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Happy New Year!
We at the Arboretum want to wish you a happy, healthy, and prosperous new year. We are most grateful to you, our wonderful members, volunteers, donors, and supporters, for helping us stay strong so we can continue our important work.
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"Hero for the Planet" Peter Raven to Speak
Wednesday, January 18
2-3 p.m., UC Davis Conference Center Ballroom B
Free and open to the public
Dr. Peter Raven, former director of the Missouri Botanical Garden, will speak on "Saving Life, Saving Ourselves" as part of the College of Biological Sciences' prestigious Storer Lectureship seminar series. Dr. Raven, a leading botanist and advocate of conservation and biodiversity, is George Engelmann Professor of Botany Emeritus at Washington University in St. Louis, and a Trustee of the National Geographic Society and Chairman of the Society's Committee for Research and Exploration. He was described by TIME magazine as a "Hero for the Planet," and has received numerous awards, including a Macarthur "genius" grant and the National Medal of Science, the highest award for scientific accomplishment in the United States.
The following day, Dr. Raven will be part of a master planning session with our UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden team, to help us consider the future of our plant collections and envision a new campus-wide public garden and a sustainable, engaging, visitor-friendly campus.
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Oak Grove Meadow Conversion Provides Turtle Habitat
About three weeks after seeding, we have germination at the Oak Grove Meadow! One of the pilot projects for the new public garden initiative, this conversion project was designed to decrease water usage and maintenance needs for a little-used lawn. The turf was removed, the irrigation system was upgraded, and the area was seeded with a mix of native grasses: purple needlegrass (45%), meadow barley (21%), California oniongrass (10%), June grass (7%), and squirrel tail (17%). These were once prominant species in California grasslands before invasive annual grasses crowded them out.
Western pond turtle (Clemmys marmorata) Photo by James Bettaso Turtle researchers at UC Davis have indicated that this meadow should provide vital nesting habitat for the native Western pond turtles in the Arboretum waterway. Our team will be working closely with researchers and campus units to coordinate maintenance in this area to protect the turtles.
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Oak Circle of Life Tiles Installed
 In December the finishing touches were put on the Oak Circle of Life mosaic, located at the entrance of the Peter J. Shields Oak Grove just west of the Gazebo. This stunning art piece was created by students and community members working with the UC Davis Art-Science Fusion Program and the Arboretum.
Each of the 43 hand-crafted ceramic mosaic tiles represents one part of the life cycle of a mighty oak tree. Together they form an interlocking pattern on the south seatwall at the entry to the Shields Oak Grove. These tiles can be dedicated to honor a loved one or commemorate a special event.
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Coming Events
Walk With Warren
Wednesday, January 11
12 noon, Gazebo
Tour the plant collections with Superintendent Emeritus Warren Roberts
Folk Music Jam Session
Friday, January 20
12-1 p.m., Wyatt Deck
Musicians bring their acoustic instruments and play together informally over the lunch hour. Listeners welcome!
Build a Wild Home
Sunday, February 5
1-5 p.m., Arboretum Gazebo
Rain location: 146 Envir. Hort.
Join the Wild Campus student group to build bird, owl, bat, and bee boxes that will later be installed in the Arboretum and on campus. All ages welcome--adults will need to supervise their children. Bring a hammer and something to kneel on. No early sign-up required, but you can reserve a project by emailing your name and your preferred project to WildCampus411@gmail.com. The event is free.
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