Grow from Seed: Vegetables & Herbs (Ages 14+)

Growing vegetables is enormously rewarding, especially when you start them from the tiniest of seeds. Witnessing and nurturing the growth of a plant, particularly one that nourishes in return, provides immeasurable fulfillment. Professional vegetable grower John Fromer invites gardeners of any ability, ages 14-adult, to learn about the selection and process of growing vegetables and herbs, whether started in your home or sown directly in your garden bed.

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Location: Online
Instructor: John Fromer
Price: $18 / $24
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Form and Texture in Graphite 1 (Ages 14+)

Thursdays, April 7 and 14 | Delve deeply into depicting botanical subjects with graphite. Using fruits and vegetables, gain an in-depth understanding of how light affects individual shapes in nature including highlights, midtones, shadow areas, reflected highlights, and cast shadows. Great for ages 14-adult, beginners, or those looking to refine their drawing and observation skills.

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Location: Online
Instructor: Mindy Lighthipe
Price: $50 / $65
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Budding Naturalist: Vernal Pools, Session 1 (Ages 8-14) (CANCELLED)

A yellow spotted salamander crawling across the ground in the dark.

April is a big month for amphibians in Maine as they migrate to vernal pools to breed and lay eggs. Come explore the Gardens’ many vernal pools in search of wood frog and spotted salamander eggs as well as other seasonal residents. Learn how to tell the difference between frog and salamander eggs and help count the egg masses for our annual survey! Learn what makes vernal pools unique, and gain an understanding of their important role in the forest ecosystem.

Registration for this class includes Gardens admission for one child and one adult. Please note: This is a drop-off program. If your child would be more comfortable with you nearby, please contact Erika Huber at ehuber@mainegardens.org before the session to discuss options.

Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Bridget VerVaet
Price: $10

Wildlife in the Backyard: Amphibians and Reptiles (CANCELLED)

Wildlife awakens upon the spring equinox, vibrant with the sound of a new generation. In this workshop, students ages 14-adult will learn which species belongs to which sound, identifying frogs, turtles, salamanders, and other herps (Greek for “crawling things”). Learn about the Big Night and the citizen science initiative surrounding it. From the comfort of your home attend the live instruction featuring these exceptional wetland fauna.

Location: Online
Instructor: Alicia Miller
Price: $15 / $20

Wildlife in the Backyard: Amphibians and Reptiles (CANCELLED)

Wildlife awakens upon the spring equinox, vibrant with the sound of a new generation. In this workshop, students ages 14-adult will learn which species belongs to which sound, identifying frogs, turtles, salamanders, and other herps (Greek for “crawling things”). Learn about the Big Night and the citizen science initiative surrounding it. During the final hour of class, those onsite will explore CMBG’s vast wetland environments and practice identifying and observing these critical, fragile species.

Please note this class requires participants to show proof of having received all eligible Covid-19 vaccinations, as recommended for their age by the CDC, in order to participate. Because of the dynamic nature of this situation, we ask that you agree to abide by potential future changes in CMBG’s Covid-19 policy designed to address evolving public health recommendations.

Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Alicia Miller
Price: $20 / $25

Budding Naturalist: Vernal Pools, Session 2 (Ages 8-14)

An amphibian egg mass underwater in a vernal pool.

April is a big month for amphibians in Maine as they migrate to vernal pools to breed and lay eggs. We’ll return to some pools visited last session and explore new ones, observing changes in wood frog and spotted salamander egg masses. We’ll identify differences between species’ eggs, help count the egg masses for our survey, and compare the differences between pools and ponds, drawing conclusions about which will have the most successful populations. Participants do not need to have attended the first class in order to attend this one.

Registration for this class includes Gardens admission for one child and one adult. Please note: This is a drop-off program. If your child would be more comfortable with you nearby, please contact Erika Huber at ehuber@mainegardens.org before the session to discuss options.

Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Bridget VerVaet
Price: $10
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Form and Texture in Graphite 2 (Ages 14+)

Thursdays, April 21 and 28, May 5 and 12 | Delve deeply into depicting botanical subjects with graphite. Using fruits and vegetables, gain an in-depth understanding of how light affects individual shapes in nature including highlights, midtones, shadow areas, reflected highlights, and cast shadows. Great for beginners and those looking to refine their drawing and observation skills.

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Location: Online
Instructor: Mindy Lighthipe
Price: $120 / $135
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Trees of Maine: ID and Ecology (Ages 14+)

Whether you’re a land steward, forestry student, or simply passionate about the outdoors, ages 14-adult are invited to join Allyssa Gregory, Maine District Forester, to learn how to identify many of Maine's trees, the history of its forests, the soils that anchor and sustain the trees, and about silvaculture and climate-adaptive species. Students will leave with a native tree seedling to plant.

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Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Allyssa Gregory
Price: $20 / $25
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Signs of the Seasons Citizen Science Training (Ages 14+)

Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is teaming up once again with Maine Sea Grant and University of Maine Cooperative Extension to participate in “Signs of the Seasons,” a citizen science program that engages volunteers in observing plant and animal phenology, or the study of seasonal life events like when birds make their nests in the spring, when berries ripen in the summer, and when leaves change color in the autumn.

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Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Beth Bisson
Price: Free
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Wildlife in the Backyard: Birds (Ages 14+)

In this active field-study class, students ages 14-adult will learn more about our resident and migrating birds. We'll discuss identification and the New England avian lifestyle, from habitat to birds’ roles in the balance of the ecosystem and how we can better support them in the changing climate. We suggest students bring a pair of binoculars.

Please note this class requires participants to show proof of having received all eligible Covid-19 vaccinations, as recommended for their age by the CDC, in order to participate. Because of the dynamic nature of this situation, we ask that you agree to abide by potential future changes in CMBG’s Covid-19 policy designed to address evolving public health recommendations.

Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Emily Baisden
Price: $20 / $25
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Budding Naturalist: Birds (Ages 8-14)

Calling all young birders and aspiring birders! Join us on a walk to identify birds migrating through Maine as well as those that spend the season nesting and raising their young here. Learn to identify birds by their calls and identifying features as well as how to use eBird to keep a record of birds observed.

Registration for this class includes Gardens admission for one child and one adult. Please note: This is a drop-off program. If your child would be more comfortable with you nearby, please contact Erika Huber at ehuber@mainegardens.org before the session to discuss options.

Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Andy Brand
Price: $10
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Creating a Miniature Garden (Ages 8+) (Sold Out)

This fun and family-friendly hands-on workshop will have you exploring your gardening creativity—in miniature! First, learn about and draw inspiration from several different types of miniature gardens including “fairy gardens” and Japanese gardens. Then, using wide shallow containers, small plants, fairy garden accessories, and other tiny elements, create a personalized miniature garden to take home. All materials are provided, and registration includes admission for a parent and child. Families are encouraged to work together, but if parents would like to make their own miniature garden, please register separately so that we can plan for supplies.

Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Erika Huber
Price: $32 / $40