This course provides an in-depth overview of the tools and techniques used by botanists to identify plants to the species level, with a strong emphasis on family characteristics. Attendees will learn how to use the diversity of resources available – including field guides, apps, AI, and technical manuals – to answer the question: “What is […]

Learn the step-by-step process of creating a free-flowing, organic-style bouquet, paying special attention to shape and movement. Design your bouquet using the best locally grown blooms and foliage available. Svetlana will share helpful tips and tricks on flower handling and care, choosing a color palette, and creating a well-rounded design. You'll leave this class with […]

Learn the basics of including native perennial plants in your home garden. Join instructor Kaity Bevenour, native plant specialist & owner of Parallel Nursery, for an introduction to the ornamental & environmental benefits of commonly available Virginia native plants. Participants will get an overview of a variety of native perennial species suitable for garden use, […]

Join former flower farmer Conner Parrish of Bloomistry for a hands-on workshop focused on growing and storing beautiful dahlias year after year. Participants will learn proper harvesting techniques for longer vase life and continuous blooms, as well as how to dig, divide, label, and store dahlia tubers through the winter for successful replanting in spring. […]

What is Migration? Why do birds migrate? Where do they go? How do they know how to get there? Some birds fly nearly 2500 miles nonstop to their winter homes! Some fly at altitudes over 20,000 feet! How do we know this? Barb and Buz Sawyer have been birders for decades and have asked these […]

Although no longer considered formally to be members of the plant kingdom, fungi make fascinating subjects for botanical illustrators. The class opens with a session to help you understand the structure of these distinctive organisms through lecture and observation under the guidance of botanist John Hayden. Descriptive morphological terms and scientific names are discussed and […]

Congratulations on making it this far in your beekeeping journey! Whether you're a first, second, or third-year beekeeper, you've likely discovered that beekeeping is both rewarding and full of surprises. This Beginner Beekeeping 2.0 course is designed to refresh your knowledge, answer common questions, and help you improve your beekeeping success. During this informative one-day […]

Embrace the beauty of the common morpho (Morpho peleides), one of the world’s most well-known butterflies, in this hands-on workshop with lepidopterist and Butterfly Exhibit Manager, Clara Aus. We’ll cover the morpho’s life cycle, anatomy, behaviors, and adaptations (like their iridescent blue color) before we begin the guided pinning session. Clara will guide participants through […]

To wash or not to wash, that is the question. Greens, winter squash, and tomatoes all require different techniques for best eating; learn the rules so you know which ones to break! We will discuss when to harvest, how to manage our bounty, making curing cabinets, ideal storage conditions and DIY solutions. Fees: Member $32, […]