New England Botanic Garden January/February 2024 Events Bulletin

JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2024

Events & Programs

Program Registration For the most up-to-date information about our programs, or to register, please visit the calendar section of our website.

For questions about our adult programs or youth and family programs, please contact our Registrar at registrar@nebg.org.

Weekday Wellness Programs

Energy Healing Sound Bath BRANDY LEFSYK

A sound bath reduces stress and anxiety by inducing a state of relaxation. Join us for a one-hour program in one of our conservatories that will leave you feeling at peace.

Wednesday, January 17, 9–10am $30M; $40NM

Qigong & Tai Chi Movement ROSE HORWITZ

Breathe deeply and practice gentle fluid movements to mindfully reduce stress and improve strength, balance, coordination, flexibility, range of motion, and stamina.

Wednesdays, 10:15–11:45am (no class february 21) PER CLASS: $20M; $30NM

Yoga in the Garden MANDI GARRISON

Relaxing Yoga Flow EMMA BARTOLINI

PER CLASS: $15M; $22NM

$15M; $22NM

Chair Yoga REBECCA REBER

Friday Chair Yoga EMMA BARTOLINI

PER CLASS: $15M; $22NM

$15M; $22NM

Enjoy gentle-to-moderate flow yoga in a class for all levels.

Tuesdays, 6–7:15pm (no class february 20) Thursdays, 10:30–11:45am (no class february 22)

Using a chair as a prop, have fun while enjoying the benefits of movement in this gentle yoga class.

Classes are held indoors.

Tuesdays, 11:30am–12:30pm (no class february 20)

PAGE 2 OF 12

Start your Friday morning with a mindful yoga flow.

Explore postures to build strength, balance, and stability, and find peace within your morning.

Fridays, 9:30–10:30am (no class february 23)

Join us for Friday chair yoga! This fully supported practice is a wonderful way to explore the benefits of yoga in a different way.

Fridays, 11am–12pm (no class february 23)

Weekend Wellness Programs New Year Yoga Flow EMMA BARTOLINI

Start your New Year with a rejuvenating yoga flow to relax the mind and ignite the spirit.

Saturday, January 6, 9–10am $15M; $22NM

Yin Yoga for the New Year MANDI GARRISON

Stretch and awaken to 2024 with a healing yin yoga practice and botanical views.

Saturday, January 6, 10:30–11:45am $15M; $22NM

Forest Bathing in the Conservatory NADINE MAZZOLA Relax and refresh through mindfulness practices and sensory awareness while experiencing the beauty of nature in the Orangerie conservatory.

Sunday, January 14, 8:30–10am $30M; $40NM

Yoga for the New Year LINDA SNAY

Start the New Year with mindful yoga, intention setting, and relaxing yoga nidra in this two-hour mini-retreat.

Saturday, January 20, 9–11am $30M; $40NM

Restorative Yoga and Meditation LISA MOORE

Restorative yoga is a slow-paced style of yoga that encourages physical, mental, and emotional relaxation.

This class will focus on stillness and deep breathing, closing with meditation.

Saturday, January 27, 9:30–10:45am Saturday, February 24, 9:30–10:45am $15M; $22NM

Yoga of the Heart

Urban Tree Symposium 2024 Friday, February 2, 2024 9am–3pm New England Botanic Garden’s annual Urban Tree Symposium explores the importance of urban forests and ways we can improve our green spaces.

Each year the symposium brings together experts in the fields of forestry, horticulture, biology, technology, and more. This symposium is geared toward current and aspiring professionals, but all are welcome. Check the Garden’s website for the most up to date information regarding speakers.

EMMA BARTOLINI

Come enjoy an uplifting and relaxing morning yoga practice for an open heart.

Saturday, February 3, 9–10:15am $15M; $22NM

Yoga for Stress and Deep Rest

LINDA SNAY

Relieve stress and tension with gentle yoga and deeply restful yoga nidra in this 2-hour mini retreat.

Saturday, February 17, 9–11am $30M; $40NM

PAGE 3 OF 12

t.lemos

Create natural dyed Easter Eggs with Liz Ives on Sunday, February 25

Visual Arts

Intermediate Photography

Create an Art Journal

LINDA SNAY

Make your own art journal using simple book binding methods. Design your book with blank paper, or bring your own artworks and decorative papers to incorporate into an original book.

Friday, January 12, 10:30am–1pm $60M; $75NM KAREN KEEFE

Learn the basic principles and methodology of Zentangle, an easy-to-learn method of creating beautiful images from repetitive patterns, many of them inspired by nature.

Sunday, January 14, 1–4:30pm $45M; $60NM

Beginner Photography

STEVE MCGRATH

Learn from an expert in this seminar for beginners!

This workshop will show you how to use your camera’s special features and cover basic composition and lighting.

Sunday, January 21, 10am–2pm $60M; $75NM LIZ IVES

Come and make a colorful and textural luminary for an electric candle jar. Using creative materials like Tyvek, inks, paints, and embroidery, design a unique piece for your home.

Sunday, January 21, 1–3pm $50M; $65NM PAGE 4 OF 12

Take your landscape photography skills to the next level.

Learn about shutter and aperture settings, explore depth of field and filters, and build your understanding of different lenses.

Saturday, February 3, 10am–2pm $60M; $75NM

Watercolor Valentine’s Day Cards MIRANDA GREENHALGH

Introduction to Zentangle

Creative Luminaries

STEVE MCGRATH

Learn easy and fun watercolor techniques and create a set of handmade Valentine's cards to take home and share with loved ones in this fun workshop for beginners.

Saturday, February 3, 1–3pm $55M; $70NM

Slow Stitching

LISA MAGNUSON

Slow stitching is a mindfulness activity that allows you to enjoy one stitch at a time while creating a journal cover or artwork that can be framed or mounted onto canvas.

Sunday, February 4, 1–3:30pm $70M; $85NM

Chinese Brush Painting SAU-MEI LEUNG

Slow down, relax, create, and meditate while learning the Chinese brush method of painting as well as compositional development.

Saturday, February 24, 9:30am–11:30am $55M; $70NM

Gardening, Plants, & Horticulture Winter Tree Identification

ALEX KLEIN

Winter is a great time to get to know your trees. They may be going dormant, but there is still so much to see!

Join us for a guided walk that will allow you to really start seeing trees.

Saturday, January 13, 1–3pm $40M; $55NM

Not Your Mother’s Garden

DEBORAH CHUD

In this online presentation, enjoy a photo tour of a dramatic Piet-Oudolf-style New Perennial garden and learn about the design principles underlying these choices.

Thursday, January 25, 7–8pm

Creative Meditation Through Drawing NIKKI HOWLAND

Tap into your subconscious and relax your mind!

Discover a contemplative way to draw something unique and beautiful that leaves you feeling calm and thoughtful.

Saturday, February 24, 1–3pm $40M; $55NM

Natural Dyed Easter Eggs

LIZ IVES

Have you ever wanted to try natural, food-safe dyes on Easter eggs? Easter is early this year, so come play with various dyes and resists to create brightly patterned eggs for the holiday.

Sunday, February 25, 10:30am–12:30pm $50M; $65NM

Advanced Zentangle

$10M; $15M | LIVE WEBINAR

Introduction to Pruning

REED PUGH

This webinar is for people who are new to gardening or are looking to build a solid base of knowledge to prune shrubs and ornamental trees confidently and properly.

Thursday, February 22, 7–8pm $10M; $15M | LIVE WEBINAR

Orchid Walk and Talk

CONSERVATORY GARDEN STAFF

Explore the new orchid exhibition, Patterns in Bloom, before the garden opens to the public and learn more about the 2,000 orchids on display.

Wednesday, February 14, 21, or 28, 9–10am $15M; $25NM

Seasonal Pruning: Late Winter KAREN KEEFE

Take the next step with Zentangle! This class will focus on learning complex tangles, blending of patterns, techniques of tangulation, and use of various Zentangle tools with different media.

Sunday, February 25, 1–4:30pm

REED PUGH

Join us for the first of five workshops on the essentials of pruning, with a focus on plants that flower on current season’s growth, non-flowering evergreens, and renovation pruning.

Sunday February 24, 10:30am–12pm or 1–2:30pm $40M; $55NM

$45M; $60NM

PAGE 5 OF 12

FEBRUARY 10 THROUGH

MARCH 17, 2024 At the Garden’s annual orchid exhibition, immerse yourself in bright colors, bold designs, and vibrant patterns that celebrate the artistry of orchids. Patterns in Bloom showcases displays of thousands of living orchids as well as the imaginative sculptural work of artist Molly Gambardella. Experience the creative wonder of this breathtaking orchid exhibition during daytime hours or through an exciting lineup of special events.

PAGE 6 OF 12

PATTERNS IN BLOOM OPENING WEEKEND Saturday, February 10, 10am–4pm Sunday, February 11, 10am–4pm Be among the first to experience stunning orchid displays and sculptural works of art, in addition to live music and an artisan vendor market.

ORCHIDS AFTER DARK (21+) Fridays, February 16 – March 15 / 6–8pm Experience the brilliance of the orchid exhibition after-hours. Enjoy jazz, drinks, and light bites while exploring our stunning orchid displays and curated ambience. Ticket price includes one free beverage and a unique night out. $20M; $30NM

PAGE 7 OF 12

YOUTH PROGRAMS Kids Workshops Arctic Explorers

|

AGES 5 –10

Learn about arctic ecosystems and mix up your own snow dough for snow-tastic fun!

Saturday, January 6, 2–3:30pm M: $15 CHILD, $0 ADULT; NM: $24 CHILD, $19 ADULT

Winter Potions

|

AGES 6 –10

Mix up magical winter inspired potions and conduct experiments with simple household ingredients.

Sunday, January 14, 10:30am–12pm M: $18 CHILD, $0 ADULT; NM: $26 CHILD, $19 ADULT

Snow Globe Workshop

|

AGES 5 –12

Create a magical snow globe complete with a wintry scene and a small animal friend.

Saturday, January 20, 1–2:30pm

Family Fun Garden Buds

|

AGES 3 –5

Join us for circle time, a story, a take-home craft packet, and a guided garden adventure.

Wednesdays in January and February, 10:30–11:30am M: $8 CHILD, $0 ADULT; NM: $16 CHILD, $19 ADULT

Little Seedlings

|

AGES 1 –3

Come explore the wonderful world of plants and practice sorting, counting, observing, and more.

Tuesday, January 30, 10:30–11:30am Tuesday, February 27, 10:30–11:30am M: $6 CHILD, $0 ADULT; NM: $10 CHILD, $19 ADULT

Maple Sugaring

|

AGES 5 –12

Come learn the sticky-sweet science behind harvesting and making maple syrup.

Saturday, February 24, 11am–12pm M: $9 CHILD, $6 ADULT; NM: $18 CHILD, $24 ADULT

M: $22 CHILD, $0 ADULT; NM: $30 CHILD, $19 ADULT

Botanical Valentines

|

AGES 5 –12

Create a card and unique floral arrangement in a vase for a special someone.

Sunday, February 11, 11am–12:30pm & 2–3:30pm M: $26 CHILD, $0 ADULT; NM: $34 CHILD, $19 ADULT

REGISTRATION OPEN Reserve your spot today!

Children's Birthday Parties Make your child’s birthday one to remember and host their special day with us!

Now booking for spring.

Visit nebg.org for details.

PAGE 8 OF 12

Homeschool Programs Homeschool: Migrate, Hibernate, Adapt AGES 6 –12

Learn how plants and animals prepare for the winter as we explore the gardens and trails.

Monday, January 8, 1–2:30pm M: $9 CHILD, $0 ADULT; NM: $18 CHILD, $19 ADULT

Homeschool: Tracks and Trails

|

AGES 6 –12

Learn tracking basics and search for signs of winter wildlife as we explore our gardens and trails.

Friday, January 26, 1–2:30pm M: $9 CHILD, $0 ADULT; NM: $18 CHILD, $19 ADULT

Homeschool: Outstanding Orchids

|

AGES 6 –12

Explore our subtropical conservatories and learn about the amazing adaptations that help orchids survive.

Thursday, February 15, 1–2:30pm M: $9 CHILD, $0 ADULT; NM: $18 CHILD, $19 ADULT

SCOUT PROGRAMS

TRAVELING PROGRAMS

Join us for hands-on exploration and investigation and work towards the requirements of a variety of natureinspired badges for Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts.

Now booking for spring.

Bring the magic of New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill to your school, library, youth group, or family audience. Choose from a wide selection of traveling programs.

Now booking for spring.

Visit nebg.org for details on these programs.

This full-day drop-off program is just for kids. Unleash your sense of adventure, uncover the amazing science of plants, and explore nature’s hidden stories all around us. Space is limited, reserve your spot today!

JULY

AUGUST

Myths & Magic | AGES 5–10

Superhero Academy | AGES 5–10

Join us for a week of play, exploration, and investigation as we search for signs of magic in enchanted gardens, cast spells, and make nature potions.

Monday to Friday, July 8 to 12, 9am–3pm

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s the Superhero Academy!

Discover your inner hero this week as we become planet protectors, practice our superpowers, and save the world.

Monday to Friday, August 5 to 9, 9am–3pm

M: $375 CHILD; NM: $425 CHILD

M: $375 CHILD; NM: $425 CHILD

Dinosaur Safari | AGES 5–10

Dinosaur Safari | AGES 5–10

Roar and explore during this week of prehistoric discovery.

Become a paleontologist as we have fun with fossils, play dino games, learn about prehistoric plants, and conduct science experiments.

Monday to Friday, July 15 to 19, 9am–3pm

Roar and explore during this week of prehistoric discovery. Become a paleontologist as we have fun with fossils, play dino games, learn about prehistoric plants, and conduct science experiments.

Monday to Friday, August 12 to 16, 9am–3pm

M: $375 CHILD; NM: $425 CHILD

M: $375 CHILD; NM: $425 CHILD

PAGE 9 OF 12

Come join us for a week of jungle fun this February vacation. Escape the winter and warm up in our subtropical conservatories then come monkey around with drop-in crafts, family workshops, and more!

Free Drop-in Activities

| ALL AGES

Learn about the layers of the rainforest, study orchids up close, try a craft, and more in our drop-in jungle activity room.

Saturday to Friday, February 17 to 23, 10am–4pm INCLUDED WITH ADMISSION

Rainforest Safari

| AGES 6 –12

Embark on an adventure through our subtropical conservatories and learn about the adaptations that help rainforest plants thrive.

Saturday, February 17, 11am–12pm M: $9 CHILD, $6 ADULT NM: $18 CHILD, $24 ADULT

Jungle Slime | AGES 5–10

Learn about the layers of the rainforest as we explore the conservatories and then mix up our own jungle-inspired slime.

Sunday, February 18, 2–3:30pm M: $15 CHILD, $0 ADULT NM: $24 CHILD, $19 ADULT

Adventures in Yoga | AGES 4–8

Get introduced to the basics of yoga together and try nature inspired poses.

Monday, February 19, 1–2pm M: $12 CHILD, $10 ADULT NM: $18 CHILD, $24 ADULT PAGE 10 OF 12

NATURE PLAY DAYS Join us for Nature Play Days at the Garden.

Drop-in for free fun family activities this season.

Use your imagination to create magical worlds and explore the great outdoors as we play games, read stories, craft, and make new friends. Visit our website for more details.

Discovery Backpacks | AGES 3–12 Check out our Discovery Backpacks filled with exciting activities and tools for exploring together. Discovery Backpack activities are changed each season.

Every Day, 10am–5pm

Felted Orchids

|

Nature Storytime | AGES 3–8

AGES 8 –12

Explore the outstanding orchid displays and craft your own felt orchids.

Tuesday, February 20, 2–3:30pm M: $20 CHILD, $0 ADULT NM: $28 CHILD, $18 ADULT

Conservatory Crafts

Garden Buds | AGES 3 –5

Join us for circle time, a story, a take-home craft packet, and a guided garden adventure.

Wednesday, February 21, 10:30–11:30am M: $8 CHILD, $0 ADULT NM: $16 CHILD, $19 ADULT

Mossy Plant Monsters

Join us for an interactive hour in our conservatory featuring exciting stories about plants, animals, nature, and more.

Tuesdays, 11am–12pm

|

| AGES 4–12

Create a nature-themed craft and borrow a scavenger hunt to discover the hidden wonders in our conservatories.

Fridays, 1–3pm

AGES 7 –14

Learn about the Japanese planting style of Kokedama and create your own live mossy plant monster.

Thursday, February 22, 1–2:30pm M: $27 CHILD, $0 ADULT NM: $34 CHILD, $19 ADULT

Wonders of Watercolor | AGES 7 –12 Learn the basics of painting with watercolors using our conservatory plants for inspiration.

Friday, February 23, 1–2:30pm M: $20 CHILD, $0 ADULT NM: $28 CHILD, $19 ADULT

PAGE 11 OF 12

Go somewhere beautiful all year-round.

INFO@NEBG.ORG

508.869.6111

NEBG.ORG

11 FRENCH DRIVE

P.O. BOX 598, BOYLSTON, MA 01505