Darienite (https://darienite.com/tag/tree-conservancy-of-darien)
Ho! Ho! Ho! What a lovely gift for Darien just in time for Christmas! Tree Conservancy of Darien was able to swiftly coordinate the delivery of 30 trees generously given by Planters Choice Nursery for planting in town.
Darien artist Elizabeth Higgins, known locally as Betsy Higgins, has donated artwork for a silent auction on behalf of the Tree Conservancy of Darien at a complimentary cocktail reception for its photo contest. The organization’s its fourth annual photo contest, ‘Celebration of Trees’, will be held March 4 at the Darien Nature Center from 6 to 8 p.m.
Higgins has donated her 48-inch wide by 24-inch high oil painting on canvas, “Spring Landscape” for bidding in the silent auction. Higgins was born in Toronto, Ontario and has an MFA degree in painting from the Parson’s School of Design in Manhattan. She has shown her artwork previously at the Prince Street Gallery in SoHo, New York, where she will again exhibit her work this spring. Palmers Market has generously sponsored the reception, which is open to all.
Tree Conservancy of Darien is holding its fourth annual photo contest, “Celebration of Trees”, with an opening reception sponsored by Palmer’s Market, on March 4 at the Darien Nature Center from 6 to 8 p.m.
TCD hopes to raise awareness of the value of trees in the community and inspire contestants of all ages to capture the beauty of majestic, historic, attractive and unusual trees while supporting their mission. All proceeds of the contest go directly to caring for and planting trees in Darien. All who live, work or volunteer in Darien are encouraged to participate in the fundraising contest. Photos should be taken within the past two years and can be black and white or color. ______________
— an announcement from the Tree Conservancy of Darien
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Tree Conservancy is expanding the scope of this year’s contest by allowing photos of trees outside of Darien to be submitted for entry and including a Fairfield County professional category.
Naturalist Michael Wojtech will share his knowledge about local tree identification and bark at his lecture, “Bark: Get to Know Your Trees,” at the Darien Library on Tuesday, February 2 at 7:00 p.m.
The talk is free and is co-sponsored by Tree Conservancy of Darien, Darien Land Trust, Darien Nature Center and the Darien Library. Wojtech will provide an exploration of bark, the one tree characteristic visible in every season. Traits most often used to describe tree species – leaves, buds and twigs, are high and out of site on most trees, or in the case of leaves, absent for half of the year. In addition to teaching about species identification in local woods, Wojtech will explain why the large variety of bark characteristics exist, including why some species have smooth bark, thick and broken bark, or bark that peels away in curly strips. He will also be available to sign copies of his book, Bark: A Field Guide to Trees of the Northeast.
The Tree Conservancy of Darien held a well-attended commemoration of new tree plantings at Tilley Pond Park in Darien on Tuesday, Dec. 1. The ceremony took place in honor of Keith Barker, who had owned The Gardener’s Center and Florist for 35 years. In attendance were numerous past and present board members of the Tree Conservancy, Kris Barker, Keith’s son, First Selectman Jayme Stevenson, many donors, friends and supporters, and a few canine friends, including Barker’s dog, Anna. When Barker passed away suddenly this summer, his family and friends designated the Tree Conservancy of Darien as a benefactor of memorial gifts and requested Tilley Pond as the planting site.
A Tree Conservancy of Darien announcement:
Please join us to commemorate our new tree planting at Tilley Pond in honor of Keith Barker: Tuesday, Dec. 1 at 10 a.m.
When Keith Barker, who had owned The Gardener’s Center and Florist for 35 years, passed away suddenly this summer, his family and friends designated the Tree Conservancy of Darien as a benefactor of memorial gifts and requested Tilley Pond as the planting site. Keith was a long-time supporter of our town, sponsor of the Darien Beautification gardens, and a well-respected garden mentor in our community. Keith’s former home overlooks Tilley Pond, where he and his dog, Anna were frequent park visitors. Five trees have been planted there as a memorial in Keith’s honor. The memorial request was the inspiration and impetus for the Tree Conservancy to select Tilley Pond as the site of our 2015 planting. Tilley is a beautiful park in the center of town and utilized daily by dog walkers, commuters, exercise groups, and as a site for town events.
The Tree Conservancy recently planted a total of 30 trees and numerous shrubs and bulbs at Tilley Pond Park, which endured a loss of mature trees during super storm Sandy, and due to old age and disease. The new plantings help to replace these trees, as well as enhance the very well utilized town park. Generous contributions by donors and The Growing Concern, Designs by Lee and the Gardener’s Center and Florist made the planting possible. Those interested in donating to Tree Conservancy of Darien can mail donations to 25 Old King’s Highway N. Suite 13, #166, Darien, CT 06820.