Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens to Plant & Care for Vegetable Garden at Children’s Learning Centers of Fairfield County (CLC)

Stamford, CT – Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens is excited to announce it will design, plant and care for a vegetable garden in the Harold Sandak Garden at Children’s Learning Centers of Fairfield County (CLC). The Bartlett will also maintain the garden, help harvest produce and teach about the associated health benefits, along with garden-based activities at appropriate times throughout the season. This year, the program will be funded by CLC and a private foundation.

Once the garden has been established and planted this spring, Bartlett staff will be on-site at CLC Palmers Hill twice per week throughout the year to help maintain the garden. A shared long-term goal for both organizations is to add more varieties of food that are important to different cultures, so various backgrounds are represented and experienced through food. This year, some of the food varieties that will be planted include tomatoes, beans, cucumbers, strawberries and herbs.

Due to COVID restrictions, the Bartlett will not be working directly with the children this year, however they will be collaborating with teachers and staff to provide garden and nature-based curriculum and activities. They do hope to be able to provide direct programming with the children in future years.

“Fresh vegetables are a treat, especially when you grow your own,” said Bartlett CEO, Jane von Trapp. “The Bartlett is excited to introduce vegetable gardening to the children and staff at CLC. It will be fun to watch them grow and to enjoy the “fruits” of their labor. We are pleased to join in this partnership with CLC!”

“We are extremely excited to be collaborating with The Bartlett Arboretum as they offer us an outstanding opportunity to act jointly in support of our organic garden. The age-appropriate learning experiences they provide will help our children to take a closer look at wildlife and the lifecycle of plants, encouraging them to eat healthy fruits and vegetables they harvest straight from our garden. Learning responsibility and patience as children wait for their seeds to sprout, and engaging in conversation based on these garden experiences will support their understanding of the world and enhance their cognitive abilities,” said Mary Basso, Child Development Program Director at CLC. 

Visit www.bartlettarboretum.org for more information.

Bartlett featured in "7 of the Best Events to Visit in Stamford this Spring"

April 23, 2021 - Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens is delighted to be featured New England Magazine’s “7 of the Best Events to Visit in Stamford this Spring”. The article highlights our forest bathing walks, hosted by Certified ANFT Guide Sue Smith. The Bartlett is excited to see the practice of forest bathing and communing with nature becoming more available and widespread in our community.

Read more here: https://www.bostonhotels.org/magazine/events-stamford-spring-2021/

Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens featured on News12CT's "Road Trip" segment

January 14, 2021 - The Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens was featured on News12CT as a top destination for the perfect winter day trip. Our CEO, Jane von Trapp, discussed the history of the Bartlett, along with different features throughout the property that people can safely enjoy. We thank News12CT for showcasing the beauty of the Bartlett.

Check out the complete segment now!

https://connecticut.news12.com/stamford-arboretum-filled-with-enchanting-gardens-and-rare-trees

The Federated Gardens Clubs of Connecticut Recognizes Jane von Trapp, CEO of the Bartlett Arboretum with the Bronze Medal – The Federation’s Highest Award

October 28, 2020 - At its Annual Awards Meeting today, The Federated Gardens Clubs of Connecticut announced that Jane von Trapp, Chief Executive Officer of the Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens, has received the Bronze Medal, the organization’s highest award. It is given annually to an individual for outstanding accomplishments in upholding the aims and purposes of The Federation. 

Jane von Trapp has led the Bartlett Arboretum for the past seven years.  She brings over 40 years of horticulture experience, clearly displayed in the 93-acres of the arboretum property. Her innovative and creative leadership has increased the value of this gem within the City of Stamford with new gardens and community activities.  Especially during the difficult times of the COVID-19 pandemic, her efforts have helped maintain a sanctuary for all to enjoy.  Jane is a landscape designer and an accomplished writer who has authored several how-to landscaping books.  Her expertise can be seen in new additions to the Bartlett in recent years including a fern allee and a wheel-chair accessible sensory garden.

Under the leadership of Jane von Trapp, Bartlett Arboretum’s mission is providing people with a setting that fosters curiosity to explore, enjoy and learn about the habitats of the natural world.  Extensive environmental, horticulture and plant science educational programs are offered for children and adults alike.  The arboretum’s diverse collection of trees, gardens and plants celebrate biodiversity and truly reflect the ecology and character of the state of Connecticut.  Thousands of people every year enjoy and explore this environmental treasure. 

Left to right:

Arlene Field, President of The Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut

Jane von Trapp, CEO of the Bartlett Arboretum and Gardens

Jane Waugh, a member of the Shippan Point Garden Club in Stamford

The Federated Gardens Clubs of Connecticut, Inc. is an organization comprised of 120 clubs with over 6000 members.  It is a member of National Garden Clubs, Inc., the largest volunteer gardening organization in the world.  With a mission to coordinate, stimulate and encourage higher standards in all aspects of gardening, the organization works to protect and conserve natural resources and promote civic beauty.   The impact made by The Federation and its 6000-plus members is felt across virtually every community in Connecticut.  Federation President Arlene Field stated, “We are proud to recognize Jane von Trapp as an individual, and as part of an organization, with a mission that is shared by our Federation.”

The Bartlett is featured in New York Post article as one of the best spots for fall foliage

The Bartlett honored to be featured in the New York Post 's latest article, “The best spots for apple picking and fall foliage outside of NYC":

The Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens, located north of downtown and surrounded by forest, has foliage views “everywhere you look” on its 93 acres, said its CEO Jane von Trapp. Adding to the appeal are a number of trails that lead past champion trees, wetlands and even gardens, such as the Sensory Garden where even roses still bloom. “It’s spectacular right now,” von Trapp added. For peak foliage, visit in the next week or two. “Our parking lot might be full, but you would not know where those people are,” she said. The grounds are free and open to the public year round, from dawn until dusk. No reservations are needed, but visitors must stay distant from others and have masks.

You can read the full article on the New York Post’s website: https://nypost.com/2020/10/09/the-best-spots-for-apple-picking-and-fall-foliage-outside-nyc/

Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens 9/11 Memorial is Open To The Public on the Anniversary of the Attacks

Stamford, CT – In 2015, a 16-foot “Survivor Tree” archway at the Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens was constructed with the collaboration of The F. A. Bartlett Tree Expert Company and the 9/11 Memorial & Museum in New York City.

The “Survivor Tree,” a Bradford callery pear (Pyrus calleriana ‘Bradford’), was found alive in the rubble and replanted at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. Students from John Bowne High School in Flushing, Queens, took cuttings from the tree, 14 of which were planted in a memorial archway on the Arboretum property.

The 16 foot x 12 foot x 8 foot archway was made of metal and bamboo over which the 14 World Trade Center “Survivor Tree” offspring trees were trained to create a canopy tunnel. An artifact from the rubble was also brought in and mounted at the entrance of the archway.

The trees were gifted to The F. A. Bartlett Tree Expert Company by the 9/11 Memorial & Museum as a thank you for their benevolence and continued care and commitment to the “Survivor Tree” and the Survivor Tree Seedling program. The F. A. Bartlett Tree Expert Company then helped construct this living memorial dedicated to those who lost their lives during the attacks on the World Trade Center.

The offspring trees continue to mature and are tagged with numbered gold medallions that identify each, and, like the Survivor Tree, they continue to serve as landmarks symbolizing resilience and hope.

“This year has been unprecedented and filled with challenging hardships for so many in our community. We hope that the Survivor Tree and our 9/11 memorial archway can be a source of inspiration and hope for residents,” said Jane von Trapp, CEO at the Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens. “We invite the community to gather at a safe social distance throughout the day on September 11th and pay their respects to the victims of the 2001 attacks. But we also hope that residents will take heart from the legacy of the Survivor Tree. We at the Bartlett believe that this tree, that nature itself, is a reminder that there is beauty all around us and hope is never lost.”

The Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens Co-Sponsoring Virtual Invasive Plant Symposium

September 2, 2020 - The Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens is proud to co-sponsor The Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group (CIPWG) 2020 symposium. This will be a full-day virtual webcast on October 7, with some sessions directed to all attendees and other sessions in concurrent breakouts (recordings of sessions you miss will be available after the event). This year's theme is Realistic Solutions to Managing Invasive Plants. The morning session will include a roundtable discussion with four different types of land managers: land trusts, state lands, homeowners, and invasive plant control contractors. Breakouts sessions will cover Japanese Knotweed Management, Large Scale Management; Small Scale Management; Native Alternatives; Aquatic Invasives; and Tools & Timing of Invasive Plant Management. The day will also include a legislative update. CEU's for 11 organizations and Pesticide Recertification Credits are available.  Registration $50 ($65 after Sept. 7; $25 Students).

For more information, please visit the symposium website: https://cipwg.uconn.edu/2020-symposium/

The Bartlett hosts private ribbon cutting ceremony for Sensory Garden

August 20, 2020 - Last night, the Bartlett officially opened its new sensory garden with a private ribbon cutting ceremony. The ceremony included Senator Richard Blumenthal, Stamford Mayor David Martin, Board Chairman Peter Russell, CEO Jane von Trapp, Board Members and advisors, staff, Master Gardeners, contractors and donors. Although the garden has been open to the community since June, this was the first opportunity to bring all of the donors together who made this possible.

The Bartlett is grateful to the community for their outpouring of support for this garden, which will provide programming for those with disabilities, autism, and those in need of a calm, but stimulating experience in the garden. The garden, along with the rest of the Bartlett’s trails and gardens, is open each day of the year from dawn to dusk.

World Premiere of "Lovely Day" music video by Robbie Jenkins

The Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens is proud to announce the world video premiere of “Lovely Day” by OEI Recording Artist Robbie Jenkins. We are honored to have been the location setting for this video - see if you notice any familiar spots! 

A Connecticut native, Robbie is a talented multi-instrumentalist who attended the Berklee College of Music. He apprenticed with Grammy-nominated R&B producer Kashif and went on to become a popular session musician, recording with Case, Calvin Richardson, and Philip Bailey. Robbie has performed as a professional background vocalist and multi-instrumentalist in several World Tours with various major recording artists (Surface, P.M. Dawn, Jimmie Vaughn, and many others); several national and international television appearances (The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Arsenio Hall Show and others); several major CD's; and music videos. In addition, Robbie has consistently been involved with various local youth and community organizations. Since his first tour in 1989, he has given scholarships to students wishing to pursue music degrees in colleges and universities. He created a regional award-winning teen employment program for the Stamford YMCA and has been trained as a crisis intervention counselor by the American Red Cross in Bridgeport, CT. His work has garnered him organizational recognition and several civic awards; including a Key to the City of Stamford in 1989 for his community service to youth under Mayor Thomas Serani. In 2016, the Bartlett was thrilled to have Robbie perform in our Summer Concert Series.

We hope you enjoy the video and we encourage you to subscribe to Robbie’s YouTube channel to learn more about this talented artist