management with Harland Patch
April 18, 2024
Live and on Zoom
Elmwood Community Center
1106 New Britain Avenue, West Hartford, CT
Free for members; non-members register here.
Zoom links are automatically sent to members the Sunday before and the day of the presentation.
Ecological approaches to garden design and management are hallmarks of 21st century gardening. Until recently most approaches have been adapted for aesthetic reasons or for the ill-defined goal of supporting biodiversity. Much of the interest in ecological gardens comes from concerns about declining biodiversity and degradation of natural spaces. But the processes underlying ecological declines remain poorly understood by gardeners and designers therefore limiting the ability to create a truly sustainable garden aesthetic. Recent advances in pollination science from the landscape level to genetics can greatly inform the creation and management of ecological gardens.
Dr. Harland Patch focuses his research on many aspects of pollinator biology from genes to landscapes. His current research on understanding the biological mechanisms associated with bee nutrition and how nutrition, in turn, affects bee health. Dr. Patch is working with collaborators to understand the underlying factors that contribute to pollinator host plant choice, including the role of annual and perennial cultivars to support pollinator populations. This includes developing an easy-to-use digital tool to determine which cultivars support pollinators. He is scientific advisor and Director of Pollinator Programming at Penn State’s Bird and Pollinator Garden, a recently built 4-acre garden based on scientific research. He is also involved in ongoing projects to determine the causes of pollinator declines in the US and in Africa. Dr. Patch has taught Molecular Ecology, Pollination Biology and an undergraduate course on honey bees, among other classes.
Free for members; $10 suggested non-member donation. After the event, you’ll receive a recorded copy of the talk.
CANCELED BECAUSE IT CONFLICTS WITH EARTH DAY FAMILY FESTIVAL SET-UP.
Join the Bristol Garden Club and Blithewold to experience the breadth of colors, forms, and sizes now available in daffodils! Daffodil enthusiasts proudly display their flowers individually and in arrangements as they compete for awards and share their enthusiasm. The display will begin in Blithewold’s historic Carriage House Visitors Center and continue with floral arrangements placed throughout the first floor of the Mansion.
Included with regular admission.
Interested in competing? Click here for a detailed description of the competition criteria and schedule.
The West Hartford Garden Club will have a table at this Earth Day event.
Rain date 4/21/24: Earth Day at Blue Back Square (see Earth Day flyer). The West Hartford Garden Club is one of the event sponsors. At our booth, which we are sharing with UCONN Master Gardeners, attendees will be able to make native wildflower seed balls, using soil leftover from winter sowing and seeds leftover from our Seed Saving/Seed Swap last fall. Hope you’ll come and support our event! ALSO, we were approved for a 100% Sustainable CT grant, which is contingent on collecting 75 donations (in any amount) through this link: Project Earth Day. We have 4 days left to go from 23 to 75 contributors! Can you help? These funds will help to pay for tables for participating groups to use, the Puppet Parade, and more!
Join the Bristol Garden Club and Blithewold to experience the breadth of colors, forms, and sizes now available in daffodils! Daffodil enthusiasts proudly display their flowers individually and in arrangements as they compete for awards and share their enthusiasm. The display will begin in Blithewold’s historic Carriage House Visitors Center and continue with floral arrangements placed throughout the first floor of the Mansion.
Included with regular admission.
Interested in competing? Click here for a detailed description of the competition criteria and schedule.
Please remember to bring your favorite gardening tools for weeding and pruning.
If it is raining on your scheduled day, the rain date will be the next day.
Meredith Barges, Co-Chair of the Lights Out CT Program, will be speaking.
Please bring your favorite tools for weeding and pruning. A co-chair will arrive at the garden by 8:30 a.m.
PARKING: Parking will be in the paved lot next to the Amos Bull House on South Prospect Street. We encourage you to carpool as space is limited.
We plan to work if the rain is light. If it is pouring, you will get a cancellation call by 8:00 a.m.