Tree-Themed Crafts for Kids
Close out a tree-mendous Tree Week 2024 with fun tree-themed crafting for kids! All ages.
Dress for the weather as we will spend some time outside.
Tour of Lexington Cemetery collection of conifers
Tour the conifer collection of the Lexington Cemetery with Rob Paratley, botanist and recently retired University of Kentucky instructor. The Lexington Cemetery has a diverse collection of conifers, including some not commonly seen in our parks and on our streets. We will discover Oriental spruce, red spruce, Nordmann fir, Chinese juniper, Hinoki-cypress, Douglas-fir, European larch, Oriental arbor-vitae, Japanese-cedar, bald-cypress and pond-cypress, dawn-redwood, and many others.
Conifers are an ancient group of seed plants. We will learn about conifer geography, natural history and human uses, as well as their relationships to each other and their evolution. We will also key in on identification tips by looking at their growth form and bark, their foliage, and their cones. To cover the conifer collection and see some of the less common specimens, we will walk a good portion of the Cemetery, one of the most beautiful treescapes in our region.
The Lexington Cemetery asks that we park on a road just north of the Henry Clay monument, between the monument and Section F. It is just north and west of the Cemetery office. The Cemetery map is on-line and can be downloaded. There is also a posted map just after entering the cemetery.
TreeVangelist Training
This program is designed to help you connect with trees through understanding, to share best practices for tree care, and to provide you with knowledge that you can then share with the greater community. This program will cover: how to choose the right tree for your location, what to look for when you purchase a tree from a nursery, the difference between the common tree “types” available for purchase, how to plant a tree & how to care for a tree. We will end the session with a tree planting so you can get your hands dirty and put into practice some of what we talk about during our session.
As a thank you, you will be given a tree to take home to plant on your property so that you may experience the lifelong benefits trees provide to you, the community and the world. This event is kid-friendly.
Spanish interpretation available upon request. Email sustainability@lexingtonky.gov by October 14 if you need interpretation services.
Stewardship Saturday
he Preserve at Shaker Village conserves and shares native prairies, woodlands, watersheds, fields, canebrakes and diverse wildlife—all perfectly framed by miles of hand-laid rock walls.
Each year, thousands of visitors hike, run and ride on nearly 40 miles of recreational trails that weave through The Preserve. Managing invasive species is not only important for ensuring a quality visitor experience, but also for protecting a diverse, and sometimes delicate, ecosystem.
We need your help to be good stewards!
If you are not adverse to a little hard work in the outdoors, join us as we battle erosion, clear invasive species and protect one of Central Kentucky’s most popular outdoor spaces.
From March through October, for three hours on the third Saturday of each month, the Shaker Village Preserve Team will lead volunteer trail crews to help maintain the Village’s trails.
Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age. Volunteers will use hand tools including shovels and loppers, and should wear leather work gloves and sturdy, closed-toe shoes or work boots.
Community Clean Up Day at Ashland
We are once again calling on volunteers to come together for a fun morning helping our grounds manager, Joel, preserve and beautify the historic grounds of Ashland. We’ll be gathering walnuts, identifying and filling trip hazards, and adding wood chips to walking paths. In addition, Joel will be be showing the volunteers proper mulching techniques to ensure the health and longevity of our trees.
This event is a perfect way to connect with nature, learn new skills, and contribute to the community’s effort to enhance our gorgeous grounds. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just looking to get involved, there’s something for everyone!
Bring your gloves, work boots, and enthusiasm, and let’s make a lasting impact together during Tree Week 2024. We look forward to seeing you there!