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Greetings!
The butterflies are coming! Texas Discovery Gardens staff has now moved from our temporary offices in the Portland Cement House to the main building. Plants have been installed in the Butterfly House, and we will soon open our doors to the new building.
Thank you for being patient as we've been putting the finishing touches on our butterfly house and building. Read on for fun August activities, and stay tuned for our packed September schedule!
Happy Gardening,
The staff at Texas Discovery Gardens
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August Events
EARTH-KIND ® Environmental Stewardship Day
When: Saturday, August 15, 2009 Time: 9 am to 3 pm Cost: Free!
Come out for this annual day-long series of classes brought to you by the Dallas County Master Gardeners and the Texas AgriLife Extension Service. Learn about WaterWise gardening, water conservation, and environmental stewardship for home owners. Bring a sack lunch and enjoy the beauty of the gardens. Attendees will be able to enter the Gardens for free.
Caterpillar Crawl
When: Saturday, August 15 Time: 10 am to 11 am
Cost: Free With Paid Garden Admission: $3/adults, $1.50 for kids ages 3-11, and $2 for seniors. Become a Garden member and enter for free!
Go on a caterpillar search as we show you creepy crawly wonders! This is a great introduction to the world of butterflies. Program appropriate for ages 2 and up.
The butterflies are coming! Celebrate with us September 12 and 13
A ribbon cutting by WFAA's Gloria Campos will kick off the weekend opening of the Rosine Smith Sammons Butterfly House and Insectarium. Children's crafts by the Junior League of Dallas and performances by local entertainers including the Lake Highlands Wildcat Wranglers and John Rainone, butterfly balloon artist, will entertain families all weekend. James French photography will be on hand to help families commemorate the occasion. We'd also like to give a big thanks to our wonderful sponsors for Grand Opening events, including Calloway's Nursery, Half Price Books, Preservation Tree Services, Southwest Airlines, Starbucks and WRR 101.1 FM.
A word from our friends: Go Pink at TDG! 
In November, thousands of men and women will unite for the Breast Cancer 3-Day by walking 60 miles to support finding a cure for breast cancer.
On Saturday, August 22 and Sunday, August 23, Go Pink at Texas Discovery Gardens will be raising money for this community walk. Photo sessions will be offered for a $25.00 donation, and items for purchase will include t-shirts and photography. Net proceeds benefit the Susan G. Komen for the Cure and National Philanthropic Trust, funding important breast cancer research, education, screening, and treatment.
There are a limited number of photo sessions available, so please email Alison Epps at aliepps@sbcglobal.net for more information.
Photo by Andrew Epps
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August Tip: Fuzz for the Facts
In September, the "Pollination Partnerships of Texas" and "Global Swarming: Reflection and Exploration of Colony Collapse Disorder" exhibits will be opening in our newly renovated building. (The Butterfly House opens Sept. 12). Here is a pollinator preview:
Pausing for pollinators. More than 90% of the world's flowering plants need pollinators to survive. This means that bees, hummingbirds, butterflies, moths, and bats are vital for much of our food crops, fibers, and medicine.
Bee-lining for pollen, not people. As long as we don't interfere with their pollination process, bees will busily ignore us. Because bees have high energy needs, they are always searching for colorful flowers filled with nectar and pollen. At the center of many of these flowers is a nectar guide that directs bees to the pollen. Invisible to humans, the region reflects ultraviolet light that bees can easily detect.
Disappearing honeybees. For the past couple of years, honeybee numbers have been depleting around the world, especially in North America. Although not much is known about this phenomenon called Colony Collapse Disorder, researchers think pesticides, malnutrition, viruses, or even cell phone radiation could be factors.
Editor's Note: A big thanks to our ExxonMobil Community Summer Jobs Program intern, Emily Vick! She has done so much for us this summer, including making educational signage for the Gardens, preparing for our Grand Opening, and writing fun facts like the August Tip. Thanks, Emily!
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In Cultivation ...
Upcoming Exhibits
All exhibits are daily from 10 am to 5 pm
Global Swarming: Reflection and Exploration of Colony Collapse Disorder
When: September 1 to January 4, 2010
Exhibit pricing: Included in Garden Admission
Where would we be without pollinators in the natural world? How would this affect food production? Learn about Colony Collapse Disorder, a phenomenon affecting honeybees created by pesticides, introduced pathogens, viruses and possibly genetically modified foods, in this exhibit. Research is ongoing in this critical area. To illuminate this plight, Texas WAX/Dallas has created a group show called Global Swarming.
Pollination Partnerships of Texas
When: September 1 to November 30
Exhibit pricing: Included in Garden Admission
Sponsored by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, this exhibit will address the amazing plant and pollinator relationship, common Texas pollinators and the ecological services they provide, and what can be done to protect them. Unfortunately, there has been a decline in the numbers of certain kinds of pollinators and the native plants on which they depend.
Organic Couture: Classic and Sustainable
the Ross Bennett Collection
When: September 3 to October 19
Exhibit pricing: Included in Garden Admission
Dramatic fashion designs by Austin-based Ross Bennett explore the benefits of organic and natural fibers like cotton, hemp and bamboo. Learn how the Organic Certification process includes inspections of fields and facilities and testing of soil and water. As we become more environmentally aware, support and reliance on these "Certified Organic" products will grow.
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