Beekeeping, Birding and Bug Classes
Get ready to fly into the world of bees, birds and our insect friends with a variety of classes designed to help you explore the many creatures that live among us. Learn how to start and maintain your own honey bee hive, how to identify birds and bugs and support their conservation efforts, how various living creatures support our ecosystems and so much more.
Classes are offered in-person, as synchronous (live) online programs, or using hybrid methods with both in-person and virtual content. Class delivery methods are denoted next to each listing as VIRTUAL, IN-PERSON, or HYBRID.
Class Schedule January-April 2025
Birding For Beginners | February 22 | IN-PERSON
Want to learn more about birding? Join Barb and Buz Sawyer, both birdwatchers since childhood, for a fun-filled and informative morning exploring this enjoyable hobby. We’ll talk about where to go, what to take, which birds are likely to be seen at which time, how to identify birds, and how to help birds with conservation techniques. Birding is gaining in popularity—there are many apps now available to assist you, which we’ll review. This class will touch on habitat, identification, behavior, and diet of the birds you are likely to see in our area, and equipment that can aid in your enjoyment of this hobby. Class begins inside and continues into the Garden to spot any birds that happen to be visiting. Bring binoculars if you have them.
Beekeeping for Beginners | February 22, March 1, 8 | IN-PERSON
Learn everything you need to know to successfully start and maintain your own honey bee hive for the first three years of your beekeeping experience. Jesse “The Beekeeper” Frierson of East Coast Honey will discuss construction of hive boxes, honey bee care, hive maintenance, how to properly inspect a hive and how to harvest honey. Learn how to prevent and treat pests, care for the Queen and prepare hives for the tough winter months in Virginia. Experience a live close-up look at honey bees in an Observation Hive and get hands-on with constructing parts of a hive box.
Spring Planting for Pollinators | February 23 | IN-PERSON
Spring is when the pollinators wake up and get back to work! Come learn about our amazing pollinator friends with entomologist Clara Aus. You’ll learn spring planting techniques, pollinator flower preferences, host plants and how to make an attractive spring garden. Take home a spring blooming native plant and a variety of native seeds, as well as handouts on gardening and pollinators. Complete with an excursion into the Garden to see the pollinators in action, this class is sure to be educational AND fun!
NEW! Butterflies 101 | March 16 | IN-PERSON
Have you ever wondered where butterflies go during the winter or why they prefer certain flowers over others? Maybe you have even questioned if butterflies sleep or not! Join Lepidopterist and former Butterflies LIVE! Coordinator, Clara Aus, as she explores these topics and much more! In this course, participants will gain a basic understanding of how butterfly bodies function, why butterflies behave the way they do, and how to attract and support them at home. The course includes multiple provided handouts such as Clara’s Caterpillar ID Guide, a Virginia Butterfly Host Plant List, and Clara’s Garden Tips to Attract Butterflies. If you are interested in learning more about butterflies from Virginia and around the world in a fun, positive environment, then this class is perfect for you!
NEW! Beyond Birding for Beginners | March 29 | IN-PERSON
Ready to explore more about birds and birdwatching? Join Barb and Buz Sawyer, avid birdwatchers, in exploring a little deeper into this fascinating past-time. Perhaps you can already identify several common species (at least the males!) and have a pair of binoculars, but you want to expand your skills. Sometimes you hear the bird, but can’t see it. Sometimes it just flies too quickly to get a good look. The males are often easy to identify, but those females can be hard. And sometimes those “little brown jobs” can be downright frustrating. Tools, techniques, and equipment will be shared, as well as discussing bird behavior, habitats and conservation. Weather permitting, we will visit different habitats within the Garden. Bring your stories and your questions! Barb will share photos of some of the places they have traveled on birdwatching adventures and Buz will talk about keeping a life list (his includes almost 500 species!).
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We have adapted a new Garden-wide system as of March 6, 2024. You will need to create or activate your account the first time you use the system.
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Updated Adult Learning Cancellation Policy
As of April 12, 2024, the Garden has an updated cancellation policy for Adult Learning programs.