Category: Newsletter

Newsletter

Citizen Science Leads to Discovery of New Wasp Species on Garden Grounds

Many Fort Worth and area residents have explored the Garden for years. They may think they know every corner, every path and every tree. In fact, our own Garden holds many surprises. For example, a new species of gall wasp was recently identified on Garden grounds. The story of the wasp’s discovery has much to tell us about the importance of citizen science, the diversity of life around us and the many mysteries waiting to be uncovered in our own backyards.

BRIT Staff August 3, 2022

Engage

Explore the Garden’s Refreshing Water Features This Summer

The blazing summer heat shows no sign of relenting, and it’s safe to say that most area residents are fed up with 100-degree-plus temperatures. Since there’s not much we can do except wait for fall, we here at the Garden invite you to find refreshment at our many ponds, fountains and streams.

BRIT Staff August 3, 2022

Newsletter

Teach Observation Skills this Summer with Three Simple Prompts: I Notice, I Wonder and This Reminds Me

The scientific method begins with observation, yet observation isn’t often taught. Parents and teachers assume that students know how to observe without explaining that observing isn’t simply looking. It’s a way of engaging with the natural world that employs multiple senses, draws on existing knowledge and raises questions for further discussion. Learn more about how to teach your children how to observe.

BRIT Staff July 8, 2022

Learn

Join the FWBG | BRIT Reads Book Club for Lively Discussions of Books about the Natural World

If you love nature, love to read, and love to discuss reading about nature with like-minded companions, consider joining the FWBG | BRIT Book Club. You’ll find a community of readers who enjoy in-depth conversations about botany, biology, ecology and the natural world.

BRIT Staff July 8, 2022

Garden

Learn How to Stop the Spread of Invasive Plants through Smart Shopping and Native-Friendly Gardening

Readers of this newsletter are savvy and environmentally aware—most know that invasive plants threaten the environment and native plants support a healthy ecosystem. But it’s not always easy. You might go to your local garden center looking for a native plant like lantana, take it home and plant it in your garden. You’ve done a good thing, right? Maybe. Maybe not. How do you know that the variety of lantana you purchased is native lantana?

BRIT Staff July 8, 2022

Newsletter

BRIT Press Celebrates 60th Anniversary of Publishing Botanical Discoveries and References

Publication is an essential step in the scientific process. Discoveries are considered unofficial until they have been reviewed by fellow scientists and published in journals. Through publication, scientists learn about new findings and debate new ideas. This year, BRIT Press celebrates the 60th anniversary of fulfilling this critical role in botany.

BRIT Staff July 8, 2022

Fountain bubbles in the Leonard Courtyard

Engage

Beat the Heat at the Garden this Summer

It’s one of those summers. The heat is relentless, the drought shows no sign of stopping and autumn feels like a long time away. It’s tempting to stay inside with the AC blasting. But the Garden can still provide a welcome respite and a breath of fresh air. Just follow these tips to beat the heat.

BRIT Staff July 7, 2022

Learn

Discover the Beautiful Birds that Make the Garden Their Home

Many area residents find the Garden a place of respite and renewal—a home away from home. But the Garden is also a different kind of sanctuary: It is home to dozens of bird species. The Garden is a hotspot for birds, who find safe nesting places in our trees and shrubs as well as numerous sources of food and water. Many enthusiastic bird watchers make regular trips to the Garden to look for both common and uncommon species.

BRIT Staff June 10, 2022

children playing outside in a water sprinkler

Newsletter

Build STEM Skills While Keeping Cool with These Refreshing Water Activities

It looks as if this is going to be a long, hot summer. Time to get creative and find fun ways to get your family outside and moving without melting. One solution: Just add water. Outdoor activities that include water can be cooler—especially when some splashing is allowed. Playing with water also has another advantage. It’s a great way to introduce some basic STEM concepts while having fun.

BRIT Staff June 9, 2022

The distinctive white pincushion flowers of buttonbush

Garden

Find a Home for the Distinctive Pincushion Blooms of Buttonbush in Your Garden

A fascinating shrub is currently in bloom in the Garden, one that Senior Horticulturist Steve Huddleston suggests North Texas gardeners should consider for their landscape: buttonbush. “This plant will dazzle you with its form, foliage and flowers,” says Huddleston. “And it thrives in locations that many plants find challenging.”

BRIT Staff June 8, 2022

Category: Newsletter

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