October 9, 2010, 9:00am - Noon
Casey Trees Historic Tree Walk with Melanie Choukas-Bradley, author of “City of Trees.”
Rock Creek Park Tree Walk
Free, Pre-Registration Required
 Author and naturalist Melanie Choukas-Bradley will lead us on two historic tree tours in October: the first walk at Rock Creek Park (October 9th), which is celebrating its 120th anniversary this year. Learn to identify magnificent specimens of native oaks, maples, ashes, and hickories that grace the winding paths through the urban woodland park. Hear about conservation issues that were as relevant in 1890 as they are in 2010. During the second walk attendees visit the grounds of the U.S. Capitol (October 30th) where official state trees from around the country will be blazing in full autumn glory. Learn about how President Lincoln urged construction of the half-finished Capitol dome to proceed during the uncertain Civil War years. Contemplate the Capitol grounds design that is the handiwork of Frederick Law Olmsted, the renowned 19th century landscape architect who also designed New York City’s Central Park.
You must sign up for each of tree walk individually. Space is limited.
If you would like to receive an autographed copy of City of Trees, check the box in the registration form and bring a $20 in cash or check made out to the University of Virginia Press to the walk.
Code: |
TW100910 |
When: |
Saturday, October 9, 2010 |
Where: |
The Nature Center at Rock Creek Park |
Time: |
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM |
Fee: |
Free |
October 16, 2010, 1:00pm - 3:30pm
United States Botanic Garden Tree Tour of Capitol Grounds
Autumn Tree Tour of the Capitol Grounds with Melanie Choukas-Bradley, author of City of Trees
 Autumn is a magnificent time to appreciate the architecture and colorful foliage of the historic trees that grace the U.S. Capitol Grounds. We’ll meet in front of the Conservatory and stroll around the Capitol, admiring and learning about its grand old tree specimens from around the country and the world, including many official state trees and memorial plantings. We’ll focus on autumn fruits and leaves and learn how to identify diverse species of oak, maple, beech, buckeye and many other trees. A large pecan and a massive willow oak are among the trees we’ll encounter. Ms. Choukas-Bradley will share history of the Capitol Grounds and the city of Washington. Binoculars optional but recommended. Please note: This tour will take place outside. Please dress for the weather and wear sunscreen.
FREE: Pre-registration required: register online www.usbg.gov or call (202) 225-1116
October 30, 2010, 9am-Noon
Casey Trees Historic Tree Walks with Melanie Choukas-Bradley
Free, pre-registration required - register here.
www.caseytrees.org
US Capitol Tree Walk
Description:
Author and naturalist Melanie Choukas-Bradley will lead four historic tree walks for Casey Trees during 2010 and early 2011. Join us on these tours to learn about the integral role that trees have played in the evolution of our nation’s capital.
On October 30th, Melanie will be taking us on the THIRD walk in her series. We will visit the grounds of the U.S. Capitol where official state trees from around the country will be blazing in full autumn glory. Learn about how President Lincoln urged construction of the half-finished Capitol dome to proceed during the uncertain Civil War years. Contemplate the Capitol grounds design that is the handiwork of Frederick Law Olmsted, the renowned 19th century landscape architect who also designed New York City’s Central Park.
Next Spring (2011), the fourth walk will take place at President Lincoln’s summer home during the Civil War. During the summers of 1862-1864 the Lincoln family resided at the Soldiers’ Home property (now known as the Armed Forces Retirement Home) in northwest D.C., it was here that Lincoln rode on horseback the day before his assassination. Explore the noteworthy trees around the newly renovated Lincoln Cottage and pay a visit afterwards to nearby Rock Creek Cemetery. Rock Creek Cemetery is home to many historic trees and the gravesite of Alexander “Boss” Shepherd, who planted 60,000 trees during the 1870s as the second and last governor of D.C., contributing to the lasting legacy known as the “City of Trees.” This will be held on Saturday, April 16th.
You must sign up for each of four tree walks individually. Space is limited.
If you would like to receive an autographed copy of City of Trees, check the box in the registration form and bring a $20 in cash or check made out to the University of Virginia Press to the walk.
Prerequisite: None and open to the public.
Instructor: Melanie Choukas Bradley, author of "City of Trees."
Date: Saturday, October 30th 2010
Time: 9:00 a.m. to noon.
November 6, 2010, 9am-2pm
A Year at Boundary Bridge, Audubon Naturalist Society
Saturdays (9 am-2 pm)
Section D: November 6
Leader: Melanie Choukas-Bradley
(ANS Boundary Bridge walks with Melanie Choukas-Bradley will continue in 2011 on January 29, April 9, June 18 and October 29.)
Melanie Choukas-Bradley at Carderock
Photo by Sophie Choukas-Bradley
Join the author of City of Trees for a series of hikes in one of Washington, DC’s most beautiful wild areas. Starting at Boundary Bridge and following the same 2.5 mile loop trail each season, we’ll explore the large trees, diverse shrubs, and exceptional wildflowers along a scenic stretch of Rock Creek, just inside the Maryland/ District Line. We’ll also see and hear many species of birds, butterflies, and amphibians. On our winter walk, an ideal time to admire the Park’s topography, we’ll look and listen for winter flocks
Melanie Choukas-Bradley with Virginia Bluebells on an Audubon Naturalist Society walk near Rock Creek.
Photo by Kathy Reiser.
and identify many species of woody plants. In April, we’ll witness the spring magic of Rock Creek’s myriad wildflowers. As summer arrives in the Park, we’ll hope for a glimpse of a kingfisher as we look for ferns and early seasonal wildflowers such as enchanter’s nightshade. Autumn is glorious in Rock Creek Park, and we’ll conclude our series with a walk through colorful oaks, maples, and ashes, searching for the flowers of an early witch hazel in bloom. Our 2.5 mile circuit hike will be on trails with moderate uphill and downhill walking.
Each walk: Members: $25; Nonmembers: $35
Two walks: Members: $44; Nonmembers: $62
Three walks: Members: $63; Nonmembers: $88
Entire series: Members: $80; Nonmembers: $112
Registration required. Please use the registration form.
November 15, 2010, 8:00pm, doors open at 7:30pm
Please join the Silver Spring Garden Club for:
Sugarloaf, Our Closest Mountain Neighbor
A Slide Presentation by Author Melanie Choukas-Bradley
 Celebrate seasonal beauty and regional history with a virtual tour of Sugarloaf Mountain, located in Maryland’s historic rural piedmont region. During the Civil War, Sugarloaf was an important lookout and signal station.
During the 1930s, it was FDR's first choice for a White House retreat. Frank Lloyd Wright designed a dramatic project for the mountain summit that was later adapted for the Guggenheim Museum. Always a delightful destination  for a hike, picnic, or weekend drive, Sugarloaf Mountain is still a haven for hundreds of flowering plants, including the lovely fringe-tree and the endangered yellow-fringed orchid. In this slide presentation, you can experience Sugarloaf in all four seasons and learn highlights of its history, geology, and more.
Melanie Choukas-Bradley is the author of two natural history books about Sugarloaf Mountain, Maryland (illustrated by Tina Thieme Brown) and City of Trees (illustrated by Polly Alexander). The author will sign copies of her books following the presentation.
WHEN: Monday, November 15, 8:00pm, doors open at 7:30pm
WHERE: Brookside Gardens Visitors Center/Education Building, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD
This event is FREE and is open to the general public.
Silver Spring Garden Club dues are just $10 per year per individual/couple/household. Please consider joining and supporting this great organization.
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Leaders: Melanie Choukas-Bradley and Steve Dryden