HILLTOP ARBORETUM TO HOST 2003

                 American Association of Botanical Gardens and Arboreta

                 Southeast Regional Conference November 5-8

                 No matter your space, Hilltop Arboretum in Baton Rouge, Louisiana is the place
                 to be in 2003! The conference will begin the evening of Wednesday, November 5th
                 with a reception to welcome speakers and participants and extend through
                 November 7th. An optional "not to be missed" post-conference tour up the West
                 Bank of the Mississippi is on tap for Saturday, November 8th.

                 Hilltop is proof positive that good things do come in small packages. In 1981,
                 Emory Smith donated his 14-acre property to Louisiana State University so that
                 it might remain a place where people could experience and learn about nature,
                 plants and the Louisiana landscape. Friends of Hilltop, a non-profit support
                 group formed in 1982, continues to work in partnership with the University to
                 preserve the integrity of Mr. Smith's vision.

                 Nothing speaks more eloquently to this and to the theme of the conference than
                 the most recent addition to our site: a 6,000 square foot education and
                 administration building that replaces the office trailer that served for years
                 as the Arboretum's headquarters. The building's design was created by one of
                 our speakers, Ted Flato, vernacular architect with the nationally recognized
                 firm of Lake/Flato Architects, San Antonio, Texas. "The hallmark of Ted Flato's
                 design is that it's regional, that it grows from the place in which it is
                 built", according to conference speaker, Susan Turner, landscape architecture
                 and garden historian; professor emeritus of the LSU School of Landscape
                 Architecture currently serving as interim director.

                 Our roster of speakers also includes: Bill Finch, Environmental Editor for the
                 Mobile Register and produces a weekly garden page and column for the paper;
                 Bill Fontenot, naturalist, author, and curator of natural services for the
                 Acadiana Park Nature Station; Rosa Finsley, principal of Kings Creek
                 Landscaping in Dallas, TX, noted for its expertise in creating naturalistic and
                 specialized landscapes; Darrel Morrison, professor and dean emeritus of the
                 School of Environment and Design at the University of Georgia; environmental
                 designer and leading authority on restoring native plants; Leslie Sauer,
                 landscape architect with Andropogon Associates, a pioneer in the field of
                 restoring and managing native landscapes; and Gary Smith, landscape architect
                 and artist whose work can be seen at the Enchanted Woods children's garden at
                 Winterthur. A former professor of garden design at the University of Delaware,
                 Smith currently lives and works in Austin, TX.

                 Like Hilltop, each of the other venues selected to provide the podium for our
                 speakers has its tale to tell and offers a unique, enhanced sense of place:
                 Chef John Folse's White Oak Plantation, the Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center, and
                 the Rural Life Museum. They will delight and inspire as they help us heighten
                 and define our respective garden's space and place.

                 REGISTRATION: Early Bird Rate [Postmarked by September 1]:
                 AABGA Member, $175
                 Non-Member of AABGA, $200
                 Regular Rate [Postmarked after September 1]:
                 AABGA Member, $200
                 Non-Member of AABGA $225.

                 CANCELLATION POLICY: A full refund less a $25 handling fee will be issued if
                 cancellation is prior to October 15. After this date, no refunds will be issued.

                OPTIONAL POST-CONFERENCE TOUR:
                The trip will focus on the change over time of man's footprint on the plantation              
                landscape. The itinerary includes breakfast at the Downtown Baton Rouge Farmer's
                Market; a visit to the garden of Michael Hopping; a tour of the Purdin Koi Farm
                and 1830's restored home; lunch [Dutch Treat] at Ma Mama's Kitchen in
                New Roads; tour of Parlange Plantation and Maison Chenal.
 
                Cost: AABGA Member, $50 ~ Non-Member of AABGA, $60.

                 HOTEL RESERVATIONS:
                 Be sure to mention the Southeast Regional AABGA Conference  when you call.
                 Room  Rate: $79/night for a double, plus tax [complimentary breakfast included].

                 LSU Lod Cook Conference Center Hotel ~ 3848 West Lakeshore Drive ~ Baton Rouge,
                 LA 70808

                 phone: 225.383.COOK [2665] / fax: 225.383.4200 /toll free 866.610.COOK [2665]
                 WWW.COOKCONFERENCECENTER.COM

                 Questions? Additional information? Registration Form? Agenda?

                 Contact Janet Forbes: phone: [225] 928-7115 ~ e-mail: wmforbes1@cox.net