Annual Membership Appreciation Dinner

Rancho San Rafael Botanical Society
Annual Membership Appreciation Celebration
Thurs. Oct. 21, 2010 - 6PM
Rancho San Rafael Park, Ranch House
All members are invited to celebrate with the Society’s board members another successful year in supporting the May Arboretum.
Dinner this year will be "heavy" hors d'oeuvres and desserts. Following dinner there will be a short re-cap of the years’ events, election of next year’s board and a donation raffle.
Anyone wishing to bring hors d’oeuvres or dessert is welcome to do so, along with your favorite drink.
If you are interested in becoming a Board member, have questions regarding any donations, or would simply like to R.S.V.P. please contact
Connie Douglas at nevadaconnie@sbcglobal.net / 425-1305 or
Kass Kirkham, kskreno@hotmail.com / 826-7479.
We hope to see you there!

Winterizing Sprinkler Systems

May Arboreutm, Office RSR Park

Winterizing Sprinkler Systems - Sat. Oct. 23, 8:30 am-10:30am


Homeowners, learn how to turn off your sprinkler system and how to protect pipes from breaking over the winter. Join Horticulture Assistant Phil Brazier from the May Arboretum, in a hands-on workshop. Refreshments are sponsored by the Truckee Meadows Water Authority and Washoe County Department of Water Resources.



Ranch House, RSR Park

FALL COLOR TOURS AT THE MAY ARBORETUM

 

 Four guided walks offered in October

What:   Fall Color Tours at the Wilbur D. May Arboretum


When:    5:30 p.m. on Friday, October 1, 2010

            10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 9, 2010

             5:30 p.m. on Friday, October 15, 2010

          10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 23, 2010


Where:  Meet at the May Arboretum Office in Rancho San Rafael Regional Park,1595 N. Sierra St.

Cost:    Free

Details:    (775) 785-4153.

The Wilbur D. May Arboretum offers a series of guided fall color walks during October. Horticulturist Bill Carlos and Arboretum volunteers lead two Friday evening and two Saturday morning tours showing how the Arboretum is home to a dynamic array of color during the changing of the season thanks to the garden's large variety of trees and shrubs.

All tours are free and last about one hour. Participants should wear comfortable walking shoes.

"Fall is nature's last vibrant fling before settling down into winter," Carlos said. "This time of year we're lucky to live in the Sierra where summer's quiet green palette makes such a dramatic and beautiful transformation into the vivid reds, yellows, oranges and golds of autumn."

Volunteers Needed

Wilbur May Arboretum

All-age volunteer event to plant thousands of spring flowering bulbs on Saturday, October 2

Reno, Nevada. Washoe County’s Wilbur D. May Arboretum is looking for volunteers of all ages to help plant thousand of spring flowering bulbs during Beautification and Planting Day from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 2, 2010.

“This is a great volunteer opportunity for children,” Arboretum Horticulturist Bill Carlos said. “They’ll have fun planting the bulbs now and enjoy coming back in the spring to see all the color they helped to create.”

Beautification and Planting Day at the May Arboretum is sponsored, in part, by Rail City Garden Center, Rancho San Rafael Botanical Society and KKOH 780 News Talk Radio.

Those who want to help but cannot make it to the planting may sponsor bulbs through the Rail City. Sponsorships are $25 for 50 bulbs, $50 for 100 bulbs, or $100 for 200 bulbs. For more information, contact Bill Carlos at (775) 785-4153. Also Rancho San Rafael Botanical Society will be selling bulbs the day of the event. All proceeds benefit the May Arboretum.

To volunteer, please contact Stephanie D’Arcy at (775) 823-6514

The Wilbur D. May Arboretum and Botanical Garden is a living museum and active educational resource, illustrating how plant life adapts and survives in the rugged climate between the Sierra Nevada and Great Basin. The Arboretum was created in 1982 with funding from the Wilbur D. May Foundation. The Arboretum enjoys continued support from the Wilbur D. May Foundation, members of the Rancho San Rafael Botanical Society and the community at large. For more information, call (775) 785-4512 or visit www.washoecountyparks.com.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Visitor Center RSR Park

Fall Equinox Walk - Wed, Sept. 22, 6:30 pm - 7:00 pm

It's time to wind-down from the busy summer. Come celebrate and relax at the fall Equinox walking meditation at the Labyrinth garden. Join us in the twilight hours to learn about the healing and reflective qualities of these ancient gardens. Susan Stewart, Washoe County Librarian and Rancho San Rafael Botanical Society Volunteer.


Labyrinth Garden, RSR Park
Fall Garden Tours - Fri. Oct. 1, Sat. Oct. 9, Fri. Oct 15, & Sat. Oct 23.

Join Horticulturist Bill Carlos from the May Arboretum and Arboretum volunteers and for a series of fall walks though the gardens. Come and enjoy the dynamic fall colors. Friday tours begin at 5:30 pm, and Sat. tours begin at 10:00 am. weather permitting. Tours last one hour. Hiking shoes are suggested.

Dye With Deadheads to Make Wonderful Scarves - Sat. Sept 18, 10-1:00 pm

Marilynn Clarke, Botanical Society President and International expert in natural dyeing is offering a class on extracting dyes from your deadheads. She will also instruct you how use the die to color scarves. You will learn about dyeing fibers with plants from the garden. Supplies will be provided for $5.00. Class fee $30.00 for RSBS member and $40.00 for non members. All proceeds benefit the May Arboretum.

Botanical Society Receives Donation

Rancho San Rafael Botanical Society recently received a very generous donation from a local church.  The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Northern Nevada awarded the society with a check for $1029.27.  The donation was given to us as part of the church's "Share the Plate" program, where collections are made once a month for area non-profit organizations.  Thank you UUFNN!  We plan to use the money on improvements to the Arboretum's Rose Garden.