Beginning at noon on Monday, November 30, Director Gibson will orchestrate weekly ninety-minute walks through the garden to make a record of what is flowering at MEMBG. Our goal is to develop a computerized list of bloom times for each species growing outdoors, so that we can advertise in future newsletters and on the Web site what plants probably will be in bloom when visitors come to the garden. This information will also be useful for undergraduate courses that require students to obtain flowering samples for projects, demonstrations, and laboratories.
The walks will be conducted every Monday through December and into Winter Quarter. We may make this a weekend activity, as well, if we can find other leaders to coordinate operations. (Eventual scheduling adjustments will be made to accommodate leaders' availability.) The walks will provide an excellent opportunity for garden aficionados to wander off the paths to observe specimens more closely as they look for flowers. Participants may provide additional assistance by listing plants that need new identifications and labels, and by taking photographs.
Please call (310) 825-3620 if you plan to attend the first walk on November 30. We will meet at The Nest at noon, light rain or shine. Unfortunately, parking permits cannot be provided, so participants should park in Westwood or in the most convenient university lot. Plan to bring a clipboard and writing pad, a camera if you like, and rain gear if needed.