Speaker/Guide: Sara Baker-Michalak
Location: Fletcher Music Hall
(F15 H,8 on the Institution map)

This newly updated morning garden walk will introduce you to the Institution's forward thinking  ecological gardening practices and techniques related to water conservation and management. Participants will learn the importance of using native plants, rain gardens, "right plant in the right place," and attracting pollinators and nature to the garden. You're going to want to take notes on this walk! By all means take photos! The walk concludes at the Amphitheater putting you in just the right place to attend the 10:45  lecture. 

Sara was raised in Western New York, spending many years in and around Chautauqua Creek where she grew to love all things wild.  Drawn to a creative life, Sara followed a career in the visual arts - drawing from nature for subject matter.  An increased focus on native flora developed while an interdisciplinary graduate student in Nature and Culture at SUNY Fredonia. Sara owned and operated Canadaway Wildflowers, a native plant nursery in Fredonia. She has offered many presentations on the region's native flora, gardening for wildlife, and wildflower propagation; her writings have appeared in The Christian Science Monitor, Upstate Gardeners Journal, Nature Photographer Magazine and Buffalo Spree. Sara lives with her family on Canadaway Creek, where she gardens and operates an art studio.

Speaker/Guide: Joe McMaster
Location: Lake side (back) of Smith Wilkes Hall

Join our seasoned guide with experience ranging from certified arborists, farmer and horticulturalist to expert in the plants, trees and habitat of Chautauqua Institution and county within western NY. Starting at the back of Smith Wilkes Hall (lakeside) you'll walk the grounds learning about the interesting selection of plants, shrubs, trees and flowers. Questions welcomed! The routes vary so be sure to attend as many afternoons as possible. 

Joe grew up in the local area and after a 3 year agricultural stay with the Peace Corp, a BA in Comparative Literature, and tree work and landscaping in Denver, he returned to Chautauqua County. His span of his experience ranges from raising grapes on Lake Erie plain, starting and still consulting for a landscaping company, and farming juice grapes. Chautauqua is fortunate to have Joe, a certified arborist share his knowledge for the local flora and fauna on Garden Walks and Talks.

Speaker/Guide: Sara Baker-Michalak
Location: Fletcher Music Hall
(F15 H,8 on the Institution map)

This morning garden walk will focus on ecological gardening tips and techniques. Participants will learn the importance of using native plants, rain gardens, "right plant in the right place," and attracting pollinators and nature to your garden. The walk will wrap up in time for you to attend the 10:45 Amphitheater program. 

Sara was raised in Western New York, spending many years in and around Chautauqua Creek where she grew to love all things wild.  Drawn to a creative life, Sara followed a career in the visual arts - drawing from nature for subject matter.  An increased focus on native flora developed while an interdisciplinary graduate student in Nature and Culture at SUNY Fredonia. Sara owned and operated Canadaway Wildflowers, a native plant nursery in Fredonia. She has offered many presentations on the region's native flora, gardening for wildlife, and wildflower propagation; her writings have appeared in The Christian Science Monitor, Upstate Gardeners Journal, Nature Photographer Magazine and Buffalo Spree. Sara lives with her family on Canadaway Creek, where she gardens and operates an art studio.

Speaker/Guide: Joe McMaster
Location: Lake side (back) of Smith Wilkes Hall

Join our seasoned guides with experience ranging from certified arborists, master gardeners and/or horticulturalist to expert in the plants, trees and habitat of Chautauqua Institution and county within western NY. Depending on if your group starts at Smith Wilkes Hall (lakeside) or up at Fletcher Music Hall, you'll walk the grounds learning about the interesting selection of plants, shrubs, trees and flowers on the grounds. Questions welcomed! Each tour takes a circuitous route for about an hour. 

Joe grew up in the local area and after a 3 year agricultural stay with the Peace Corp, a BA in Comparative Literature, and tree work and landscaping in Denver, he returned to Chautauqua County. His span of his experience ranges from raising grapes on Lake Erie plain, starting and still consulting for a landscaping company, and farming juice grapes. Chautauqua is fortunate to have Joe, a certified arborist share his knowledge for the local flora and fauna on Garden Walks and Talks.

Speaker/Guide: Sara Baker Michalak
Location: Fletcher Music Hall  
(F15 H,8 on the Institution map)

This morning garden walk will focus on ecological gardening tips and techniques. Participants will learn the importance of using native plants, rain gardens, "right plant in the right place," and attracting pollinators and nature to your garden. The walk will wrap up in time for you to attend the 10:45 Amphitheater program. 

Sara was raised in Western New York, spending many years in and around Chautauqua Creek where she grew to love all things wild.  Drawn to a creative life, Sara followed a career in the visual arts - drawing from nature for subject matter.  An increased focus on native flora developed while an interdisciplinary graduate student in Nature and Culture at SUNY Fredonia. Sara owned and operated Canadaway Wildflowers, a native plant nursery in Fredonia. She has offered many presentations on the region's native flora, gardening for wildlife, and wildflower propagation; her writings have appeared in The Christian Science Monitor, Upstate Gardeners Journal, Nature Photographer Magazine and Buffalo Spree. Sara lives with her family on Canadaway Creek, where she gardens and operates an art studio.

Speaker/Guide: Joe McMaster
Location: Lake side (back) of Smith Wilkes Hall

Join our seasoned guides with experience ranging from certified arborists, master gardeners and/or horticulturalist to expert in the plants, trees and habitat of Chautauqua Institution and county within western NY. Depending on if your group starts at Smith Wilkes Hall (lakeside) or up at Fletcher Music Hall, you'll walk the grounds learning about the interesting selection of plants, shrubs, trees and flowers on the grounds. Questions welcomed! Each tour takes a circuitous route for about an hour. 

Joe grew up in the local area and after a 3 year agricultural stay with the Peace Corp, a BA in Comparative Literature, and tree work and landscaping in Denver, he returned to Chautauqua County. His span of his experience ranges from raising grapes on Lake Erie plain, starting and still consulting for a landscaping company, and farming juice grapes. Chautauqua is fortunate to have Joe, a certified arborist share his knowledge for the local flora and fauna on Garden Walks and Talks.

Speaker/Guide: Joe McMaster
Location: Lake side (back) of Smith Wilkes Hall

Join our seasoned guides with experience ranging from certified arborists, master gardeners and/or horticulturalist to expert in the plants, trees and habitat of Chautauqua Institution and county within western NY. Depending on if your group starts at Smith Wilkes Hall (lakeside) or up at Fletcher Music Hall, you'll walk the grounds learning about the interesting selection of plants, shrubs, trees and flowers on the grounds. Questions welcomed! Each tour takes a circuitous route for about an hour. 

Joe grew up in the local area and after a 3 year agricultural stay with the Peace Corp, a BA in Comparative Literature, and tree work and landscaping in Denver, he returned to Chautauqua County. His span of his experience ranges from raising grapes on Lake Erie plain, starting and still consulting for a landscaping company, and farming juice grapes. Chautauqua is fortunate to have Joe, a certified arborist share his knowledge for the local flora and fauna on Garden Walks and Talks.

Speaker/Guide: Sara Baker Michalak
Location: Fletcher Music Hall
(F15 H,8 on the Institution map)

This morning garden walk will focus on ecological gardening tips and techniques. Participants will learn the importance of using native plants, rain gardens, "right plant in the right place," and attracting pollinators and nature to your garden. The walk will wrap up in time for you to attend the 10:45 Amphitheater program. 

Sara was raised in Western New York, spending many years in and around Chautauqua Creek where she grew to love all things wild.  Drawn to a creative life, Sara followed a career in the visual arts - drawing from nature for subject matter.  An increased focus on native flora developed while an interdisciplinary graduate student in Nature and Culture at SUNY Fredonia. Sara owned and operated Canadaway Wildflowers, a native plant nursery in Fredonia. She has offered many presentations on the region's native flora, gardening for wildlife, and wildflower propagation; her writings have appeared in The Christian Science Monitor, Upstate Gardeners Journal, Nature Photographer Magazine and Buffalo Spree. Sara lives with her family on Canadaway Creek, where she gardens and operates an art studio.