Posts Tagged ‘Birmingham Botanical Gardens’
Tuesday, January 22nd, 2013
Spencer Lecture – Andrea Wulf: Chasing Venus: The Race to Measure the Heavens – Thursday, March 7 | 10:30 a.m.
Birmingham Botanical Gardens is delighted to welcome Andrea Wulf for the second year, offering a second lecture in the Spencer Lecture Series to complement Ben Page’s talk. This summer an extremely rare celestial event took place – the transit of Venus. In the eighteenth century the transit held the answer for one of the most pressing questions of the age: the size of the solar system. This would require triangulated data to be compiled from various exact points dotted all around the four corners of the globe – all taken simultaneously during the short period of the actual transit. Hundreds of astronomers from European countries and the North American colonies were dispatched across the world to observe the rare celestial encounter. At a time when war was tearing Europe and much of the rest of the world apart, they overcame political, geographical and intellectual boundaries. CHASING VENUS is rich with tales of obsession, featuring Catherine the Great and Captain Cook as well as Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon, Benjamin Franklin and American astronomer David Rittenhouse. In CHASING VENUS, New York Times Best Selling and award-winning author Andrea Wulf tells the extraordinary story of the first global scientific collaboration set amid warring armies, hurricanes, scientific endeavour and personal tragedy. It’s a story bursting with action, wonderful detail and scientific excitement, revealing the spirit of the Enlightenment and man’s quest to understand the world.
To reserve your seat online, visit www.bbgardens.org/spencerlecture.
Tags:Andrea Wulf, Andrew Krebbs, Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Blake Ells, Fred Spicer, Spencer Lecture, The Gardens
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Tuesday, January 22nd, 2013
Snow Day at The Gardens
On the afternoon of Thursday, January 17, The Gardens transformed into a Winter Wonderland as Birmingham was hit with heavy snowfall. Despite its brief stay, we managed to capture a few gorgeous images of Alabama’s largest living museum blanketed. Enjoy!
Tags:Andrew Krebbs, Birmingham, Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Blake Ells, snow, The Gardens
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Friday, January 18th, 2013
Spencer Lecture – Ben Page: Traditions and Transitions – Thursday, March 7 | 6:30 p.m.
Ben Page comes to Birmingham Botanical Gardens for an intriguing talk titled “Traditions and Transitions.” This beautifully illustrated talk weaves together some historical threads (going back as far as ancient Rome) as well as some history of Belle Meade (area of Nashville where Cheekwood is located).Page will share the influence of landscape architect Bryant Fleming and his personal approach to garden design. He’ll offer a modern relevance and provide context through work he has done on Birmingham-area gardens.
The founding partner in the Nashville-based firm Page/Duke, Ben received a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree with honors from the University of Georgia in 1973. A recipient of a 2009 Aurora Award (a design competition for the Southeast Building Conference) and the 2002 Metro Nashville Historical Commission’s Preservation Award, he is a member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Southern Garden History Society.
Largely influenced by their childhood experiences in — and love for — the countryside, Page/Duke has expanded the firm’s focus to include equine-management facilities, hunting-plantation management and master planning for environmentally based communities. The goal for every project, whether an expansive public space or an intimate secret garden, is to create a seamless integration of the built environment and its surroundings.
Page/Duke’s impressive national clientele spans the Southeast, the Atlantic Seaboard and Texas. The firm’s work has appeared in numerous magazines such as Veranda, House Beautiful, Traditional Home and Architectural
Digest, and its projects have been featured on HGTV’s “Secret Gardens.”
Tags:Andrew Krebbs, Ben Page, Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Blake Ells, Spencer Lecture, The Gardens
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Monday, January 14th, 2013
Kerry Smith – Alabama Cooperative Extension System
On January 24, Birmingham Botanical Gardens welcomes Kerry Smith as the featured speaker at the 48th Annual Member Celebration.
Kerry Smith is the Home Grounds team Co-leader in the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. Working with County and Regional Extension personnel she develops, supports and delivers programs that inspire smart yards for home landscapes. Kerry is also the State Program Coordinator for the Alabama Master Gardener Program, a large volunteer group assisting the same mission of promoting sustainable, smart yard landscapes.
Most recently Kerry was an Interpretive Horticulturist with the Education Department at Callaway Gardens. She has also been a school teacher, an estate gardener, and many things in between.
A native of north Florida, she earned a Master of Science in Ornamental Horticulture from Auburn University with a minor in Urban Forestry. She inherited a love of flowers from her mother’s daylilies and an appreciation of the earth from her father’s vegetable rows. Her family now includes Chris, her husband and avid plant rescuer, and a 19 lb. menace named Scooby.
To learn more about the Annual Member Celebration, visit www.bbgardens.org/annualdinner. There, you can also reserve your seats online.
Tags:ACES, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Andrew Krebbs, Annual Member Celebration, Auburn University, Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Blake Ells, Kerry Smith, Member Celebration
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Tuesday, December 18th, 2012
Inaugural Dirt Dash 5K Fun Run/Walk
Junior Board of Birmingham Botanical Gardens presented the inaugural Dirt Dash 5K Fun Run/Walk on November 17. Over 200 runners and walkers competed in various age groups, utilizing the paths and trails of Alabama’s largest living museum. The overall winner Julien Bousquet, who completed the run in 17:48.7. For a complete list of winners in each age group, visit http://championship-racing.com/results/2012/2012-BotanicalGardens-DirtDash5K.htm.
Tags:Andrew Krebbs, Birmingham, Birmingham 5K, Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Birmingham run, Blake Ells, Dirt Dash, Dirt Dash 5K, Julien Bousquet, Junior Board of Birmingham Botanical Gardens, The Gardens
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Tuesday, December 18th, 2012
(Carolyn and Henry Ray)
2013 Fall Donor Event
On November 1, Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens held its annual Fall DonorAppreciation Event at the Swann House owned by Daniel and Brooke Coleman. Nearly 100donors gathered for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at the Magic City landmark. Among guests in attendance were Robert and Holly de Buys, Margi Ingram, Lyle Hohnke, Zachary Westall, Brad White, Diana Slaughter, Philip Morris, Barbara Sauer, Scott and Kelley Walton, William and Carolyn Satterfield, Thomas and Cathy Adams, Frances Blount, Tom and Elizabeth Broughton, Barbara Burton, Mike and Paula Rushing, Gene and Chris Boles, June Mays and Charles and Cheryl Mayer. A toast was raised to outgoing board president Henry Ray, while the group welcomed Tricia Noble into the position for 2013 and 2014.
(Alleen Cater, Lyle Hohnke)
(Bill and Carolyn Satterfield)
(Brad White and Barbara Saurer)
(Brooke and Daniel Coleman)
(Charles and Cheryl Mayer)
(Diana Slaughter, Brooke Coleman, Renee Blalock)
(Frances Blount, Dorothy Taloe, Margi Ingram)
(Gene and Chris Boles)
(Henry Ray, Margi Ingram)
(Holly and Bob de Buys)
(Leo and Jackie Shaia, Phillip Morris)
(Lou Willie and Cindy Comford)
(Natalie Lee, Joy Kloess)
(Kelley and Scott Walton)
(Zack Westall Tiffany and Cliff Campbell Andrew Urbain)
Tags:Alleen Cater, Andrew Krebbs, Barbara Saurer, Bill Satterfield, Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Blake Ells, Bob de Buys, Brad White, Brooke Coleman, Campbell, Carolyn Ray, Carolyn Satterfield, Charles Mayer, Cheryl Mayer, Chris Boles, Cindy Comford, Cliff Campbell Andrew Urbain, Daniel Coleman, Diana Slaughter, Dorothy Taloe, Fall Donor Event, Frances Blount, Gene Bole, Henry Ray, Holly de Buys, Jackie Shaia, Joy Kloess, Kelley Walton, Leo Shaia, Lou Willie, Lyle Hohnke, Margi Ingram, Natalie Lee, Phillip Morris, Renee Blalock, Scott Walton, The Gardens, Zack Westall Tiffany
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Monday, December 17th, 2012
(L to R: Director of Library Services Hope Long, Cathy Adams, Volunteer Coordinator Taylor Steele)
Volunteers honored at annual Birmingham Botanical Gardens luncheon
On Thursday, December 13, Birmingham Botanical Gardens held its annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon, recognizing the time donated by those that assist in the achievement of The Gardens’ educational mission. Cathy Adams was presented the Ida C. Burns Volunteer of the Year award for her continual service in many areas of the organization and her significant impact on The Gardens. Ann Katholi was awarded the A. Brand Walton, Jr. Unsung Hero of the Year for her independent and “behind the scenes” contributions. Birmingham Audubon Society was recognized as the Birmingham Botanical Gardens Partner of the Year for helping The Gardens to multiply its effort and achieve its mission. Betsy Fleenor was awarded the Birmingham Botanical Gardens Plantperson of the Year for sharing her plant knowledge and skills with other individuals who volunteer. Sallie Lee was awarded Educator of the Year for her educational efforts promoting public knowledge and appreciation of plants, gardens and the environment.
The potluck luncheon was held in Strange Auditorium from 11:30 – 1 p.m. Music was provided by the Crestwood Trio.
(L to R: Betsy Fleenor, Ann Katholi, Sallie Lee, Ty Keith, Helena Uber-Wamble (Keith and Uber-Wamble are with Birmingham Audubon Society))
Tags:Andrew Krebbs, Ann Katholi, Betsy Fleenor, Birmingham Audubon Society, Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Blake Ells, Cathy Adams, Fred Spicer, Helena Uber-Wamble, Hope Long, Sallie Lee, Taylor Steele, The Gardens, Ty Keith, Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon
Posted in News, Photos, Volunteers | No Comments »
Wednesday, November 14th, 2012
Southern Tales returns to The Gardens on December 9
Join Dolores Hydock and Bobby Horton of Three on a String for a collection of stories, songs and sing-a-longs sure to entertain! Hydock will share a collection of stories that will make you laugh, make you think and make you remember home, while Horton will provide a soundtrack of new and familiar holiday tunes and lead sing-a-longs of your favorite carols! This unique event will take place in the Linn-Henley Lecture Hall on Sunday, December 9 at 2 p.m. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.bbgardens.org/southerntales. Check out photos from last year’s event!
Tags:Andrew Krebbs, Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Blake Ells, Bobby Horton, Dolores Hydock, Hope Long, Phyllis Sutton, Southern Tales, The Gardens, Three on a String
Posted in Education, Events, Photos | No Comments »
Monday, November 5th, 2012
A message from Executive Director Fred Spicer
My employer, Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens, is not a political organization. However, with a mission to educate people about plants, gardens and the environment, we feel an obligation to urge you to support Alabama’s Forever Wild program by voting “yes” on ballot Amendment 1 on November 6. As an organization that places high value on the native plants that sustain the extraordinarily high biodiversity of our state, fifth highest in the nation, we hope that you will support this important program that is doing exactly that. At the same time, it is securing the future of Alabama’s wildest places for future generations of Alabama residents and visitors, making these places accessible to the public, and doing so in a wonderfully economical and sustainable manner. Personally, I think when groups as diverse as the National Rifle Association and the Sierra Club (among dozens of others) are on the same side of an issue, we all ought to take notice. Rarely do we have such a chance to seize this special piece of common ground for the benefit of so many both now and in the future.
To get all the facts on this important issue, to learn how Forever Wild uses no tax dollars and how the land must be purchased only from willing sellers at market prices, go to www.alabamaforforeverwild.org. Your vote will help secure Alabama’s beautiful and unique natural heritage.
Tags:Alabama Forever Wild, Alabama voting, Amendment 1, Andrew Krebbs, Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Blake Ells, Forever Wild, Fred Spicer, The Gardens
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Monday, October 29th, 2012
Birmingham Botanical Gardens Joins Reforestation Effort at George Ward Park
On Saturday, October 27, Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens staff members joined the Glen Iris Neighborhood Association and volunteers from Impact Alabama in an effort to replant George Ward Park. Over time, many of the trees in the park have vanished due to mowing. With the support of Little Garden Club and Red Mountain Garden Club, this five-year project continued on Saturday.
Tags:Andrew Krebbs, Birmingham, Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Blake Ells, Fred Spicer, George Ward Park, Glen Iris Neihborhood Association, Henry Hughes, Impact Alabama, The Gardens
Posted in Gardening, News, Photos, Volunteers | No Comments »
