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Branching Out Speaker Series
Title: How and Why People Count Butterflies
Description: What is the global state of biodiversity? The answer is the goal of a worldwide array of programs devoted to monitoring plant and animal populations. A focus of these programs are butterflies which are large and easy to identify. This talk will cover how butterfly counts are done, what happens to the tallies, and what has been learned. There will be a focus on results from the annual fall count done at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum since 2007 and from analyses on a larger geographic scale. The news is not good, but there will be suggestions for what we can do to support biodiversity.
Speaker: Ron Rutowski (he/him), President at Central Arizona Butterfly Association
Speaker Bio: After earning his PHD at Cornell University in 1976, Dr. Rutowski joined the faculty in life sciences at Arizona State University. There he taught and did research on animal coloration and mating systems for 40 years. His work includes over 100 publications and is the result of international field and lab work. He has been President of the Central Arizona Butterfly Association since 2014 and been active running and contributing to butterfly counts in central Arizona sine 2007.
Register Here: 7830.blackbaudhosting.com/7830/Branching-Out-Speaker-Series-10Oct2025
Interested in attending multiple lectures? Purchase a package for the September-November lectures for 10% off the ticket price: 7830.blackbaudhosting.com/7830/Branching-Out-Speaker-Series
Please note: This presentation does NOT include admission to the Arboretum.
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Have you ever seen a red stapelia? It`s both beautiful and... slightly creepy. A perfect natural decoration for Halloween!
Stapelia buds grow slowly, and once they open, they only lasts for a few days. Witnessing one in bloom is a rare treat!
Interested in seeing one for yourself? Look for our stapelias in the Wallace Region and Hummingbird Garden. New buds are always forming.
#stapelia #carrionflower #plantlovers #halloweenplants #spookyseason
Did you know October is Bat Appreciation Month?
To celebrate, we want to share some common misconceptions about bats and why they are so deserving of our love and appreciation!
🦇Myth 1: Bats Are Blind
Bats are not blind at all! They use sight and echolocation to navigate their world
🦇Myth 2: Bats are Dangerous
Some people think all bats have rabies, but only a very small population do. On top of that - bats are not aggressive! They are expert flyers and want to stay out of your way. With that said, it`s impossible to know if a live animal has rabies, so make sure to keep a safe distance from bats if you encounter them in the wild.
🦇Myth 3: Bats are Pests
This is the biggest misconception of them all! Not only are bats NOT pests, they make excellent pest control! Many bats eat harmful insects, protecting gardens and other natural habitats. Other bats are pollinators, helping disperse plant life. Here in Arizona, they are key pollinators of the saguaro cactus.
Bats may be a popular icon in Halloween decor, but when it really comes down to it, there`s nothing to be afraid of. We hope you take some time this month to appreciate these incredible animals.
📷Photos were taken during a bat netting night at the Arboretum with @azgfd
#BatAppreciationMonth #BatLovers #batfacts #BatAppreciation #bateducation #arizonabats
Because of your support, Boyce Thompson Arboretum, Arizona’s oldest and largest botanical garden, is restoring fragile ecosystems, safeguarding rare plant species, and inspiring thousands of future desert stewards every year.
🔗Click the link in our bio to view our 2026 Impact Report and see just how much your support has helped us grow.🌱
#ImpactReport #MakeAnImpact #DesertConservation #thankyouforyoursupport #btarboretum #ProtectNature
🪴Have you been to our plant sale yet?
If not - what are you waiting for? Come on down! The Fall Plant sale is happening NOW until November 1. Don`t miss this opportunity to get some new native plants for your garden.
#fallplantsale #plantsale #nativeplants #desertplants #btarboretum #desertgarden #plantlovers
👻Have you ever seen a ghost? Well - now`s your chance! Check out our ghost gum in the Wallace Desert Garden!
#ghostgum #spookynature #Halloween #spookyseason #deserttree #treenature
This blooming cactus may look like a saguaro, but it`s actually a cardón!
You may be wondering... if they look so similar, how can you tell the difference? Here`s some things to keep in mind:
🌵Cardóns are MUCH larger than saguaros. They have thicker trunks and can grow taller than 60 ft!
🌵They typically have more branches that form closer to the ground.
🌵They`re native to South America whereas saguaros are primarily in Arizona.
Even though their blooms are short lived, the cardón remains a beautiful presence year round.
#Cardón #cactusbloom #cactusflower #cactilovers #plantfacts #btarboretum
🍁🍂 Dreaming of fall colors?
It`s almost that time of year when the Arboretum transforms into a beautiful autumnal display! Typically, fall colors start appearing here around mid-November or early December. It largely depends on weather patterns and temperatures. When it finally happens, pomegranates, canyon hackberries, willows, pecans, and our famous grove of scarlet-orange Chinese pistache will (most likely) be at their peak color, as will the cottonwoods in Queen Creek Canyon. It`s a sight you don`t want to miss!
Follow our stories closely for updates! We`ll make sure you know when the first fall colors start to appear.
#fallcolors #fallnature #fallleaves #btarboretum #naturelovers #getoutdoors
When`s the last time you paused to watch a butterfly? 🦋 In a world that moves so fast, there`s something so calming and magical about noticing the small, beautiful things in your path.
Capture this feeling by joining one of our Butterfly Walks! You`ll learn about commonly found species and their host plants with a butterfly expert from Central Arizona Butterfly Association.
📅 October 24 and November 14
🕤9:30 - 10:30 am
🎟️Free with admission
#ButterflyWalk #butterflylovers #arizonabutterflies #pollinatorgarden #insectlovers #thingstodoaz