The botanical garden at UC Berkeley has added many new classes to their schedule. Here is what’s new at Classes Near You > Northern California:
University of California Botanical Garden at Berkeley
http://botanicalgarden.berkeley.edu
This 34-acre garden was established in 1890 and is now a non-profit research garden and museum. The botanical art classes below are taught by Lee McCaffree and Catherine Watters. View a detailed schedule and register on the Garden’s website.
- Sick Plant Clinic – First Saturday of Each Month, 9 AM – 12 PM. Free. No reservations required.
- Monthly Butterfly Walks – Fourth Tuesday of each month (March – October); 3 – 4 PM. Garden volunteer, docent, and caterpillar lady, Sally Levinson, will lead walks through the garden in search of butterflies. Space is limited. Children welcome. Free with admission.
- Garden Strollers – Second Wednesday of Each Month,
11 AM – 11:45 PM. A 45-minute tour of the garden for adults with young children (3 and under). Tour will end on the lawn for play and snacks (bring your own). Children must be in a stroller or carrier during the tour. FREE with garden admission. Meet in front of the Garden Ship. For more information, call (510) 642-7082 or email garden@berkeley.edu. - Evergreen Wreathes and Garlands – Wednesday, December 7, 2011; 6-9 PM. Create a beautiful and festive wreath or garland to add to your holiday decorations. Greens from the Garden and other materials are included, but be sure to bring your own hand pruners. Pre-registration required. $30 non-members, $25 members.
- Gorgeous Gifts from the Garden Holiday Soiree – Friday,
December 9, 5-8 PM. A special after-hours event at The Garden Store featuring eco-friendly gifts and handmade items from local vendors and other garden-inspired gifts. Refreshments and special discounts too! - Handmade Olive Oil Soaps – Sunday, December 11, 2011; 1-3 PM. Learn how to make one-of-a-kind olive oil soaps from freshly harvested olives with Kathleen Elliot of Hillcrest Olive Ranch. Registration required. $25 non-members, $20 members.
- From Conifers to Caryota: Member’s Walk – Thursday,
December 15, 2011; 1:00-2:30 PM. Discover new plants and learn about the Garden’s plant collections on this insider’s tour of the Garden with Chris Carmichael, Associate Director of Collections and Horticulture. Registration required. Members only. Free. - Handmade for the Holidays Family Workshop – Saturday,
December 17, 2012; 11 AM –1 PM. Create garden-inspired gifts and decorations. Materials and snacks provided. Children must be accompanied by an adult. $10 non-members, $8 members. - Making Local, Traditional Brine-fermented Olives – Sunday, December 18, 2011; 1-5 PM. Learn how olives are harvested, milled and brined for cooking from Kathleen Elliot, owner of the Hillcrest Olive Ranch in Sunol, CA. Registration required. $40 non-members, $35 members.
- Makin’ Mead – Saturday, January 7, 2012; 2-4 PM. Turn honey into wine! Robert MacKimmie of City Bees will teach participants how to mix a gallon of mead to ferment at home. Yes, there will be samples and everyone goes home with recipes too. Registration is required. $50 non-members, $40 members. Space is limited. Register early.
- Plants Illustrated Exhibition – January 14 – February 3, 2012;
10 AM – 4 PM. The Garden is pleased to announce its third annual botanical art exhibition, Plants Illustrated. The exhibition, held in conjunction with the Northern California Society of Botanical Artists, invites viewers to explore the relationship between scientific study and fine art. The exhibit presents original artworks in watercolor, graphite, colored pencil and pen and ink and explores the many styles, forms and approaches unique to botanical art and illustration. Free with Garden admission. - Botanical Art for Youth & Young Adults – Saturday,
January 14, 2012; 10 AM – 12 PM. In this workshop, young artists will be introduced to botanical art and tour the Plants Illustrated exhibition. Students will learn how to draw plants and have fun making impressive works of art to take home. An online gallery will be created to display artists’ work. Recommended for ages 8 and up. Registration required.
$20 non-members, $15 members. - Botanical Art Through the Ages – Friday, January 20, 2012;
2:00 – 3:30 PM. Botanical artist Catherine Watters will discuss the rich history of botanical art. View prints, slides and other media. Learn about Pierre-Joseph Redoute´, Maria Sibylla Merian and significant historical events such as Tulipmania and the Age of Exploration. $10 non-members; $5 members, UCB students, staff and faculty. - Arid House: Member’s Walk – Thursday, January 26, 2012; 1:00-2:30 PM. Join Horticulturist Bryan Gim on this special tour through the Garden’s Arid House. Explore colorful cacti, succulents and other plants from arid regions of the world in this special tour of the Arid House led by horticulturist, Bryan Gim. Space is limited. Registration required. Members only. Free.
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