Chapters in Kentucky

Join us at our annual picnic in July! Bring a dish to share and your chair. Drinks such as water and soda and service tableware will be provided. You can bring your own favorite drinks, but remember, no alcohol is permitted at the Arboretum.

Our presenter will be the new director of the Arboretum, Michael Wall. He begins his role as director on June 1st. Wall brings more than 15 years of leadership experience spanning research institutions, museums, and nonprofit organizations, with a career focused on connecting science, education, and public engagement. Wall recently served as executive director of the Balsam Mountain Trust in North Carolina, where he led conservation, education, and strategic planning efforts for a regional nature center. Wall holds a Ph.D. in entomology from the University of Connecticut, along with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in botany from Auburn University. Let’s welcome him to Kentucky!

Rob Paratley leads a fascinating discussion over the chemical actions of plants and fungi, describing how they protect themselves to enhance survival and how they benefit themselves and us. He will give a summary of herbal actions on what medicinal plants do to restore our balance and health.

Rob was a professor at the University of Kentucky for a number of years where he taught plant related courses such as Plant Taxonomy (classification of plants), Dendrology (the study of trees), Winter Dendrology, and Economic Botany. He also led a summer study abroad program to Costa Rica for 10 years teaching tropical ecology and related environmental issues for students studying Natural Resources.

Rob has been recognized for his teaching excellence and in 2018 received the UK Alumni Association’s Great Teacher Award. Rob loves teaching and is active in the programs offered through the Arboretum, Floracliff Nature Sanctuary, Lexington Tree Week, and other venues.

From University of Kentucky Entomology Department, with his wit and passion Larson is joining us once again by diving into the world of insects to tell us about those bugs that are good in our urban landscape.