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The Morton Arboretum
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(4.5-star rating across 15 reviews)

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The Morton Arboretum

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Spring Floral Arrangement

The Morton Arboretum @ 4100 Illinois Rte 53, Lisle, IL

Create a spring arrangement bursting with vibrant flowers and greenery under the guidance of the Arboretum’s botanical arrangers. The hardy selection of plants will leave you with a long-lasting arrangement; it’s a great Mother’s Day gift or a spring centerpiece for your table. Please bring loves, hand pruners, and a kitchen towel.

(15) All levels 16 and older
No upcoming schedules

Working with Natural Dyes

The Morton Arboretum

Learn to create beautifully dyed fabric using plant-based dyes, including onion skin and indigo. In this one-day, hands-on workshop, you will learn which plants are used for natural dyes learn how plants are turned into dye explore the Arboretum’s ground to identify and potentially harvest plants to use for dying find out about the tools and materials you need to get started dying at home work with indigo and practice dying techniques dye...

(15) Beginner 16 and older
No upcoming schedules

Design a Meditative Garden (Online)

The Morton Arboretum

Create a garden space that offers rest and renewal. In this live, interactive online class, we’ll identify the visual cues in a garden that invite meditation. Draw inspiration from examples of historic and monastic gardens to find the meditative garden style that works for you. Discuss sustainable gardening principles that nurture the environment along with the spirit. Over the course of three sessions along with independent assignments between...

(15) All levels 16 and older
No upcoming schedules
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Nature Photography Workshop: The Minimalist Image

The Morton Arboretum

Nature Photography Workshop: The Minimalist Image (Online and In-Person) Take a break from our visually-saturated world and explore the stark beauty of minimalist nature photography. The avant-garde style arose in the mid-20th century, when artists and photographers began stripping compositions down to the bare essentials, removing clutter that distracts viewers from the main subject. In this class, learn to use minimalism to produce artistic...

(15) Intermediate 16 and older
No upcoming schedules

Out of the Box: You and Your New Camera

The Morton Arboretum @ 4100 Illinois Rte 53, Lisle, IL

Learn to use your new DSLR camera. Get familiar with the basic features and functions of your camera and have the opportunity to practice under the guidance of an experienced photographer. Gain the confidence you need to begin your journey as a nature photographer! Prerequisites: None Supplies: Please bring your fully charged DSLR camera and manual to class with you.

(15) All levels 16 and older
No upcoming schedules

Non-dairy Cheese and Yogurt

The Morton Arboretum @ 4100 Illinois Rte 53, Lisle, IL

Plant-based foods are good for you and for the planet. Learn to make non-dairy cheeses and nut-based yogurts with creative mix-ins for a healthy, delicious treat! Certified Health Coach Evey Schweig will explain the how and why of non-dairy cheese and yogurt.  She will demonstrate step-by-step processes starting with fresh raw ingredients, such as almonds and cashews, to create a non-dairy version of these fermented favorites. Sample the end...

(15) All levels 16 and older
No upcoming schedules

Beginning Smartphone Photography

The Morton Arboretum @ 4100 Illinois Rte 53, Lisle, IL

Remember, “the best camera is the one that’s with you.” Whether you are new to photography or new to smartphones, discover techniques for getting great nature images with your phone. This class will cover the basics of using your smartphone to capture attractive images, provide tips and tricks, and recommend a selection of good starter apps for some basic photo editing.  Notes: Held indoors and outdoors; please dress for the weather...

(15) Beginner 16 and older
No upcoming schedules

Forest Therapy Winter Walks

The Morton Arboretum @ 4100 Illinois Rte 53, Lisle, IL

Experience the healing and wellness-promoting effects of Shinrin-Yoku, the practice of bathing the senses in the atmosphere of the forest. Take a mindful walk with a certified Forest Therapy guide on a trail at the Morton Arboretum as you awaken your senses and reconnect with nature. The walks will visit different locations at the Arboretum and will include a variety of awareness-raising exercises. The walks will conclude with tea made from edible...

(15) All levels 16 and older
No upcoming schedules

Winter Plant ID

The Morton Arboretum @ 4100 Illinois Rte 53, Lisle, IL

Learn to identify plants without leaves or flowers. Explore the Schulenberg Prairie and adjacent woodlands to practice identifying native perennials and grasses in winter with a local expert. Notes: Includes winter hiking on dirt trails. Please dress for the weather. Limit 20 Recommended Text:  A Guide to Wildflowers in Winter – Herbaceous Plants of Northeastern North America by Carol Levine, is available in The Arboretum Store....

(15) All levels 16 and older
No upcoming schedules

Edible Gardening Workshop Series

The Morton Arboretum @ 4100 Illinois Rte 53, Lisle, IL

Join us for the annual Edible Gardening Workshop Series held each spring at The Morton Arboretum! Each week, gardening experts will share practical tips on growing your own food and inspire you with new ways to create beautiful, productive, edible gardens. This series has something for everyone. Whether you are new to gardening or you are an experienced gardener looking for more, learn from the best of the Midwest and get growing! March 14: Productive,...

(15) All levels 16 and older
No upcoming schedules

Cultivating Change through Gardening

The Morton Arboretum

Cultivating Change through Gardening with Jennifer Jewell Join us for a conversation with Jennifer Jewell, creator and host of the award-winning public radio show and podcast, Cultivating Place, about women who are creating change in the world through careers in horticulture. In addition to sharing about her new book, The Earth In Her Hands: 75 Extraordinary Women Working in the World of Plants, Jennifer will be joined by local women in horticulture:...

(15) All levels 16 and older
No upcoming schedules

Backpacking Basics

The Morton Arboretum

Deepen your connection to trees and nature by learning to backpack. Spending a night in the wilderness is a unique way to connect with nature, but it’s important to have the right “know-how” so you can enjoy your trip safely--and protect the place you’re visiting! In this workshop, you will learn about Trip planning Gear, clothing, and footwear How to pack your backpack Food Hygiene Water filtration Safety (including first aid, the ten essentials,...

(15) All levels 16 and older
No upcoming schedules

Full Moon Tram Tour

The Morton Arboretum

Discover what happens at the Arboretum at night, when no one is around. With the moon shining through the trees, a tram ride reveals a captivating symphony of sounds, mysterious spaces, and wildlife on the move.  During our ride and short hikes, we will discuss night ecology, share stories of moon lore, and enjoy the magic of nature at night. Notes: Held entirely outdoors. Please dress for the weather and be prepared to walk on wood chip...

(15) All levels 16 and older
No upcoming schedules

Plants for Wilderness Survival

The Morton Arboretum

Learn the many ways that plants can help you stay alive in the wild. Our modern lives are often disconnected from nature, and many of the old skills and knowledge are on their way to being lost. In this interactive workshop, participants will rediscover how humans have used and relied upon plants for survival for generations. You will learn how to: Find and make tinder from plants Build and start a fire Use plants to gather water Construct a bowl...

(15) All levels 16 and older
No upcoming schedules

Human+Nature Solstice Tram Tour

The Morton Arboretum @ 4100 Illinois Rte 53, Lisle, IL

Celebrate the connection we have with nature on this evening solstice tram ride. As you wind through the Arboretum’s grounds, watch the sun set behind the Human+Nature sculptures. Enjoy stories about the trees of the Arboretum and their roles in human lives. Discover solstice traditions and keep an eye out for active wildlife along the way. Notes: Held entirely outdoors. Please dress for the weather and be prepared to walk on wood chip paths....

(15) All levels 16 and older
No upcoming schedules

Turtle ID and Ecology

The Morton Arboretum

Explore the fascinating ecology of turtles and learn techniques for monitoring their biodiversity for management purposes. Discover how the health of turtle populations is tied to tree and woodland health. Search for turtles on the grounds of the Arboretum using different monitoring methods. Discuss how many turtles typically share a habitat, review the concerns with turtle species introductions, and learn how to identify endangered and threatened...

(15) All levels 16 and older
No upcoming schedules

Dragonfly Stroll

The Morton Arboretum @ 4100 Illinois Rte 53, Lisle, IL

Chase dragonflies with Cindy Crosby, dragonfly monitor and author of the book Chasing Dragonflies: A Natural, Cultural, and Personal History. Take an easy, one-hour stroll along Meadow Lake’s paved paths with the author to spot dragonflies and damselflies in their natural habitat. Space is limited so sign up soon! Notes: Held outdoors; includes walking on paved trails. Please dress for the weather

(15) All levels 21 and older
No upcoming schedules

Winter Tree ID

The Morton Arboretum @ 4100 Illinois Rte 53, Lisle, IL

Learn to identify trees after they shed their leaves for the winter. Develop the skills to identify winter trees on your own using clues found in buds, fruits, leaf scars, bark, and branching patterns.  Before your in-person class, get basic skills and terminology with a short, online lesson. Then spend your time at the Arboretum in the field with an expert, learning to ID trees on the grounds. Common Urban Trees will focus on common trees...

(15) All levels 16 and older
No upcoming schedules

Healthy, Hearty Soups (Online)

The Morton Arboretum

Looking for a great way to eat healthy and economically?  Soups are the answer! Learn to make heart-healthy soups that will keep you warm from the inside out all winter long. Follow along at home and make your own flavorful soup mix to stock your pantry with, and get a variety of recipes that will get you through the cold winter months with easy-to-prepare meals. Evey Schweig, certified health coach, will discuss the health benefits of crafting...

(15) All levels 16 and older
No upcoming schedules

Get Started with Nature Journaling (Online)

The Morton Arboretum

Journaling is a great way to connect with nature, reduce stress, and improve mindfulness. You don’t have to be a great artist or writer to do it! In this online workshop, your instructor will help you get started, and provide some ways to slow down, observe carefully, and capture what you see with words and sketches.  You’ll learn: What goes in a nature journal What supplies you need Sketching basics Tips for building a habit Sources...

(15) All levels 16 and older
No upcoming schedules
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