Connie Cottingham
Public Relations and Special Events Coordinator
The State Botanical Garden of Georgia
(706) 542-6014
December, January and February 2014-2015
Calendar of Classes, Symposia and Events
In chronological order
The State Botanical Garden of Georgia
2450 South Milledge Avenue, Athens, Georgia 30605
ALL CLASSES REQUIRE PRE-REGISTRATION UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.
Call 706-542-6156 or register online at www.uga.edu/botgarden.
Zumba® at the Garden
Every Wednesday
5:30 – 6:30 pm
Visitor Center, Great Room
$70
What is Zumba? Zumba® fuses hypnotic Latin rhythms and easy to follow moves to create a
dynamic fitness program. Our goal is simple: We want you to want to work out, to love working
out, to get hooked. Add some Latin flavor and international zest into the mix and you've got
Zumba®! Zumba® and Zumba® Fitness are registered trademarks of Zumba Fitness,
LLC. The Garden will be offering this as a continual program. The registration fee includes a
10 visit punch card.
Nature Ramblers
Thursdays, February 19 through November 19, 2015
8:30 am (except for June – August, when meeting time will be 8:00 am)
Each Ramble lasts for about 90 minutes
Dale Hoyt, Biologist and Naturalist
Hugh Nourse, Author, Photographer and Naturalist
Meet at Shade Garden Arbor
Please join our Nature Ramblers and learn more about the natural areas, flora and fauna of the
Garden while making new friends and enjoying the cool, fresh air. Sessions will start with an
inspirational reading by a nature writer such as Annie Dillard, John Muir, or Janisse Ray. This is
a ramble not a hike; we will stop to view interesting plants, insects, butterflies, mushrooms, etc.,
along the way. Ramblers are encouraged to bring their own nature writings or favorite poems
and essays to share with the group. Join us for one or all sessions; these informal rambles are
free but donations are accepted in the Garden's donation box in the lobby of the Visitor Center.
Photo Sharegroup
First Wednesday of the Month
6:30 – 8:30 pm
Visitor Center, Classroom 1
Free
The Photo Sharegroup meets at the Garden the first Wednesday of each month. Our meetings
are devoted to sharing digital images from mostly outdoor photography: nature (flora and
fauna), gardens, travel, landscapes, and abstracts. If you are interested in coming to a meeting,
please e-mail Larry Petroff <[email protected]>, Becky Akin <[email protected]>, or Hugh
Nourse ([email protected]> for more information.
Greenery Wreaths
Thursday, December 4
5:30 – 7:30 pm
Visitor Center, Great Room
$30
Bring the colors of the season to your home with a live wreath that you make in this workshop.
Wreaths are constructed on wire frames with greenery collected from the Garden. Materials are
harvested just prior to the class to ensure they will last throughout the holiday season. Bring
your own pruning shears.
Full Moon Hike Series
Saturday, December 6
7:00 – 8:30 pm
Meet at the Fountain in front of the Visitor’s Center
$5/person or $15/family
Come see the garden come alive at night! Each hike will focus on a different topic such as the
moon, constellations, or nocturnal creatures. Bring family and friends of all ages along to enjoy
the mysterious world of nature at night!
Holiday Open House
Sunday, December 7
1:30 – 4:00 pm
Visitor Center and Conservatory
FREE
We will have the Visitor Center & Conservatory decorated for the season, so come celebrate
with us at this special family day. The Georgia’s Children’s Chorus performs holiday music at
2pm. Santa will be available to listen to your children’s wishes and have photos taken by Mark
Parsons Photography. Children will enjoy creating an art project with our Education staff. And
don’t forget to bring your list to our gift shop, brimming with perfect gifts!
Meet Me at the Garden!
A reception and talk to get to know OLLI and Friends of the Garden
Monday, December 8
5:00 – 7:00 pm
Visitor Center & Conservatory
Free
Looking to get more involved in Athens, perhaps take a few classes or meet some new
friends? Meet us at the Garden! - and learn more about OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
at UGA, members are age 50 and above,) and Friends of the Garden (the State Botanical
Garden’s support organization.) Both offer social events, special events, trips, plus classes in
gardening, cooking, photography, art, exercise, nature, and more. Chat with members at the free
reception from 5-6 pm, then hear Garden Director Wilf Nicholls talk at 6pm. We’d love to see
you there!
Classic City Band Evening Holiday Concert
Tuesday, December 9
6:30 – 7:30 pm
Visitor Center & Conservatory
Free
The Classic City Band has been a part of our Holiday Open House for many years. This year,
they are performing their lively holiday music during an evening concert in the festivelydecorated Conservatory. This group never fails to entertain, and sometimes brings a surprise
guest or music piece. Liven up your holiday season with this always-popular, very talented band.
New Horizons Band Holiday Concert
Sunday, December 14
2:00 – 3:00 pm
Visitor Center and Conservatory
FREE
Come out and enjoy an afternoon of “Sounds of the Season.” The New Horizons Band is
composed of members 50 years of age and older that learned a musical instrument recently or
returned to their musical instruments from earlier in life. They meet once a week to renew their
love of music and perform throughout the year at various sites. For more information about the
concert or if you are interested in joining this group, please contact Joyce King, the band
director, at [email protected].
Full Moon Hike Series
Sunday, January 4
7:00 – 8:30 pm
Meet at the Fountain in front of the Visitor’s Center
$5/person or $15/family
Come see the garden come alive at night! Each hike will focus on a different topic such as the
moon, constellations, or nocturnal creatures. Bring family and friends of all ages along to enjoy
the mysterious world of nature at night!
Garden Geology
Tuesdays, January 6 – February 24
4:00 – 6:00 pm
Visitor Center, Classroom 2
$80
The sessions will focus on the rocks of Georgia's six geologic provinces. We will learn how they
were formed by the processes of plate tectonics, how to identify them and how they affect plants,
animals and people. Participants will make their own collection of Georgia rocks. Each
participant will receive a copy of ‘Rocks of Georgia’, a companion to the sessions.
FRIENDS First Friday
Friday, January 9
9:00 – 10:30 am
Visitor Center Downstairs
$12
Wilf Nicholls, Director
This monthly event includes a full breakfast and an opportunity to meet new people while
learning about the Garden, gardening or garden history. Please make your reservation by
Wednesday January 7 by calling 706-542-9353.
Art Exhibit: Mountain Laurel Quilt Guild
January 11 – March 8, 2015
Sunday, January 11 - Opening reception, 2-4 pm, Visitor Center
Consistent with the beauty and the mission of the State Botanical Garden of Georgia, the
Mountain Laurel Quilt Guild will bring their work for an exhibition in the Visitor Center January
11-March 8, 2015. The nature-inspired quilts will be chosen for a juried show with entries from
the 75 active fiber artists who meet several times a month to learn quilting techniques. The art of
quilting has expanded considerably in the last few years to encompass not only traditional
techniques but also using a variety of different media and surface design approaches. The title
and theme for the show is “Creatures in the Garden, “and will include quilts featuring a variety
of creatures (birds, butterflies, cats, etc.) embedded in scenes with flowers, trees, and natural
landscapes. The majority of the quilts in the exhibition will be available for purchase, with
proceeds benefitting both the individual artist and the Garden. There will be an opening
reception for the Mountain Laurel Quilt Guild on Sunday, January 11, from 2-4 in the Visitor
Center.
Winter Tree Identification (Elective Course)
Saturday, January 17
9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Visitor Center, Classroom 2
$50
Trees may be most beautiful in the winter, when they are stripped down to their basic
architecture. But can we know them without their leaves? In this class, students will learn the
basics of identifying trees in the winter by learning about twigs, bark, leaf scars, fruits, and tree
form. Students will learn to use a hand lens and a simple key for woody plants to identify
species. Class time will be divided between classroom exercises and a field trip to the deciduous
woods at the Botanical Garden.
Native Plant Symposium
Wednesday, January 21
8:45 am - 3:30 pm
The Garden Club of Georgia, Terrace Room
$60 (lunch included)
Native plants are uniquely adapted to local conditions, having co-evolved with other plants,
animals, pollinators, and soil biota. Therefore they require little maintenance and withstand
temperature and moisture extremes. Most importantly, native plants provide diverse sources of
food and shelter for a wide variety of insects and birds, butterflies, mammals, reptiles, etc. in the
complex web of life. Join us for a day-long program that considers gardening with native
flowers and trees along with related conservation issues. Learn how to incorporate your
appreciation of these plants into your home landscape plan during this day long series of
presentations. This year, noted author, naturalist and activist, Janisse Ray ("The Seed
Underground: A Growing Revolution to Save Food") will be our keynote speaker, making the
connection between saving seeds and protecting native plants. Please see complete agenda online at www.uga.edu/botgarden/educationalevents.htmlNative Plant Symposium
Garden Travels with Director Wilf Nicholls
Tuesday, January 27
7:00 pm talk (come at 6:30 for a light reception before)
Gardenside Room, Visitor Center
Free, please donate at the entrance
Join us for another vicarious journey with Director Wilf Nicholls, known for presentations that
that are engaging, informative and fun.
Certificate in Native Plants - Orientation for New Participants
Wednesday, January 28
9:00 am – 10:30 am
Visitor Center, Classroom 2
Free
Anne Shenk and Cora Keber, State Botanical Garden Education Staff, will introduce the
Certificate program. Learn about the variety of volunteer opportunities available to CNP
participants including projects with Botanical Guardians, Citizen Science projects, and
opportunities with the Georgia Plant Conservation Alliance. Information on field trips will also
be provided. This orientation is optional and free.
Full Moon Hike Series
Tuesday, February 3
7:00 – 8:30 pm
Meet at the Fountain in front of the Visitor’s Center
$5/person or $15/family
Come see the garden come alive at night! Each hike will focus on a different topic such as the
moon, constellations, or nocturnal creatures. Bring family and friends of all ages along to enjoy
the mysterious world of nature at night!
FRIENDS First Friday: All-American Selections
Friday, February 6
9:00 – 10:30 am
Visitor Center Downstairs
$12
Shelly Prescott, Head of Horticulture
All-American Selections promote new garden varieties with superior garden performance judged
in impartial trials in North America. One of those trial gardens is in our Flower Garden. Each
year Shelly Prescott creates a new design using the trial plants and reports on their performance.
Shelly is also in charge of the Georgia Gold Medal Program. This monthly event includes a full
breakfast and an opportunity to meet new people while learning about the Garden, gardening or
garden history. Please make your reservation by Wednesday, February 4 by calling 706-5429353.
The Art of Happiness
Saturdays, February 7-28
9:00 am – 12:00 noon
The State Botanical Garden of Georgia
$140
True and consistent happiness comes with practice! Patty is a Life Coach and consultant in the
areas of personal growth and spirituality. For over 20 years, she has studied philosophies and
cultural understandings of happiness. She teaches meditation and mindfulness and has worked
directly with several personal growth leaders such as renowned author don Miguel Ruiz “The
Four Agreements” “Mastery of Love”.
This series of courses will cover topics with regards to defining what happiness is to you and
exploring joyful contentment through your beliefs, creativity, emotions, movement and more. In
this workshop we will explore the basic principles that make happy people happy, and the
PRACTICAL APPLICATION of those principles in your everyday unique life.The Art of
Natural History of Georgia Plants (Core Course)
Saturday, February 7
9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Visitor Center, Classroom 2
$105
Georgia is one of the most botanically diverse and ecologically interesting states in the US! This
course introduces Georgia’s diverse natural vegetation, emphasizing basic ecological principles
of plant distribution, prehistoric and contemporary influences on Georgia vegetation, major
vegetation types in Georgia, and the plant species that characterize each vegetation type. We will
also discuss invasive species and their impact on natural plant communities, and potential
climate change influences on Georgia’s vegetation.
Dance with the Classic City Swing Band
Thursday, February 12
7-9 pm
Visitor Center and Conservatory
$15
Come listen to the lively Classic City Swing Band, or spend the evening on the dance floor alone
or with a partner. The evening starts with a 7:15 demonstration and dance lesson, then the Swing
Band starts playing at 7:30. Tickets include a light reception by Friends of the Garden. Please
visit botgarden.uga.edu or call 706-542-9353 for tickets. Tickets are limited to 70 guests.
Arbor Day Celebration—Tree Trail Ramble
Friday, February 20
2:00 – 3:00 pm
Meet at the Shade Garden Arbor
Free
In 1872, an industrious newspaper editor and political leader, J. Sterling Morton, began a
campaign to plant trees on Nebraska's treeless prairie. The first Arbor Day observance was on
Morton's birthday, April 10, of that same year, and by 1894 every state and some foreign
countries participated in Arbor Day celebrations. In 1941, Georgia chose the third Friday in
February to observe Arbor Day. Become involved in Arbor Day this year and discover
humanity’s true best friend! Join Linda Chafin to learn about and celebrate the trees at the
Garden.
Winter Family Hike
Saturday, February 21
10:00am – 12:00pm
Meet at the Fountain in front of the Visitor’s Center
$5/person or $15 per family
Join Education Staff, Andie Bisceglia, for a family hike this winter! Even at this quiet time of
year there is so much to learn and enjoy out in the woods. Learn about bird migration, neat tricks
for identifying trees without their leaves, and more! Bring along friends and family of all ages.
Wear comfortable clothing, sturdy shoes, and get ready to explore! (Recommended for children
that are at least 5 years old).
Native Plant Propagation (Elective Course)
Saturday, February 21
9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Mimsie Lanier Center for Native Plant Studies–Head House
$50
Learn the basics of propagating native wildflowers and shrubs by seeds, cuttings, and division.
Models for inexpensive grow-light systems and a propagation timeline will be provided to ensure
that your seedlings are ready to be transplanted outdoors in early spring. Participants will leave
with several types of seeds to propagate at home. Time and weather permitting, we may walk
along the White Trail to collect woody cuttings for propagation, so please dress for the outdoors.
Watercolor Painting Inspired By Nature
Saturday, February 21
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Sunday, February 22
12:00 noon – 4:00 pm
Visitor Center, Gardenside Room
$160
The natural world with its endless variety will be the focus of inspiration for this two-day
workshop. This workshop is designed for students with a variety of experience levels. Students
should have basic knowledge and experience with this medium. This class provides students the
opportunity to develop compositions based on the elements and principals of design. After
developing initial drawings, students will explore using value studies as important building
blocks to a successful painting. Students may bring their own sketches or photos or use the
wonderful sources at the Botanical Garden for developing compositions. There will be
demonstrations during each class, which include various techniques and approaches to working
with watercolor. Students will have individual work time during classes with one-on-one
instruction. A material list will be provided.
Garden Travels: Desert Southwest Flora with Carol and Hugh Nourse
Tuesday, February 24
7:00 pm talk
(come at 6:30 for a light reception before the talk)
Gardenside Room, Visitor Center
Free, please donate at the entrance
Carol and Hugh are award-winning photographers who have traveled the world to observe and
photograph indigenous plants. During this talk, they will relate their adventures in
photographing desert wildflowers in the Mojave Desert (Joshua Tree National Park), the Sonora
Desert (Anza-Borego California State Park, Saguaro National Park, and other Tucson area
places), and the Chihuahuan Desert (Big Bend National Park).
Flower Arranging Unit 3: Design for Dining Table
Wednesday, February 25
9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Gardenside Room
$45
This is the third in a series of five units taught by a National Garden Club Master Flower Show
Judge and will focus on dining table arrangements. Participants will be provided with a list of
materials to bring to class. Limited to 20. Priority will be given to those participants that have
completed Units 1-2. Bring a bag lunch.
25th Annual “Give Wildlife a Chance” Poster Contest:
Georgia’s WILD Animals & Plants – A Natural Investment
2015 marks the 25th year that The State Botanical Garden of Georgia has co-sponsored this
contest with the Nongame Conservation Section of the Georgia Department of Natural
Resources. The contest provides an excellent means for teachers to introduce some of Georgia’s
endangered plants and animals and reasons for their population decline, to their students. Any
student in grades K-5 enrolled in a public, private or home school is eligible to participate.
Artwork must portray Georgia nongame (not legally hunted, trapped or fished) wildlife and
plants. The entries are judged at the local school level in four divisions (#1 - Kindergarten, #2 first & second grades, #3 - third and fourth grades, #4 - fifth grade). Winning entries in local
contests are then to be mailed to the Botanical Garden for entry in the state level competition.
Entries must be received by Friday, April 3, 2015 for inclusion in the state level judging. For
rules and specific guidelines for the 2015 poster contest, please call (706) 542-6156.