UBC beetles beat loosestrife at Jericho

Sep 16, 1999

Vancouver’s magnificent Jericho Park has a welcome new attraction
— one that can’t be seen. Purple loosestrife, an invasive weed,
was displacing native plants in the park. This summer it has been
demolished by European beetles released into the area by UBC. In
1993, Plant Science and Zoology Prof. Judy Myers first released
30 European beetles that feed exclusively on purple loosestrife
to the area. She introduced more in 1996. “The beetles have reached
high densities and are having a major impact on the loosestrife
plants in our study area — the park’s west pond,” she says.

  • Contact: Prof. Judith Myers, Zoology Dept., Plant Science
    Dept., 604.822.3957
    Bruce Mason, Public Affairs Office, 604.822.2048

Students struggle with potted palms

It’s not unusual to see students struggling with large palms on
bicycles and in backpacks the day of UBC’s annual indoor plant sale.
More than 3,000 students are expected to choose from several thousand
plants at the sale which takes place in the Botanical Garden, Sept.
16 to 18 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event — which is intended to
help students put a little greenery and individuality in their dorms
and dark basement suites — is sold out every year. “We have everything
from orchids and herbs to tropical and flowering plants in every
size starting at three dollars including tax,” say organizer Ray
Moon.

  • Contact: Ray Moon, Friends of the Garden, (604) 936-7370

Books beautiful on display at UBC

A 60-book exhibit of finely printed texts from the 19th century
that re-create medieval themes and the detail of hand-written and
decorated books are part of a new display at UBC’s Special Collections
in the Main Library. Called Printing the Middle Ages, 1816-1930,
the exhibit features stories of the legends of King Arthur and Robin
Hood and Icelandic sagas and books illustrated by designer William
Morris and artist Aubrey Beardsley. The exhibit will be on display
until January.

  • Contact: Brenda Peterson, Special Collections, 604.822.4959
    or 604.822.4879

Students find splendid space for free concerts

The Dodson Reading Room in UBC’s Main Library has been restored
to its original 1925 splendour and Music student Erika Switzer,
who is completing a master’s degree in Piano Performance, thinks
it’s the perfect place to stage free noon-hour concerts. Switzer
and baritone Tyler Duncan will kick off the concert series with
a program of French, German and English songs Friday, Oct. 1 at
12:30 p.m. The Main Library is a short walk north from the bus loop
at UBC. Pay parking is available in the North Parkade. Enter at
Gate 2 off Wesbrook Mall.

  • Contact: Erika Switzer, School of Music (604) 734-3949

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