February 2018
NATURE’S NOTEBOOK VOLUNTEER TRAINING
For Master Gardeners, Naturalists & other outdoor lovers!
Saturday, February 17, 9:00 a.m. to Noon
The Arboretum, in partnership with the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, will be hosting a general volunteer training session called Nature’s Notebook, a national phenology program that prepares professional and citizen scientists to record long-term observations of plant and animal life stages. Phenology is the study of the timing of the biological events in plants in animals such a flowering, leafing, hibernation, migration and reproduction. This is an excellent opportunity for Master Gardeners and Naturalists, as well as other outdoor lovers to learn how to observe, record and report changes occurring along the Gulf Coast Phenology Trail. Although the training is free, a brief commitment to help monitor our coastal trails is required. Reservations required. See gulfcoastphenologytrail@gmail.com or visit https://fws.usanpn.org/GulfCoastPhenologyTrail. Class size is limited, sign up early.
PRESCRIBED FIRE WORKSHOP
Saturday, February 3, 9:00 AM to Noon
($10 program fee includes lunch).
Learn the basics for conducting prescribed burns including reasons why to manage land through burning, equipment, ignition techniques, fuel types, factors affecting a burn such as weather elements (humidity, temperature, wind) as well as how to plan and conduct a burn: rules, safety precautions, proper technique, regulations, notifications, and burn associations, with Forestry Extension Associate Butch Bailey, and Arboretum grounds manager and certified burn manager Terry Johnson. Cost is $10 per attendee; includes lunch. Space is limited, reservations requested. Call 601-799-2311 to sign up. The Arboretum office is open Wed – Sun from 9 AM to 5 PM. Pay class fee on the day of the workshop. The visitor center is a 400 foot walk from the parking area on Ridge Road. Please call ahead if you need special accommodations, and arrive at 8:45 to register and get settled in. This workshop has been rescheduled from Feb. 17.
PRESCRIBED FIRE DEMONSTRATIONS
Thursdays and Fridays in January and
February, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Observe fire management techniques during a prescribed burn of the Arboretum’s savanna areas by Certified Burn Manager Terry Johnson. Call the Arboretum office at 9:00 a.m. to confirm the weather conditions are favorable for the burn to proceed, and to register for this activity. Free for members; Cost of admission for non-members. Persons under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
PINE NEEDLE BASKETRY WORKSHOP
Saturday, February 24 (Please choose time:)
10:00 a.m. to Noon, or 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Join Judy Breland, Stone County Extension Agent, for this adult workshop on pine needle basket-making. Participants can complete a small basket by the workshop’s end and will learn methods for continuing with future projects. Wear old clothes. All materials will be provided. Materials fee, $5 for members; $7 for non-members. Reservations requested. Class is limited to 10 persons per session, in order to avoid overcrowding.