Volunteers From The Natural World Assist With Pruning At Boxerwood

This winter seems to be a tough one to shake off.  It will just not go away.  Repetitive late season snow and nighttime below freezing temperatures are wearing human patience thin.

Our neighbors living in the natural world around us are also feeling the frustration of waiting for spring.  Wildlife was already stressed this winter by the lack of mast crop (acorns), which serve as the mainstay of their winter diet.  Repeated stresses to oak trees in our region in the form of non-native pests, ice damage, and even the legendary deracho storm of 2012 have all combined to challenge the production of acorns.

The delay in blooming of early spring fruits and berries along with the depletion of what mast crop did exist is forcing wildlife to find other sources of food.  For Boxerwood and our neighbors in the community this translates to horticultural specimens within our human-interest zone.  Whitetail Deer are notorious for damaging landscaping in urban and suburban areas during hard winters.  We are now experiencing a new level of such damage as the deer search to replace food sources that are normally available in nature by this time. 

As you look around you it may become apparent that this increased desperation for food is resulting in a “browse line” approximately 4 to 5 feet high.  Just about as high as a deer can reach.  Here at Boxerwood we have noted a significant increase in deer browse among our rhododendron, azaleas, and even arborvitae.

Once spring arrives in earnest and other food sources such as new grasses, berries, and sprouting plants appear, deer will begin to move on to these more preferred menus. 

Arborvitaes that have been pruned by deer at Boxerwood

Additional Session of Summer Camp Planned

NATURE BUILDERS

AUGUST    18-22, 2014

For children ages 3-10

*PILOT      SESSION*

In an effort to help meet the needs of Rockbridge families, Boxerwood will pilot an additional session of summer camp from August  18-22  during the week that Woods Creek Montessori and Yellow Brick Road   Early Learning Center close for teacher training.                          

              

Enrollment in this session will be limited to 30 children ages 3-10.

              

Montessori and YBR  families will have an early opportunity to register their  children, from March 13-June  1. 

If they do not fill the camp session, we will open enrollment        to the public   on June1.   A waiting list for open enrollment will start March 13.                    

Camp   will be cancelled if enrollment is fewer than 15 campers by July 11.

New Classroom Space Already In Use

Although we have not been able to complete all our remodeling work on the new public space at Boxerwood, environmental education classes are already making use of the main room for classes on inclement and chilly days.

Boxerwood Summer Camps

It may be snowing today  but it's not too early to think of the fun your child can have at Summer Camp!

SUMMER CAMP, 2014 at BOXERWOOD

Session I: June 16-20 Monday - Friday 8:30-12:30
Preschoolers ages 4-5 - (turning 4 before September 30)

Session II: June 23-27, 2014 Monday–Friday, 8:30 –12:30
Children currently enrolled Grades K-4 (13-14 school year)

Information at http://www.boxerwood.org/education/summercamp14.asp

Remodeling Work Uncovers Roof Damage At Munger Lodge

As work continues of the remodeling work in the Education Wing at Boxerwood, volunteers are uncovering structural damage from a roof that has leaked for years. A number of the rafters that support the over hang of roof outside the walls has rotted away. 

Now a plan will be developed to save this part of the building. 

Rockbridge Bird Club Activities

 

Local birder gives travel talk and leads wetlands walk

Kerry Kilday will offer travel tips to birders at the winter meeting of the Rockbridge Bird Club Wednesday, March 12 at 7:00 p.m. in the Old Court House meeting room.  His presentation, “Spread your Wings – Birding away from Rockbridge County,” will cover a variety of destinations and itinerary, including birding festivals, professional tours, and self-guided field trips to parks and preserves. The talk is open to the public, free of charge.

Kilday will also lead a field trip to a destination much closer to home – the Augusta Springs Wetlands – this Saturday (March 15). The Wetlands, located about eight miles northeast of Goshen, features a boardwalk trail just over a half-mile long.  Participants will meet at 7:30 a.m. (return about 2:30 p.m.) at the old Kmart/Food Lion parking lot, returning about 2:30pm.  For more information about the trip contact Kerry at kjkilday@gmail.com.

Boxerwood Pavilion Competed

On March 8th the new Boxerwood Pavilion was completed.  It is now awaiting students and visitors to bask in sheltered luxury while experiencing the outdoors of Boxerwood.

Remodeling To Expand Public Space In The Munger Lodge

Boxerwood Volunteers are working to remodel and convert what has been office and storage space into a class/meeting room and horticultural work and demonstration area.  The wing located on the west end of the Munger Lodge was originally built in 1954 as an open air Japanese style tea room and garden tool storage room.  The Tea Room screen walls were later replaced with large glass panels to make this a year round living area for the Munger family.

Rearranging of offices in the main Lodge allows for this area to be converted to an inclement weather classroom for school groups or additional meeting space allowing for multiple scheduled activities for adults and students at Boxerwood.

Space will also be available to house the Staff Horticulturalist and room for small related workshops.

A highly efficient HVAC system will be installed providing heat and air conditioning, the first such unit at Boxerwood.

It is planned that this project will be completed prior to the start of school programs in April.

This project was made possible by a single donor whose generosity is aiding Boxerwood to upgrade several of its facilities including the construction of the new Pavilion.

Space that will become a class/meeting room.  Part of the center wall in the center of the photo will be removed to open the area and accommodate larger classes or groups.

Remodeling Work Underway.

Some water damage that will need to be repaired.

Part of the new electrical wiring and breaker box that have been installed.

New Boxerwood Pavilion

Our staff  has decided to call the new structure rising here the "Boxerwood Pavilion."

Although recent snow has slowed progress a bit, the Pavilion is taking shape.  Hopefully the roof materials will be in tomorrow, Thursday, and the final phase of construction can begin.

The Boxerwood Pavilion as of March 5, 2014