Summer in the South is GREAT!  Cookouts, pool parties, fishing, summer camps, family reunions, fresh tomato sandwiches, peaches, lots of sweet tea, lemonade and back porch rocking. 

Summer in the South is also hot, buggy and miserable.  These last few weeks of cool mornings and warm days without the drowning humidity are a blessing and I hope you are enjoying them as much as I am! 

Here at Lockerly, even the shrubs and trees seem to be holding on to this nice spring weather with a vengeance.  A few azaleas on the nature trail are still blooming, resisting summer's arrival as hard as they can.  They soldier on despite the daily rising temperature.  I will be sad to see them go when the heat finally convinces them to pack it in until next year. 

Whatever your summer plans may be don't forget to include Lockerly!  Come fishing in May, send your children to camp in June and learn about beekeeping in August.  It may be hot and muggy but that is all just a good excuse to come stroll through Rose Hill's cool interiors, get a drink from the well in the pavilion or have a picnic in the shade.

If I don't see you again until summer is here, please remember to travel safe, wear sunscreen, buy peaches from the guy at the road side stand and no, you can never make the tea too sweet.

Happy trails,

Plant Sale

Mother's Day Gift Idea!

Does mom really need that hanging basket or hydrangea for Mother's Day?  Consider giving her a membership to Lockerly Arboretum instead!  

Membership at Lockerly allows her to tour our lovely Rose Hill for free, whenever she likes.  Our members receive discounts to workshops and fundraising events as well as the knowledge that you are supporting a Milledgeville treasure!  Membership at Lockerly is also reciprocal, meaning that admission to other gardens is discounted and often free as well!  Participating organizations in Georgia include Atlanta Botanical Garden, Atlanta History Center, Massee Lane Gardens and more!
You can sign her up for membership online at http://lockerly.org/support-us/  

Staffing Changes  

Effective May 1, 2018, Lockerly has made some exciting staffing changes! 

Greg Eilers has been promoted to Assistant Director of Lockerly Arboretum.  Congrats, Greg!  Greg has been the Director of Education at Lockerly for 13 years.  In his new role, he will be have oversight of both Education and Horticulture.  He will still be involved with Education, but he will have a less 'hands-on' role than in the past. 
If you are a teacher who has depended on Greg for your field trips, don't worry!  We have hired Madeline McCloskey to be our new Education Programs Coordinator and she is fabulous!  Welcome to the team, Madeline!  Here she is to introduce herself to you:
"Hello! My name is Madeline McCloskey. I am originally from Saint Simons Island, Georgia. Growing up on the coast truly developed my love for outdoors and the environment. When I moved to Milledgeville, GA to start school at GCSU I decided to pursue a degree in Environmental Science. About two years into college I found a part-time job at Lockerly Arboretum. I worked as part-time college education student doing programs once or twice a week. After I graduated in December of 2017, I was hired for a part-time position under Greg as an environmental educator, until my recent promotion to Education Programs Coordinator here at Lockerly.
I was thrilled when I got the promotion because my love for Lockerly and the outdoors kept growing, and I wanted to continue my journey here. As the new Education Programs Coordinator there is more responsibility, and more tasks ahead of me, but I can't wait to see what my future here at Lockerly looks like! I love working at Lockerly because I can make a difference in the community by educating kids that come to the programs, and I also get to learn something new every day!"

Be sure to stop by the office and meet Madeline the next time you come to visit Lockerly!

Greg Eilers, Assistant Director and Madeline McCloskey, Education Programs Coordinator.

 

2018 Calendar of Events 

 

Mark your calendars for these exciting programs!!!

   

May 19:  Kid's Fishing Event.  FREE!! 

August 18:  Introduction to BeeKeeping with Roger Kicklighter
September 8:  Lockerly Under the Stars

September 22:  Nocturnal Animals and Night Hike at Lockerly 

October 13: Family Fun Day
December 6:  Holiday Reception 

 

 

 

Lockerly Board meets at Worley

L-R:  Doug Oetter, Joe Sama, Chuck Walsh, Sandy Mercer, Angie Martin, Sarah Brantley, Bob Miller.

Lockerly Arboretum Board of Trustees recently held their Spring meeting at Worley Outdoor Education Center.  At 200 acres, Worley is a tremendous education resource where we hold two weeks of camp each year.  Local Boy Scout troops use the camping facilities on a regular basis as well.
There is a wonderful pavilion on the property that you can rent for your own event as well.  If you are interested in renting the Worley pavilion for an event, contact our office at 478-452-2112.