Ball Moss |
 |
March 2010
Calendar of Events
Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
Registration for Nature Trekkers Summer Camp, June 7-August 11 is open
Spring Native Plant Sale: March 13-21, daily from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. |
| Wednesday, March 3 |
Class: 7 – 9 p.m.
Field Trip:
Sunday, March 7: 1-4 p.m |
Arboretum Plant Identification
Learn the basic concepts needed for identifying native trees and shrubs. Instructor Glenn Olsen will show how observation of plant shape, leaf and bark pattern, and patterns of growth can help simplify the identification process. Class includes a field trip hike in the Arboretum for hands-on practice of identification skills learned in class. $40 for members; $55 for non-members.
|
| Wednesdays, March 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31 |
| 5:45 - 6:45 p.m. |
Introductory Tai Chi
The Arboretum provides a serene, natural backdrop for this graceful and meditative form of exercise. Class will be held outside except when weather conditions are prohibitive. Cost is $15 per session or $45 per month. |
| Thursdays, March 4, 11, 18 & 25 |
| 5:45- 6:45 p.m. |
Yoga on the way Home
Why fight the traffic? Slow down and relax in the peaceful beauty of the Arboretum during a one-hour yoga session in the Arboretum's classroom overlooking the forest.
Cost is $10 per session when registering for a month or $15 per session. |
Saturday, March 6 |
9 – 10:15 a.m.,
10:45 a.m. – 12 p.m.,
OR 1 – 2:15 p.m.
Ages 3 to 5 with an adult
|
Tadpole Troopers: Weird Mammals
This spring classes will explore the weird and wild side of nature. In March children will discover fun facts about armadillos, hedgehogs and other interesting mammals.
$13 for members; $26 for non-members.
|
9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
OR 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Ages 5 to 8 |
Naturalist Explorers: Garbage and the 3 R’s
This spring, Naturalist Explorer students will learn to be Eco Kids! In March children will dive into the subject of garbage and learn how they can apply the 3 R’s: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle, to their everyday choices. Kids will get the chance to make their own piece of recycled paper. $15 for members; $30 for non-members. |
9:00- 11:00 a.m.
Ages 9 to 12 |
EcoTrackers: Erase Waste
EcoTracker classes inspire young naturalists with hands-on, engaging activities about a nature topic each month. This spring, EcoTrackers students will learn to become Eco Kids! In March’s class children will learn all about recycling: from what items can be recycled to how the process works. Students will get to make their own piece of recycled paper. $15 for members, $30 for non-members. |
| Sunday, March 7 |
| 1 - 5 p.m. |
Backyard Habitat Builder Series: Building a Hummingbird Garden
Backyard Habitat workshops are monthly half-day classes teaching simple ways to transform a landscape of any size to attract birds, butterflies, frogs, toads and other beneficial Houston wildlife. Taught by Arboretum Conservation Director Joe Blanton, workshops focus on learning through hands-on projects completed during class, with many including items that participants can take home.
In March, learn how to design and install a hummingbird garden. Each class is $40 for members or $50 for non-members. |
| Saturday, March 13 - Sunday, March 21 |
| 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. daily |
Spring Native Plant Sale
Over 60 native species will be available for sale, including trees, shrubs, vines, ferns, groundcovers, grasses, wildflowers, bog and rain garden plants. Organic-based Nature’s Way products, including screened compost and native mulch will be available for sale. Arboretum members will receive a discount on purchases. Proceeds from the sale will support the Arboretum’s education and conservation programs. |
| Saturday, March 13 |
| 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. |
Basic Wilderness Life Support
Basic Wilderness Life Support® certification is a one-day, fast-paced, hands-on course providing preparation for the prevention and management of real emergencies that can occur in the wild (or even in your backyard). The course covers a wide range of outdoor and back-country topics and will teach participants to assess and handle medical situations with limited resources. The course time will be divided between lectures and hands-on practice. Basic Wilderness Life Support (BWLS) was created for all outdoor enthusiasts including scout leaders, hikers, bikers, skiers, climbers, kayakers, hunters, fishermen and trail runners. Participants will receive a textbook, field guide and upon completion, a BWLS certificate.
Instructors: Drs. Jane Corboy and John Rogers are certified in family medicine, sports medicine and advanced wilderness life support. They have extensive experience in mountaineering, whitewater rafting and backpacking, and are award-winning teachers. Cost is $100 for members and medical students; $120 for non-members. |
Monday, March 15 - Friday, March 19 |
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
(limited half day options are available)
|
Spring Break Camp – Mammal Mania!
Kids will learn all about mammals - from armadillos to coyotes to mice and whales - during the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center’s Spring Break Camp: Mammal Mania! Arboretum naturalists will lead children through hands-on investigations to explore the characteristics of mammals such as fur and an acute sense of smell, as well as the adaptations of specific mammals in our area.
This week-long camp features both indoor and outdoor adventures. Children are taught by qualified staff naturalists in classes by age (5 & 6, 7 & 8, 9-12). Full day camp (9 a.m. – 3 p.m.): $230 members; $270 non-members. Morning only camp (9 am – noon): $120 members; $150 non-members. |
| Saturday, March 20 |
1 - 5 p.m.
|
Practical Emergency Preparedness
Learn practical emergency preparedness for the Houston area, including easy and inexpensive ways to be ready for disasters big or small. Topics will include: threat identification, basic preparation, evacuation, dealing with long power outages, emergency kits for vehicles, and the benefits of coordinated efforts in a neighborhood.
Cost: $35 for members; $50 for non-members.
|
| Thursday, March 25 |
| 7 - 9 p.m. |
Creating Leaf Art
Learn to create beautiful artwork using leaves, seed pods, flowers and other natural materials. Instructor Owen Mortenson is owner of Leaf Botanical Art and was named one of American Style magazine’s “Ten Emerging Artists. His work was featured in the TV show “Extreme Makeover, Home Edition” in his hometown of Logan, Utah.
Fee includes all materials: $40 for members; $55 for non-members.
|
| Friday, March 26 |
10:30 - 11:45 a.m.
Ages 3 to 5 with an adult |
Tadpole Troopers: Weird Mammals
Tadpole Troopers is a nature class for 3, 4 and 5 year olds with an adult. This spring classes will explore the weird and wild side of nature. In March children will discover fun facts about armadillos, hedgehogs and other interesting mammals.
$13 for members; $26 for non-members. |
1:30- 3:00 p.m.
Ages 5 to 12
|
Home School Class: Sensational Snakes
Designed especially for home schoolers, the spring classes will focus on herpetology. The unique characteristics of snakes including how they find food and defend themselves will be the subject of the March class. Students will take a walk in the Arboretum to look for snakes. $15 for members; $25 for non-members.
|
| Saturday, March 27 |
9 – 10:15 a.m.
OR
10:45 a.m. – 12 p.m.,
Ages 3 to 5 with an adult |
Tadpole Troopers: Weird Mammals
Tadpole Troopers is a nature class for 3, 4 and 5 year olds with an adult. This spring classes will explore the weird and wild side of nature. In March children will discover fun facts about armadillos, hedgehogs and other interesting mammals.
$13 for members; $26 for non-members.
|
| Sunday, March 28 - Friday, April 2 |
| |
Rio Grande Valley Natural History & Photography Tour
The south Texas Rio Grande Valley has worldwide acclaim from birders for its diversity, with almost 500 species recorded, and at least 40 that occur nowhere else in the U.S. This trip will include stops at Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, the largest protected area of natural habitat in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, which is home to the Ocelot, Texas tortoise, javelina, and the rare Aplomado Falcon. Other unique natural areas on the trip’s itinerary include: Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, the World Birding Center at Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park, Frontera Audubon, South Padre Island and Sabal Palm Audubon Center, and the King Ranch. This trip will be of particular interest to nature photographers as Greg Lavaty, one of Texas’ best wildlife photographers, will be on the trip to give advice in the field.
Cost is $1295 for members; $1395 for non-members. Cost includes all transportation, lodging, fees, guide services and breakfast each day. Registration deadline is March 12.
For more details, click here
|
|
April Events
(Coming soon!)
|
|
