Students will learn how to draw what they see in their own loose sketch style while being be inspired by nature at the Garden. Instructor and award winning artist, Aleta Jacobson, will help students compose their pages and offer ways to enhance their sketches with watercolor. Beginner to advanced students are welcome. Please bring a watercolor sketch book, or one can be purchased through Aleta.

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Every plant is a perfect form. When pressed, dried, and mounted onto paper, its perfection is captured and preserved. Herbarium specimens are beautiful works of art, but also serve importantly to document the natural world, to assist in plant identification, and in botanical research.

This one day, hands-on workshop will familiarize participants with the techniques of plant collecting and making herbarium specimens. The morning session includes demonstrations on how plant specimens are collected, pressed and dried, and what information is included on specimen labels. Participants will then have an opportunity to make a voucher specimen from the Garden’s living collection, to be deposited in the Garden’s herbarium. In the afternoon session, participants will learn techniques for mounting dried plant specimens onto paper. The workshop includes a tour of the Garden’s herbarium, one of the largest collections of plant specimens in North America.

Join Pomona Valley Audubon Society on a family friendly birding adventure. Wear comfortable shoes, bring your bird guides and binoculars if you have them. Beginning and experienced birders are welcome to help find birds in the Garden. Our collaborative efforts usually produce a good variety of local birds, and we always have a great time! Sponsored by the Pomona Valley Audubon Society. Registration is limited to 30 and is required.

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Join Executive Director, Lucinda McDade, PhD on a botanical adventure in the Garden. During this walk, you'll learn fun facts about our amazing native plants through the lens of a renowned botanist.

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Enjoy a guided full moon walk in the Garden after hours. We'll observe and discuss nocturnal adaptations of the garden's flora and fauna. Wear sturdy shoes. Flashlights are optional.

Please, no walk-ins. Registration must take place by 5 pm prior to walk.

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Nature journaling is using a combination of art, writing, and science to foster a deeper connection with the natural world. Sharpen your skills of observation and awareness while improving your imagination and critical thinking in a process that connects you to your surroundings. Join us for an introduction to the topic with guided exercises in the Garden. Come prepared to spend the entire time outside, rain or shine. Wear comfortable clothing, hat, sunscreen, and sturdy shoes you don’t mind getting dirty.

This program is suitable for ages 13+. A suggested materials list will be sent upon registration.

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Welcome spring with some creativity and cheer! Craft a wildflower grapevine wreath or a pressed leaf tote bag. Instructions, craft materials and snacks provided, but bring your own beverages.

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Take a leisurely walk through the Garden to see and hear the numerous bird species that migrate through the San Gabriel Valley and the Inland Empire. Join Chris Verma of Claremont's Wild Birds Unlimited for this family-friendly, free bird walk along Garden trails. Our collaborative efforts usually produce a good variety of local birds, and we always have a great time! Wear comfortable walking shoes, bring any bird guide books you have and binoculars. Limited loaner binoculars may be available to use during the walk. This special walk is provided by Wild Birds Unlimited of Claremont. Registration is limited to 20 and is required.

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Mindfulness-in-nature is an especially rich and embodied experience. A gift of self-compassion and kindness that promotes connection, calm, ease, well-being, and an open and spacious heart/mind. Mindfulness-in-nature can serve as a gateway to positive emotions, clarity and equanimity. During this 2-hour class we will practice the three pillars of mindfulness: focused attention, open awareness, and kind intention. Mindfulness-in-nature supports our natural capacity to pay attention to our moment to moment experiences with openness and curiosity in a non-judgmental way. No experience with mindfulness is necessary. This class is open to both beginner and experienced mindfulness practitioners.

This class is taught by Dr. Ali of Wise Heart Mindfulness. Dr. Ali is a UCLA Certified Mindfulness Facilitator at the Semel Institute Mindful Awareness Research Center (MARC) and recognized by the International Mindfulness Teachers Association as a Certified Mindfulness Teacher, Professional.

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Plants come in such a diversity of intriguing patterns and colors! But it can be a challenge to photograph them and preserve that moment of ‘aww!’ or ‘aha!’ If you are struggling with making the most out of your camera as you explore the natural world around you, then join botanist and photographer Keir Morse. After a short talk to give you the foundational skills, Keir will lead you into the Garden to try out some of these techniques. Don’t forget your camera!

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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.

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Enjoy a guided full moon walk in the Garden after hours. We'll observe and discuss nocturnal adaptations of the garden's flora and fauna. Wear sturdy shoes. Flashlights are optional.

Please, no walk-ins. Registration must take place by 5 pm prior to walk.

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Mindfulness-in-nature is an especially rich and embodied experience. A gift of self-compassion and kindness that promotes connection, calm, ease, well-being, and an open and spacious heart/mind. Mindfulness-in-nature can serve as a gateway to positive emotions, clarity and equanimity. During this 2-hour class we will practice the three pillars of mindfulness: focused attention, open awareness, and kind intention. Mindfulness-in-nature supports our natural capacity to pay attention to our moment to moment experiences with openness and curiosity in a non-judgmental way. No experience with mindfulness is necessary. This class is open to both beginner and experienced mindfulness practitioners.

This class is taught by Dr. Ali of Wise Heart Mindfulness. Dr. Ali is a UCLA Certified Mindfulness Facilitator at the Semel Institute Mindful Awareness Research Center (MARC) and recognized by the International Mindfulness Teachers Association as a Certified Mindfulness Teacher, Professional.

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This family  program is for Preschoolers (TK), ages 3-5 accompanied by an adult (1 child/1 adult). Each week of the four part session, we will investigate nature themes through short hikes, stories, crafts and activities.

If room allows, single per day registration is possible.

Wednesdays 10 am - 11 am.

4/22: Hummers Among Us

4/29: Nests & Eggs

5/6: Flowers & Fairies

5/13: Interesting Insects

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Mindfulness-in-nature is an especially rich and embodied experience. A gift of self-compassion and kindness that promotes connection, calm, ease, well-being, and an open and spacious heart/mind. Mindfulness-in-nature can serve as a gateway to positive emotions, clarity and equanimity. During this 2-hour class we will practice the three pillars of mindfulness: focused attention, open awareness, and kind intention. Mindfulness-in-nature supports our natural capacity to pay attention to our moment to moment experiences with openness and curiosity in a non-judgmental way. No experience with mindfulness is necessary. This class is open to both beginner and experienced mindfulness practitioners.

This class is taught by Dr. Ali of Wise Heart Mindfulness. Dr. Ali is a UCLA Certified Mindfulness Facilitator at the Semel Institute Mindful Awareness Research Center (MARC) and recognized by the International Mindfulness Teachers Association as a Certified Mindfulness Teacher, Professional.

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Meditative Art is a practice of mindfulness in creating very small pieces of art that will bring peace and relaxation. Aleta Jacobson will teach participants how to make loose watercolor washes and then enhance the work with pens. Beginner to advanced students are all encouraged to try it!  

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