WVU Core Arboretum News & Notes
Pawpaw Party at WVU Core Arboretum
September 9, 2024
It is Pawpaw Party time!! WVU Core Arboretum's annual Pawpaw Party will be Tuesday, September 10, at 6:00-7:30 or while supplies last!
Come to WVU Core Arboretum to taste pawpaws! The pawpaw (Asimina triloba) is the largest fruit native to West Virginia. Pawpaws have a delicious, tropical flavor that some describe as a combination of banana, mango, and pineapple and a smooth, creamy texture. Pawpaws ripen in fall, and the Arboretum’s trees usually produce enough ripe fruit to gather and share with the public. The dry and hot weather this summer has led to a very early and fast pawpaw season, but there are some left.
We will have a table set up in the lawn area, and all are welcome to stop by and try a pawpaw. We will also have literature about pawpaws and how to grow the pawpaw seeds that you will be left with after trying the fruit. Pawpaw Parties are free and open to the public, and no registration is required.Also, don't forget that the West Virginia Pawpaw Festival will be at the Arboretum on Saturday, September 28, 12-5 pm. We will have orchard-grown, specially-selected Peterson Pawpaw varieties at the festival along with live music, food trucks, pawpaw trees and other native plants, and more. It is great to compare the wild fruit from a Pawpaw Party to the fancy fruit of the Pawpaw Festival!
West Virginia Pawpaw Festival at WVU Core Arboretum
August 15, 2024
Come to WVU Core Arboretum to taste, buy, and learn about pawpaws!The 2024 WV Pawpaw Festival at WVU Core Arboretum will be Saturday, September 28, from 12:00-5:00 pm. This annual event celebrating a native fall fruit of the forest is family-friendly, free, and open to the public, no registration needed. The festival will be in the Lawn Area at the Arboretum, and free parking is available in the adjacent WVU Coliseum parking lot. We will have Peterson Pawpaws select varieties of pawpaw fruit available to sample and purchase, samples of pawpaw dishes prepared by a chef, a talk by pawpaw book author Andrew Moore, the North American Pawpaw Growers Association booth, pawpaw trees and other native plants for sale, live music, food trucks, and more. Don't miss this special event and bring your friends!
The pawpaw (Asimina triloba) is the largest fruit native to West Virginia. Pawpaws have a delicious tropical flavor that some describe as a combination of banana, mango, and pineapple and a smooth, creamy texture. Pawpaws ripen in autumn, and we host several pawpaw events at the Arboretum each year to coincide with pawpaw season. Even though pawpaws are fairly common, many people have never tasted a pawpaw, and we hope to change that!
by Zach Fowler
Moth Night 2024 at WVU Core Arboretum, in memory of Sue Olcott
June 24, 2024
National Moth Week is July 20-28, and WVU Core Arboretum is celebrating as we do each summer by inviting everyone to a Moth Night at the Arboretum!Thursday, July 25, from 9:00-11:00 pm we will have lights and sheets set up in the Arboretum lawn area to attract moths, and there will be experts on hand to identify the moths that we attract! Last year, we saw over 100 species of moths and numerous other insects. We will also have people from the WVU Insect Zoo at the event with some of their displays and live insects. There is not a formal program for this free event, and all are welcome to stop by any time between 9 and 11 to learn about moths and how to attract and study them. Bring a flashlight. The event will be rescheduled if it is raining.
We are remembering Sue Olcott at this year's event. Sue was a local nature expert who we lost suddenly to cancer this year. Sue was the one who inspired the first Moth Night at the Arboretum, back in 2017. She came to the Arboretum to film a television segment on moths, and an idea was born. Sue was our resident moth expert for the event from then on, and she is in our cover photo. Thanks, Sue, we miss you!
by Zach Fowler
Nature Connection Series at WVU Core Arboretum
June 1, 2024
Local and regional experts on a variety of nature-related subjects give public talks at the Arboretum each summer as part of the WVU Core Arboretum Nature Connection Series. Nature Connection Series talks happen on Tuesday evenings at 6:00 at the WVU Core Arboretum Amphitheater, starting in early June and continuing through late August. See either our Calendar of Events or Nature Connection Series page for speakers and talk titles. These talks are free and open to the public, and no registration is required. All of the talks are outdoors, so please dress for the weather. Talks will be cancelled and rescheduled if the weather is inclement. Come and join the WVU Core Arboretum nature connection crew!
WVU Core Arboretum Nature Connection Series is supported by the WVU Department of Biology, the WVU Core Arboretum Endowment, and donations from the public. All speakers are volunteers. Thank you to all who support the mission of WVU Core Arboretum!
by Zach Fowler
Help WVU Core Arboretum on Day of Giving
March 15, 2024
WVU Day of Giving is Wednesday, March 20!
Please help WVU Core Arboretum on Day of Giving this year as we start the Arboretum Lawn Area and Amphitheater Accessibility Fund. It has long been our goal to make the Amphitheater and Lawn Area accessible to more people so that events such as Nature Connection Series, WV Pawpaw Festival, and Spring Flower Festival are more truly open to all. We have worked with WVU students in Vaike Haas’s Landscape Architecture classes to develop proof of concept, but it will be a costly project! That is why we are asking for help. Thanks to a generous gift of $50,000 from Dr. Lee Petsonk and Susan Brown, we are starting the WVU Core Arboretum Lawn Area Accessibility Fund! Gifts to the Arboretum on Day of Giving this year will unlock this gift and initiate a fund that will allow us to begin and, with additional gifts, complete the accessibility project. Dr. Petsonk’s mother suffered from polio and its lasting impacts on her mobility, and his family was always aware of the importance of making community programming accessible to as many people as possible. He and his wife, Susan Brown, are excited for the opportunity to get this important project started, and they challenge both the University and local communities to help! Follow this link to give on Wednesday, March 20: https://dayofgiving.wvu.edu/amb/arboretum. Thank you to Dr. Lee Petsonk, Susan Brown, and all who help the Arboretum work toward its full potential!
WVU Core Arboretum Spring Flower Festival 2024
February 14, 2024
Come to WVU Core Arboretum for our sixth annual Spring Flower Festival on Saturday, April 13, from 2-6 pm! This family-friendly, free event is open to everyone and will showcase the beautiful spring ephemeral wildflower display that happens every year in the Arboretum's old-growth forest preserve.
We will have a self-guided wildflower tour, live music, food trucks in the parking lot, and other fun activities. These flowers only last a couple weeks every year, so catch them while they’re out! Learn more about the spring ephemeral wildflowers here.
by Zach Fowler
WVU Department of Biology Spring Ephemeral Wildflower Walks start April 7
February 14, 2024
Spring is almost here, and we are very excited to share our spectacular old-growth forest and its spring ephemeral wildflowers with the public again this year. Mark your calendars for the WVU Department of Biology Spring Ephemeral Wildflower Walks! These free, guided walks will happen on all Sundays in April at 12:00, 12:30, 3:00, and 3:30. Free online registration is required so that we can keep group sizes reasonable. Please use this link to register: https://wvuarboretumflowerwalks2024.eventbrite.com. More information is available in the registration link. More tours may be added to the calendar, depending on volunteer guide availability. Groups wishing to schedule a group tour outside of this schedule should contact Zach Fowler, Arboretum Director, at zfowler@mail.wvu.edu. People are always welcome to visit and see the flowers on their own, too, and there will be information at the kiosk about how to find the flowers and how to identify the flowers that you find. Do not miss the flowers this year! Last year, more than 45 species of plants were seen in bloom over the course of the wildflower walks. (Read more about spring ephemeral wildflowers.)
by Zach Fowler
Mountaineer Audubon Spring Bird Walks start April 16
February 14, 2024
Spring will soon be here! Mark your calendars for the Mountaineer Audubon Spring Bird Walks. We are very excited to share our spectacular old-growth forest and its migratory birds with the public again this spring. The Mountaineer Audubon Spring Bird Walks will happen on the last three Tuesdays in April and the first Tuesday in May at 7:30 am each day. These are guided tours; volunteer guides will lead participants to the best birding spots in the Arboretum, and they will identify birds by sight and sound along the way. First time birders are welcome, and, thanks to a generous donation, we have binoculars to share with those who may not have them! These tours are free, and will meet in the Arboretum parking lot. Additional parking is available at the nearby WVU Coliseum. No reservations are needed. Dress appropriately for the weather and for hiking. Groups wishing to schedule a private group tour should contact Zach Fowler, Arboretum Director, at zfowler@mail.wvu.edu. People are always welcome to visit and see the birds on their own, too, and there will be Arboretum bird checklists at the kiosk. Last year, more than 70 species of birds were seen and/or heard over the course of these walks.
by Zach Fowler
Christmas Bird Count for Kids at WVU Core Arboretum
December 1, 2023
Bring your kids to WVU Core Arboretum on Saturday, December 16, 2023, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm to learn about birds, birding, and how to participate in citizen science while spending some time outside on a winter day! We will learn about the Christmas Bird Count--a 124 year old citizen science effort coordinated by the National Audubon Society, then we will do a guided bird walk and count of our own in the Arboretum. Our bird count data will be collected as part of the real Christmas Bird Count! This event is most appropriate for school-age kids, but younger kids are welcome with appropriate supervision. No birding experience is necessary, and first-time birders are encouraged! We have binoculars to share with participants if you do not have your own, thanks to a recent donation to the Arboretum. We will tally our birds and celebrate with hot drinks, snacks, and a book read-aloud after the bird walkers return from their walk. The event will be outside, so please dress for the weather. This event is free and open to everyone, no registration required.
by Zach Fowler
Pawpaw Party at WVU Core Arboretum
September 20, 2023
Pawpaw Party time!! WVU Core Arboretum's annual Pawpaw Party will be Thursday, September 21, at 6:00-7:30 or while supplies last!
Come to the WVU Core Arboretum to taste pawpaws! Pawpaw (Asimina triloba) is the largest fruit native to West Virginia. Pawpaws have a delicious, tropical flavor that some describe as a combination of banana, mango, and pineapple and a smooth, creamy texture. Pawpaws ripen in fall, and the Arboretum’s trees are just starting to produce enough ripe fruit to gather.We will have a table set up in the lawn area, and all are welcome to stop by and try a pawpaw. We will also have literature about pawpaws and how to grow the pawpaw seeds that you will be left with after trying the fruit. Pawpaw Parties are free and open to the public, and no registration is required.
Moth Night, Part 2, at WVU Core Arboretum
August 25, 2023
WVU Core Arboretum is excited to announce Moth Night, Part 2! Thursday, August 31, from 8:30-11:00 pm we will have sheets and lights set up in the Arboretum lawn area to attract moths, and there will be experts on hand to identify the moths that we attract! At previous Moth Night events, we have seen over 95 species of moths and numerous other insects. We will also have people from the WVU Insect Zoo at the event with some of their displays and live insects. There is not a formal program for this free event, and all are welcome to stop by any time between 8:30 and 11 to learn about moths and how to attract and study them. Bring a flashlight. The event will be rescheduled if it is raining. This event is a special collaboration with Dr. Elizabeth Rowen's Principles of Entomology (ENTO 404) class at WVU.by Zach Fowler
West Virginia Pawpaw Festival at WVU Core Arboretum
August 23, 2023
Come to WVU Core Arboretum to taste, buy, and learn about pawpaws!The 2023 WV Pawpaw Festival at WVU Core Arboretum will be Saturday, September 30, from 12:00-5:00 pm. This annual event celebrating an Appalachian autumn fruit is family-friendly, free, and open to the public, no registration needed. The festival will be in the Lawn Area at the Arboretum, and free parking is available in the adjacent WVU Coliseum parking lot. We will have Peterson Pawpaws select varieties of pawpaw fruit available to sample and purchase, samples of pawpaw dishes prepared by a chef, a talk by Neal Peterson of Peterson Pawpaws, the North American Pawpaw Growers Association booth, pawpaw trees and other native plants for sale, live music, food trucks, and more. Don't miss this special event and bring your friends!
The pawpaw (Asimina triloba) is the largest fruit native to West Virginia. Pawpaws have a delicious tropical flavor that some describe as a combination of banana, mango, and pineapple and a smooth, creamy texture. Pawpaws ripen in autumn, and we host several pawpaw events at the Arboretum each year to coincide with pawpaw season. Even though pawpaws are fairly common, many people have never tasted a pawpaw, and we hope to change that!
by Zach Fowler
Moth Night 2023 at WVU Core Arboretum
June 20, 2023
National Moth Week is July 22-30, and WVU Core Arboretum is celebrating as we do every summer by inviting everyone to a Moth Night at the Arboretum! Tuesday, July 25, from 9:00-11:00 pm we will have sheets and lights set up in the Arboretum lawn area to attract moths, and there will be experts on hand to identify the moths that we attract! Last year, we saw over 95 species of moths and numerous other insects. We will also have people from the WVU Insect Zoo at the event with some of their displays and live insects. There is not a formal program for this free event, and all are welcome to stop by any time between 9 and 11 to learn about moths and how to attract and study them. Bring a flashlight. The event will be rescheduled if it is raining.by Zach Fowler
Nature Connection Series at WVU Core Arboretum
June 14, 2023
Local and regional experts on a variety of nature-related subjects give public talks at the Arboretum each summer as part of the WVU Core Arboretum Nature Connection Series. Nature Connection Series talks happen on Tuesday evenings at 6:00 at the WVU Core Arboretum Amphitheater, starting in early June and continuing through late August. See either our Calendar of Events or Nature Connection Series page for speakers and talk titles. These talks are free and open to the public, and no registration is required. All of the talks are outdoors, so please dress for the weather. Talks will be cancelled and rescheduled if the weather is inclement. Come and join the WVU Core Arboretum nature connection crew!
WVU Core Arboretum Nature Connection Series is supported by the WVU Department of Biology, the WVU Core Arboretum Endowment, and donations from the public. All speakers are volunteers. Thank you to all who support the mission of WVU Core Arboretum!
by Zach Fowler
Bird Banding Public Demonstrations at WVU Core Arboretum
May 15, 2023
Come to WVU Core Arboretum, along the Rail Trail, to learn about how researchers safely capture birds to study them! This will be a monthly, event, so pay attention to our calendar or social media pages to learn about specific dates.WVU professor Dr. Chris Rota and his students will set up mist nets to capture wild birds for their research, and they are happy to have people watch them do their work and get a close view of some beautiful birds. They will also talk about the important work that they do and answer questions about bird research. There is no formal program, stop in at any time to see what is happening. These events are free and open to the public, and they will be cancelled if there is rain. Please do not bring pets to avoid adding stress to the birds. Bring your friends, and let's hope the birds participate.
Since these events are down along the Rail Trail, it may be easier to park at the Star City Rail Trail parking lot and come South to the Arboretum on the Rail Trail.
by Zach Fowler
WVU Core Arboretum Spring Flower Festival 2023
April 2, 2023
Come to WVU Core Arboretum for our fifth annual Spring Flower Festival on Saturday, April 15, from 2-6 pm! This family-friendly, free event is open to everyone and will showcase the beautiful spring ephemeral wildflower display that happens every year in the Arboretum's old-growth forest preserve.
We will have a self-guided wildflower tour, live music, food trucks in the parking lot, and other fun activities. These flowers only last a couple weeks every year, so catch them while they’re out! Learn more about the spring ephemeral wildflowers here.
by Zach Fowler
WVU Department of Biology Spring Ephemeral Wildflower Walks Start April 2
January 31, 2023
Spring is almost here, and we are very excited to share our spectacular old-growth forest and its spring ephemeral wildflowers with the public again this year. Mark your calendars for the WVU Department of Biology Spring Ephemeral Wildflower Walks! These free, guided walks will happen on all Sundays in April at 12:00, 12:30, 3:00, and 3:30. Free online registration is required so that we can keep group sizes reasonable. Please use this link to register: https://wvuarboretumflowerwalks2023.eventbrite.com. More information is available in the registration link. More tours may be added to the calendar, depending on volunteer guide availability. Groups wishing to schedule a group tour outside of this schedule should contact Zach Fowler, Arboretum Director, at zfowler@mail.wvu.edu. People are always welcome to visit and see the flowers on their own, too, and there will be information at the kiosk about how to find the flowers and how to identify the flowers that you find. Do not miss the flowers this year! Last year, more than 45 species of plants were seen in bloom over the course of the wildflower walks. (Read more about spring ephemeral wildflowers.)
by Zach Fowler
Mountaineer Audubon Spring Bird Walks Start April 18
January 31, 2023
Spring is here! Mark your calendars for the Mountaineer Audubon Spring Bird Walks. We are very excited to share our spectacular old-growth forest and its migratory birds with the public again this spring. The Mountaineer Audubon Spring Bird Walks will happen on the last two Tuesdays in April and the first two Tuesdays in May at 7:30 am each day. These are guided tours; volunteer guides will lead participants to the best birding spots in the Arboretum, and they will identify birds by sight and sound along the way. These tours are free, and will meet in the Arboretum parking lot. Additional parking is available at the nearby WVU Coliseum. No reservations are needed. Dress appropriately for the weather and for hiking. Groups wishing to schedule a private group tour should contact Zach Fowler, Arboretum Director, at zfowler@mail.wvu.edu. People are always welcome to visit and see the birds on their own, too, and there will be Arboretum bird checklists at the kiosk. Last year, more than 70 species of birds were seen and/or heard over the course of these walks.
by Zach Fowler
Christmas Bird Count for Kids at WVU Core Arboretum
November 30, 2022
Bring your kids to WVU Core Arboretum on Saturday, December 17, 2022, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm to learn about birds, birding, and how to participate in citizen science while spending some time outside on a winter day! We will learn about the Christmas Bird Count--a 120+ year old citizen science effort coordinated by the National Audubon Society, then we will do a guided bird walk and count of our own in the Arboretum. We will also have a bird netting and banding demonstration by a WVU bird scientist. Our bird count data will be collected as part of the real Christmas Bird Count! This event is most appropriate for school-age kids, but younger kids are welcome with appropriate supervision. No birding experience is necessary, and first-time birders are encouraged! We will tally our birds and celebrate with hot drinks, snacks, and a book read-aloud for the young kids after the bird walkers return from their walks. The event will be outside, so please dress for the weather. This event is free and open to everyone, no registration required.
by Zach Fowler
Bird Banding Public Demonstration at WVU Core Arboretum
August 10, 2022
Come to WVU Core Arboretum, along the Rail Trail, on Sunday, September 18, from 7:00-11:00 am to learn about how researchers safely capture birds to study them!WVU faculty and graduate students will set up mist nets to capture wild birds in a public demonstration. They will also talk about the important work that they do and answer questions about bird research. There is no formal program, stop in at any time to see what is happening. This event is free and open to the public, and it will be cancelled if there is rain. Please do not bring pets to avoid adding stress to the birds. Bring your friends, and let's hope the birds participate.
Since this event is down along the Rail Trail, it may be easier to park at the Star City Rail Trail parking lot and come South to the Arboretum on the Rail Trail.
by Zach Fowler
West Virginia Pawpaw Festival at WVU Core Arboretum
August 22, 2022
Come to WVU Core Arboretum to taste, buy, and learn about pawpaws!The 2022 WV Pawpaw Festival at WVU Core Arboretum will be Saturday, September 24, from 12:00-5:00 pm. This annual event celebrating an Appalachian autumn fruit is family-friendly, free, and open to the public, no registration needed. The festival will be in the Lawn Area at the Arboretum, and free parking is available in the adjacent WVU Coliseum parking lot. We will have Peterson Pawpaws select varieties of pawpaw fruit available to sample and purchase, samples of pawpaw dishes prepared by a chef, a talk by a Native American scholar, the North American Pawpaw Growers Association booth, live music, food trucks, and fun activities and lawn games. Don't miss this special event and bring your friends!
The pawpaw (Asimina triloba) is the largest fruit native to West Virginia. Pawpaws have a delicious tropical flavor that some describe as a combination of banana, mango, and pineapple and a smooth, creamy texture. Pawpaws ripen in autumn, and we host several pawpaw events at the Arboretum each year to coincide with pawpaw season. Even though pawpaws are fairly common, many people have never tasted a pawpaw, and we hope to change that!
by Zach Fowler
Moth Night 2022 at WVU Core Arboretum
July 20, 2022
National Moth Week is July 23-31, and WVU Core Arboretum is celebrating by inviting everyone to a Moth Night at the Arboretum! Tuesday, July 26, from 9:00-11:00 pm we will have sheets and lights set up in the Arboretum lawn area to attract moths, and there will be experts on hand to identify the moths that we attract! Last year, we saw over 95 species of moths and numerous other insects. We will also have people from the WVU Insect Zoo at the event with some of their displays and live insects. There is not a formal program for this free event, and all are welcome to stop by any time between 9 and 11 to learn about moths and how to attract and study them. Bring a flashlight. The event will be cancelled if it is raining. Due to rainy weather on July 26, this event was rescheduled for August 4.by Zach Fowler
Monongalia Sinfonietta Community Orchestra in Concert at WVU Core Arboretum
June 6, 2022
Monongalia Sinfonietta Community Orchestra is playing a free concert at the Arboretum on Saturday, June 11, at 2 pm. The concert will be in the lower corner of the lawn area, so bring a lawn chair or a blanket. The concert will be moved to the Lutheran Campus Ministry at WVU Chapel if there is rain. Monongalia Sinfonietta Community Orchestra is a group of young at heart amateur classical string musicians who enjoy making music together.
by Zach Fowler
Nature Connection at WVU Core Arboretum
June 1, 2022
Local and regional experts on a variety of nature-related subjects give public talks at the Arboretum each summer as part of the WVU Core Arboretum Nature Connection Series . The Nature Connection Series talks happen on Tuesday evenings at 6:00 at the WVU Core Arboretum Amphitheater, starting in early June and continuing through late August. See either our Calendar of Events or Nature Connection Series page for speakers and talk titles. These talks are free and open to the public, and no registration is required. All of the talks are outdoors, so please dress for the weather. Talks will be moved or cancelled if the weather is inclement. Come be a part of the WVU Core Arboretum nature crew!
The 2022 WVU Core Arboretum Nature Connection Series is supported by the WVU Department of Biology, the WVU Core Arboretum Endowment, and donations from the public. All speakers are volunteers. Thank you to all who support the mission of WVU Core Arboretum!
by Zach Fowler
Mountaineer Audubon Spring Bird Walks Start April 19
March 18, 2022
Spring is here! Mark your calendars for the Mountaineer Audubon spring bird walks. We are very excited to share our spectacular old-growth forest and its migratory birds with the public again this spring. The Mountaineer Audubon Spring Bird Walks will happen on the last two Tuesdays in April and the first three Tuesdays in May at 7:30 am each day. These are guided tours; volunteer guides will lead participants to the best birding spots in the Arboretum, and they will identify birds by sight and sound along the way. These tours are free, and will meet in the Arboretum parking lot. Additional free parking is available at the nearby WVU Coliseum. No reservations are needed. Dress appropriately for the weather and for hiking. Groups wishing to schedule a private group tour should contact Zach Fowler, Arboretum Director, at zfowler@mail.wvu.edu. People are always welcome to visit and see the birds on their own, too, and there will be Arboretum bird checklists at the kiosk. Last year, more than 70 species of birds were seen and/or heard over the course of these walks.
by Zach Fowler
WVU Department of Biology Spring Ephemeral Wildflower Walks Start April 3
March 8, 2022
Spring is almost here, and we are very excited to share our spectacular old-growth forest and its spring ephemeral wildflowers with the public again this year. Mark your calendars for the WVU Department of Biology spring ephemeral wildflower walks! These free, guided walks will happen on all Sundays in April at 12:00, 12:30, 3:00, and 3:30. Free online registration is required so that we can keep group sizes reasonable (use this link: https://wvuarboretum-springwildflowerwalks-2022.eventbrite.com). More information is available in the registration link. More tours may be added to the calendar, depending on volunteer guide availability. Groups wishing to schedule a group tour should contact Zach Fowler, Arboretum Director, at zfowler@mail.wvu.edu. People are always welcome to visit and see the flowers on their own, too, and there will be information at the kiosk about how to find the flowers and how to identify the flowers that you find. Do not miss the flowers this year! Last year, more than 45 species of plants were seen in bloom over the course of the wildflower walks. (Read more about spring ephemeral wildflowers.)
by Zach Fowler
WV Pawpaw Festival at WVU Core Arboretum
September 7, 2021
Come to WVU Core Arboretum to taste, buy, and learn about pawpaws!The 2021 WV Pawpaw Festival at WVU Core Arboretum will be Saturday, September 25, from 12:00-5:00 pm. This annual event celebrating an Appalachian autumn fruit is family-friendly and free and open to the public, no registration needed. The festival will be in the Lawn Area at the Arboretum, and free parking is available in the adjacent WVU Coliseum parking lot. We will have Peterson Pawpaws select varieties of pawpaw fruit available to sample and purchase, samples of pawpaw dishes prepared by a chef, a talk by a pawpaw expert, live music, food trucks, the WVU Insect Zoo, and fun activities and lawn games. Don't miss this special event, and bring your friends!
The pawpaw (Asimina triloba) is the largest fruit native to West Virginia. Pawpaws have a delicious tropical flavor that some describe as a combination of banana, mango, and pineapple and a smooth, creamy texture. Pawpaws ripen in autumn, and we host several pawpaw events at the Arboretum each year to coincide with pawpaw season. Even though pawpaws are fairly common, many people have never tasted a pawpaw, and we hope to change that!
by Zach Fowler
Bird Banding Public Demonstration at WVU Core Arboretum Amphitheater
August 31, 2021
Come to WVU Core Arboretum Amphitheater on Saturday, September 4 from 8:00-10:00 am to learn about how researchers safely capture birds to study them! WVU graduate students will set up mist nets to capture wild birds in a public demonstration. They will also talk about the important work that they do and answer questions about bird research. There is no formal program, stop in at any time to see what is happening. This event is free and open to the public, and it will be cancelled if there is rain. Please do not bring pets to avoid adding stress to the birds. Bring your friends, and let's hope the birds participate.by Zach Fowler
Shakespeare at WVU Core Arboretum Amphitheater
August 4, 2021
On Saturday August 7th, 2021, at 12pm and 5pm and Sunday August 8th, 2021, at 12pm, WVU Core Arboretum Amphitheater will be hosting a Shakespeare show. Tickets are by donation only and seating is first come first serve. This show highlights the themes of light and dark throughout the works of Shakespeare. This show is mainly recommended for ages thirteen and up.Director Riley Barriger and Assistant Director Natalie Turkevich have been working on the show since mid-June and are excited to bring the show to the public. They have been working with actors Erica Cottrill, Paxton Marner, and Jordan Kennedy-Rae to put this production up in only one month.
by Riley Barriger
Solace String Quarentet Concerts at WVU Core Arboretum
July 12, 2021
Come to the WVU Core Arboretum Amphitheater on the third Thursday evening of each month at 6:30 pm for a concert of music from around the world by Solace String Quarentet. Solace String Quarentet is a group of friends who came together during the pandemic to play classical music together. In troubled times, there is solace in music.by Zach Fowler
Moth Night 2021 at WVU Core Arboretum
July 9, 2021
National Moth Week is July 17-25, and WVU Core Arboretum is celebrating by inviting everyone to a Moth Night at the Arboretum! Tuesday, July 20, from 9:00-11:00 pm we will have sheets and lights set up in the Arboretum lawn area to attract moths, and there will be experts on hand to identify the moths that we attract! Last year, we saw more than 95 species of moths and numerous other insects. There is not a formal program for this free event, and all are welcome to stop by any time between 9 and 11 to learn about moths and how to attract and study them. Bring a flashlight. The event will be cancelled if it is raining.by Zach Fowler
Nature Connection at WVU Core Arboretum
June 20, 2021
Local and regional experts on a variety of nature-related subjects give public talks at the Arboretum each summer as part of the WVU Core Arboretum Nature Connection Series . The Nature Connection Series talks happen on Tuesday evenings at 6:00 at the WVU Core Arboretum Amphitheater, starting in early June and continuing through late August. See either our Calendar of Events or Nature Connection Series page for speakers and talk titles. These talks are free and open to the public, and no registration is required. All of the talks are outdoors, so please dress for the weather. Talks will be moved or cancelled if the weather is inclement. Come be a part of the WVU Core Arboretum nature crew!
The 2021 WVU Core Arboretum Nature Connection Series is supported by the WVU Department of Biology, the WVU Core Arboretum Endowment, and donations from the public. All speakers are volunteers. Thank you to all who support the mission of WVU Core Arboretum!
by Zach Fowler
Mountaineer Audubon Spring Bird Walks start April 20
April 9, 2021
Spring is here! Mark your calendars for the Mountaineer Audubon spring bird walks. We are very excited to share our spectacular old-growth forest and its migratory birds with the public again this spring, but things are going to be a little bit different this year. The Mountaineer Audubon Spring Bird Walks will happen on the last two Tuesdays in April and the first three Tuesdays in May at 7:30 am each day. These are guided tours; volunteer guides will lead participants to the best birding spots in the Arboretum, and they will identify birds by sight and sound along the way. We will limit each group size to 20 participants, free online registration is required (use this link: https://wvuarboretum-springbirdwalks.eventbrite.com ), and mask wearing is required. More information is available in the registration link. Groups wishing to schedule a group tour should contact Zach Fowler, Arboretum Director, at zfowler@mail.wvu.edu. People are always welcome to visit and see the birds on their own, too, and there will be Arboretum bird checklists at the kiosk. Last year, more than 70 species of birds were seen and/or heard over the course of these walks. Photo by Steve Shaluta.
by Zach Fowler
WVU Department of Biology Spring Ephemeral Wildflower Walks start April 4
March 20, 2021
Spring is here! Mark your calendars for the WVU Department of Biology spring ephemeral wildflower walks. We are very excited to share our spectacular old-growth forest and its spring ephemeral wildflowers with the public again this spring, but things are going to be a little bit different this year. The WVU Department of Biology Spring Ephemeral Wildflower Walks will happen on Sundays in April at 9:00, 9:30, 12:00, 12:30, 3:00, and 3:30. We will limit each group size to 10 participants, free online registration is required (use this link: https://wvuarboretum-springwildflowerwalks.eventbrite.com ), and mask wearing is required. More information is available in the registration link. More tours may be added to the calendar, depending on volunteer guide availability. Groups wishing to schedule a group tour should contact Zach Fowler, Arboretum Director, at zfowler@mail.wvu.edu. People are always welcome to visit and see the flowers on their own, too, and there will be information at the kiosk about how to find the flowers and how to identify the flowers that you find. Do not miss the flowers this year! Last year, over the course of the wildflower walks, more than 45 species of plants were seen in bloom. (Read more about spring ephemeral wildflowers.)
by Zach Fowler
Running and Walking Loop installed at WVU Core Arboretum
October 18, 2020
Explore the Arboretum and get some exercise on the
WVU Core Arboretum Running and Walking Loop
. This 1.75 mile loop has frequent signs to guide visitors along
existing Arboretum trails through some of the most beautiful spots
in the Arboretum while avoiding the steepest trails (it is still hilly).
The loop is a great way for new visitors to see much of the Arboretum
without worrying about bringing along a map, too! The loop starts
and ends at the WVU Coliseum Parking Lot entrance to the Arboretum, and
it is bisected by the Caperton Rail Trail. Follow the gold and blue
signs to stay on the loop. The WVU Core Arboretum Running and Walking Loop
was made possible by the efforts of the WVU Exercise Physiology Club.
by Zach Fowler
Events are cancelled at the Arboretum, but trail use is still welcome
August 1, 2020
Although we have cancelled all of our typical free public programming, our trails are still open for visitors to use at their own risk while following WVU's social distancing and mask wearing protocols. We do not have any indoor facilities to close. Outdoor activity is a great way to stay healthy and happy during stressful times, and we are proud to offer a place where this can happen. Stay healthy, everyone!
by Zach Fowler
WVU Core Arboretum Spring, Summer, and Fall events cancelled for 2020
April 2, 2020
We are sorry to announce that we are cancelling all of our Spring, Summer, and Fall outreach events at the Arboretum this year because of COVID-19. This cancellation includes the WVU Department of Biology Spring Wildflower Walks, the Mountaineer Audubon Spring Bird Walks, the Spring Flower Festival, the Nature Connection Series talks, the Pawpaw Parties, and the WV Pawpaw Festival. We are heartbroken to lose these opportunities to freely share the beauty of the Arboretum with the public this year, but we are keeping the loss in perspective. Stay healthy, everyone!
by Zach Fowler
WVU Core Arboretum/WVU Herbarium 2020 Newsletters
Christmas Bird Count for Kids at WVU Core Arboretum
December 4, 2019
Bring your kids to WVU Core Arboretum on Saturday, December 7, from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm to learn about birds, birding, and how to participate in citizen science while spending some time outside on a winter day! We will learn about the Christmas Bird Count--a 120 year old citizen science effort coordinated by the National Audubon Society, then we will do a bird walk and count of our own in the Arboretum. We will also have information available about how to participate in the real Christmas Bird Count the following week. This event is most appropriate for school-age kids, but younger kids are welcome with appropriate supervision. No birding experience is necessary, and first-time birders are encouraged! We will tally our birds and celebrate with hot drinks and snacks after the bird walkers return from their walks. The event will be outside, so please dress for the weather. This event is free and open to everyone, no registration required.
by Zach Fowler
Pawpaw Parties and Pawpaw Festival at WVU Core Arboretum
September 10, 2019
Come to WVU Core Arboretum to taste pawpaws!
The pawpaw (Asimina triloba) is the largest fruit native to West Virginia. Pawpaws have a delicious tropical flavor that some describe as a combination of banana, mango, and pineapple and a smooth, creamy texture. Pawpaws ripen in autumn, and the Arboretum’s trees typically produce enough ripe fruit to gather and share sometime in September.
To celebrate and share this delicious fruit that grows naturally in WV, WVU Core Arboretum hosts Pawpaw Parties every year. Even though pawpaws are fairly common, many people have never tasted a pawpaw, and we hope to change that! Pawpaw Parties are rather informal, but they have become a much-anticipated annual event at WVU Core Arboretum, and this will be our fifth year doing it! A table will be set up in the lawn area at the Arboretum, and all are welcome to stop by and try a pawpaw. Literature about pawpaws and how to grow the pawpaw seeds that will be left after trying the fruit will also be available. Depending on how long the pawpaw season lasts, we will try to host several Pawpaw Parties. Pay attention to the Calendar of Events section of this webpage and our social media pages for more details. Pawpaw Parties are free and open to the public.
Also, on September 28, we are having the second annual
WV Pawpaw Festival
at the Arboretum! We are collaborating with Neal Peterson from Peterson
Pawpaws and local chefs including Marion Ohlinger from Hill and Hollow
to present pawpaws to the public in both fresh and prepared versions. We
are also going to have live music and fun activities for all at the
Pawpaw Festival. More information about the Pawpaw Festival will be posted
soon, as we get plans finalized. The Pawpaw Festival is also free and open
to the public, and we hope to see you there!
by Zach Fowler
Moth Night 2019 at WVU Core Arboretum
July 13, 2019
National Moth Week is July 20-28, and WVU Core Arboretum is celebrating by inviting everyone to a Moth Night at the Arboretum! Friday, July 26, from 9:00-11:00 pm we will have sheets and lights set up in the Arboretum lawn area to attract moths, and there will be experts on hand to identify the moths that we attract! Last year, we saw more than 75 species of moths and numerous other insects. There is not a formal program for this free event, and all are welcome to stop by any time between 9 and 11 to learn about moths and how to attract and study them. Bring a flashlight. The event will be cancelled if it is raining.by Zach Fowler
Nature Connection at WVU Core Arboretum
May 29, 2019
Local and regional experts on a variety of nature-related subjects give public talks at the Arboretum each summer as part of the WVU Core Arboretum Nature Connection Series . The Nature Connection Series talks happen on Tuesday evenings at 6:00 at the WVU Core Arboretum Amphitheater, starting in early June and continuing through late August. See either our Calendar of Events or Nature Connection Series page for speakers and talk titles. These talks are free and open to the public, and no registration is required. All of the talks are outdoors, so please dress for the weather. Talks will be moved or cancelled if the weather is inclement. Come be a part of the WVU Core Arboretum nature crew!
The 2019 WVU Core Arboretum Nature Connection Series is supported by the WVU Department of Biology, the WVU Core Arboretum Endowment, the Robert C. Cull Outreach Fellowship, and donations from the public. All speakers are volunteers. Thank you to all who support the mission of WVU Core Arboretum!
by Zach Fowler
WVU Core Arboretum Spring Flower Festival 2019
March 25, 2019
Come to WVU Core Arboretum for our second annual Spring Flower Festival on Saturday, April 20, from 2-6 pm! This family-friendly, free event is open to everyone and will showcase the beautiful spring ephemeral wildflower display that happens every year in the Arboretum.We will have wildflower tours, live music, lawn games, nature activities for kids, food trucks, live music and lots of information about other Arboretum programming. These flowers only last a couple weeks every year, so catch them while they’re out!
( Learn more about the spring ephemeral wildflowers. )
by Zach Fowler
Free, guided walks begin April 7 at WVU Core Arboretum
March 11, 2019
Spring will soon be here! Mark your calendars for the WVU Department of Biology spring ephemeral wildflower walks and the Mountaineer Audubon spring bird walks. These free, guided tours are a spring tradition at WVU Core Arboretum. Last year, in the course of three wildflower walks and four bird walks, over 45 species of plants were seen in bloom and over 70 species of birds were seen and/or heard. The wildflower walks will happen on Sundays in April (April 7, 14, 21, and 28) at 2 pm. The bird walks will be the last two Tuesdays in April and the first two Tuesdays in May (April 23, 30 and May 7, 14) at 7:30 am. All tours will meet in the Arboretum parking lot. Additional free parking is available at the nearby WVU Coliseum. No reservations are needed. Dress appropriately for the weather and for hiking. Additional wildflower tours will be added to the schedule in April, as volunteer tour leaders become available! (Read more about spring ephemeral wildflowers.)
by Zach Fowler
WVU Core Arboretum/WVU Herbarium 2018 Newsletters
Click on the images below to access pdf versions of the newsletters.
Pawpaw Parties and Pawpaw Festival at WVU Core Arboretum
Come to WVU Core Arboretum to taste pawpaws!
The pawpaw (Asimina triloba) is the largest fruit native to West Virginia. Pawpaws have a delicious tropical flavor that some describe as a combination of banana, mango, and pineapple and a smooth, creamy texture. Pawpaws ripen in autumn, and the Arboretum’s trees typically produce enough ripe fruit to gather and share sometime in September.
To celebrate and share this delicious fruit that grows naturally in WV, WVU Core Arboretum hosts Pawpaw Parties every year. Even though pawpaws are fairly common, many people have never tasted a pawpaw, and we hope to change that! Pawpaw Parties are rather informal, but they have become a much-anticipated annual event at WVU Core Arboretum, and this will be our fourth year doing it! A table will be set up in the lawn area at the Arboretum, and all are welcome to stop by and try a pawpaw. Literature about pawpaws and how to grow the pawpaw seeds that will be left after trying the fruit will also be available. Depending on how long the pawpaw season lasts, we will try to host several Pawpaw Parties. Pay attention to the Calendar of Events section of this webpage and our social media pages for more details. Pawpaw Parties are free and open to all.
This year, on September 29, we are starting a new event—the WVU Core Arboretum
Pawpaw Festival! We are collaborating with Neal Peterson from Peterson
Pawpaws and local chefs including Marion Ohlinger from Hill and Hollow
to present pawpaws to the public in both fresh and prepared versions. We
are also going to have live music and fun activities for all at the Pawpaw
Festival. More information about the Pawpaw Festival will be posted soon,
as we get plans finalized. The Pawpaw Festival is also free and open to
all, and we hope to see you there!
by Zach Fowler
Moth Night at WVU Core Arboretum
July 18, 2018
National Moth Week is July 21-29, and WVU Core Arboretum is celebrating by inviting everyone to a Moth Night at the Arboretum! Monday, July 23, from 9:00-11:00 pm we will have sheets and lights set up in the Arboretum lawn area to attract moths, and there will be experts on hand to identify the moths that we attract! There is not a formal program, and all are welcome to stop by any time between 9 and 11 to learn about moths and how to attract and study them. Bring a flashlight. The event will be cancelled if it is raining.by Zach Fowler
Help us with a citizen science bird study!
June 1, 2018
The urban bird demography project seeks to understand patterns of survival and habitat use of urban birds in and around Morgantown, West Virginia. We do so by placing markers on birds that allow us to distinguish among individuals. We then re-sight marked birds and record the location where we found the bird. You can help us re-sight marked birds! Follow the link below to read more about the project and learn how you can help us re-sight marked birds.https://sites.google.com/mix.wvu.edu/urbanbirds/home
by Chris Rota
Chris Rota is an Assistant Professor of Wildlife and Fisheries Resources at WVU
Nature Connection at WVU Core Arboretum
May 17, 2018
Local and regional experts on a variety of nature-related subjects give public talks at the Arboretum each summer as part of the WVU Core Arboretum Nature Connection Series . The Nature Connection Series talks happen on Tuesday evenings at 6:00 at the WVU Core Arboretum Amphitheater, starting in early June and continuing through late August. See either our Calendar of Events or Nature Connection Series page for speakers and talk titles. These talks are free and open to all, and no registration is required. All of the talks are outdoors, so please dress for the weather. Some of the talks include walking and/or fieldwork. Talks will be moved or cancelled if the weather is inclement. Come be a part of the WVU Core Arboretum nature crew!
The 2018 WVU Core Arboretum Nature Connection Series is supported by the WVU Department of Biology, the WVU Core Arboretum Endowment, and the Robert C. Cull Outreach Fellowship. All speakers are volunteers. Thank you to all who support the mission of WVU Core Arboretum!
by Zach Fowler
WVU Core Arboretum spring ephemeral flower poem
April 28, 2018
The following letter and poem were recently shared with our director as an email from a visitor from China. Please read them; the poem is excellent, and it really captures the ecology of the spring ephemeral wildflowers!
by Zach Fowler
WVU Core Arboretum Spring Flower Festival 2018
April 6, 2018
Come to WVU Core Arboretum for our first Spring Flower Festival on Saturday,
April 14, from 2-6 pm! This family-friendly, free event is open to everyone
and will showcase the beautiful spring ephemeral wildflower display that happens
every year in the Arboretum.
We will have wildflower tours, lawn games, nature activities for kids, food, live music and lots of information about other Arboretum programming. These flowers only last a couple weeks every year, so catch them while they’re out!
( Learn more about the spring ephemeral wildflowers. )
by Zach Fowler
Free, guided walks begin April 8 at WVU Core Arboretum
February 22, 2018
Spring will soon be here! Mark your calendars for the WVU Department of Biology spring ephemeral wildflower walks and the Mountaineer Audubon spring bird walks. These free, guided tours are a spring tradition at WVU Core Arboretum. Last year, in the course of three wildflower walks and four bird walks, over 45 species of plants were seen in bloom and over 70 species of birds were seen and/or heard. The wildflower walks will happen on three Sundays in April (April 8, 15, 22) at 2 pm. The bird walks will be the last two Tuesdays in April and the first three Tuesdays in May (April 17, 24 and May 1, 8, 15) at 7:30 am. All tours will meet in the Arboretum parking lot. Additional free parking is available at the nearby WVU Coliseum. No reservations are needed. Dress appropriately for the weather and for hiking. Additional wildflower tours will be added to the schedule in April, as volunteer tour leaders become available!
by Zach Fowler
Coming Soon: Pawpaw Parties at WVU Core Arboretum!
August 30, 2017Come to WVU Core Arboretum to taste pawpaws! Pawpaw ( Asimina triloba) is the largest fruit native to West Virginia. Pawpaws have a luscious, tropical flavor that some describe as a combination of banana, mango, and pineapple and a smooth, creamy texture. Pawpaws ripen in Fall, and the Arboretum’s trees typically produce enough ripe fruit to gather sometime in September. To celebrate and share this delicious fruit that grows naturally in WV, WVU Core Arboretum hosts Pawpaw Parties every year. Even though pawpaws are fairly common, many people have never tasted a pawpaw, and we hope to change that! Pawpaw Parties are rather informal, but they have become a much-anticipated annual event at WVU Core Arboretum! A table will be set up in the lawn area at the Arboretum, and all are welcome to stop by and try a pawpaw. Literature about pawpaws and how to grow the pawpaw seeds that will be left after trying the fruit will also be available. Depending on how long the pawpaw season lasts, we will try to host several Pawpaw Parties. Pay attention to the Calendar of Events section of this webpage for more details. Pawpaw Parties are free and open to all.
by Zach Fowler
National Moth Week Celebration at WVU Core Arboretum
July 19, 2017
Next week (July 22-30, 2017) is National Moth Week, and WVU Core Arboretum
is celebrating by inviting everyone to a Moth Night at the Arboretum! Wednesday,
July 26, from 9-11 pm we will have sheets and lights set up in the Arboretum
lawn area to attract moths, and experts on hand to identify the moths that
we attract! There is not a formal program, and all are welcome to stop by
any time between 9 and 11 to learn about moths and how to attract and study
them. The event will be cancelled if it is raining.
by Zach Fowler
WVU Core Arboretum/WVU Herbarium 2017 Newsletters
June 20, 2017
Click on the images below to access pdf versions of the newsletters.
Nature Connection at WVU Core Arboretum!
May 26, 2017
Local and regional experts on a variety of nature-related subjects will give public talks at the Arboretum each summer as part of the new WVU Core Arboretum Nature Connection Series . The Nature Connection Series talks happen on Tuesday evenings at 6:00 at the WVU Core Arboretum Amphitheater, starting in early June and continuing through late August. See our Calendar of Events for speakers and talk titles. These talks are free and open to all, and no registration is required. All of the talks are outdoors, so please dress for the weather. Some of the talks include walking and/or fieldwork. Talks will be moved or cancelled if the weather is inclement. Come be a part of the WVU Core Arboretum nature crew!
The 2017 WVU Core Arboretum Nature Connection Series is supported by the WVU Department of Biology, the WVU Core Arboretum Endowment, and the Robert C. Cull Outreach Fellowship. All speakers are volunteers. Thank you to all who support the mission of WVU Core Arboretum!
by Zach Fowler
Free, guided walks begin April 9 at WVU Core Arboretum
February 23, 2017
Spring will soon be here! Mark your calendars for the WVU Department of Biology spring ephemeral wildflower walks and the Mountaineer Audubon spring bird walks. These free, guided tours are a spring tradition at the WVU Core Arboretum. The wildflower walks will happen on three Sundays in April (April 9, 16, 23) at 2 pm. The bird walks will be the last Tuesday in April and the first two Tuesdays in May (April 25 and May 2, 9) at 7:30 am. All tours will meet in the Arboretum parking lot. Additional free parking is available at the nearby WVU Coliseum. No reservations are needed. Dress appropriately for the weather and for hiking.
by Zach Fowler
Pawpaw Parties at WVU Core Arboretum!
September 24
, 2016
Come to WVU Core Arboretum to taste pawpaws! The pawpaw ( Asimina triloba) is the largest fruit native to West Virginia. Pawpaws have a luscious, tropical flavor that some describe as a combination of banana, mango, and pineapple and a smooth, creamy texture. Pawpaws ripen in Fall, and the Arboretum’s trees are starting to produce enough ripe fruit to gather. Pawpaw Parties will be on Thursday evenings from 5:30 to 7:00, or while supplies last!
A table will be set up in the lawn area at the Arboretum, and all are welcome to stop by and try a pawpaw. Literature about pawpaws and how to grow the pawpaw seeds that will be left after trying the fruit will also be available. Depending on how long the pawpaw season lasts, we will try to host several Pawpaw Parties. Pay attention to the Calendar of Events section of this webpage for more details. Pawpaw Parties are free and open to all.
by Zach Fowler
Coming Soon: Pawpaw Parties at WVU Core Arboretum!
Come to the WVU Core Arboretum to taste pawpaws! The pawpaw ( Asimina triloba) is the largest fruit native to West Virginia. Pawpaws have a very luscious, tropical flavor that some describe as a combination of banana, mango, and pineapple and a smooth, creamy texture. Pawpaws ripen in Autumn, and the Arboretum’s trees should soon produce enough ripe fruit to gather. Our first Pawpaw Party will likely be in a week or so. We will have pawpaws to taste and information about pawpaws and how to plant pawpaw seeds. Pawpaw Parties are free and open to all. Stay posted for more details!
by Zach Fowler
Announcing: WVU Core Arboretum Work Day Wednesdays!
The WVU Core Arboretum is starting a volunteer work program—Work Day Wednesdays. Volunteers help keep the Arboretum beautiful, and you can be a part of the crew each Wednesday, starting on August 31, from 4-7 pm! We will work on trails, do invasive species removal, clean drainage channels, maintain lawn areas, etc. The program is open to all. It is hard work, but good exercise, and it is much appreciated by the Arboretum’s many users. Interested volunteers should email Zach Fowler ( zfowler@mail.wvu.edu ) to schedule a time slot, and register on iServe . There is a limit on the number of volunteers that we can accommodate each day, but the program will be ongoing. Volunteers will meet near the Arboretum parking lot. Volunteers should wear closed toe shoes, long pants, and clothes that are okay to get dirty. The event will be cancelled if the weather is dangerous.
by Zach Fowler
Graduate student research at WVU Core Arboretum
How does wildlife adapt to urban areas? This is one of the major questions for
my dissertation research at West Virginia University. The secretive and elusive
Cooper’s hawk was once only seen in dense forested areas but is a now a common
visitor in our backyards and city parks. This makes this bird an ideal candidate
for understanding how species are adapting to urban environments. For my research,
I have been taking genetic samples from Cooper’s hawks all across the country
to compare those that nest in urban areas to those that nest in more traditional
forested areas. The Arboretum has been home to a few different species of birds
of prey including red-tailed hawks, barred owls, and Cooper’s hawks. In at
least the last two summers, a breeding pair of Cooper’s hawks have chosen the
Arboretum as the best place to raise their young, and I was lucky enough to
catch these birds to collect genetic samples for my research (the birds were
released unharmed back to their nest). Using these samples, I hope to get a
better understanding of how the genes of wildlife change as a result of living
in close proximity to humans. The Arboretum is home to dozens of species of
wildlife, including the Cooper’s hawk, which makes this place an important
safe haven in an urban jungle.
by Meghan Jensen
Meghan Jensen is a Ph.D. candidate in the Wildlife and Fisheries Program of the WVU Division of Forestry and Natural Resources.
WVU Core Arboretum Magicicada Festival successful
Thanks to all who visited the WVU Core Arboretum for the Magicicada Festival
on Saturday, May 28, and thanks, especially, to the volunteers that made it
happen (including the chefs)! More than 70 people came to the morning events,
and well over 300 people came to the afternoon events! It was wonderful to
see so many members of the community come out to an educational event and actively
engage with science and the University. Participants learned about cicada biology
and ecology, watched talks on current cicada research, did cicada-related arts
and crafts activities, and ate cicadas prepared by great local chefs! People
also got to see plenty of cicadas and learn how to tell the different species
apart. It was a celebration of cicadas! If you have not gotten to see or hear
the cicadas yet, there are still plenty of them at the Arboretum, and there
will be for a few more weeks! They are even chorusing in the bushes around
the parking lot today.
WVU Core Arboretum spring nature walk report
The WVU Department of Biology Spring Ephemeral Wildflower Walks and Mountaineer Audubon Spring Bird Walks at the WVU Core Arboretum were a success this year! In the course of three wildflower walks and four bird walks, over 45 species of plants were seen in bloom and over 70 bird species were seen and/or heard. We had great participation from community members and students, also! It seemed like everyone really enjoyed themselves, including the guides, and hopefully everyone learned something new. Most of the spring flowers are gone now, but the summer flowers are just getting started, and many of the birds will be here and singing for most of the summer. Come visit!
by Zach FowlerWVU Core Arboretum/WVU Herbarium 2016 newsletters
Graduate student research at WVU Core Arboretum
As part of my research with the West Virginia Climate History Project, I am monitoring the wildflowers in the Arboretum to determine how long the flowers are in bloom. I will be monitoring bloodroot, trout lily, and cutleaf toothwort, which are wildflowers that bloom for a very short amount of time. I am also interested in learning how elevation in the Arboretum affects when the flowers bloom. This is part of a bigger research question that addresses how wildflowers are responding to a warming climate. If spring is coming earlier than it did 100 years ago, then how are the plants and animals responding? By studying spring wildflower blooming and bird migration in our backyards, we can better understand the future of ecosystems in the face of a changing climate.
by Lori Petrauski
Lori Petrauski is a graduate student and Graduate Teaching Assistant in the WVU Division of Forestry and Natural Resources.
Free, guided walks begin April 10 at WVU Core Arboretum
Spring is here! Mark your calendars for the WVU Department of Biology spring ephemeral wildflower walks and the Mountaineer Audubon spring bird walks. These free, guided tours are a spring tradition at the WVU Core Arboretum. The wildflower walks will happen the last three Sundays in April (April 10, 17, 24) at 2 p.m. The bird walks will be the last two Tuesdays in April and the first two Tuesdays in May (April 19, 26 and May 3, 10) at 7:30 a.m. All tours will meet in the Arboretum parking lot. Additional free parking is available at the nearby WVU Coliseum. No reservations are needed. Dress appropriately for the weather and for hiking.
by Zach Fowler
Spring cleaning at WVU Core Arboretum
Volunteers from WVU Sierra Student Coalition, WVU Climbing Club, and a few who found us through the new WVU iServe helped with some spring cleaning at the Arboretum. They picked up lots of trash from along the banks of the Monongahela River on Saturday, March 5! We do not have a user-generated litter problem here at the Arboretum, but the river continually deposits trash along its banks. This clean up is an annual task, unfortunately. Volunteers help keep the Arboretum beautiful!
by Zach Fowler
WVU Student Sierra Coalition volunteers at WVU Core Arboretum
Witch hazel blooming at WVU Core Arboretum
October 30, 2015
Just in time for Halloween, the native witch hazel (
Hamamelis virginiana) is blooming at WVU Core Arboretum! Witch hazel
is a shrub or small, crooked tree native to much of Eastern US. The native
witch hazel blooms in autumn, after most leaves have fallen, and its flowers
have a light, pleasant smell. Witch hazel is known for its ballistic seed dispersal,
in which its seed pods burst open and launch its seeds up to 30 feet from
the parent plant. It also commonly host to some fascinating aphid leaf galls
(they are gone, now, but they will be back). The native and various cultivars
and crosses of witch hazel are sometimes used in landscaping, and the bark is
used to make the astringent topical witch hazel ointment available at pharmacies.
The native witch hazel is one of the last plants to bloom at the Arboretum, an
opposing bookend to the Chinese witch hazel (
Hamamelis mollis), which is one of the first flowers to bloom.
There are various accounts of how it got its name, but most link it to the Anglo-Saxon
word wych, meaning bend. According to some, it makes a great dowsing rod, as
it bends toward water (water witching). It is also often a particularly
bent tree.
The witch hazel has a rather long blooming period, and it is just now at
peak bloom, so you should be able to visit and see and smell it for a week or
so. It can be found near the bridge at the top of the Taylor Trail.
by Zach Fowler
Volunteers help WVU Core Arboretum as part of WV Day to Serve
October 8, 2015Pawpaw parties at WVU Core Arboretum!
September 26, 2015
The pawpaw ( Asimina triloba ) is the largest fruit native to West Virginia. Pawpaws have a very luscious, tropical flavor that some describe as a combination of banana, mango, and pineapple and a smooth, creamy texture. Pawpaws ripen in fall, and the Arboretum’s trees produced lots of them this year. We held two pawpaw tasting parties this fall. Over 40 people came on September 18, and over 60 people stopped by to taste a pawpaw on September 26! In addition to eating the fruit, we discussed the ecology and history of the pawpaw tree and how to plant the seeds that one ends up with after eating a pawpaw. The pawpaws are gone for the year, but look for this event again next fall
by Zach Fowler
WVU Honors Day of Service participants volunteer at Core Arboretum
August 19, 2015Almost 50 freshman honors students worked at the Arboretum on Friday, August 14, as part of the WVU Honors Day of Service. These students painted the rail around the parking lot, moved tons of gravel, trimmed lots of trails, and participated in a riverside sing along of Country Roads. Thanks to these students, the event coordinators, and the WVU Center for Service and Learning! Check out the press release and video for the welcome week service effort in which these students took part (the Arboretum made it into the video).
by Zach Fowler
Jon Weems’s Last Day at WVU Core Arboretum
June 30, 2015
Today was officially Jon Weems's last day as a WVU employee. Jon has worked at the WVU Core Arboretum for over 38 years, and the results and impact of his service are too great to be described by words. Thank you so much, Jon, for all that you have done for the University, the community, and the state. You will be missed by many. I hope that you have a long and happy retirement!
by Zach Fowler
Ant mimic spider!
May 27, 2015
One day last week, while Jon and I were eating lunch, I happened to look twice at a small ant crawling on my arm. Something was strange about the ant's head and the way that it moved. I poked at it and it jumped! Strangely enough, the ant was also trailing a web, which it frequently anchored to the surface upon which it was crawling. As you may have guessed, this was an ant mimic spider, and not an ant at all!! One of the most fascinating aspects of the mimicry to me was that the spider used its two front legs to imitate antennae (which ants have and spiders do not) by continually waving them around. This behavior is not very evident in the photo and also helped it only have 6 apparent legs. The spider's pedipalps were carried differently than they appear in the photo, too. They were positioned to look remarkably like ant mandibles. In other words, it looked even more like an ant than it does in these photos!!
Some quick web research indicated that there are many species of spiders (over 100) in several families that mimic ants! Apparently this mimicry helps some species to avoid predation and others to sneak up on food.
I captured the spider and put it in a zipseal bag to photograph and get identified later. That evening, I was able to get a couple of photos of the spider through the microscope, but nothing that I was really happy with--the spider was so fast that it was very difficult to position, focus, and shoot all at once--so I decided to try some more the following day. When I returned in the morning, the spider had escaped into my office!! Apparently, I did not have the prison bag zipped all the way tight. I was not worried for my safety, but I was sad that the spider was almost certainly doomed. Additionally, I only got three pictures that were not too great, and I was never able to get a positive identification to species.
These poor photos are all that are left of the little spider. All are magnified, as the spider was only about 5 mm long. I think that it is a species of jumping spider because of the eye arrangement, but I do not know more than that. In the first photo, you can get a pretty good sense of its "antyness." In the third photo, you can really see the "spideryness" of its head and eyes.
It was amazing to see this little spider, and I have been looking suspiciously at every ant since then.
If you want a fascinating diversion, do some internet research on mimicry and all of its forms!!
by Zach Fowler