Class Schedule April – August 2025

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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NEW! Only You: True Love in the Bird World | April 26 | IN-PERSON

We hear that “birds of a feather flock together,” but there are some species who then pair off, romancing and then living a life of togetherness. Yes, some species of birds mate for life, and some of them live in our own neighborhoods, while others might require a bit of travel to see. Join us in exploring the lives and habitats of these fascinating birds, their lives, courtships, and loves, as we ponder the Homes & Habitats sculpture “Love Nest.”

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Spring Planting for Pollinators | May 4 | 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!

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NEW! Honeybee Mythology | June 21 | IN-PERSON

Step into the enchanting world of Honeybee Mythology in this immersive class set amidst the natural beauty of Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. Explore the myths, folklore, and sacred symbolism of honeybees across cultures, from ancient Egypt to indigenous traditions. Participants will journey through the captivating artist installation, Conversations with Bees, part of the Homes & Habitats Exhibit, while uncovering the deep-rooted connections between bees and human civilization. The experience culminates in a honey tasting, where you’ll sample different varieties of honey to explore flavor, texture, aroma, and origin. Register now for an afternoon of storytelling, science, and sweetness as we celebrate the magical role of honeybees around the world.

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NEW! The Power of Pollinators | June 29 | IN-PERSON

Pollinators and their choices have a powerful impact on our local ecosystem. They pick which flowers to pollinate, therefore deciding which plants get to form a fruit with seeds and reproduce. Without pollinators, entire terrestrial food webs and ecosystems would collapse. Fortunately, there is still a lot we can do to protect and support the pollinators. In this class, we will foster a love and appreciation for our pollinating friends. We will discuss various methods to support local wildlife by supporting pollinators and the overall food web. Participants will each receive a special mix of native plant seeds collected from Clara’s garden so they can start or add on to a pollinator garden at home! Come learn how to make a positive difference in the natural world with like-minded individuals!

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Moth Observation Night | July 15 | IN-PERSON

As the moon and stars come out, so do the moths! Join Lepidopterist Clara Aus for a night filled with fun moth activities in the Garden during National Moth Week. Before class begins, she will set up a moth observation sheet and special UV lamps to attract them. After a brief introduction to native Virginia moths with some discussion time, we will head into the woods to start making observations. As moths land on the sheet, we will take photographs and attempt to identify and log each insect for citizen science on iNaturalist. Each participant will receive multiple handouts, we will play a few rounds of Bug Bingo, and one lucky person will win the book “Moths: A Complete Guide to Biology & Behavior” to take home.

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NEW! Nightlife at Home: Creating a Firefly Habitat | August 23 | IN-PERSON

A garden doesn’t stop being beautiful when the sun goes down– the nighttime brings a whole new dynamic! In this course we will discuss which flowers are pollinated by moonlight and why, what native plants create habitat for overnight “guests”, and ways you can create spaces at home for both you and these beautiful insects. Students will receive 1 native perennial (1 qt size) selected for firefly support, and a copy of the book “Silent Sparks: The Wonderous World of Fireflies” by Sara Lewis.