Everything Nac

Kay Jenkins, SFA Gardens environmental education programs coordinator, is hosting a Saturday Science Adventure beginning at 9 a.m. May 11 at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center.

Attendees will learn how botanists identify plants using characteristics such as overall size, leaf shape, flower parts and more. Participants will be encouraged to use their observation skills and build their appreciation for the biodiversity and beauty of the natural world around them as they participate in a guided tour of the gardens.

After the guided tour, attendees are invited to stay and create a card or gift for mothers with materials and suggestions offered by the SFA Gardens staff and volunteers.

“When we think of Mother’s Day, we usually think of flowers, and the SFA Gardens is all about beautiful flowers and plants,” Jenkins said. “The Botany Bliss workshop, conveniently timed for the day before Mother’s Day, provides visitors an opportunity to create memories and a botanically inspired card or gift for mom while also learning about the diversity of plants found in East Texas.”

The event is free; however, donations to support environmental education activities at the SFA Gardens are appreciated. Complete the registration survey at gosfa.com/botanybliss to help staff members make sure adequate materials and volunteers are available to conduct the activities.

Parking is available at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center, 2900 Raguet St., or Raguet Elementary School, 2708 Raguet St.

For more information, email sfagardens@sfasu.edu.

ABOUT STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY

Stephen F. Austin State University, the newest member of The University of Texas System, began a century ago as a teachers’ college in Texas’ oldest town, Nacogdoches. Today, it has grown into a regional institution comprising six colleges — business, education, fine arts, forestry and agriculture, liberal and applied arts, and sciences and mathematics. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, SFA enrolls approximately 11,000 students while providing the academic breadth of a state university with the personalized attention of a private school. The main campus encompasses 421 acres that include 37 academic facilities, nine residence halls, and 68 acres of recreational trails that wind through its six gardens. The university offers more than 80 bachelor’s degrees, more than 40 master’s degrees and four doctoral degrees covering more than 120 areas of study. Learn more at sfasu.edu.

The Contemporary Ensemble at Stephen F. Austin State University will stream the ensemble’s recorded works on the SFA School of Music’s YouTube Channel at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 2.

To celebrate the opening of the Sound Recording Technology program’s new recording studios in the Griffith Fine Arts Building, the Contemporary Ensemble most recently focused on producing recorded works, according the James Adams, SRT associate professor and director of the Contemporary Ensemble.

In this streamed event, the Contemporary Ensemble performs works by Winnona Oak, Daft Punk, Zach Byran, Jack Johnson and Nine Inch Nails, among others.

“These recorded works showcase the talented members of the Contemporary Ensemble and the impressive capabilities of SFA’s new sound recording studios,” Adams said.

Aiyanna Riley, graduate student from the Austin area, is assistant director of the ensemble.

For additional information about the SRT program at SFA, contact Adams at (936) 468-4435 or adamsjf@sfasu.edu.