Classes

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• • BIRDS OF A FEATHER BLESSING BANNERS© 6/23

    from $20.00

    BIRDS OF A FEATHER BLESSING BANNERS© Sat., June 23 9 a.m. to noon Creatively paint, decorate and embellish a canvas door or garden banner with birds and their habitats to bless your home or garden. Fun and easy—no painting experience necessary. All supplies provided. $25, $20 members ©Kaitlin Meadows 2012. All rights reserved.

    
    

  • DRAGONS AND DAMSELS: THE FIELD TRIP! 5/18

    from $35.00

    Friday, May 18 8 a.m. – 11 a.m. Take what you learned in the Dragons and Damsels class and apply it in the field! Join Jeff Babson of Sky Island Tours at Sweetwater Wetlands in Tucson for a fun morning as we explore this urban oasis and its multitudes of dragonflies. Bring close-focus binoculars (if you have them), a camera, snacks, hat, and plenty of drinking water. The instructor will be netting some of these fascinating insects for up-close inspection and photo opportunities. Participants can either meet the group at the park, or carpool from the Gardens. $40, $35 members

    
    

  • DRAGONS AND DAMSELS: AN INTRODUCTION TO THE ODONATA OF ARIZONA 5/17

    from $22.00

    Thursday, May 17 6 – 8 p.m. Dragonflies and damselflies are amazing insects that are becoming increasingly popular with amateur naturalists, being just as colorful as birds and butterflies. This presentation will introduce students to these wonderful bugs, delving into the classification, identification, and diversity of dragonflies and damselflies in southern Arizona. Join Jeff Babson of Sky Island Tours for a fun look at the dancers, bluets, darners, skimmers, and all of the other dragons that live in Arizona! $25, $22, members

    
    

• • EDIBLE PLANTS OF THE SONORAN DESERT 5/12

    from $25.00

    Saturday, May 12 Noon – 3 p.m. What is ethnobotany? How have indigenous groups in the Americas (past and present) utilized plants for food, fiber, and healing purposes? How were New World plants that we take for granted today domesticated? Participants will learn the basics of ethnobotany and gain background knowledge of many native plants and how they were and in many cases are still used. There will be a number of tastings and recipes will be discussed. Join Ron Bridgemon, M.A. on this fun and informative exploration of the ethnobotany of the Americas. Ron has degrees in anthropology and cultural geography with an emphasis on the American southwest and northern Mexico. $32, $25 members

    
    

  • FEATHERED FRIENDS© 8/4

    from $20.00

    Sat., Aug. 4 9 a.m. to noon Become an instant artist. We'll use paper, fabric, paint and embellishments to make trees and birds on two small canvases and then create unusual hangers for them with ribbons, beads and wire. Fun and easy. No painting experience necessary. All supplies provided. $25, $20 members ©Kaitlin Meadows 2012. All rights reserved.

    
    

  • GRAY WATER 6/23

    from $20.00

    Sat., June 23 1 to 3 p.m. Think gray water is just wasted? Think again. Want to use gray water but don’t know how? Certified Water Auditor Tary Campbell of Realm™ has the answers on the ins and outs of gray water usage. Dive in and learn about plumbing, fixtures and tax incentive programs as well as the environmental impact of using gray water in the landscape and how your garden and your checkbook can benefit from this program. Start your own gray water harvesting system and reduce your water footprint! $25, $20 members

    
    

• • HOME TWEET HOME© 6/9

    from $12.00

    HUMMINGBIRDS: FLYING JEWELS Thurs., June 14 6 to 8 p.m. Hummingbirds are simply incredible birds. With their glittering colors, unparalleled flying ability, and interesting behaviors, hummingbirds are one of the main attractions for birders to Southern Arizona. In this class, you will learn how to identify hummingbirds and basic aspects of their biology. Do you want to attract these wonderful birds to your yard? You will find out how to create your own backyard hummingbird garden. Join Jeff Babson of Sky Island Tours for a close look at these amazing birds. $23, $20 members

    
    

  • HUMMINGBIRDS: FLYING JEWELS 6/14

    from $20.00

    HUMMINGBIRDS: FLYING JEWELS Thurs., June 14 6 to 8 p.m. Hummingbirds are simply incredible birds. With their glittering colors, unparalleled flying ability, and interesting behaviors, hummingbirds are one of the main attractions for birders to Southern Arizona. In this class, you will learn how to identify hummingbirds and basic aspects of their biology. Do you want to attract these wonderful birds to your yard? You will find out how to create your own backyard hummingbird garden. Join Jeff Babson of Sky Island Tours for a close look at these amazing birds. $23, $20 members

    
    

  • INTRODUCTION TO WORM COMPOSTING 4/28

    from $22.00

    Saturday, April 28 10 a.m. – noon Learn everything you need to know to successfully compost your household waste using worms! Get ready to go home to make your own worm bin, or to attend our next hands-on Wormshop where you'll go home with your own bin. Presented by the Vermillion Wormery ™ $25, $22, members

    
    

• • LAND BIRDS 8/9

    from $20.00

    Thurs., Aug. 9 6 to 8 p.m. This class covers those birds that are easily observed in your yard that are not raptors, songbirds or hummingbirds. Roadrunners, quail, doves and woodpeckers (and a few others) are the focus of this class, as we discuss their classification, identification and ecology. Ever wondered why woodpeckers don't get headaches? Or, which dove is important to healthy saguaro populations? This class will answer these questions and many more. Join Jeff Babson of Sky Island Tours for a look at some of the Sonoran Desert's most visible and familiar birds. $23, $20 members

    
    

  • NATURE IN A BOX© 7/21

    from $20.00

    Sat., July 21 9 a.m. to noon Do you collect rocks, feathers, nests, twigs, shells, dried flowers? Bring them and add some from an amble through the Botanical Gardens as we assemble a beautiful boxed nature montage. A great gift for a nature-loving friend! ©Kaitlin Meadows 2012. All rights reserved. $25, $20 members

    
    

  • NESTING INSTINCTS© 7/7

    from $12.00

    Sat., July 7 9 a.m. to noon Make a magpie’s nest from twigs, beads, jute, feathers, beads and glittery things to hold your dreams. Bring trinkets from home and add some we will provide. Great fun for the whole family. $25, $20 members, $12 for children 12 and under ©Kaitlin Meadows 2012. All rights reserved.

    
    

• • ORGANIC MAINTENANCE METHODS 5/26

    from $25.00

    Saturday, May 26 9 - noon This class will teach its students about 100% organic methods for maintaining their landscapes. Topics like organic weed, pest and disease control will be discussed. Students are encouraged to bring their family recipes and secrets for keeping unwanted critters in the landscape away! Join Realm ™ for this fun and informative exploration of organic maintenance. http://www.realmenvironments.com/ $32, $25 members

    
    

  • PETSCAPES 8/4

    from $20.00

    Sat., Aug. 4 1 to 3 p.m. Does your family pet have a case of the summertime blues? Join Jason Isenberg, owner/designer at Realm™, and learn about Petscapes – organic landscape solutions that provide safe surroundings for your pet. We will discuss Petscape design, anti-microbial synthetic turf, non-toxic plant material and pet play structures. We will also explore organic methods for flea control and pet-waste composting. We look forward to this exciting adventure into landscapes made for man’s best friend. $25, $20 members

    
    

  • PRAYER FLAGS: THE BIRDS AND THE BEES© 8/18

    from $12.00

    Sat., Aug. 18 9 a.m. to noon Create a string of six small canvas prayer flags with birds, insects and flowers to decorate your home or garden. Come enjoy a cool summer morning play day. Fun and easy for the whole family. No painting experience necessary. All supplies provided. $25, $20 members, $12 for children 12 and under ©Kaitlin Meadows 2012. All rights reserved.

    
    

• • SMART LANDSCAPE IRRIGATION 7/14

    from $20.00

    Sat., July 14 1 to 3 p.m. July is Smart Irrigation Month. Be our guest as Certified Water Auditor Ezra Roati, of Realm™, unlocks the secrets of Smart Landscape Irrigation. We will focus on simple and effective ways to reduce water consumption including zoning, grading and modern technologies. We will also discuss irrigation system design, construction and maintenance to better inform you of your current or future system. Don't miss out on this great opportunity! $25, $20 members

    
    

  • SONGBIRDS PART 1: FLYCATCHERS TO KINGLETS 6/21

    from $12.00

    SONGBIRDS PART 1: FLYCATCHERS TO KINGLETS Thurs., June 21 6 to 8 p.m. Join Jeff Babson of Sky Island Tours in the first installment of the Songbirds Series. We will look at flycatchers, vireos, jays, wrens and several other groups of birds. We will discuss the classification and identification of these birds using slides and audio recordings. Do you know what separates the flycatchers from all of our other songbirds? This class will tell you. Join us for the first part of our journey through the songbirds, the most diverse groups of birds on Earth. $15, $12 members

    
    

  • SONGBIRDS PART 2: THRUSHES TO TANAGERS 7/19

    from $12.00

    Thurs., July 19 6 to 8 p.m. The second part of the Songbird Series focuses on thrushes, thrashers, pipits and warblers. What the heck is a pipit? This class will show you. We will study the classification and identification of these birds with color slides and audio recordings. Come along as we continue our tour through the world of songbirds. Jeff Babson of Sky Island Tours will be your instructor. $15, $12 members

    
    

• • SONGBIRDS PART 3: SPARROWS TO GOLDFINCHES 4/26

    from $22.00

    Thursday, April 26 6 – 8 p.m. In the final chapter of the Songbirds Series, sparrows, cardinals, buntings, orioles, blackbirds, and goldfinches will be in the spotlight. Like the other classes in the series, we will investigate the classification and identification of these birds using sight and sound. These birds include some of our gaudiest, as well as, some our most difficult birds to identify (especially the sparrows). $25, $22, members

    
    

  • SONGBIRDS PART 3: SPARROWS TO GOLDFINCHES 8/16

    from $12.00

    Thurs., Aug. 16 6 to 8 p.m. In the final chapter of the Songbirds Series, sparrows, cardinals, buntings, orioles, blackbirds and goldfinches will be in the spotlight. Like the other classes in the series, we will investigate the classification and identification of these birds using sight and sound. These birds include some of the gaudiest as well as some of the most difficult to identify (especially the sparrows). $15, $12 members