Arbor Day is a holiday dedicated annually to public tree-planting and appreciation of natural resources. From January and February in the south, all the way to May in the far north, Arbor Day encourages tree-planting not only by groups and organizations, but also individuals

From 11 a.m. to noon in the Appleton auditorium, Greg Barton, Marion County forester, will give a presentation on the ecological value of trees. From noon to 1 p.m., docents will give a tour of flora-themed works and symbolism found throughout the permanent collection. The events are free for Appleton members; included with regular admission fee for nonmembers.

This event is organized by Steve MacKenzie, professor of Environmental Sciences at the College of Central Florida. For more information, contact Griselle Gonzalez at 352-291-4455, ext. 1836, or gonzaleg@cf.edu.

Owned and operated by the College of Central Florida, the Appleton Museum of Art is located at 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, east of downtown on SR 40 (exit 352 east off I-75 or exit 268 west off I-95). Parking is free. For more information, call 352-291-4455 or visit AppletonMuseum.org.

On view Feb. 1-May 26, “America’s Everglades” features work by renowned wilderness photographer and conservationist Clyde Butcher. The large-format black and white photographs span three decades, capturing the rugged and remote beauty of the Everglades. From the deepest cypress strands of the sawgrass prairies, coastal waters and languid estuaries, to still lifes of rare species, Butcher reveals its ecosystems in magnificent detail.

With his work exhibited worldwide, Butcher’s commitment to recording precious landscapes and peaceful sanctuaries across the globe provides common ground between all viewers. His work, likened to that of Ansel Adams, has earned him recognition as the foremost landscape photographic artist in America today. Honored by the state of Florida with the highest award given to a private citizen, The Florida Hall of Fame Award, he is also privileged to have received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the North American Nature Photography Association, the

Distinguished Artist Award from the Florida House Embassy (Washington, D.C.) and the Ansel Adams Conservation Award from the Sierra Club for showing excellence in photography and contributing to public awareness of the environment.

Exhibition Events

VIP Reception and Talk

Friday, Feb. 1, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Wear black, white and gray — or any combination thereof — to this special meet-and-greet reception and talk with Clyde Butcher. Guests must be an Appleton Director’s Circle or Fine Arts For Ocala Collector’s Circle member to attend. RSVP is required; talk begins at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium.

To become a Director’s Circle member or to RSVP, contact Colleen Harper, harperc@cf.edu, or 352-291-4455, ext. 1831.

Book Signing

Saturday, Feb. 2, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

We are honored to have the artist here for a book signing. Exhibition catalog and other books will be available for purchase in the Appleton Store. This event is free to the public and does not include admission to the exhibition.

This exhibition and events are generously sponsored by Fine Arts For Ocala.

Owned and operated by the College of Central Florida, the Appleton Museum of Art is located at 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, east of downtown on SR 40 (exit 352 east off I-75 or exit 268 west off I-95). Parking is free. For more information, call 352-291-4455 or visit AppletonMuseum.org.

High school and college students interested in getting assistance with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid can attend a workshop on Thursday, Feb. 7, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. or Thursday, March 14, from 2-6 p.m. at the College of Central Florida Jack Wilkinson Levy Campus, 15390 N.W. Highway 19, Chiefland.

Students are strongly encouraged to attend with their parent or guardian. Required documents to bring include the student’s photo identification, parents’ and student’s 2017 income tax returns and all W-2s, Social Security numbers and dates of birth of parents and student, and records of all 2017 untaxed income.

Space is limited. Register for the event at www.CF.edu/fafsaworkshop. For more information, call 352-658-4077.

High school and college students interested in getting assistance with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid can attend a workshop on Tuesday, Feb. 5, or Tuesday, March 26, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the Citrus Learning and Conference Center at the College of Central Florida Citrus Campus, 3800 S. Lecanto Highway, Lecanto.

Students are strongly encouraged to attend with their parent or guardian. Required documents to bring include the student’s photo identification, parents’ and student’s 2017 income tax returns and all W-2s, Social Security numbers and dates of birth of parents and student, and records of all 2017 untaxed income.

Space is limited. Register for the event at www.CF.edu/fafsaworkshop. For more information, call 352-249-1215.

High school and college students interested in getting assistance with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid can attend a workshop on Tuesday, Feb. 5, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. or on Wednesday, Feb. 6 from 8:30-10:30 a.m. at the College of Central Florida Learning Resources Center, Room 101K, 3001 S.W. College Road., Ocala.

Students are strongly encouraged to attend with their parent or guardian. Required documents to bring include the student’s photo identification, parents’ and student’s 2017 income tax returns and all W-2s, Social Security numbers and dates of birth of parents and student, and records of all 2017 untaxed income.

Space is limited. Register for the event at www.CF.edu/fafsaworkshop. For more information, call 352-854-2322, ext. 1518.

Blanco will read from his collection at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27, in the Humanities and Social Sciences Building 8 and at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28, in the Dassance Fine Arts Auditorium, at the CF Ocala Campus, 3001 S.W. College Road. Tickets are not required and entry is free at both readings.

Blanco is the fifth presidential inaugural poet in U.S. history – the youngest, first Latino, immigrant, and gay person to serve in this role. Born in Madrid to Cuban exile parents and raised in Miami, the negotiation of cultural identity characterizes his body of work.

He is the author of the memoirs “The Prince of los Cocuyos: A Miami Childhood,” and “For All of Us One Today: An Inaugural Poet’s Journey;” the poetry chapbooks “Matters of the Sea” and “Boston Strong;” the poetry collections  “Looking for the Gulf Motel,” “Directors to the Beach of the Dead,” and “City of a Hundred Fires.”

A new book of poems, “How to Love a Country,” is forthcoming from Beacon Press in April 2019. Blanco has been featured on CBS Sunday Morning and National Public Radio’s Fresh Air. He has been a Woodrow Wilson Visiting Fellow and received honorary doctorates from Macalester College, Colby College and the University of Rhode Island. He has continued to write occasional poems for organizations and events such as the re-opening of the U.S. embassy in Havana.

The Debra Vazquez Memorial Poetry Series honors CF English and creative writing professor Debra Vazquez, who died as a result of domestic violence in 2004.

For more information, contact Sandra Cooper at 352-854-2322, ext. 1361, or coopersa@cf.edu.