What Can Be Learned From Plants And Dinosaur Fossils

REDDING — Travel the world and span the ages with a series of lectures and walks at Highstead Arboretum the weekend of June 7-8.

Today, many of us make no greater connection to plants than the vegetables we buy at the grocery store, but the very existence of our civilization is based on our ability to collect and cultivate plant material. Bringing plants and people together can be as simple as a walk in the woods, or as fascinating as a historical discovery. This year the Arboretum plans to offer both, twice over.

On Saturday, June 7, at 10 am, Dr Peter Del Tredici of Arnold Arboretum will lead visitors on a search for living fossils, in pursuit of the wild gingko.

At 1 pm, it’s lights out with Leo Hickey, who will explore what may have put the world in the dark at the end of the Cretaceous, and the evidence for asteroid driven extinctions at the end of the Mesozoic Era by looking at the plant records – fossil and pollen. Participants can also learn about the changes in plant communities at the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary, and how the survivors regrouped after the dinosaurs became extinct.

On Sunday, June 8, visitors can enjoy a guided tour of Highstead’s Kalmia Collection at 1 pm. Then at 3 pm, visitors can take a look at those plants which appear prehistoric.

Located in Redding, Highstead welcomes new members throughout the year. For more information on membership or one of the programs call the Arboretum at 203-938-8809.