Winter 21'-22' EJC Arboretum

Dear Friends of the Arboretum,

What an amazingly frosty and snowy winter we've had this year! It has been unlike most any Virginia winter that I've experienced in a very long time, if ever, in this century. To have the snow and cold stay around for so long created a winter wonderland here at the Arboretum for 5 weeks! It has been a delight to see all the lighting and mood changes, sound changes, and utter still silence that some of the colder days have ushered in. We've had fog roll in over the snow, sun on snow, new snow on top of ice and snow, and snowdrifts. With the snowcover now gone, any sign of spring popping up through the ground in February will be all the more apparent and welcome.

Please excuse our mess in the pavilion area and pavilion parking lot. A very exciting undertaking is ongoing there with the installation of our new At Home in the Woods Family Garden. The contractors will be working in that area through March and possibly into early April while the artisans and landscapers will be on site through May and into June. We aren't sure when the snow fence will come down and the parking lot reopened. Once the large trucks have finished their part, the main trail may be open again, even if the pavilion area is still off-limits to visitors. We hope to dedicate the garden in June!

In 2022 and 2023, the Arboretum will have a focus, a theme, we are calling Forest Soundscapes which will include Healing through Sound and Birdsong Soundscapes. Sounds are such an important part of the feeling of finding sanctuary that comes with spending time here or in any forest. Whether the music to your ears is the sound of a stream flowing over rocks, wind blowing through the branches, the rustle of leaves underfoot, the birds chirping and flitting around from within the shrubs and understory, or the sounds of children laughing; this impact on our auditory system helps us to feel safe and allows our guards to come down when in a natural area. These sounds are not only calming but can profoundly affect our health and one's sense of well-being.

A meta-analysis of 18 different sound studies found that water sounds were often the most effective at affecting mood, while birdsongs were best for lowering stress. Summertime recordings from 66 national parks were played for participants in lab settings across the world, and the most significant outcome for these participants was decreased stress and annoyance. Additionally, many reported decreased pain and improved mood, while everyone performed better on cognitive tests. Other studies of huge groups from around the world found that people who lived near or in green spaces tended to live longer than those who did not have access to much green space. Just two hours per week are needed in a natural setting to have a significant effect on a greater sense of well-being.

I encourage you to go for a walk or sit a spell at a bench or near streamside and simply listen. The Arboretum has a multitude of year-round birds living and singing here, and many more who migrate through starting in March. Come visit the trails and take a birdsong walk while you breathe in the immune-boosting aromatherapy compounds of the forest. Listen up! Listen in! The forest is singing to you. Click here to open a new tab and experience the healing sound of singing birds as you enjoy our newsletter.

May the sounds of nature soothe your soul this season,

Jan Sievers Mahon, EJC Arboretum Director

Mark your Calendar!

2022 Frances Litten Lecture

An In-Person or Virtual Learning Experience for 2022!

This year, the annual Frances Litten Lecture will be returning to an in-person reception and lecture with the option to attend virtually! Please RSVP as seats are filling quickly.

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As communities navigated through the challenges of the past year, awareness surrounding the importance of caring for outdoor spaces has grown exponentially. Parks, campgrounds, and local/state/national forests were heavily sought after, as people became more engaged in outdoor recreation opportunities. As we begin our journey through 2022, the Edith J. Carrier Arboretum continues its mission to serve as a beautiful urban sanctuary that blossoms with educational opportunities, accessible to our local community, students, and visitors.

Along with all of our friends who help protect and care for these spaces, we invite your support. We ask you to join our environmental stewards and supporters this Giving Day, February 22, 2022. Help us maintain and care for this forest sanctuary where we play, relax, exercise, learn, and become healthier individuals, together. Save the date (2-2-’22, "2's-Day") and look for a link to be shared that day to support your favorite public urban garden and forested greenspace in Harrisonburg, the Edith J. Carrier Arboretum at James Madison University.

If you would like to make your contribution today:

Education On Many Levels!

We are fortunate to have many beautiful outdoor spaces to offer educational and recreational opportunities at the EJC Arboretum. Staff is focused on offering your favorite returning in-person activities alongside new exciting programs that provide comfortable, engaging, and enlightening experiences.