Spring brings blooms, birds, frogs and more but did you know that this spring, the 17-year cicadas are coming back? “Cicada-a-Raid-a! Brood X,” is not a sci-fi movie but a virtual program hosted by the UT Arboretum Society on Tuesday, April 6 at 7:00 p.m. We have been waiting 17 years for their return. After living underground since 2004, it is time for their emergence by the millions. They shed their larval skins and fly away en masse to buzz for a mate.

Join local naturalist Stephen Lyn Bales for all things cicada on this year’s huge emergence. This is a creepy-crawly virtual Zoom presentation and registration for this free online event is required. To register go to: utarboretumsociety.org  and click on the event.  Please contact Michelle Campanis at mcampani@utk.edu with any questions or registration issues.

To contact Stephen Lyn or buy one of his UT Press books email him at  hellostephenlyn@yahoo.com

In accordance with the University of Tennessee guidelines for COVID-19 precautions, programs are currently being presented online.  Though the UT Arboretum Society’s educational programs are not on-site activities, the UT Arboretum Society is pleased to bring the public some great online options.

The Forest Resources AgResearch and Education Center which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2014, is one of ten outdoor laboratories located throughout the state as part of the UT AgResearch system. AgResearch is a division of the UT Institute of Agriculture. The Institute of Agriculture also provides instruction, research and public service through the UT Herbert College of Agriculture, the UT College of Veterinary Medicine, UT AgResearch and UT Extension offices, with locations in every county in the state.

To learn more about the Arboretum Society or for questions on this program, go to www.utarboretumsociety.org