Our Program on Tuesday, August 8th was Jennifer Peterson giving an Update of the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Her presentation was amazing and included goings-on at both the Arboretum and other outreach programs. Historically the Arboretum star
ted in 1908 as part of the U of M’s “outpost” Horticultural Research Center. Some famous results of that research were the development of the Honey Crisp Apple and the Itasca Grape for wine making. 2018 will be the 110th BD of the Arboretum. The current 1200 acre site of the Arboretum was established in 1958 and continues to grow and serve Minnesotans. Briefly stated their Mission is to welcome, inform and inspire Minnesotans and their Vision is to become the premier northern United States landscape arboretum. USA Today just recently named the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum as #1 in the nation! We all love going out to the “Arb” to see the flowers, plants, trees, shrubs and grasses. However it has become a field trip destination with over 40,000 trips by schools and organizations. The Pollinator Center is a buzz of activity with displays of bees, honey extraction, bee friendly flowers and plants and surrounded by demonstration plots with observation stations. Let’s not forget the new Chinese Garden that will open later this summer featuring a pond with an island, a gift from China of three mountain boulders weighing 35 tons and the pagoda to mark Phase I in the development of the garden.
ted in 1908 as part of the U of M’s “outpost” Horticultural Research Center. Some famous results of that research were the development of the Honey Crisp Apple and the Itasca Grape for wine making. 2018 will be the 110th BD of the Arboretum. The current 1200 acre site of the Arboretum was established in 1958 and continues to grow and serve Minnesotans. Briefly stated their Mission is to welcome, inform and inspire Minnesotans and their Vision is to become the premier northern United States landscape arboretum. USA Today just recently named the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum as #1 in the nation! We all love going out to the “Arb” to see the flowers, plants, trees, shrubs and grasses. However it has become a field trip destination with over 40,000 trips by schools and organizations. The Pollinator Center is a buzz of activity with displays of bees, honey extraction, bee friendly flowers and plants and surrounded by demonstration plots with observation stations. Let’s not forget the new Chinese Garden that will open later this summer featuring a pond with an island, a gift from China of three mountain boulders weighing 35 tons and the pagoda to mark Phase I in the development of the garden. Jennifer said that the Arboretum also has an outreach youth program called Growing Good to teach kids in two different age groups about growing foods, science skills, healthy diets and marketing to restaurants. There are special sites and programs going on throughout the year and invites us all to come out for lunch, walk the three mile course and take in the beauty of the Landscape Arboretum.
Rotary International News: As many of you know Sam Owori our RI President-Elect 2018-19 died suddenly this summer. The RI Nominating Committee met on August 8th and has selected Barry Rassin of the Rotary Club of East Nassau, Bahamas. Barry has been a dedicated Rotarian for 37 years and has served his district and served on the RI Board of Directors and is a motivating and inspiring Rotarian to lead us in the 2018-19.