May - UT Gardens - The University of Tennessee
May - UT Gardens - The University of Tennessee
May - UT Gardens - The University of Tennessee
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From the <strong>UT</strong> <strong>Gardens</strong>’ DirectorDr. Sue Hamilton<strong>The</strong>re is so much vibrant color in the newly plantedannual beds, as well as the perennial border, thatyou can’t help leaving the gardens feeling trulyuplifted. But the gardens also serve educational,research and outreach functions as well.<strong>The</strong> <strong>Gardens</strong> represent an important teaching toolfor people <strong>of</strong> all ages. Graduate student TerumiWatson directed a recent field trip <strong>of</strong> 48 secondgraders and their nine chaperones from WallandElementary School. Garden staff members BethWillis and Amanda Hannah assisted Terumi inhelping these students learn about the ecologyand beauty <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Gardens</strong> and the diverse plantcommunities they host.Terumi continues her leadership in teaching environmentaleducation to children through the Books& Blooms summer reading program. In April, sherecruited participants with an educational boothshe hosted at the Children’s Book Festival sponsoredby the Farragut Arts Council. A “plant pettingzoo” and other garden/nature activities were theteaching tools that Terumi used to inspire childrenand their parents to participate in this summer’sBooks & Blooms program. More than 200 childrenand their parents participated in this educationalprogram last summer.More than 50 students from the Thackston Schoolhave visited the <strong>Gardens</strong> this past month to docrayon rubbings <strong>of</strong> the engraved symbols on thepink <strong>Tennessee</strong> marble Touchstone table. <strong>The</strong>irrubbings will be used to inspire their interpretation<strong>of</strong> the symbols for use in a series <strong>of</strong> children’sbooks. <strong>The</strong> students seemed to have a lot <strong>of</strong> funbeing in the <strong>Gardens</strong> and working on the fascinatingmarble table.We hosted 18 local members <strong>of</strong> the AmericanConifer Society for an educational walk throughour conifer collection last month. Duane Ridenour<strong>of</strong> Beaver Creek Nursery, a local conifer expert, ledthe walk. Participants were excited about many <strong>of</strong>the new additions to our collection and spent morethan two hours asking questions and learning moreabout conifers for the Mid-South.Terumi Watson leading a recent field trip with Walland Elementary School
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