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.

Fall Bulb Planting Date

It's not to soon to plan on coming to the May Arboretum for a day of community service and fun.  The date isn't final yet but we are planning on a Saturday in October.  We will be planting bulbs in the Arboretum.  Hope all of you got by the Arboretum this spring to see the beautiful daffodils that were planted at last year's Fall Bulb Planting Day.  As soon as the date is confirmed we will post it here so you can mark your calendars.  The Botanical Society plans to have bulbs for sale to the public as a fundraiser for the Arboretum.  We are going to try and have some unusual bulbs not always available in locale stores

Botanical Society’s Plant Sale raises $10,000 for Wilbur May Arboretum

. The Rancho San Rafael Botanical Society will donate $10,000 to Washoe County’s Wilbur D. May Arboretum and Botanical Garden thanks to the success of this year’s plant sale. Proceeds from the sale will be used to support general operations, capitol improvements, maintenance, supplies and seasonal employment at the arboretum.

“The absolutely glorious weather helped bring out a wonderful crowd of customers and every single plant was sold,” Plant Sale Chairperson Connie Douglas said. “We want to thank all the local garden-lovers who showed their support for the May Arboretum by shopping at the sale.”

Douglas said that much of the credit for this year’s successful sale goes to the many volunteers who supported the effort. More than 40 volunteers logged 475 hours to prepare for and work at the plant sale.

Many of the plants were grown and cared for by Society volunteers such as Carol and Howard Thomas, Susan Lester, Marilynn Clarke, Errett Fuchs, Marsha Ross and Janet Thelan. Others were donated by local nurseries including, Dry Creek Garden Company, The Garden Shop, and Lavender Ridge. Home Depot donated potting soil.

Local artist and Society member Nancy Peppin compiled the pre-sale plant catalog.

The Rancho San Rafael Botanical Society was created to support the Wilbur D. May Arboretum and Botanical Garden. Membership is open to any person, family or group interested in the arboretum and its collections. Society volunteers help out through a variety of activities from garden work to garden tours.
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.

Important Membership Information

Members not current on their dues will be dropped from our membership list as of August 1, 2010.

Don't let this happen to YOU! Think about how much will miss receiving this great newsletter. Most of all you won't be able to receive one of our new Membership 2010-2011 coupon books, full of great discounts at local businesses. If you renew today we mail you one of these books and you will stay current until June 2011. As always we appeciate your support.

Annual Plant Sale June 5th 2010

Thank you US Bank for providing space to promote the Rancho San Rafael Botanical Society.  The lobby at the Virginia Street Branch has numerous brochures for the taking, along with flyers for the upcoming June 5th plant sale.

Arboretum Office, RSR Park
Annual Plant Sale - Saturday, June 5, 8:00 am - Noon

Native and ornamental plant sale hosted and sponsored by Rancho San Rafael Botanical Society volunteers. Come early to have the best choice. Learn about the plants from Society members. They sell tried and true plants and are priced right! This fundraiser benefits the May Arboretum. Only cash and local checks will be accepted. For you early birds, organic brewed coffee from Blind Dog Coffee will be available for sale.

Arbor Day Celebrated

In spite of the cool April weather, several visitors came for the Arbor Day tour led by Bill Carlos.  One visitor was from South Carolina..  Another couple from Northern  California had read about the gardens in the AAA VIA magazine and decided to check it out. Coffee and donuts were provided by the Rancho San Rafael Botanical Society. Additional entertainment was provided by a visiting rabbitt and a Canadian goose nesting on the roof over the office.

NATIONAL PUBLIC GARDEN DAY!
 Fri. May 7th, 9:00-noon

Take a pleasant stroll through the Arboretum on National Public Garden Day. Join Arboretum's Bill Carlos, Horticulturist and staff on a guided tour of these magnificent gardens. Learn the history of the gardens and the species of plants that survive in our area. Tours will be offered every hour beginning at 9:00 am and continue through noon. Meet in front of the Arboretum office adjacent to the Ranch House. Bring a camera and a note pad. Be prepared, wear walking or hiking shoes and dress appropriately.