At Audubon Community Nature Center’s First Friday on November 5 Chautauqua Institution’s Supervisor of Gardens and Landscapes Betsy Burgeson will present “The Evolution of the Gardens of Chautauqua Institution.”

Since she arrived at Chautauqua Institution in 2015, Betsy Burgeson, Chautauqua Institution supervisor of gardens and landscapes, has been leading a green revolution of the gardens on the grounds.

At the Audubon Community Nature Center’s First Friday on Nov. 5 from 11 a.m. to noon, Burgeson will talk about “The Evolution of the Gardens of Chautauqua Institution.”

Burgeson is responsible for the appearance and maintenance of Chautauqua’s various flora and walkway throughout the community grounds. Her knowledge of all things that grow and her landscape design and management expertise are among the key reasons why Chautauqua’s gardens are themselves an attraction all year-round. Learn how the changes in gardening philosophy have created a new look and more beneficial habitat on the grounds, transforming the grounds to a new level of excellence by designing and implementing innovative ecologically and economically sound plans. With a degree in science teaching, a sense of humor, and love of gardening, Burgeson has engaged thousands of attendees over the past 20 years at her presentations and workshops.

The fee is $8, or $6 for Nature Center members and children ages 9-15. Space is limited. Reservations are appreciated by calling 569-2345 or going to AudubonCNC.org and clicking through “Upcoming Programs.” Walk-ins are welcome as long as safe COVID-19 capacity restrictions are maintained. For First Friday, chairs are set up in a socially distant manner. Participants who come together may sit together.

Audubon takes into consideration regional data from both Chautauqua and Warren counties to make COVID-19 related decisions and to follow CDC recommendations at minimum. To review ACNC’s most up-to-date COVID-19 requirements, which include information on face coverings and gathering limitations, visit AudubonCNC.org and read the COVID-19 Notice at the top of the page.

Audubon Community Nature Center is located at 1600 Riverside Road, one-quarter mile east of Route 62 between Jamestown and Warren. View the grounds, with its six miles of trails, and Liberty, Audubon’s non-releasable Bald Eagle, dawn to dusk daily, free of charge. The three-story Nature Center building houses interactive displays, a collection of live animals including the new Hellbender exhibit, and the Blue Heron Gift Shop. Visitors are welcome Mondays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Sundays, 1 to 4:30 p.m. Nature Center members are admitted to the building with no charge daily, and building admission is free every Sunday for non-Nature Center members as well.

To learn more about Audubon and its programs, call 569-2345, find Audubon Community Nature Center on Facebook, or visit AudubonCNC.org.