Hands-On Museum class at Matthaei Botanical Gardens.
Expand your knowledge about the natural world, explore a new topic, or learn a new skill by enrolling in one of the many classes we offer through the year. Adult education classes include lecture series, field classes, and garden related topics. We offer family programs that help caregivers guide children (and themselves) in nature study. Programs for scouts or groups of children make learning about plants fun.
Registration is easy and can be done via phone, fax, mail or in person at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens Information Desk. Click here to learn more about registration.
 7/14/2008 - WASTELAND WEEDS |
| Dates: July 14–17, 2008 Monday evening to Thursday afternoon. |
| Fee: $264.00 (
$220.00 for members) |
| Class Number: 08-AE-26 |
| Description: Join Ed Voss, author of the 3-volume Michigan Flora, for a tasteful tour of dumps, gravel pits, construction sites, roadsides, and other places in the Straits of Mackinac region where some rather rare native plants live with many plants of foreign origin — including noxious invasive species. There will be good opportunity to use these plants to illustrate characters and terminology as found in keys and descriptions. We will camp 3 nights at a rustic State Forest campground on Burt Lake (20 miles south of the Mackinac Bridge).
Participants are responsible for their own camping fees and meals (potluck dinners are easy & fun), starting with dinner and orientation Monday at 6:00 p.m. and ending mid-afternoon Thursday. Further details and suggestions will be sent to all participants.
Each person (or party) will pay (at the campground) their State Forest campground fee which is currently $15.00 per night.
Instructor: Edward G. Voss, Ph.D. Curator Emeritus, Herbarium; Author Michigan Flora |
| Class Max: 18 |
| registration information |
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| 9/9/2008 - Michigan Mushrooms – Fall 2008 Lecture |
| Dates: Lecture: Tuesdays, September 9, 16, 23, 30, 7:15 – 9:15 pm
Field Trip: Saturdays, September 13, 20, 27, and October 4, 9 am to noon |
| Fee: $185.00 (
$148.00 for members) |
| Class Number: 08-AE-27 |
| Description: Wild mushrooms are studied through slide lectures which concentrate on their natural history, identifying characteristics, and edible and poisonous qualities. The course also includes field trips to collect mushrooms in four different natural areas. Each trip ends with display, identification, and discussion of the morning's finds, plus sautéing and tasting some of the edibles. Former students may register either for the complete course or for the field trips only.
Instructor: Robert Shaffer, Ph.D., Curator Emeritus of Fungi, Herbarium, U-M; and Jocelyn Shaffer |
| Class Max: 18 |
| registration information |
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| 9/13/2008 - Michigan Mushrooms – Fall 2008 Field trips |
| Dates: Field Trip: Saturdays, September 13, 20, 27, and October 4, 9 am to noon |
| Fee: $120.00 (
$96.00 for members) |
| Class Number: 08-AE-28 |
| Description: Wild mushrooms are studied through slide lectures which concentrate on their natural history, identifying characteristics, and edible and poisonous qualities. The course also includes field trips to collect mushrooms in four different natural areas. Each trip ends with display, identification, and discussion of the morning's finds, plus sautéing and tasting some of the edibles. Former students may register either for the complete course or for the field trips only.
Instructor: Robert Shaffer, Ph.D., Curator Emeritus of Fungi, Herbarium, U-M; and Jocelyn Shaffer |
| Class Max: 18 |
| registration information |
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| 9/15/2008 - Yoga at the Gardens Session F |
| Dates: Six Mondays: Sept. 9, 22, 29 and October 6, 13, 20 from noon to 1:00pm |
| Fee: $60.00 (
$48.00 for members) |
| Class Number: 08-AE-32 |
| Description: Following Vinyasa Yoga this class is a flowing sequence of sun salutations and postures coordinated with music. Class will be at a moderate pace. For students with yoga experience. Held in the auditorium of MBG. Please enter from the west entrance and bring yoga mat and bath-sized towel. Drop-ins welcome. $10.00/class. Instructor: Janine Bennett |
| Class Max: 18 |
| registration information |
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| 9/17/2008 - Wednesday AM Hiker Fall 08 |
| Dates: Five Wednesdays: September 17, 24,Oct 1, 8, 15
9:00am to noon |
| Fee: $150.00 (
$120.00 for members) |
| Class Number: 08-AE-34 |
| Description: Hikes take the inquisitive plant seeker to remote habitats of woods and wetlands. Edible plants and mushrooms, as well as the interesting plants and intriguing habitats of little-known and out-of-the-way places, are emphasized in our academic but playful atmosphere. Wear long pants, long-sleeved shirt, and sturdy shoes. Potluck lunch on last day. Instructor: Ellen Elliott Weatherbee |
| Class Max: 18 |
| registration information |
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| 9/21/2008 - Art, Nature and Function: Willow Furniture
Trellis |
| Dates: Sept 21 2008 from 1 to 5pm |
| Fee: $84.00 (
$70.00 for members) |
| Class Number: 08-AE-35 |
| Description: Once willow furniture graced front porches, gardens and summer homes. Crafting willow furniture has become a traditional American craft. It's time for you to learn this craft. Leave with a handrafted heirloom. Materials are provided, you need to bring a small hammer (8oz) and pruning shears. Instructor: Bim Willow |
| Class Max: |
| registration information |
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| 9/21/2008 - Art, Nature and Function: Willow Furniture
Garden Bench |
| Dates: Sunday Sept 21, 2008 1 to 5pm |
| Fee: $120.00 (
$100.00 for members) |
| Class Number: 08-AE-36 |
| Description: Once willow furniture graced front porches, gardens and summer homes. Crafting willow furniture has become a traditional American craft. It's time for you to learn this craft. Leave with a handrafted heirloom. Materials are provided, you need to bring a small hammer (8oz) and pruning shears. Instructor: Bim Willow |
| Class Max: 0 |
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| 9/21/2008 - Art, Nature and Function: Willow Furniture
Bent Willow Chair |
| Dates: Sunday September 21, from 1 to 5 pm |
| Fee: $276.00 (
$230.00 for members) |
| Class Number: 08-AE-37 |
| Description: Once willow furniture graced front porches, gardens and summer homes. Crafting willow furniture has become a traditional American craft. It's time for you to learn this craft. Leave with a handrafted heirloom. Materials are provided, you need to bring a small hammer (8oz) and pruning shears. Instructor: Bim Willow |
| Class Max: 0 |
| registration information |
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| 9/21/2008 - Art Nature and Function: Willow Furniture
Bent Willow Loveseat |
| Dates: Sunday Sept 21 from 1 to 5 pm |
| Fee: $384.00 (
$320.00 for members) |
| Class Number: 08-AE-38 |
| Description: Once willow furniture graced front porches, gardens and summer homes. Crafting willow furniture has become a traditional American craft. It's time for you to learn this craft. Leave with a handrafted heirloom. Materials are provided, you need to bring a small hammer (8oz) and pruning shears. Instructor: Bim Willow |
| Class Max: 0 |
| registration information |
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| 9/21/2008 - Art, Nature and Function: Willow Furniture
Garden Arbor |
| Dates: Sunday September 21 from 1 to 5 pm |
| Fee: $312.00 (
$260.00 for members) |
| Class Number: 08-AE-38b |
| Description: Once willow furniture graced front porches, gardens and summer homes. Crafting willow furniture has become a traditional American craft. It's time for you to learn this craft. Leave with a handrafted heirloom. Materials are provided, you need to bring a small hammer (8oz) and pruning shears. Instructor: Bim Willow |
| Class Max: 0 |
| registration information |
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| 9/23/2008 - After You're Gone: Earth Friendly Funderals & Burials |
| Dates: Tuesday Sept 23 and Thursday Sept 25 from 7 to 9 pm |
| Fee: $5.00 (
$5.00 for members) |
| Class Number: 08-AE-39 |
| Description: Many of us are committed to making our lives more environmentally friendly-choosing organic produce, driving more fuel-efficient cars, and living and doing business in green buildings. Did you know that there are ways to make your death more environmentally friendly as well? Join Blueprint for Aging and MBGNA for a lecture series on natural burial opetions, land conservation and low-impact funeral care and memorials. Tuesday Joe Sehee, of the Green Burial Council, and Donna Folland, of the Six Rivers Regional Land Conservancy, will discuss sustainable burial practices and how you can protect Michigan's land resources-even from beyond the grave! Thursday Erika Nelson MSW and licensed funeral director, will discuss the reawakening of historically traditional practices of home funerals and natural death care. Early registration for this workshop is strongly encouraged. Instructors: Joe Sehee, Donna Follard, Erika Nelson |
| Class Max: 100 |
| registration information |
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| 10/7/2008 - Garden for Wildlife |
| Dates: Two tuesdays: Oct 7 and 14 from 7 to 9pm |
| Fee: $40.00 (
$32.00 for members) |
| Class Number: 08-AE-40 |
| Description: MBGNA has partnered with the National Wildlife Federation to help you get your homesite certified as a Wildlife Habitat with NWF. Habitat gardens attract beautiful songbirds, butterflies, frogs, and other interesting wildlife. Native wildflowers, shrubs and trees will increase the beauty of your property and provide a nurturing refuge for wildlife. Gardening practices that help wildlife: reducing the use of chemicals, conserving energy and water, and composting also improve air, water and soil quality. This class will cover the basics; other classes this fall and spring will dive into details and help you learn more about our local habitats. Instructors: Catriona Mortell and Dorothea Coleman |
| Class Max: 25 |
| registration information |
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| 10/9/2008 - Shrubs for Wildlife |
| Dates: Lecture Tuesday: October 9, 7 to 9 pm
Field Trip Saturday, October 11, 10am to noon |
| Fee: $40.00 (
$32.00 for members) |
| Class Number: 08-AE-41 |
| Description: Habitats rich in shrubs can provide excellent wildlife habitat. Since the 1930s wildlife biologistss have sought to improve wildlife habitats through shrub plantings. Although mistakes were made, and some of our worst invasives hrub species were introduced, the concept of 'shrubs for wildlife' remains vaild. The instructor will focus on identification and management of both exotic and native shrubs, their growth habits and their importance to wildlife. Instructor: Sylvia Taylor |
| Class Max: 18 |
| registration information |
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| 10/15/2008 - Local Forest Ecosystems |
| Dates: Lecture Wednesday October 15, 7 to 9 pm,
Field trips: Saturday and Sunday Oct 18 and 19 form 10am to 1pm |
| Fee: $54.00 (
$45.00 for members) |
| Class Number: 08-AE-42 |
| Description: Forest ecosystems are more than just a sum of their trees. This course will investigate the ingredients which comprise our local forest ecosystems; including climate topography, pleistocene landforms, soil, vegetation, and animals. On Saturday we will venture into an Oak-Hickory Forest on the botanical gardens property, Sunday we will tour a Beech-Maple Forest at Springhill Preserve in Superior Township. Instructor: Roberty Ayotte |
| Class Max: 18 |
| registration information |
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| 10/22/2008 - Wednesday AM Hiker - In-between Seasons fall 08 |
| Dates: Two Wednesdays October 22 and 29 9am to noon |
| Fee: $60.00 (
$48.00 for members) |
| Class Number: 08-AE-44 |
| Description: Take a relacing break from holiday preparations to keep botanically sharp and in shape ofr holiday 'pig-outs'. These field trips feature invigorating hikes to little-known nature areas, state land, or turn-of-the-century classic botany localities. Plants, habitats and people encountered will be identified and enjoyed. Come dressed to be outdoors for both sessions. Stay the last day for a potluck lunch. Instructor: Ellen Elliot Weatherbee |
| Class Max: 18 |
| registration information |
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| 10/22/2008 - Southeast Michigan Wildlife Habitats |
| Dates: Wednesday Oct 22 from 7 to 9 pm |
| Fee: $20.00 (
$16.00 for members) |
| Class Number: 08-AE-45 |
| Description: Learn how various species of wildlife interact with the rich and varied ecosytems in which we live. The Beech-Maple and Oak-Hickory forest communities constitute a major component of the complex mosaic of southeast Michigan wildlife habitats. (Refer to Forest Ecosystems class for more information on this topic.) This class will examine various parts of that mosaic from floodplains and grasslands to farm fields and residential landscapes. Instructor: Sylvia Taylor, PhD |
| Class Max: 25 |
| registration information |
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| 10/27/2008 - Yoga at the Gardens: Session G |
| Dates: Six Mondays: Oct 27, Nov 3, 10, 17, 24 from noon to 1:00pm |
| Fee: $60.00 (
$48.00 for members) |
| Class Number: 08-AE-33 |
| Description: Following Vinyasa Yoga this class is a flowing sequence of sun salutations and postures coordinated with music. Class will be at a moderate pace. For students with yoga experience. Held in the auditorium of MBG. Please enter from the west entrance and bring yoga mat and bath-sized towel. Drop-ins welcome. $10.00/class. Instructor: Janine Bennett |
| Class Max: 18 |
| registration information |
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| 11/5/2008 - Food for Winter or What I did last summer |
| Dates: Wednesday November 5 from 530 to 7pm |
| Fee: $0.00 (
$0.00 for members) |
| Class Number: 08-AE-46 |
| Description: Eric Kampe set up a task for himself this past summer and that wasy to row, preserve, pickle, ferment, dry, can and simply store his garden's summer produce. Join Eric and others in a round table discussion about food preservation. (reservations required) Held at Nichols Arboretum - Reader Center |
| Class Max: 18 |
| registration information |
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| 11/8/2008 - Yard Hens |
| Dates: Saturday November 1 10am to noon |
| Fee: $10.00 (
$8.00 for members) |
| Class Number: 08-AE-47 |
| Description: Curious about what it takes to have happy chickens in your yard and tasty eggs in your fridge? Join us for this class covering the basics of keeping chickens. We will cover where and how to get chicks, breeds, housing and feeding. |
| Class Max: 40 |
| registration information |
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| 9/20/2008 - Prairie Explorer Walk at Nichols Arboretum |
| Dates: Saturday September 20 from 10am to 1pm |
| Fee: $3.00 (
$3.00 for members) |
| Class Number: 08-YE-49 |
| Description: Our interpretative guides will lead you through a fascinating exploration of Nichols Arboretum's prairie. Visit different stations and sicover amazing native plants, insects and animals that call the prairie home. For children ages 9-13 |
| Class Max: 18 |
| registration information |
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| 9/27/2008 - Children's Harvest - from seeds to the dinner table
September 27 |
| Dates: Saturday September 27 10am to 1230pm |
| Fee: $2.00 (
$2.00 for members) |
| Class Number: 08-YE-50a |
| Description: Explore our Children's Garden; learn about some of the fruits and vegetables we're growing there. Learn how to make a salad from garden ingredients, learn how to make sauces with fresh herbs. Take home a special herb mix. For children ages 9-13 |
| Class Max: 18 |
| registration information |
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| 10/4/2008 - Bonsai Basics - Parent/Child workshop |
| Dates: Saturday October 4 10am to noon |
| Fee: $25.00 (
$20.00 for members) |
| Class Number: 08-YE-53 |
| Description: During the Bonsai Show a special opportunity will be offered to families. Connie crancer and members of the Bonsai Society will teach basics of bonsai. The aim of bonsai culture is to develop a tiny tree that has all the elements of a large tree frowing in a natural setting through pruning and shaping roots and branches. Pre-registration is required. Price is per plant, family pairs may work on a plant. |
| Class Max: 18 |
| registration information |
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| 10/11/2008 - Children's Harvest - From seeds to the dinner table
October 11 |
| Dates: Saturday October 11 from 10am to 1230pm |
| Fee: $2.00 (
$2.00 for members) |
| Class Number: 08-YE-50b |
| Description: Explore our Children's Garden; learn about some of the fruits and vegetables we're growing there. Learn how to make a salad from garden ingredients, learn how to make sauces with fresh herbs. Take home a special herb mix. For children ages 9-13 |
| Class Max: 18 |
| registration information |
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| 11/8/2008 - Plant Explorers at Nichols Arboretum
Saturday November 8 |
| Dates: Saturday November 8 10am to noon |
| Fee: $2.00 (
$2.00 for members) |
| Class Number: 08-YE-51a |
| Description: Why do plants do what they do? Discover the amazing range of sizes, shapes and textures of plants. Take a guided hihke, and go on a scavenger hunt to find weird and wonderful plants. For children ages 7-10
Please dress for hiking outdoors. |
| Class Max: 18 |
| registration information |
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| 11/22/2008 - Plant Explorers at the Botanical Gardens
Saturday, November 22 |
| Dates: Saturday November 22 from 10 am to noon |
| Fee: $2.00 (
$2.00 for members) |
| Class Number: 08-YE-51b |
| Description: Why do plants do what they do? Discover the amazing range of sizes, shapes and textures of plants. Take a guided hihke, and go on a scavenger hunt to find weird and wonderful plants. For children ages 7-10
This class may take place outdoors or indoors - please come prepared. |
| Class Max: 18 |
| registration information |
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| 12/13/2008 - Winter Solstice |
| Dates: Saturday December 13 from 1 to 4pm |
| Fee: $3.00 (
$3.00 for members) |
| Class Number: 08-YE-52 |
| Description: Explore traditions that celebrate the return of light and the turning point of winter. Make winter-themed bird feeders, take a winter walk, and share in the wonders of winter. For children ages 7 - 10 |
| Class Max: 50 |
| registration information |
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