The Taming of the Shrew

 

Out on a limb

A.O.N.B Young Rangers Club

The Wollemi Pine

Research Project 2006

'What does morphometric analysis tell us about inter-specific relationships among the Aceraceae?'. This research project is being carried out by Clare Levison under the supervision of Dr Thorunn Helgason of the Biology Department, University of York.

New Education Appointment

Blooming Springtime !

 

On October 19th, 7 members of the RBSG Business Issues team spent the afternoon in the Arboretum planting 1000 Camassia bulbs. As part of the 'TSYS in the Community' initiative, TSYS donated 1000 bulbs to the Trust with TSYS team members using some of their Community hours to plant them (all!).

Helen Fisher—Business Issues Team Leader—TSYS Europe

 

 

Yorkshire Agricultural Society

 

Ryland Horticulture Ltd has been supporting the arboretum by carrying out active arboricultural works within the collection. So far they have concentrated on crown cleaning and safety inspections of the mature oak trees near to the new Visitors Centre.

This work helps to maintain the safety and longevity of the tree stock. Along with the Arboretum, they have a longstanding connection with Kew, as one of their past middle year students from Askham Bryan College,
Mr Simon Cole, is manager of the conservation & wildlife area there.                 (www.rylandhorticulture.co.uk)

For her third year project Clare is looking at a number of species of maple to see what analysing their leaf morphology can tell us about their genetic relationships. Analysis will include leaf surface area, vein distribution and shape parameters such as leaf apex and margins. As there is no single variable that can be used to distinguish all the species, she will be using a “multivariate analysis”, which will identify combinations of variables that best describe the samples and how similar the species are to one another.

With this data she may be able to derive classification rules which discriminate among known species. She will be putting this to the test using samples collected in other locations.

In September 2006 we were fortunate to acquire four specimens of the rare Wollemi Pine.

One specimen is on display in the Visitor Centre, the other three are being over wintered in a cool greenhouse so that they can be planted out in the arboretum during spring time.

For more information on these trees access the official website www.wollemipine.co.uk

On a glorious evening in July, Oddsocks gave, to a maximum audience, their best performance yet. This madcap team of enthusiastic players never fails to captivate their audience.

They will be back in 2007. Make a provisional note in your diary for 7th. July

The Trust very much appreciates the support of YAS who gave us the opportunity to exhibit at the Great Yorkshire Show and the Countryside Days Exhibition which provided an introduction to the countryside for 5000 children.

Many thanks to Peter Barker for manning the stand at these events.

We look forward to welcoming members of YAS to an open day in the arboretum next May; hopefully the sun will shine for them

It is our hope that beyond the two years of this pioneering project, the resulting training packages and visitor materials will lead to attractive and sustainable education and information programmes for visitors of all ages.

The Education Officer will take up the challenge of establishing a buoyant schools programme at the arboretum.

 

Supported by a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Arboretum Trust will appoint its first Education Development Officer in the New Year.

 

The Arboretum Trust is delighted to welcome the Young Rangers club. Now in its third year, the club is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and run in conjunction with the Yorkshire Wild Life Trust. Local children can learn about hedgerows, mini beasts, meteorology and geology. The five sessions with a wintry feel will take place in the visitor centre on 18^th 19^th and 20^th December and will cover “how to help the birds in winter”, “how to make natural decorations” “why we can see so many stars over AONB” and many other subjects.

For further information contact AONB