Friday, May 19 & Monday, May 22, 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m.

Students will practice thinking like a botanist as they learn about different plant characteristics and how to use a key to identify the spring wildflowers they discover. The skills they acquire will help them identify plants on their own in the future. Registration for this program includes admission for one child and one adult. A discount will be given to families who register multiple children or for multiple programs.

Tuesday, May 9 & Monday, June 5, 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Join us on a walk to identify migrating birds as well as those that spend the season nesting and raising their young here in Maine. Students will learn to identify birds by their calls and identifying features. Binoculars will be available to borrow. Registration for this program includes admission for one child and one adult. A discount will be given to families who register multiple children or for multiple programs.

Tuesday, May 9 & Monday, June 5, 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. & noon-1:30 p.m.

Do you know the difference between native and nonnative bees? Go behind the scenes at our Learning Apiary with our resident entomologist, Zac Smith-Hess, to take a peek inside a honeybee hive and get a glimpse into the life of these fascinating creatures. Then visit our native bee hub to learn about the differences between our native and nonnative bees and why both are crucial pollinators in our gardens. Please note that we’ll keep a safe distance from the active hives. Registration for this program includes admission for one child and one adult. A discount will be given to families who register multiple children or for multiple programs.

Monday, June 5, noon-1:30 p.m. & 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m.

Students will learn how to identify common Maine trees and distinguish a conifer tree from a deciduous one. Students will also gain an understanding of the ecology and cultural history of our native trees. Registration for this program includes admission for one child and one adult. A discount will be given to families who register multiple children or for multiple programs.

We'll introduce students to native butterflies and moths in all stages of their life cycle as we visit our Native Butterfly House. Participants will learn about the unique adaptations of these insects, their role in the food web, and their key differences. We'll also discuss how to grow a garden to support these pollinators. Registration for this program includes admission for one child and one adult.

Can you tell the difference between a rusty-patched and a two-spotted bumble bee? Did you know that some types of wasps and flies are pollinators? Join us on an exploratory walk with resident entomologist Zac Smith-Hess as he shows students how to identify any pollinators we come across. Students will also learn fun facts about flowers and their relationship with these amazing creatures. Registration for this program includes admission for one child and one adult.

Understand plant adaptions by learning about Earth’s biomes. Through in-depth classroom investigations and field explorations, students will be able to identify the physical traits that help plants survive in nature. Registration for this program includes admission for one child and one adult.

Students will learn handy tricks for remembering the Maine woods' coniferous and deciduous trees during this session. Participants will also gain an understanding of the ecology of our native trees as well as the science behind fall foliage. Registration for this program includes admission for one child and one adult.

Join us for a special walk through our garden and woodlands with Passamaquoddy educator Sandra Bassett. Sandra will share her personal story, demonstrate singing and drumming, and teach a sampling of Passamaquoddy words. Participants will also learn about the traditional uses of some of our native plants. Registration for this program includes admission for one child and one adult. Families who register for multiple programs or register more than one child for the same program, receive a special discounted rate at checkout. Financial Aid is available. Please email Erika Huber at ehuber@mainegardens.org for an application.

Tuesday, May 7, 10-11:30 a.m.
Thursday, May 30, 10-11:30 a.m.

Join us on a walk to identify migrating and resident birds. Learn more about their adaptations and nesting habits. Participants will learn to identify birds by their calls, plumage, and behavior. Binoculars will be available to borrow.

Registration for this program includes admission for one child and one adult. Families who register for multiple programs or register more than one child for the same program, receive a special discounted rate at checkout. Financial Aid is available. Please email Erika Huber at ehuber@mainegardens.org for an application.

Monday, May 13, 10-11:30 a.m.
Thursday, May 30, 10-11:30 a.m.

Explore how climate change is impacting the places we live and how we can come together to make our communities stronger. Join us on a walk through Slater Forest Pond and down the Haney Hillside to the Shoreland Trail; we will share stories about the natural world and practice observing the plants and animals around us. With the understanding of our relationship with our environment and how climate change impacts us all, we'll discuss how we can use our interests and talents to make those relationships more resilient to change. Enjoy sharing your perspectives and practicing problem-solving in this unique, conversational format.

Registration for this program includes admission for one child and one adult. Families who register multiple children for one program or one child for multiple programs receive a special discounted rate at checkout. Financial Aid is available. Please email Erika Huber at ehuber@mainegardens.org for an application.

Tuesday, May 7, noon-1:30 p.m. & 2-3:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 30, 2-3:30 p.m.

Explore the various examples of ecosystems held within the Gardens, from areas cultivated by humans to forested and tidal areas. Learn more about the plants and animals that find their habitat within these ecosystems and how they work together to make an ecosystem function. Topics covered include producers, consumers, decomposers, keystone species, food chains, nutrient cycling, and disturbances.

Registration for this program includes admission for one child and one adult. Families who register for multiple programs or register more than one child for the same program, receive a special discounted rate at checkout. Financial Aid is available. Please email Erika Huber at ehuber@mainegardens.org for an application.

Spring is a great time to forage for wild edibles; fresh shoots are readily available and tastier than their older counterparts. Local forager and restaurateur Nikaline Iacano will lead participants through the Gardens and surrounding woodlands, searching for edible greens, tasty weeds, shoots, mushrooms, flowers, roots, tubers, and even pine pollen. Bring your taste buds and a sense of adventure! We will end the session by making a tea with our collections. Registration for this program includes admission for one child and one adult. Families who register for multiple programs or register more than one child for the same program, receive a special discounted rate at checkout. Financial Aid is available. Please email Erika Huber at ehuber@mainegardens.org for an application.

Tuesday, May 7, 10-11:30 a.m.
Monday, June 3, 2-3:30 p.m.

Calling all green-thumbed youth looking to find out more about the field of horticulture! Participants will meet three Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens horticulturalists in their garden spaces. Through informal conversation, learn how and why they became horticulturalists, how they choose the plants for their garden spaces, what their favorite plants are, and some of the challenges they experience as a caretaker of plants.

Registration for this program includes admission for one child and one adult. Families who register for multiple programs or register more than one child for the same program, receive a special discounted rate at checkout. Financial Aid is available. Please email Erika Huber at ehuber@mainegardens.org for an application.