February 6, 2005
Arboretum Winterfest: A Full Agenda on a Beautiful Day
If you didn't go to The Arboretum Saturday, February 5th, you missed one of the best events of Winterfest, and the only day the Arboretum is open during the winter.
The folks that run "The Arb" put together a delightful and very complete program of events. This entry will only cover some of those activities most directly related to our Master Naturalist pursuits.
Even if there had been NO special programs or activities, it would have been a great day to visit and walk along in the deep snows and observe the plants and animals in their winter mode of operations around the pond, along the paths, or under the trees. Winds were calm, the sun bright, the pines fragrant.
The Arb staff and volunteers had warm drinks and refreshments in the Visitor Center and the Horticulture Building. In both places, juvenile humans could be observed collecting chocolate-covered pretzels in large quantities, some to be eaten right away, and some hoarded in paper cups or pockets, to be eaten later. Obviously a behavioral adaption to those times when chocolate-covered pretzels are scarce.
Filling in on short notice for Tony Nester, out with "The Flagstaff Crud", Dr Nancy Muleady-Mecham provided snowy tours of pond, meadow, and forest in winter, using the opportunities to talk about plant and animal lifestyles in winter.
Dr Gwen Waring also was on hand and led walks that focused on the ways that trees and shrubs cope with the altered availability of water and energy in winter.
Susan Ruble from High Country Raptors, a licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator in Flagstaff, brought some of her rehab patients to show and discuss. The Harris' Hawk in the photo, Parabuteo unicinctus, was absolutely beautiful.
The Arboretum put together this one-day program at the behest of the Winterfest organizers. Attendance was light, much lighter than last year, with fewer visitors from the valley, based on recollections by staff. After having spent funds for staffing and plowing roads, etc., this was both a surprise and concern to Arb staff. Of course, the beautiful day probably worked against attendance, sending skiers to the Snowbowl, not to mention coinciding with Superbowl weekend. Advertising and scheduling will deserve an extra hard look next year. Having The Arb open for a day or so at the peak of winter is such a good thing, it would be sad to see it left out of the calendar.
Posted by hargers at February 6, 2005 4:24 PM