Wake Up! It’s Spring! children’s program launched at JCRA

JC Raulston Arboretum’s “Wake Up! It’s Spring!” family program sprang to life March 26. That’s when N.C. State University’s renowned gardens welcomed children and their parents to the new educational event. More than 38 participants showed up on a chilly Saturday morning to learn about the natural world and explore plants, insects and the soil. The program, designed for children ages 5 to 9, was free and open to the public. Assisted by arboretum volunteers and Extension horticulturalists, youngsters had the opportunity to dissect flower buds, make twig models and dig in the dirt to make “root-view” boxes.

Founded in 1976 by its late director, Dr. J.C. Raulston, the 10.5-acre arboretum is one of the largest and most diverse collections of landscape plants adapted for use in the Southeast. – Terri Leith