NEWS
Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens Receives $250,000 Grant from Daniel E. Offutt III Charitable Trust
Stamford, CT – The Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens announced that it has received a generous grant of $250,000 from the Daniel E. Offutt III Charitable Trust. The gift will be used to fund scholarships for local children in need, enabling them to attend Bartlett programs, including the Bartlett Summer Nature Camp. It will also support the Bartlett’s high school and college internship programs.
The goal of this initiative is to help ensure that all school-aged children, regardless of their financial circumstances, are given meaningful access to nature. This is not always possible, particularly for those who live in urban areas. Quality time in nature not only benefits a child’s physical and mental health, but it also teaches them to become lifelong stewards of the environment.
“This scholarship fund cements our commitment to educate all citizens, adults and children, in the City of Stamford and beyond about nature, botanical education, environmental stewardship, and wildlife habitats”, said Jane von Trapp, CEO of the Bartlett Arboretum. “We are indebted to Dick Orenstein, trustee of the Daniel E. Offutt III Charitable Trust, for the opportunity to fulfill our mission and Mr. Offutt’s vision.”
Dick Orenstein added, “Dan was always interested in educating youngsters in farming and growing. Bartlett’s program falls right into that interest, and therefore it’s in line with Dan’s wishes.”
Born in Oakland, Maryland, Mr. Daniel E. Offutt III was educated at the University of Maryland and received an M.B.A. from Columbia University. Offutt resided in Weston, Connecticut for more than 30 years and passed away in 2016. Those who knew him would remember him as a traveler, sailor, metal sculptor, wood worker, fixer of anything, collector of everything, lover of projects, stock market investor, and a good friend. Offutt wanted his legacy and philanthropy to bring future benefits to young people and those in our local community.
To learn more about the Bartlett Arboretum’s Summer Nature Camp, Internship programs and other initiatives, please visit the Bartlett website: www.bartlettarboretum.org
Bartlett Participates in Spartan Kids Race
On October 12 and 13, the Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens participated in Stamford’s Spartan Kids Race at Mill River Park. For this weekend event, young kids are able to join in a variety of obstacle course races, and they also help raise money for charities they are passionate about.
The Bartlett ran a log hoist activity, designed especially for kids, and we were thrilled to be a part of it. Check out Spartan Race’s video below that includes all of the weekend’s highlights!
Ground-breaking Ceremony for New Sensory Garden
Stamford, CT – The Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens will officially begin construction for its new Sensory Garden with a ground-breaking ceremony on October 31 at 12:00pm. The City of Stamford’s Mayor, David Martin, will be in attendance along with his chief of staff, Michael Pollard.
This new Sensory Garden is unique from traditional gardens, as it is designed specifically to stimulate the Five Senses: Seeing, Hearing, Smelling, Touching and Tasting. The Garden will provide each guest with an interactive journey through the senses, by having plants and materials of different textures, colors, scents, sounds and heights. The Bartlett’s design plans go even further to permit wheelchair access and other accessibility concerns.
By creating a garden that is barrier-free for visitors, the Bartlett will be able to provide an oasis for all ages, abilities, and needs to enjoy nature.
Funding for the Sensory Garden is still being accepted. Please visit www.bartlettarboretum.org/give to give.
Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens Announces Plans for Accessible Sensory Garden
Stamford, CT – The Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens has announced plans to build a new Sensory Garden on its 93-acre property. This Sensory Garden is unique from traditional gardens, as it is designed specifically to stimulate the Five Senses: Seeing, Hearing, Smelling, Touching and Tasting. The Garden will provide each guest with an interactive journey through the senses, by having plants and materials of different textures, colors, scents, sounds and heights. The Bartlett’s design plans go even further to permit wheelchair access and other accessibility concerns.
Studies have shown that Sensory Gardens have therapeutic benefits, particularly for children with special needs. Children who have sensory processing disorders, for example, can use a Sensory Garden as a calming and gentle way to explore their senses without feeling overwhelmed by them. Adults suffering from the effects of dementia can also benefit from a Sensory Garden, because it helps elicit positive emotions in a safe environment.
“We all know the benefits of being outside and in nature. It can improve your mood, cognitive function, and your overall physical health,” said Jane Von Trapp, CEO of the Bartlett. “However, not everyone can encounter nature in the same way. Our goal at the Bartlett Arboretum is to be a barrier-free oasis for visitors of all ages, abilities, and needs. And that’s what this Garden will help provide.”
To raise funds for this special project, the Bartlett will host its “Fall for the Bartlett” Gala on Thursday, October 17 at the Rockrimmon Country Club in Stamford, CT from 6:30 - 9:30 PM. The Bartlett thanks all its sponsors and partners for supporting its efforts to make nature accessible for all.
Tickets for the Gala are still available. Please visit the Bartlett website for details: http://www.bartlettarboretum.org/fallforthebartlett
UPDATED - First Honey Harvest Festival Announced
Stamford, CT - The Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens is thrilled to present its first ever Honey Harvest Festival! This day dedicated to celebrating honey will be filled with bee-themed fun & education for everyone to enjoy. The festival is FREE and will take place Saturday, September 14 from 11AM - 3PM. It is rain or shine and will include a Q&A panel, featuring acclaimed beekeeper and author, Howland Blackiston and tours of the Bartlett's pollinator gardens and hives.
Visitors will enjoy a special BBQ provided by HooDoo Brown along with other food vendors, a marketplace to purchase honey products, beverages, and bee related items, as well as mead presentations and tastings. The Bartlett will also host live music and children's crafts and activities.
If you are interested in becoming a Bartlett member, please click here
Listen to a recent radio interview with our former Board Chairman, Paul Travaglino, who shares all the details of the event, as well as the importance of bees.
For more information, visit www.bartlettarboretum.org
Bartlett Summer Camps profiled in Stamford Advocate
Stamford, CT - The Bartlett Summer Camps were profiled this week in the Stamford Advocate.
The Bartlett is in the fifth week of our eight-week summer camp program. This week is a popular one with our students, with our theme “Bug Out”, that focuses on all things related to insects and critters. Next week is our most popular week, “Water World,” which will include racing twig boats and having kids visit SoundWaters.
Importantly, the article focused on who our summer campers are. Half of our campers are students on a full scholarship who come from Inspirica, a homeless shelter and social services agency in Stamford.
Mike Belletzkie, our Director of Education at Bartlett, was quoted saying, “A lot of those kids don’t get to experience the forest in any way in their life. This is a huge thing where they can come for one week or all eight weeks of camp and they’ll get experience with nature that they never had before.”
Bartlett Arboretum named in 2019 Top 20 Places to Take Kids in Fairfield County
Stamford, CT - The Bartlett has been named on Kids Out And About.com's 2019 Top 20 Places to Take Kids in Fairfield County. This annual survey highlights local organizations that are wildly popular with kids and families in Fairfield County. This is the first year that the Bartlett has appeared on the list.
The Bartlett wishes to thank everyone who voted and for supporting its mission to provide recreation, enjoyment and exploration of the natural world for all ages.
Bartlett Arboretum Ambassador Award presented to Ryan Kipp of Westhill High School
Stamford, CT - Today, members of the Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens staff presented Ryan Kipp of Westhill High School in Stamford, CT with its first ever Bartlett Ambassador Award! This award is given to honor exceptional students who have been long-standing advocates of the Bartlett. Ryan has been an active member of the Bartlett community for much of his life; from summer camper, to program participant, to camp counselor, to interning with us this past spring.
In speaking of his experiences at the Bartlett, Ryan said, "Honestly, everyone I've worked with here has been like family". Ryan will be attending the University of South Carolina this fall, majoring in Sports Management. The Bartlett is delighted to honor such a deserving student.
FactSet's Hackathon puts a spotlight on the Bartlett
Norwalk, CT - On Saturday, June 1, the Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens participated in FactSet’s annual Hackathon. The event provided boys and girls, in grades 4-8, the opportunity to team up as problem solvers and innovators to develop Smartphone app prototypes to benefit local nonprofit organization. Participating nonprofits, including the Bartlett, received the opportunity to present their mission and message to new audiences, independent of fundraising.
A group of 3-4 students along with a FactSet employee mentor learned about the Bartlett’s mission and goals, then brainstormed the type of Smartphone app that might help in those efforts.
Bartlett Arboretum Achievement Award presented to Westhill High School Senior
Stamford, CT - Last night, members of the Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens presented the Bartlett Arboretum Achievement Award to Catherine Caragine, a Westhill High School Senior. The award is presented to students interested in pursuing environmental, botany or other natural sciences at the college level. The students are chosen by the schools faculty and administration.
Catherine has been an active participant in plant science competitions and will be pursuing a degree in Marine Biology and Conservation. Her passion and enthusiasm for the natural world deeply align with the core values of the Bartlett Arboretum and we are honored to award such a deserving student.