Cultivate your interest in plants with this introduction to botany! This course will cover the basics of plant anatomy, morphology, and identification. Participants will gain hands-on experience dissecting plant material and identifying plants in the field. There will be an hour break for lunch- please plan accordingly. Snacks and water will be available. Instructors: Dylan Cohen and Maria Jesus, Graduate/Research Associates at RSABG

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Slow down. Awaken your senses. Bear witness to yourself and all beings. Inspired by the Japanese practice of "Shinrin Yoku", Forest Therapy has been scientifically proven to boost immune strength, reduce stress and improve cognitive function. Forest therapy also offers us the opportunity to deepen our relationship with the natural world. On this walk, a certified guide  will offer a series of guided invitations to assist your own authentic way of interacting with the land and plants at RSABG. There's no right or wrong way to do it and it's great for all ages. Just come and be yourself- all are welcome in the forest!

Ben Page is a certified forest therapy guide who founded Shinrin Yoku Los Angeles. His work has been featured in USA TODAY, Women's Health, Washington Post, Bold Italic, Daily Burn, American Way, and People magazine. Ben is also a mentor and trainer of guides with The Association of Nature and Forest Therapy.

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Join local award-winning artist Aleta Jacobson for this three hour printmaking course using materials found in nature. Aleta delights in spreading the word of creativity to her students and hopes to inspire even the most novice to create masterful works of art. Bring a bag lunch if needed.

Interested in CA native edible plants? Join us in learning how to forage, grow, and prepare common native edible plants.

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Did you know that the garden holds more than a million stored dried plant specimens in its herbarium? Join Executive Director Lucinda McDade, PhD on a tour as she describes its history, its collections and its importance for the future.

Do you love to explore all things outdoors? Are you in K- 4th grade? Come join us as we hike and learn about the flora and fauna of the gardens through investigations, activities, and scientific inquiry. Each session we will focus on different plant and animal communities that can be found at RSABG. Please wear sturdy hiking shoes, dress for rain or shine and bring a mid afternoon healthy snack.

After online/in person registration, parents will be sent an emergency contact form to be filled out prior to the start of each session. If your child has special needs regarding outside hiking or activities, or if you have any questions or concerns, please call the educational staff at ext. 251.

New to RSABG, this family program is for Preschoolers (TK), ages 3-5 accompanied by an adult (1 child/1 adult pair). Each week of the four part session, we will investigate nature themes through short hikes, stories, crafts and activities. Preschool Nature Hours will be led by Lisa Pritchard (M.A.T), RSABG's Education Assistant for Community Education who has been teaching all her adult life. She was a Teacher Naturalist and Education Coordinator at the Norman Bird Sanctuary in R.I., and a Lower School Science teacher at a private school before relocating to Claremont.  

(If room allows, single per day registration may be considered, fee TBA. Please call ext. 251 to inquire).

Session C:  Wednesdays: 10 am-11am

3/20: Winter & Spring

3/27: Prickles & Thorns

4/3: Lizards & The Sun

4/10: Nature Detectives

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New to RSABG, this family program is for Preschoolers (TK), ages 3-5 accompanied by an adult (1 child/1 adult pair). Each week of the four part session, we will investigate nature themes through short hikes, stories, crafts and activities. Preschool Nature Hours will be led by Lisa Pritchard (M.A.T), RSABG's Education Assistant for Community Education who has been teaching all her adult life. She was a Teacher Naturalist and Education Coordinator at the Norman Bird Sanctuary in R.I., and a Lower School Science teacher at a private school before relocating to Claremont.  

(If room allows, single per day registration may be considered, fee TBA. Please call ext. 251 to inquire).

Session B: Saturdays: 10 am-11am

3/23: Winter & Spring

3/30: Prickles & Thorns

4/6: Lizards & The Sun

4/13: Nature Detectives

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Please be our guests in celebrating a traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony under the instruction of SKeiko Nakada Sokei of the Urasenke School of Chado in Kyoto. She will give a short meditation lecture and then demonstrate the tea ceremony with matcha tea and Japanese treats.

Do you love to explore all things outdoors? Are you in K- 4th grade? Come join us as we hike and learn about the flora and fauna of the gardens through investigations, activities, and scientific inquiry. Each session we will focus on different plant and animal communities that can be found at RSABG. Please wear sturdy hiking shoes, dress for rain or shine and bring a mid afternoon healthy snack.

After online/in person registration, parents will be sent an emergency contact form to be filled out prior to the start of each session. If your child has special needs regarding outside hiking or activities, or if you have any questions or concerns, please call the educational staff at ext. 251.

New to RSABG, this family program is for Preschoolers (TK), ages 3-5 accompanied by an adult (1 child/1 adult pair). Each week of the four part session, we will investigate nature themes through short hikes, stories, crafts and activities. Preschool Nature Hours will be led by Lisa Pritchard (M.A.T), RSABG's Education Assistant for Community Education who has been teaching all her adult life. She was a Teacher Naturalist and Education Coordinator at the Norman Bird Sanctuary in R.I., and a Lower School Science teacher at a private school before relocating to Claremont.  

(If room allows, single per day registration may be considered, fee TBA. Please call ext. 251 to inquire).

Session E:  Wednesdays: 10 am-11am

4/24: Eggs & Nests

5/1: Shoots & Sprouts

5/8: Water & Life

5/15: Butterflies & Flowers

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Led by Travis Columbus PhD, participants will be instructed in detail on the vegetative and reproductive features of grasses (Poaceae). Aspects of anatomy, physiology, and ecology will also be addressed. Most time will be spent in the lab learning to use the identification keys in the second edition of The Jepson Manual. Special attention will be given to difficult couplets and taxa. In addition, participants will learn how to identify common genera by using diagnostic characteristics. There will be a field trip to Santa Rosa Plateau on Sunday afternoon. Please bring a bag lunch. Snacks will be provided.

New to RSABG, this family program is for Preschoolers (TK), ages 3-5 accompanied by an adult (1 child/1 adult pair). Each week of the four part session, we will investigate nature themes through short hikes, stories, crafts and activities. Preschool Nature Hours will be led by Lisa Pritchard (M.A.T), RSABG's Education Assistant for Community Education who has been teaching all her adult life. She was a Teacher Naturalist and Education Coordinator at the Norman Bird Sanctuary in R.I., and a Lower School Science teacher at a private school before relocating to Claremont.  

(If room allows, single per day registration may be considered, fee TBA. Please call ext. 251 to inquire).

Session E:  Saturdays: 10 am-11am

4/27: Eggs & Nests

5/4: Shoots & Sprouts

5/11: Water & Life

5/18: Butterflies & Flowers

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