MERCER BOTANIC GARDENS

EVENTS AND PROGRAMS AT MERCER BOTANIC GARDENS

LUNCH BUNCH: EAST TEXAS FIELD BOTANIZING Wednesday, noon Registration required. Ages 12+. Learn to use publicly available data to aid in plant identification and community classification. Andy Newman, an evolutionary ecologist, explains how he uses geospatial and climatic data before visiting the field to determine an area’s geology, soil type, hydrologic regimes, and elevation contours.

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THE MERCER SOCIETY SPRING SPECIALTY PLANT SALE Saturday, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., or until sold out Don’t miss this spring sale featuring blooming perennial favorites to add color to your garden and keep pollinators coming back for more!

MAY 9

THE MERCER SOCIETY MOTHER’S DAY SPECIALTY PLANT SALE Saturday, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., or until sold out Join us to celebrate Mother’s Day by picking out the perfect plant gift.

LUNCH BUNCH: LOCAL IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE Wednesday, noon Registration required. Ages 12+. Meet with a local representative of the Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL) to discuss the impacts, challenges, and causes of climate change. CCL is a grassroots, nonpartisan, nonprofit advocacy organization focusing on national policies to address climate change.

JUNE 6

CREEKSIDE RAMBLE & STOREY LAKE GRAND REOPENING Saturday, 9 a.m. Ribbon Cutting at 9:30 a.m. Celebrate National Trails Day and the grand reopening of the Creekside Ramble and Storey Lake! Stroll tranquil, winding riparian paths and several miles of trails that have been closed to the public since the floods in April 2016. Then visit with Mercer Ambassadors and Mercer Education staff to learn about the history of the gardens, various native and exotic plant species growing in the area, local wildlife, and plans for future garden development.

MERCER AMBASSADORS AND HARRIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS First and Third Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Meet at the Botanic Information Center. Ages 16+. Visit with a master gardener for expert gardening advice, or chat with a Mercer Ambassador to learn more about the gardens and upcoming events. Want to become an ambassador? Visit www.hcp4.net/mercer/volunteer or call 713-274-4160.

LUNCH BUNCH: LEGACY TREE PROJECT Wednesday, noon Registration required. Ages 12+. Come learn how Precinct 4’s Legacy Tree Project works to preserve historic and champion trees of Texas. Take home a native tree to plant in your own yard, compliments of Apache Corporation. Presented by Laura Medick, Precinct 4 arborist.

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THE MERCER SOCIETY FATHER’S DAY SPECIALTY PLANT SALE Saturday, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., or until sold out Dads love plants too! Join us to celebrate Father’s Day and pick out your dad’s favorite gift this year!

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HAWK TALK Saturday, 10 a.m. – noon Registration required. Space is limited. Meet Cathie Coudert, the education coordinator of Friends of Texas Wildlife (FTW), and her animal ambassador, Fred, the red-tailed hawk. Learn about the FTW mission to care for injured, displaced, and orphaned wildlife during this informative and interactive program that includes a multimedia presentation, hands-on activities, and crafts.

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STORYTIME Mondays, 10:30 a.m. Meet under the staff building. Ages 2 - 5. In partnership with Harris County Public Library, join us for a unique storytime in a natural setting for parents and children to enjoy together.

GUIDED GARDEN TOURS Tuesdays and Thursdays Groups of 10 to 30 are invited to learn about the history, plants, and wildlife at Mercer Botanic Gardens. Tours must be scheduled at least two weeks in advance. To schedule a guided garden tour, call 713-274-4160.

TAI CHI Saturdays, 9 a.m. Join volunteer John Spencer during this one-hour beginner class offered on the covered deck behind the Mercer Botanical Information Center. See Jones Park on Page 3 for more Tai Chi classes taught by John Spencer.

HORTICULTURAL PROPAGATION CENTER Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, 9 a.m. – noon Mercer North Side Greenhouses 3602 Hirschfield Rd., Spring Ages 16+. Registration required. Join Brandon Hubbard, The Mercer Society grower, to propagate plants, maintain the greenhouses, and more. For additional details, please call 713-274- 4160.

BIRD SURVEY April 23, May 28, and June 25, Thursdays, 8 a.m. – 10 a.m. Ages 12+. Meet in front of the Visitor Center. Mercer’s gardens and miles of winding riparian forest trails along the Cypress Creek flyway are an ideal place to birdwatch! Monthly bird surveys are suited for birders of all levels and experience. Bring binoculars and a bird identification guide.

OUTDOOR ADventure SUMMER CAMPS

TUESDAYS 9 A.M. – NOON

Registration required beginning May 1. Space is limited. Ages 6 - 11.

Choose Session A in June or Session B in July!

JUNE 9 & JULY 7 TREE ID MYSTERY From the tree roots to the tip-top branches, we will investigate trees! “Leaf” the fun to us as we learn how to identify trees, discover tree benefits, and explore wildlife tree habitats. Meet an arborist and help plant trees in Mercer’s West Side Arboretum!

JUNE 16 & JULY 14 BIRDS OF A FEATHER Ready for a day of feathered fun? Adventure on a bird hike, identify birds by how they look and sound, and share your findings on a citizen science program. Observe natural habitats, search for evidence of birds, investigate owl pellets, and more!

JUNE 23 & JULY 21 CREATURE FEATURE Investigate creatures that scamper, skitter, slither, and shuffle in the gardens. Search for evidence of animals while investigating the natural habitats of insects, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals. Learn animal identification and tracking techniques.

JUNE 30 & JULY 28 HIKE ‘N HUNT Calling all land pirates! Let’s go hunt for hidden treasures cached throughout the gardens by learning to geocache – a technique of navigating by hiking to a specific location of GPS coordinates. All you need is your favorite pair of walking shoes, refillable water bottle, and a sense of adventure!

Outdoor Adventure Family Nights

WEDNESDAYS 4 P.M. – 6:30 P.M. JUNE 17 MICRO-MERCER Explore the mysterious, tiny plant world at Mercer Botanic Gardens! Use hand lenses and microscopes to view the tiniest of plants found in the gardens. Observe plant cells, thin roots, pollen, seeds, and more! Then transfer your observations as scientific drawings into a keepsake journal. Registration is not required.

JUNE 24 GEOCACHING Gather your family and your hiking shoes! Hike and explore the trails of Mercer’s West Side Arboretum as you search for geocaches hidden among the natural environment. Registration is not required. Last hunt begins at 6 p.m. Meet at the West Side Arboretum Post Oak Pavilion.