Red Butte Garden Newsletter Fall 2019

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Red Butte Garden Fall 2019

U T A H ' S

B O T A N I C A L

G A R D E N


THANK YOU TO OUR CONCERT DONORS AND FANS FOR ANOTHER GREAT CONCERT SERIES!

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ONE LAST RODEO Next spring will mark my 17th and final year as the executive director of Red Butte Garden. I have told the University of Utah, of which the Garden is a part, of my plans to retire from the executive director position effective May 1, 2020. A search committee has been put in place, and the process for finding my successor is underway. But before I ride off into the sunset, I’ll have the opportunity to oversee one last major project— what we are calling the Six Bridges Trail. Starting just upstream of the bridge located near the moose sculpture, it is an 850-foot-long pathway that will snake through the ravine created by Red Butte Creek, using bridges to crisscross over the creek six times. The idea for this trail was born in the mind of the Garden’s late founder, Zeke Dumke, Jr. Sometime in his 80s, he bushwhacked through the thickets of dogwood and other woody plants, and climbed over fallen trees straddling the creek to work out a plan for this path. He figured out that bridges crisscrossing the creek would enable the Garden to tie together the flat areas of ground that alternated on each side of the creek and create an ADA-accessible shaded trail within the ravine. With a gift from Zeke, an environmental design firm with expertise in waterways was hired to verify that it could be done, both in theory and in practice, given all of the regulatory issues related to stream and waterway related projects. The answer was “Yes it can be done.” So with Zeke’s final gift to the Garden during his lifetime, the formal design process was initiated, plans developed, designs determined, and a quiet phase of fundraising begun. Thanks to a lead gift from the Alternative Visions Fund, the Garden is planning to initiate construction this fall. In addition to providing a pleasant, unique trail for visitors, the project will enable the Garden to remove tons of concrete debris deposited on the north bank of the stream when it was an army dumpsite, and stabilize and revegetate eroding streambanks. It will also open up a whole new area of the Garden for school programming, summer camps, and tours. University faculty affiliated with the Red Butte Creek Steering Committee and the Global Change and Sustainability Center have also expressed interest in using it for classes. It is an exciting project, one I am thrilled to have pave my way to retirement. One big question about the project that still puzzles me though—how in the world was an 80+ year old Zeke Dumke, Jr. able to bushwhack through there and figure all of this out in his head?

Gregory J. Lee, Ph. D., Executive Director

redbuttegarden.org

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IN THIS ISSUE VOLUME 11 ISSUE 3 ON THE COVER

Garden waterfall

EDITORS

Jayne Anderson Kate Randall CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

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Amie Cox Angie Decker Franny Johnson Greg Lee

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CONNECTING CULTURES, BRIDGING WORLDS

By Amie Cox

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FALL GARDEN MAINTENANCE WITH POLLINATORS IN MIND

By Angie Decker

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Jason Baker BLM, Utah Leslie Hanna Pierce McConnell Kate Randall GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Leslie Hanna PRINTED BY

10 TEENS WORKING IN THE GARDEN – TWIGS

IC Group

By Franny Johnson

12 CALENDAR Red Butte Garden is the largest botanical garden in the Intermountain West, and together with the University of Utah, a state arboretum. The Garden is renowned for plant collections, themed gardens, over 500,000 springtime blooming bulbs, a world-class outdoor summer concert series, and awardwinning horticulture-based educational programs.

Red Butte Garden has recieved gifts honoring the following individuals Karen A. Doctorman

Ann Dalton Murray

Jack Hayes

Paul Rokich

For more information, contact Greg Lee, Executive Director, at 801.581.3878 or gregory.lee@redbutte.utah.edu

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Red Butte Garden

300 Wakara Way Salt Lake City, Utah, 84108 · 801.585.0556 Copyright © 2019 Red Butte Garden. All rights reserved.


EDD students explore the natural area of Red Butte Garden.

CONNECTING CULTURES, BRIDGING WORLDS: EARTH CONNECTIONS CAMP Each June, American Indian students from Utah school districts near and far travel to Red Butte Garden for Earth Connections Camp. This one-day camp is designed to help connect the students with their traditional heritage while inspiring them to pursue college career paths through STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) activities. The first Earth Connections Camp was held in 2010 with just 30 participating students. This year, 100 students participated in the Red Butte Garden camp. Planning for the camp is the year-round work of a committee made up of representatives from partner organizations that include the Urban Indian Center, Nebo and Alpine school districts, the US Department of the Interior, the US Department of Agriculture, and the Utah State Board of Education. The committee meets monthly to determine the camp schedule and plan activities. When the students arrive at Red Butte Garden, we often recognize those that attended previous camps and notice that many of them feel at home in the Garden. Our youngest students are happy to experience the Garden for the first time. No matter what their camp experiences are, the students arrive excited to be outdoors and work with each other while meandering through the Garden to get to each session. Topics that bridge STEM and American Indian culture vary every year and have included ethnobotany, mechanical engineering, hydrology, air quality, and meteorology. Instructors include native and non-native experts in various STEM fields. This year, 15 Native American Research Internship (NARI) students from the University of Utah facilitated a health sciences session for the young campers. Additional cultural sessions taught flute playing, traditional textiles, soap making, and bow and arrow instruction. redbuttegarden.org

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As educators at the Garden, there is nothing more fulfilling than witnessing science become exciting and accessible to students during Earth Connections Camp. Students draw conclusions from their observations and are challenged to develop solutions to human problems while integrating Instructors taught students how to make chokers similar to those worn by ancestral warriors. and honoring their cultural traditions. Upon leaving camp, students are better prepared to intertwine western science with traditional and cultural wisdom. The campers also inspire educators to explore how they can encourage diverse communities to intrinsically understand, value, protect, and be enriched by plants.

“It really makes me happy to be here, because we [belong] here and we helped make this country great”-Earth Connections Camper 2018 “It makes me feel a ton better to understand what being [here] means for me and my family”- Earth Connections Camper 2018 “Most children have limited access to daycare or don’t have access to programs that are designed for American Indian children. It’s a great opportunity for our students to get involved with STEM and our cultural values.” – Penelope Pinnecoose, Salt Lake Urban Indian Center “Nebo Indian Education students love Earth Connection field trips! It is a great way of merging American Indian traditional knowledge with STEM concepts. Having a day of interactive, fun activities to empower young Native youth while they learn about their world is important!” – Eileen Quintana, Nebo School District Title VII American Indian Program Manager Amie Cox is the School Program Manager for Red Butte Garden. She is a graduate of the University of Utah (BS ’13, environmental studies and sustainability) and is pursuing a master’s degree in science education from Montana State University.

Wednesday, September 18 Teton Gravity Research Presents

WINTERLAND A SKI AND SNOWBOARD FILM

In the Red Butte Garden Amphitheatre Gates open at 6 pm / film at 8:30 pm Garden members $15 General public $20 Kids (age 16 and under) $10

Tickets on sale now! redbuttegarden.org/teton-gravity-research

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Echinacea 'Sunset' flower and bee

FALL GARDEN MAINTENANCE WITH POLLINATORS IN MIND As winter approaches and the growing season comes to an end, there are many things we can do in our gardens to help them rest easy through the cold months and be healthy and productive come spring. A thorough clean up now can save you work next season. But did you know that leaving some of the “mess” can provide habitat for beneficial insects and animals? Here are a few things you can do in your garden this fall to support a healthy pollinator population and provide a colorful start for next season. Plant Annuals Cool season annuals can add a fun pop of color in the autumn garden and may provide sustenance for our late-flying pollinators. Pansies, ornamental kale, and chrysanthemums are staples of the fall annual bed, and there are many colors and varieties to choose from at your local nursery. In milder winters or in the right site, these plants may persist through the winter and make a comeback in spring. Plant Perennials Fall is a great time for planting trees, shrubs, and perennials. Be sure to get your new plants in the ground at least three or four weeks before the ground freezes to allow them some time to establish. In Salt Lake City it is typically best to have perennials planted no later than Thanksgiving—and even earlier at higher elevations. Provide regular water during the establishment period, just as you would when planting in spring. Good plant care now will ensure these plants are able to shelter and feed emerging beneficial insects, such as pollinators, next season. redbuttegarden.org

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Clean up Debris and Leaves Cutting back perennials and grasses, and raking leaves are recommended in areas where access is needed, such as sidewalks, steps, doors, and driveways. It can also be beneficial to remove plant material from areas near structures to avoid moisture buildup and reduce insect and rodent pests. Any diseased foliage or material that was infested with unwanted insects or pests should also be removed and discarded. Do not add diseased material to your home compost or you may harbor and spread the problem. Leave Some Winter Scenery Less travelled areas of your garden are great places to let plant material stay put throughout winter. Many perennials—ornamental grasses, echinacea and yarrow to name a few—provide great structure, movement, and visual interest in the winter garden. Frost and snow glisten upon them and pollinators and beneficial insects use them as a winter safe haven and food source. Praying mantis egg sacks are often constructed near the base of ornamental grasses in the fall and must overwinter there to later hatch in the spring and summer. Lady bugs gather under loose bark on decaying stumps to survive the chill and some butterflies overwinter as adults by tucking into a bed of leaves. Some native bees spend the winter inside the hollow stems of plants like hydrangeas, Joe Pye weed, or raspberries. Spare yourself the stress of cleaning all that garden “mess.” Clean up what you must for safety and to protect your home, and leave the rest for the birds…and bees…and all the beneficial creatures you will be happy to see back in your garden next year. Angie Decker is the Lead Horticulturist for the Terrace Gardens and Water Pavilion Garden. She graduated from the University of Iowa (BA, political science) and studied horticulture at Colorado State University. Miscanthus sinensis

Fall Bulb & Native Plant Sale In the Garden September 27 & 28 Red Butte Garden Courtyard The best selection of native and water-wise plants you’ll find in one location. Plus a wide selection of flowering bulbs, ornamental grasses, fall-blooming perennials, and more. redbuttegarden.org/fall-plant-sale 8

Red Butte Garden


GIVE TO WHAT YOU LOVE Consider Red Butte Garden in your will

A bequest is a creative way to help the Garden in the long term while still retaining full control of your assets during your lifetime. Many donors and volunteers find that a bequest is an effective and simple way to make a lasting impact on the Garden. You can structure your bequest to leave a specific item or amount of money, make the gift contingent on certain events, or leave a percentage of your estate to Red Butte Garden. Just a few simple sentences in your will or trust are all that is needed. Let your legacy be our future. Please consider including a gift to Red Butte Garden in your will or living trust. For more information, contact Gregory Lee, Executive Director, at 801.581.3878 or gregory.lee@redbutte.utah.edu.

Holiday Open House Call for Entries Application deadline October 4 If you would like to vend your locally made, original handmade art at the Holiday Open House, please submit your application on our website redbuttegarden.ord/holiday-open-house redbuttegarden.org

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old Anastasiya Alekseeva joined the TWIG program in 2018 to complete her school’s volunteer requirement, she had such a great experience that she returned to the Garden this summer and encouraged her friends to join. When asked what specifically brought her back this year, she replied, “I came back this summer because I loved working and being around the kids of all ages. I enjoyed being able to help set up activities for them to enjoy and have fun, which was something very rewarding.”

Piper Chenoweth working with a young camper

TEENS WORKING IN THE GARDEN – TWIGS Volunteers are a vital part of the hustle and bustle of Red Butte Garden in the summertime. From assisting horticulture crews in maintaining the Garden, to helping children explore and discover nature in summer camps, to working the gates at outdoor concerts, the Garden relies on more than 400 volunteers to meet its yearly needs. In 2015, the Garden expanded its volunteer opportunities to engage a younger crowd. It created the TWIG (Teens Working in the Garden) program. Now, teenagers between the ages of 14–17 have the opportunity to get involved in their community and discover the benefits of giving back. The TWIG program is a seven-week summer program. In the early years, teenagers assisted educators with developing, planning, and teaching summer camp activities. The program has since expanded to give teenagers the opportunity to choose between assisting 10

Red Butte Garden

with summer camps or joining one of the horticulture crews. Teen volunteers on horticulture crews develop basic gardening skills while expanding their knowledge in botany and horticulture. Red Butte Garden Youth and Family Programs Manager Jason Alba states that the TWIG program “helps teens gain a sense of community, forge new friendships, and spend time outdoors. It also helps them explore nature and gain a deeper knowledge of plants.” Many local high schools require students to complete internships or perform volunteer work in order to graduate. Red Butte Garden provides students with the opportunity to complete those volunteer hours in a beautiful setting while experiencing something that could be entirely new to them. One of the greatest rewards the Garden obtains from this program is to see how many teenagers come back year after year. When 17-year-

Volunteering in the Garden also provides teenagers an opportunity to build leadership and communication skills, all while making new friends. Not only does volunteering look good on their resumes, it encourages and inspires them to continue volunteering on a regular basis. “Teenagers build self-confidence, discipline, and a sense of responsibility as they set goals, complete assignments, and work alongside professional educators and horticulturists,” Alba said. Current TWIG, 16-year-old Piper Chenoweth added, “I like the Red Butte Garden community and how nice and understanding everyone is. The kids are also pretty adorable and say and do the cutest things. I have also learned that the more you express your desire to help, the more people come to you for help.” TWIG applications for next season will be available in March of 2020. Students between the ages of 14–17 are required to fill out the online application, provide letters of recommendation, and schedule an interview. For more information, please visit: redbuttegarden.org/volunteer-twigs/ Franny Johnson, Volunteer Coordinator, has been with the Garden since 2015. She is a graduate of the University of Utah (BA) and is pursuing a master’s degree in public administration from Southern Utah University.


Garden After Dark Trouble in Oz Somewhere over the rainbow awaits a world of adventure. Join us for an enchanted evening as we follow the Yellow Brick Road and discover nature’s hidden ties to the people and places of the merry old land of Oz. But beware, the Wicked Witch of the West has unleashed an army of giant plant pests to help her steal the magic of the Emerald Poppy and conquer Oz. Can you help stop the Wicked Witch? Find out at Garden After Dark! With activities, games, light displays, entertainment, and more, Garden After Dark is a family-friendly, fun-filled Halloween extravaganza you won’t want to miss!

Thursdays – Saturdays, October 17-19 and 24-26 6 to 9 pm (last admission at 8:15 pm) Tickets on sale October 1 Garden members $11 / General public $14 Garden member-only Oct 1-13 presale special $8 redbuttegarden.org

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FALL 2019 CALENDAR EVENTS

OCT 7 Zeke Dumke, Jr. Day In recognition of his visionary role in the founding and development of Red Butte Garden, the first Monday of every October is a free admission day in honor of Ezekiel R. Dumke, Jr., thanks in part to Salt Lake County Zoo, Arts and Parks (ZAP).

SEP 18 Teton Gravity Research Presents Winterland - A Ski and Snowboard Film In the Amphitheatre. Gates open at 6pm; film at 8pm. Garden members $15 General public $20 Kids (age 16 and under) $10 Tickets on sale now at redbuttegarden.org/tetongravity-research.

OCT 12 & 13 Bonsai Show Sat, 9am - 5pm Sun, 9am - 3:30pm

SEP 10 The Weavers’ Stories Fundraiser Presented by Adopt-A-Native-Elder Tue 5:30 - 8pm Weaving demonstrations, lecture, and traditional Navajo rugs and jewelry. Free event

ART EXHIBIT ARTISTS

Top: Marilyn Read, Kathryn Lindquist (Six Friends Art Exhibit) Bottom: Glass Art Show, Red Butte Garden Holiday Open House

ART EXHIBITS

Enjoy a wide range of nature-themed media from photography, oil, watercolor, pastels, and glass year-round in the Visitor Center. Garden members free Regular Garden admission AUG 23 - SEP 15 Marilyn Read Watercolor Artist reception Aug 24 from 2 - 4pm SEP 20 - OCT 6 Six Friends Art Exhibit NOV 2 - DEC 17 Glass Art Show DEC 6 & 7 Red Butte Garden Holiday Open House Fri & Sat from 10am-5pm Free admission days thanks in part to ZAP.

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Red Butte Garden

SAVE THE DATES

Holiday Open House Call for Entries Application deadline Fri, Oct 4 If you would like to vend your locally made original handmade art at the Holiday Open House, please submit your application on our website redbuttegarden.org/ holiday-open-house. Holiday Wreath Workshops Registration opens Oct 1 at 9am Dec workshop dates and times to be announced soon. redbuttegarden.org/wreathworkshops

SEPT 27 & 28 Fall Bulb and Native Plant Sale In the Courtyard Fri, 1- 7:30pm Sat, 9am - 7:30pm

OCT 17-18 & 24-26 Garden After Dark Trouble in Oz Enter through the Amphitheatre gates; Thu, Fri, Sat from 6 - 9pm. Tickets on sale Oct 1 Member-only Oct 1 - 13 presale special $8 Garden members $11 General Public $14 NOV 2 & 3 Orchid Show Sat, 9am - 5pm Sun, 9am - 4pm


Details and registration at redbuttegarden.org

Garden After Dark DEC 6 & 7 Red Butte Garden Gift Shop Holiday Sale Save an additional 10% on all items. Free admission days thanks in part to ZAP.

OUTDOOR CONCERT SERIES

Through Sep 23 For more information visit redbuttegarden.org/concerts.

CLASSES & WORKSHOPS

Red Butte Garden offers its own unique classes and partner classes with University of Utah Lifelong Learning (U). Find class descriptions and register online at redbuttegarden.org/ adult-education, or call 801.581.8454.

HORTICULTURE SEP 9 - 30 Trees and Shrubs for Residential Landscapes U (LLHG 520) Mon 6 - 8:30pm Garden members $114 General public $126

SEP 24 Native Seed Collecting Tue 6 - 8pm Garden members $20 General public $25

BOTANICAL ART SEP 23, 30 & OCT 7 SEP 28 & OCT 5 Botany for Artists Mon 6 - 9pm & Sat 9:30am - 3pm Garden members $180 General public $225

SEP 26 & OCT 3 Soils: Dig Deeper into Gardening U (LLHG 615) Thu 6:30 - 8:30pm Garden members $49 General public $54 OCT 3 & OCT 5 Fall Garden Maintenance U (LLHG 551) Thu 6 - 9pm and Sat 10am - 1pm Garden members $71 General public $78

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FALL 2019 CALENDAR FREE HORTICULTURE SPOTLIGHT LECTURES

Registration required for both. SEP 17 Tips for Attracting and Retaining Beneficial Insects to Your Yard and Garden Katie Wagner, Associate Professor, Utah State University Tue, 6:30 - 7:30pm OCT 15 All About Spiders! Ryan Davis, USU Extension Diagnostician Tue, 6:30 - 7:30pm

GUEST LECTURES

For more information about lectures at Red Butte Garden, visit redbuttegarden.org/lectures.

HEALTHY LIVING SEP 5 Edible Flowers: Year End Harvest & Preservation U (LLHG 476) Thu 6 - 9pm Garden members $50 General public $55 GARDEN DESIGN SEP 11 - OCT 9 & SEP 28 or SEP 19 - OCT 17 & OCT 12 Residential Landscape Design U (LLHG 512) Wed 6 - 9pm and Sat 10am -1pm Thu 6 - 9pm and Sat 10am - 1pm Garden members $204 General public $225

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SEP 28 or OCT 3 Containers for Fall Gardens U (LLHG 550) Sat 10am - Noon or Thu 6:30 - 8:30pm Garden members $60 General public $64 SEP 21 Living Wreath U (LLHG 588) Sat 10am - Noon Garden members $75 General public $79 NOV 23 Holiday Floral Arranging Sat 10am - Noon Garden members $52 General public $65

NOV 12 Botanical Art & Illustration Lecture Elaine Hultgren, certified Botanical Arts & Illustration instructor "The Tradition Continues: An Introduction to Botanical Illustration." Tue, 6 - 9pm Garden members TBD General public TBD


Details and registration at redbuttegarden.org

A view from the Water Conservation Garden CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS GARDEN ADVENTURES For kids (age 4-12) with a parent or caregiver. Price includes child and caregiver. Register online at: redbuttegarden.org/gardenadventures

SEP 14 Garden Bookworms: Dr. Seuss Immerse yourself in the whimsical world of Dr. Seuss! Read your favorite Dr. Seuss books and make a Seussinspired craft. Then we’ll explore the Garden to find strange shaped plants that may have inspired some of his zany illustrations. Garden members $8 General public $10

SEP 28 Insect Investigations From tiny ants to mammoth moths, the Garden is full of insects. We will learn about them and discover the special characteristics that make them unique. Then we'll create a custom bug jar before heading outside for an insect hunt. Garden members $8 General public $10 NOV 9 Fantastic Fall Foliage Have you ever wondered why green leaves change to red, yellow, orange, and brown in the fall? Join us as we investigate this yearly phenomenon and the process of photosynthesis. We’ll also take inspiration from the colors of fall to create a beautiful autumn craft to celebrate the season. Garden members $8 General public $10

GUIDED GARDEN TOURS

MAY 1- SEP 30 Complimentary Tram Tours Free with Garden admission. Groups of four or less, first come, first served. No registration necessary.

SEP 26 Evening Exploration Tour Thu 6:30 - 8pm

Groups of five or more are required to schedule a private tour with 10 days advanced notice. Cost is $30 per docent. To register call 801-585-0899.

Free for Garden members; regular Garden admission. Registration required. Call 801-581-8454 or visit redbuttegarden.org.

SEP 14, 18, 25 OCT 5 Birding Tours 9 - 11:30am

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Non Profit org. US Postage PAID Salt Lake City Permit #1529

300 WAKARA WAY SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84108

GARDEN INFORMATION

2019 ADVISORY BOARD Tim Welsh, Chair Tory Magleby, Vice Chair David Classen, Secretary Troy Aramburu Erin Armstrong Byron Barkley Sandi Behnken Brandi Bosworth Kym Buttschardt Jeff Herring Chuck Horman Kristy Larsen Gregory Lee Ron Motzkus Kevin Murphy Steven Price David Reymann Kathleen Riebe Laura Snow JoLynda Stillman Emeritus members Sandy McOmber David Gee

Hours:

January 2 - March 31 Daily 9am - 5pm April 1 - 30 Daily 9am - 7:30pm May 1 - August 31** Daily 9am - 9pm September 1 - 30** Daily 9am - 7:30pm October 1 - December 23* Daily 9am - 5pm

Contact Us!

Visitor Center Private Event Rental Volunteer Membership Donations Class Registration

Website: www.redbuttegarden.org Comments: 801.581.5754 or email pr@redbutte.utah.edu

*Closed Thanksgiving Day and December 24 - January 1 **Days when outdoor concerts are scheduled, hours are 9am - 5pm.

Go Green!

801.585.0556 801.585.9563 801.585.0899 801.585.7172 801.585.5658 801.581.8454

Opt out of printed newsletters. Email membership@redbutte.utah.edu with "NEWSLETTER OPT OUT” in the subject line. We’ll take care of the rest.


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