Everyone is welcome to attend programs offered by the CHS Education Committee. Registration in advance is required (download a registration form at right) Click on the place name below for directions.

Attracting Birds to the Garden in a Post-Alfred World
Sunday, March 11, 2 p.m.
CHS office, 2433 Main St., Rocky Hill, Conn.
As gardeners assess their landscapes this spring following Winter Storm Alfred, birder Michael Corcoran will offer planting suggestions that emphasize attracting birds to the garden. March is the perfect time to draw up a plan for replacing trees and shrubs that were damaged in the October storm—and why not choose replacement plants that also provide birds with shelter and natural food. In his Power Point presentation, Michael will show pictures of the colorful birds that are especially drawn to plants with bird-friendly attributes, such as berries (viburnum and winterberry), fruit (crab apple) and edible seed pods. He will help gardeners visualize the plant varieties and combinations that will enhance the beauty of yards as they sustain birds. Fee: $5 for CHS members, $10 for nonmembers. Limit: 20 participants

Peering into the Secrets of the Waxman Dwarf Conifer Collection
Tuesday, June 12, 7 p.m.
CHS office, 2433 Main St., Rocky Hill, Conn.
This workshop will be of special interest to people who are interested in understanding conifers and the impact they make in the winter landscape. For half a century Sid Waxman (1923-2005) propagated and introduced dwarf conifers from witches’ brooms (genetic mutations) at the University of Connecticut. He dedicated his career to searching for these opportunities and as a result 40 new dwarf evergreens came into the horticultural trade. Sarah Bailey, UConn Master Gardener coordinator, will tell us more about how Waxman found and obtained the witches’ brooms, what they are and how they grow, his success rate of propagating, the plants he developed and the ongoing conservation effort to preserve his plants and his heritage at UConn. Cost is $5 for CHS members, $10 for nonmembers. Program limit: 20 participants

Mushroom Foray
Saturday, September 22, 2012, 10 a.m.-noon
West Hartford/Farmington Valley area (to be determined)
Join us for a fall foray into the woods to hunt for a variety of fungus. Marlene Snecinksi, a longtime member of the Connecticut Mycological Society, will lead the stroll at a location in the Farmington Valley (location to be determined closer to the date). Marlene will share what to look for when you gather fungus, how to identify what you find and how to know what is edible or not. Bring a hand lens or magnifying glass, notebook and camera if you have them.  Fee: $10 for CHS member; $15 for nonmembers. Limit: 30 participants