March Events

 MARCH INTO MAPLE TAPPING TIME AT THE MORTON ARBORETUM

 March Events and Activities Entertain Families of All Ages

LISLE, IL (December 12, 2011) – Pancakes wouldn’t be the same without trees! “Maple Tapping Time” shows how without trees, pancakes wouldn’t taste nearly as good. You and your family will learn about the history of maple tapping while actually watching a maple tree tapping. You’ll get to taste the sap fresh from the tree! After, enjoy a cozy picnic with pancakes, maple bacon and of course maple syrup! All ages. Costs $25 (discounts for Arboretum members). Register at mortonarb.org/education or call 630-719-2468. Thornhill Shelter and Outpost.
March 3 and 10: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Join us for the final “Chamber Concert” of the season! Harpsichordist ‘Trevor Stephenson’ rounds out a wonderful series. Hear music by Bach, Handel, and Scarlatti as you look over the Thornhill lawn on a wintry afternoon. Stephenson performs on an 18th-century double-manual German style harpsichord. This instrument was made in 2010 and modeled after an original c. 1719 instrument by Mietke. After the concert, enjoy a reception and wine tasting in the Founder’s Room while mingling with the musician and fellow guests. Adults. Costs $28 (discounts for Arboretum members). Tickets available at mortonarb.org; by phone: 630-725-2066, Monday-Friday; 10a.m.-3 p.m. or in person at The Visitor Center. Thornhill Education Center.
March 4: 2:15 - 4:15

Hundreds of thousands of Serbian spruce trees once rolled across the landscape of Europe. Now, fewer than 1,000 remain in the wild. Enhance your tree knowledge about spruces and other trees and learn how you can help in “Vanishing Acts: Trees Under Threat.” A small outdoor exhibit premiered at The Morton Arboretum and also travels to other arboreta and botanical gardens across the United States spreading the ever important message: Save Our Trees. All ages. Free with Arboretum admission. Conifer Collections.
Now- September 3, 2012: 7 a.m. - sunset.

Walk through the life of Jens Jensen. “Jens Jensen: Landscapes for People” takes you through a journey of Jensen’s landscape drawings, archival photographs and current photographs to introduce you to the wonderful philosophies and landscape style of Jens Jensen. This exhibit focuses on his 1939 book Siftings as an example of his naturalistic, prairie-inspired style of landscape design. As a major figure in American landscape architecture, Jensen always centered his designs around the people. Aesthetically beautiful, but always an expression of the social impact of the land. All ages. Free with Arboretum admission. Sterling Morton Library.
Now - September 1, 2012: Tuesday - Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Take your child on an adventure through their imagination! “Arbor Reading Adventures” travels through the pages of an exciting nature-themed story before creating a fun craft. After, take a real outdoor journey on the grounds. Themes change each week. Suggested for ages 3 - 5; adults must accompany children. Costs $5 plus gate fee (discounts for Arboretum members). Register at mortonarb.org/education or call 630-719-2468. Sterling Morton Library. Wednesday and Fridays, now - March 31, 2012: 11 - 11:45 a.m.

A perk of membership! Arboretum members can participate in “Leafing Through the Pages: Member’s Book Discussion Group.” If you love nature-themed readings, light discussion and are members of The Morton Arboretum this is the group for you! Adults. Free to Arboretum members. For more information call 630-719-2430. Sterling Morton Library.
Second Thursday of every month: 10 a.m. - noon

Sterling Pond fans and photographers, we have a lunch for you! This “Lunch and Learn” topic covers ‘Photographing the Seasons at Sterling Pond.’ Follow one photographer’s 12 month journey around Sterling Pond through each season. Explore the magic this hidden gem in the Arboretum while enjoying a buffet lunch. Who knows, you may uncover an area you never knew existed!  Adults. Costs $29 (discounts for Arboretum members). Register at mortonarb.org/education or call 630-719-2468. Visitor Center.
March 14: 11:30 a.m. - 1p.m.

Baby buds turn into beautiful flowers! “Buds and Blossoms” takes your children into the world of tree buds. Discover different types of tree buds and hunt for them in the garden. This is a free hands-on discovery activity. All ages. Free with Arboretum admission. Children’s Garden.
Weekdays in March: 1 - 4 p.m.
Weekends in March 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Recycling can be beautiful! “Creating Mixed Media Collage Paper with Found Objects” shows you how to create colorful paper to use in a mixed media and collage. Discover which outdoor objects and items from around your home make great pieces for your art. All supplies included. Adults. Costs $71 (discounts for Arboretum members). Register at mortonarb.org/education or call 630-719-2468. Thornhill Education Center.
March 18: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Explore the new spring days with the Arboretum! Docents take you and your family on a guided tour explaining the culture and the horticulture surrounding the Spring Equinox. All ages. Free with Arboretum admission. Visitor Center.
March 18: 1 - 2 p.m.
March 21: 12 - 1 p.m.

Don’t wait for spring! “Early Spring Arrangements with Forced Branches and Bulbs” teaches you how to force spring blooms and bulbs to fill your house with colorful forsythia, crabapples, witch hazels and more! Make your own spring arrangement to take home. Adults. Costs $53 (discounts for Arboretum members). Register at mortonarb.org/education or call 630-719-2468. Thornhill Education Center.
March 18: 2 - 4 p.m.

Want a perennial garden, but not sure where to begin? “Creating Your Perennial Garden” teaches you how to look at your area, decide on a location and shape, and then how to prepare and plant. Susan Stone, horticulturist will walk you through each step and even help you narrow down a good selection of plants for beginners. Adults. Costs $49 (discounts for Arboretum members). Register at mortonarb.org/education or call 630-719-2468. Thornhill Education Center.
March 21 and 28: 1 - 3 p.m.

Love Orchids and art? Learn from popular artist Rhonda Nass in “Capturing Orchids with Colored Pencil.” She will show you how to capture the intricate beauty of the orchid in colored pencil. Orchids will be provided as models. Afterwards, each student may take their orchid home to enjoy. Adults. Costs $230 (discounts for Arboretum members). Register at mortonarb.org/education or call 630-719-2468. Research Building.
March 23 - 25: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.; April 21, 1 - 3:30 p.m.

The ‘ABC's’ with trees! Discover the letters that are related to nests in “‘N’ is for Nest.” Your kids learn about flying animals that build nests and lay eggs as you read a story, play bird games, and go on a short hike to look for mother birds sitting on their nests. Ages 3 -5 years with an adult. Costs $25 (discounts for Arboretum members). Register at mortonarb.org/education or call 630-719-2468. Thornhill Education Center.
March 24 and 27: 9:30 -11 a.m.  

What does a tree look like at your kids’ age? Find out at “My Tree Age.” We will show your kids how tall they would be if they were a tree, how different types of trees grow and make a special tree cookie necklace to take home. All ages. Free with Arboretum admission. Children’s Garden.
March 24 - 25: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Want a nice lawn, but don’t have the time? “Low Impact Lawn Care for Homeowners” gives you a basic understanding of turf grass and how these principles work in your lawn. Then learn methods to create a sustainable lawn that requires less water, fertilizer and pesticides. With this knowledge from Arboretum horticulturist, Alan Cartwright, you should be better prepared to maintain your lawn. Adults. Costs $36 (discounts for Arboretum members). Register at mortonarb.org/education or call 630-719-2468. Thornhill Education Center.
March 24: 1 - 4 p.m.

Celebrate spring! The “Spring Garden Party” has experts all around to help you create and care for plants, mix and match workable planting choices and find a good garden design for you. Adults. Costs TBD. Register at mortonarb.org/education or call 630-719-2468. Thornhill Education Center.
March 31 - April 1: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Your kids will hippity-hop down the bunny trail while searching for bunny nests, babies, and bunny tracks in the “Bunny Hop!” Looking adorable in bunny ears, they will play games, hear a story and make a fuzzy bunny craft to take home. For children ages 18 - 36 months with an adult. Costs $22 (discounts for Arboretum members). Register at mortonarb.org/education or call 630-719-2468. Thornhill Outpost.
March 31 and April 4: 9:30 - 10:45 a.m.

The Morton Arboretum gratefully acknowledges generous support from: Navistar: Presenting Sponsor of the Children’s Garden, UPM–The Biofore Company: Contributing Sponsor of Vanishing Acts; Wente Family Estates, the featured Wine Sponsor of the Arboretum; Cabot Cheese for their in-kind support of the Chamber Concerts; Edy’s Ice Cream; Illinois Arts Council, and Target sponsor of Reading Adventure Programs.

Unless otherwise specified, all Arboretum events and destinations including the Children’s Garden are free with Arboretum admission.

The 2012 rates are:
$12/adult, ($8 on Wednesday), ages 18-64
$11/senior, ($7 on Wednesday), ages 65 and over
$9/child ($6 on Wednesday), ages 2-17
Under age 2 is free. Parking is free

The Morton Arboretum is a world-renowned leader in tree science and education, working to save and plant trees. The 1,700-acre outdoor museum features magnificent collections of 4,128 kinds of trees, shrubs, and other plants from around the world. The Arboretum's beautiful natural landscapes, gardens, research and education programs, and year-round family activities support its mission – the planting and conservation of trees and other plants for a greener, healthier, and more beautiful world. Conveniently located at I-88 and Rte. 53 in Lisle, Illinois, the Arboretum is open 7 days a week, 365 days a year, from 7 a.m. Central Time until sunset. The Children's Garden is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., March through October, and 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., November through February. Visit Press Room at www.mortonarb.org, call to learn more.

Media Contact:

Mary Beth Sammons l 630.725.2103 l 847-757-3189 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Allison Phelps Ι 630.719.5768 Ι 773.724.1385 Ι This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

# # #