Holden Arboretum/ Cleveland Botanical Garden
With overall attendance up 25% since the Cleveland Botanical Garden and Holden Arboretum joined forces 2 years ago, it appears that their new strategy is working: almost 400,000 visitors have enjoyed one or the other of these two regional treasures.
While each institution will maintain their own brand and identity, president and CEO Clem Hamilton announces their new combined name: Holden Forests & Gardens. Clem tells CoolCleveland how leveraging the membership, programs and expertise of each organization will engage the community throughout the region on everything from horticulture to conservation, from natural history to gardens and street trees.
In 2015, Cleveland's Office of Sustainability partnered with Holden Arboretum and other groups to create a new Cleveland Tree Plan, recognizing the importance of trees in our community.
"The sobering fact is is that Cleveland's tree canopy cover is an abysmal 19 percent and declining," says Holden CEO Clem Hamilton. "Less than half the land that could be planted with trees is forested, and even there, the canopy cover is often sparse."
"Most of our canopy is found in prosperous, well-treed neighborhoods that contrast with other neighborhoods with stark, jarring landscapes. Our desire for environmental justice, and how far we have to realize it, plays out conspicuously in our patterns of tree cover."
The New Leaf Plan is Holden Arboretum's blueprint for new and improved gardens and facilities. Some of these exciting projects are completed: the Rhododendron Discovery Garden, the Tree Allee, improvements to the Corning Library and the beautiful Hourglass Pond, and the new Canopy Walk and Emergent Tower.
Still to come are a deer enclosure fence for the core gardens, improvements to Corning Lake and Lotus Pond, and the June Room and stream restoration. These improvements will attract more visitors, inspire guests, showcase exemplary trees, and demonstrate resource conservation and sustainable practices. Be a part of the future at Holden Arboretum by contacting James Pelowski, Ph.D. via email or by calling 440-602-3830. And thank you for your support!
SPONSORED: Experience the Canopy Walk & Emergent Tower at Holden Arboretum this summer, through Tue 11/1. The Murch Canopy Walk, a 500' long elevated walkway built 65' above the forest floor, will give guests a unique perspective on forests and the animals that inhabit them. The Kalberer Emergent Tower will take guests above the trees to a height of 120 feet where on a clear day you can see all the way to Lake Erie! HoldenArb.org
SPONSORED: Woodland Twilight is Holden Arboretum's biggest night of the year. Help support Holden's year-round programming this Sat 7/9 from 6-10:30PM for a captivating evening celebrating summer with enticing cocktails, delectable cuisine and live music in the company of friends old and new. HoldenArb.org.
Explore a menagerie of magical, interactive treehouses this summer at the Cleveland Botanical Garden, open now through Sun 8/28. Six locally designed, architecturally innovative treehouses will be installed throughout the garden beckoning guests of all ages to come out and play.
Kids let their imaginations run wild at Branch Out where each treehouse explores a theme connected to learning and fun including art, music, reading, math and play. CBGarden.org.
The Holden Arboretum is celebrating Arbor Day 2016 all weekend. Sat 4/30 & Sun 5/1 admission is $10 per carload or $20 per carload including Canopy Walk/Emergent Tower tickets, while supplies last. Member admission is FREE.
There's so many cool activities, we can't list them all here: kids guided tree climbing, crafts and activities, the Great Lakes Timber Show (10:30AM, 12:30PM & 2:30PM), Tree Discovery Packs, portable sawmill demonstrations, character presentations by Johnny Appleseed (Sat & Sun) and John Muir (Sun only), and more. FREE consultation with certified tree service professionals. FREE tree seedling give-away while supplies last! HoldenArb.org
SPONSORED: Out on a Limb: Exploration of Global Forest Canopies. Come to the Holden Arboretum on Fri 4/29 at 7PM to hear from Meg Lowman, PhD, chief of sustainability at the California Academy of Sciences, outlining necessary steps to conserve global forests. Free, with registration here: HoldenArb.org.
When the Murch Canopy Walk and Kalberer Family Emergent Tower first opened to the public last Fall, it was a revelation. Over 55,000 people visited Holden Arboretum to mount these massive new structures and marvel at the natural world revealed before them. "These amazing structures give our guests a way to observe the forest in an entirely new way," said Clem Hamilton, Holden's President and CEO.
On Fri 4/1, the Canopy Walk & Emergent Tower will re-open to the public until they close for the season on 11/1. Don't miss it. Get more info here: HoldenArb.org.
Glow is happening now at the Cleveland Botanical Garden in beautiful University Circle, filled with fun, festive, holiday fun: creative trees decorated by area garden clubs, sweets & treats at Mrs. Claus' Sweet Shoppe, and family photos in front of the the magical and majestic two-story tree. View our CoolCleveland video here. Kids can decorate their own gingerbread house, ride a kid-sized train, and place their wish on the Wishing Tree.
Glow continues through 1/3, so secure tickets for your family or as a gift, by calling 216-721-1600 X100 now. The CBG is even open the next two Mondays (12/21 & 12/28), along with their regular hours. Don't miss it!\\\