California State University, Fullerton

Imagine leisurely strolling through the meandering garden trails. The scent of crisp autumn breezes tingle your senses while the familiar crunch of fallen leaves rustle under your feet. Visions of flowering spring gardens are a distant memory as autumn prepares for winter dormancy. And yet, the true beauty of a flowering spring garden begins with the autumn planting season.

Celebrate the pleasures of autumn gardening at Fullerton Arboretum’s Fall Planting Festival - GreenScene II, Oct. 16 and 17, 2004. Interspersed among the winsome garden trails exhibitors will display unique varieties of plants and distinctive garden accessories. “Many individuals are not aware that autumn is an ideal time to begin planting seeds, bulbs and California Natives. I’m excited Fullerton Arboretum has the opportunity to introduce the pleasures of fall planting at GreenScene II,” said Greg Dyment, director of the Fullerton Arboretum.

Guests are welcome to visit the Arboretum’s own Potting Shed where novice gardeners can seek out advice from master gardeners. Looking for an unusual variety of plant to complement your gardening style? Shop the Potting Shed’s “Perennial Paradise” where you will find over 30 varieties of Penstemons, 50 varieties of Salvia and a wide array of magnificent perennials.

Visitors needing a moment to relax and unwind are welcome to lounge in the Knowlwood Arbor Café. The Knowlwood Arbor Cafe features good food, cool refreshments and live entertainment.

GreenScene II will be open Saturday, Oct. 16, and Sunday, Oct. 17, 2004; hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Members preview Oct. 16, 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Admission prices are $6 for adults; children 12 and under are free. For more information, visit arboretum.fullerton.edu or call 657-278-3579.

Since its opening in 1979, the Fullerton Arboretum has served the community as a resource for ecological, horticultural, and historical education. Currently celebrating its 25th anniversary, the Fullerton Arboretum is the largest and oldest botanical garden in Orange County. The Fullerton Arboretum encompasses 26 lush acres filled with more than 4,000 unique and unusual plant species from around the world. With its ponds, streams and wildlife, the Fullerton Arboretum offers a tranquil retreat from a fast-paced urban life.

Fullerton Arboretum and the California Turtle & Tortoise Club (CTTC) are proud to host a public educational presentation of Old Bob, the 100-pound alligator snapping turtle found in the city of Fullerton’s Laguna Lake.

Alligator Snapping Turtles are the largest freshwater turtles in the world. They are native to the southeastern region of the United States and are known to breed and multiply easily. With no predators to maintain the ecological balance, Alligator Snapping Turtles can cause significant impact to their surroundings. Alligator Snapping Turtles are illegal in California because of the potential damage to the environment. “For over 25 years, the Fullerton Arboretum has been devoted to educational excellence in horticultural and ecological research. Old Bob presents a premier opportunity for the Arboretum and the CTTC to present the ecological impact of the interaction between living creatures and the environment,” said Greg Dyment, director of the Fullerton Arboretum.

The CTTC has rescued Old Bob and is currently working toward finding a permanent home for him. “Old Bob has existed for perhaps 50 years in Laguna Lake. He is an awesome, yet powerful and potentially dangerous creature,” said Sharon Paquette, Vice president, Orange County Chapter of the California Turtle & Tortoise Club.
“We are delighted to have an opportunity to educate the public on the problems that exist when non-native species are introduced to an environment.”

The public viewing of Old Bob will be held on Oct. 16 & 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Arboretum’s Fall Festival, GreenScene II. Special educational presentations will be held at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Admission prices are $6 for adults; children 12 and under are free. For more information call 657-278-3579.

Since its opening in 1979, the Fullerton Arboretum has served the community as a resource for ecological, horticultural and historical education. Currently celebrating its 25th anniversary the Fullerton Arboretum is the largest and oldest botanical garden in Orange County. The Fullerton Arboretum encompasses 26 lush acres filled with more than 4,000 unique and unusual plant species from around the world. With its ponds, streams and wildlife, the Fullerton Arboretum offers a tranquil retreat from a fast-paced urban life.

Founded in 1964 the California Turtle & Tortoise Club (CTTC), a nonprofit organization, has actively promoted the preservation, conservation, welfare, study and dissemination of knowledge pertaining to the order Testudines (Chelonia), also known as turtles and tortoises. Each year the CTTC Chapter Adoption Committees rescues and places thousands of abandoned, lost, seized, injured or diseased turtles and tortoises into suitable homes.

For more information: Lore McKenna
Friends of the Fullerton Arboretum
657-278-4792
lmckenna@fullerton.edu