Our gardens are always evolving! To learn more about our ongoing garden refresh projects, click here.
Identify migrating and resident birds on this fun, family-friendly walk. Learn 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 multiple children or for multiple programs, will receive a discount at checkout.
Spring blooms like tulips, daffodils, and azaleas will become the subject as students work on painting larger-than-life flowers. We'll focus on observation techniques, learning how to scale, mix colors, apply masking techniques, and create large washes of watercolor. Students will work towards having a finished piece by the end of the day. A flower dissection will allow students to learn about flower anatomy to guide their work. Whether new to watercolor or working on refining your skills, this class is appropriate for all skill levels. Registration for this program includes admission for one child and one adult. Families who register multiple children or for multiple programs, will receive a discount at checkout.
This class is sold out, but please click "Learn More" to join our waitlist. | Humans have always relied on plants as medicine, and plants inspire hundreds of modern-day medicines. Come take a stroll through the Gardens and meet some of our favorite spring medicinal plants. We’ll use our senses to feel, touch, taste, and get to know some healing plants you can use in your everyday life to support various ailments such as upset stomachs, colds, anxiety, basic first aid, and so much more! The session will end with an herbal tea tasting. Registration for this program includes admission for one child and one adult. Families who register multiple children or for multiple programs, will receive a discount at checkout.
We’re sorry this class is not available. Occasionally, we have cancellations throughout the year. If you’d like to hear first when a spot opens, please fill out the form at this link: https://forms.office.com/r/9CGdz6CeiB
This form does not guarantee a spot in the class.
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Explore the Gardens with us as we work on our observation skills by looking closely for the details that tell us spring has arrived. We’ll look closely under leaves and up in the trees, above ground and below, and even in the pond. Along the way, we’ll learn the names of some of our spring blooms. A scavenger hunt activity will help guide our search. We’ll end the session by planting a spring flower to take home and care for. Registration for this program includes admission for one child and one adult. Families who register multiple children or for multiple programs, will receive a discount at checkout.
We’re sorry this class is not available. Occasionally, we have cancellations throughout the year. If you’d like to hear first when a spot opens, please fill out the form at this link: https://forms.office.com/r/9CGdz6CeiB
This form does not guarantee a spot in the class.
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Spring is an important time for amphibians in Maine as they migrate to vernal pools to breed and lay eggs. During this class, participants will explore the many vernal pools at the Gardens in search of wood frog and spotted salamander eggs as well as other seasonal residents. Participants will learn how to tell the difference between frog and salamander eggs, learn what makes vernal pools unique, and gain an understanding of their important role in the forest ecosystem. Registration for this program includes admission for one child and one adult. Families who register multiple children or for multiple programs, will receive a discount at checkout.
Co-hosted with Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Maine Sea Grant will offer in-person volunteer training for the Signs of the Seasons citizen science program. Participants will learn about the goals of the program, learn how to make scientific observations of phenology (the study of cyclic and seasonal changes of plants and animals), practice making phenology observations on the grounds of the Gardens, and leave with the tools and knowledge needed to set up their own site to observe and record changes in phenology in their own yard or community. Questions about this opportunity may be directed to Beth Bisson at beth.bisson@maine.edu or Keri Kaczor at keri.kaczor@maine.edu. The training is free, but registration is required. Click here for the link to register.
Horticultural Therapist will lead interactive plant-based exercises to help strengthen interpersonal skills, hand-eye coordination, math and science problem-solving, and applied critical thinking. This educational and mindful activity session is designed to be inclusive of all abilities and learning levels and adapted to each participant. Students will participate in a take-home succulent planting activity and then head out on a tour of the Lerner Garden of the Five Senses (weather permitting), where they will use all of their available senses to explore the biodiversity demonstrated inside this accessible garden. Parents/guardians are asked to attend this session with their homeschoolers, and the admission price includes one child and one adult. Families who register multiple children or for multiple programs, will receive a discount at checkout.
Deepen your understanding of Wabanaki values and traditions on a special garden walk with Passamaquoddy educator Sandra Bassett. Sandra will share her personal story, demonstrate singing and drumming, and teach us a sampling of Passamaquoddy words. Participants will learn about the significance of the four “R’s”-Reciprocity, Relationship, Respect, and Responsibility- in relation to Wabanaki values and the traditional uses of some of our native plants. Registration for this program includes admission for one child and one adult.
Wednesday, May 14, noon-1:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 22, 10-11:30 a.m.
Learn how to identify common Maine mosses and lichens found in your own backyard. Students will practice using a hand lens to look up close at these green beauties to learn about their identifying features and get the scoop on the symbiotic relationship happening within lichens. Participants will make a small memento to take home. Registration for this program includes admission for one child and one adult. Families who register multiple children or for multiple programs, will receive a discount at checkout.
Students will explore the web of life in our forest ecosystem through the lens of Rachel Carson, author, marine biologist, conservationist, and seasonal Maine resident. Together, we will appreciate the ecology and natural history of the Maine woods. Registration for this program includes admission for one child and one adult. Families who register multiple children or for multiple programs, will receive a discount at checkout.
Strengthen your gardening skills with a focus on best planting practices in this in-person workshop and demonstration. We'll demonstrate how and when to sow seed, plant bare-root plants, and how to transplant both young potted seedlings and much larger, more mature specimens. You'll leave feeling informed about effective planting, including seasonal timing, rootbound plants, planting materials, and proper tools. Class level: all.
Fun for the whole family with our mobile art class. Explore the natural world by creating a garden mobile from recycled and natural objects supplied by the Gardens. These eye-catching mobiles can add whimsy and natural music to any garden as they catch the wind. Students are welcome to bring their own found, repurposed, or natural objects like driftwood, to incorporate into their garden mobiles. Parents/Caregivers/Grandparents are encouraged to work with their child to craft a mobile together. Scholarships are available for families with a financial need. To request an application, please email Erika Huber at ehuber@mainegardens.org.
Combining botany, design, and illustration, students will have the opportunity to create an artful botanical dissection plate during this two-day workshop. Botanical dissection plates have been around since the invention of the microscope and are realistic educational illustrations of plant anatomy. Participants will learn valuable techniques used by science illustrators, such as field sketching, plant dissection, and drawing from magnified plant specimens. Students will also learn how to use color and design to create eye-catching compositions. The workshop will take place both in the gardens and the classroom, where students will learn how to translate their knowledge into creative and visually appealing illustrations. This workshop will take a loose and artful approach to this typically technical and time-consuming process. All levels are welcome. Class appropriate to teens 14+.
This class is sold out, but please click "Learn More" to join our waitlist. | Start summer early with this field-study class investigating our northeastern forests and learning more about their fragile ecosystems. Maine consists of a variety of climate conditions that host an assortment of deciduous and coniferous species valuable to thousands of living organisms. We'll discuss individual tree species, their ecological roles, and management practices that support the health of the living matrix. Class Level: all.
Putting our five senses to work, we'll wind our way through the Lerner Garden of the Five Senses, experiencing the garden in a whole new way. Participants will be encouraged to sample different herbs and edible flowers that may be new to them. The session will end with an herb planting activity to take home.
Registration for this program includes admission for one child and one adult. Families who register multiple children or for multiple programs, will receive a discount at checkout.
Horticultural Therapist will lead interactive plant-based exercises to help strengthen interpersonal skills, hand-eye coordination, math and science problem-solving, and applied critical thinking. This educational and mindful activity session is designed to be inclusive of all abilities and learning levels and adapted to each participant. Students will participate in a take-home succulent planting activity and then head out on a tour of the Lerner Garden of the Five Senses (weather permitting), where they will use all of their available senses to explore the biodiversity demonstrated inside this accessible garden. Parents/guardians are asked to attend this session with their homeschoolers, and the admission price includes one child and one adult. Families who register multiple children or for multiple programs, will receive a discount at checkout.
Venture into the woods with us as we look for signs of life amongst the trees. We may not always see who’s residing in our woods, but there are many clues we can look and listen for to tell us who lives there. Together we will appreciate the ecology and natural history of the Maine woods. A scavenger hunt activity will help guide our search. The session will end with a craft to help us remember what we learned. Registration for this program includes admission for one child and one adult. Families who register multiple children or for multiple programs, will receive a discount at checkout.
Thursday, May 22, 2-3:30 p.m. & Monday, June 2, 2-3:30 p.m.
This kid-friendly gardening class will delve into the unique adaptations of our native pollinators and their special flower preferences. After reviewing the process of pollination through a flower dissection, we will head out on a garden walk to discover some of the best flower choices for a diverse pollinator garden. Students will also pot up a pollinator plant to grow on at home. Registration for this program includes admission for one child and one adult. Families who register multiple children or for multiple programs, will receive a discount at checkout.
Friday-Sunday, May 30-June 1, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
This year, Caterpillar Lab joins us for Maine Days! From May 30 to June 1, explore the functioning rearing, researching, photographing, filming, and educating facility transported to our Education Center. No two days of this residency are alike! Experience live caterpillar displays and witness how The Lab cares for and works with these amazing, surprising creatures. The living exhibit is free with admission and held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Meet the real hungry caterpillars as young nature enthusiasts take an exploratory walk with the staff of The Caterpillar Lab, learning how to track and spot spring caterpillars. This walk will help develop observational skills and demonstrate how to look closely so we can uncover the special lives of caterpillars on the plants around us. Program participants can expect to spend time exploring out in the Gardens as well as returning indoors to look at the caterpillars more closely under a microscope. This family-friendly walk is intended for children with an adult chaperone. Registration includes admission to the Gardens. Financial Aid is available. Please email Erika Huber at ehuber@mainegardens.org for an application.
Monday, June 2, 10-11 a.m. & noon-1 p.m.
We’re sorry this class is not available. Occasionally, we have cancellations throughout the year. If you’d like to hear first when a spot opens, please fill out the form at this link: https://forms.office.com/r/Bm783ZYF5v
This form does not guarantee a spot in the class.
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Chewonki’s Traveling Natural History Program is back at the Gardens! Webbed feet, camouflaged fur, or spines on their backs are all amazing ways that animals use adaptations to survive in the wild every day. In this fun-filled hour, students will learn about adaptations, try on fun costumes, and see firsthand how three live, non-releasable animals have adaptations that help them thrive in their specific habitats, including our local marine habitat. Registration for this program includes admission for one child and one adult. Families who register multiple children or for multiple programs, will receive a discount at checkout.
This class is sold out, but please click "Learn More" to join our waitlist. | Humans have always relied on plants as medicine, and plants inspire hundreds of modern-day medicines. Come take a stroll through the Gardens and meet some of our favorite spring medicinal plants. We’ll use our senses to feel, touch, taste, and get to know some healing plants you can use in your everyday life to support various ailments such as upset stomachs, colds, anxiety, basic first aid, and so much more! The session will end with an herbal tea tasting. Registration for this program includes admission for one child and one adult. Families who register multiple children or for multiple programs, will receive a discount at checkout.
Monday, June 2, 10-11 a.m. & noon-1 p.m.
Chewonki’s Traveling Natural History Program is back at the Gardens! Webbed feet, camouflaged fur, or spines on their backs are all amazing ways that animals use adaptations to survive in the wild every day. In this fun-filled hour, students will learn about adaptations, try on fun costumes, and see firsthand how three live, non-releasable animals have adaptations that help them thrive in their specific habitats, including our local marine habitat. Registration for this program includes admission for one child and one adult. Families who register multiple children or for multiple programs, will receive a discount at checkout.
Monday, June 2, noon-1:30 p.m. & 2-3:30 p.m.
We’re sorry this class is not available. Occasionally, we have cancellations throughout the year. If you’d like to hear first when a spot opens, please fill out the form at this link: https://forms.office.com/r/9CGdz6CeiB
This form does not guarantee a spot in the class.
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Our ponds are teaming with amphibians, reptiles, and aquatic insects. Come and explore the pond with us as we identify the critters living in this freshwater habitat. Students will gain an understanding of the life cycles of the pond residents and learn about their unique adaptations that they depend on for their survival. The session will end with a fun, froggy craft. Be prepared for footwear to get wet while catching frogs. Registration for this program includes admission for one child and one adult. Families who register multiple children or for multiple programs, will receive a discount at checkout.
Humans have always relied on plants as medicine, and plants inspire hundreds of modern-day medicines. Come take a stroll through the Gardens and meet some of our favorite spring medicinal plants. We’ll use our senses to feel, touch, taste, and get to know some healing plants you can use in your everyday life to support various ailments such as upset stomachs, colds, anxiety, basic first aid, and so much more! The session will end with an herbal tea tasting. Registration for this program includes admission for one child and one adult. Families who register multiple children or for multiple programs, will receive a discount at checkout.
Monday, June 2, noon-1:30 p.m. & 2-3:30 p.m.
We’re sorry this class is not available. Occasionally, we have cancellations throughout the year. If you’d like to hear first when a spot opens, please fill out the form at this link: https://forms.office.com/r/Bm783ZYF5v
This form does not guarantee a spot in the class.
//
Our ponds are teaming with amphibians, reptiles, and aquatic insects. Come and explore the pond with us as we identify the critters living in this freshwater habitat. Students will gain an understanding of the life cycles of the pond residents and learn about their unique adaptations that they depend on for their survival. The session will end with a fun, froggy craft. Be prepared for footwear to get wet while catching frogs. Registration for this program includes admission for one child and one adult. Families who register multiple children or for multiple programs, will receive a discount at checkout.
State Horticulturalist Gary Fish leads this one-day class, which covers extensive ground on the insects, diseases, and deficiencies found on plants in the landscape. Applying principles of integrated pest management (IPM), the course will help students identify, monitor, and prevent poor plant health and, when necessary, deal with treatments. Mr. Fish will emphasize preventative measures and help students determine methods to mitigate further plant pest problems. Class Level: Intermediate.
Before there were vitamin supplements, protein shakes, and Western lifestyles focused on speed and convenience, there was an understanding of how plants and wildlife contribute to human health and nutrition. In this intergenerational class, Barry Dana (Penobscot) and Lori Dana will introduce the species and practices that vary throughout the ecologies of the Dawnland (Maine) and how the "People of the Dawn" have been sourcing food and medicine for centuries, whether through fishing, foraging, or cultivating. You'll learn about heritage flora and fauna under threat and the need for awareness to preserve their existence. After class, you'll be armed with the tools to incorporate native plants into your landscape setting, whether it's a community garden, a forest edge, or a wide-open field. Together, we honor Dawnland's natural resources and highlight nutritional sovereignty across Maine. Class level: all.
Combining traditional pen and ink with watercolor to create scientific illustrations, we'll explore the beauty and biodiversity of mushrooms in this two-day workshop. Starting with the basics of botanical drawing, we'll develop our observational skills, paying attention to proportion and perspective. Then, we'll learn techniques for mastering dip pens. On day two, we'll add watercolor to our compositions and explore skills such as glazing and charging. By the end of the workshop, you'll have a unique composition of mushrooms and have mastered a new approach to pen and ink and watercolor. All levels welcome. Class appropriate to teens 14+.
Succulents provide the perfect plant for both seasoned and aspiring gardeners. These powerhouse, low-maintenance plants add elegance and unique displays for small or large gardens. Join staff Horticulturist and container garden aficionado Brent McHale to show you what plants to use and how to plant a shallow container garden that you'll take home to display and admire on your patio, deck, or balcony. All materials are provided. Class level: all.
Join floral design team, Mimi and Mum, for this fun two-day weekend workshop on wearable floral art. Learn how to make stunning wristlets, head wreaths, and body jewelry from fresh flowers and foliage. Students will utilize some preserved and dried florals to create an everlasting wearable lapel art or headpiece. All levels are welcome. Class appropriate to teens 14+.
This class is sold out, but please click "Learn More" to join our waitlist. | Do you have a story to tell? Or a character to share? Storytree's one-of-a-kind theatre camp offers students the opportunity to explore their imaginations, create, perform, and learn about theatre. Throughout the week, students develop performance techniques while engaging in movement, vocal and improvisational games that explore the fundamentals of theatre. Using the gardens for inspiration, students will create an original play and perform it for family and friends at the end of the week. Campers will spend the last hour of each day exploring the gardens and surrounding woodlands. Scholarships are available for families with a financial need.
Using a beautiful fresh floral arrangement as inspiration, paint a still life in gouache. Students will learn various gouache methods and techniques, including applying opaque, thick brush strokes and thin glazing. With an emphasis on color experimentation, we'll explore different papers and surfaces. Arrangements are lovingly prepared by Mimi and Mum Floral Design. All levels are welcome. Suitable for teens 14+.
Let’s dig into recycling and discover the artistic potential of discarded cardboard, egg crates, paper, and plastic containers. Students will explore, design, and construct imaginative critters inspired by the woods, ocean, and beyond. This hands-on workshop is perfect for young artists with abundant energy and imagination. Students will learn how to take unwanted items and turn them into exciting creations through ideation, sketching, construction, and painting. Scholarships are available for families with a financial need.
In this lively workshop, we'll play with color and patterns to represent symbiosis in the natural world. Students will tell a visual story of the interrelationships between plants, animals and their environment through the layering of materials, both handmade and found, combined with paint and pastels. Students will learn how to create botanical prints, an accordion book, and will be encouraged to make daily observations of the Gardens in a sketchbook. Scholarships are available for families with financial need.
Budding gardeners will spend the week digging, planting, watering, and harvesting fruits and vegetables in our learning garden. We'll investigate the inner workings of the garden from the ground up and get the real "dirt" on plants, life cycles, composting, garden critters, and more! Sign your campers up for a week filled with games, explorations, garden snack-making, and take-home garden projects. Extended Explorations aftercare is available as an add-on. Scholarships are available for families with a financial need.
Let’s dig into recycling and discover the artistic potential of discarded cardboard, egg crates, paper, and plastic containers. Students will explore, design, and construct imaginative critters inspired by the woods, ocean, and beyond. This hands-on workshop is perfect for young artists with abundant energy and imagination. Students will learn how to take unwanted items and turn them into exciting creations through ideation, sketching, construction, and painting. Scholarships are available for families with a financial need.
Hone your digital photography skills and learn to take beautiful photos of flowers, plants, and landscapes using your iPhone. In this engaging workshop, we'll explore the Gardens before opening hours and learn ways to avoid blurry images, tips for composing, how best to use your iPhone's features, and much more. Back in the classroom, we'll explore editing options to make your photos stand out and shine. Class level: beginner. Also appropriate for teens.
This class is sold out, but please click "Learn More" to join our waitlist. | Our summer nature camps provide fun and enriching opportunities for children to learn about the natural world. New exploration-filled activities will take us on adventures throughout the Gardens and surrounding forests as we investigate food chains, adaptations, the water cycle, arthropods, pond life, and more. Through observations, games, stories, experiments, and nature-related crafts, campers will be well on their way to becoming young naturalists by the end of the week! Extended Explorations aftercare is available as an add-on. Scholarships are available for families with a financial need.
This two-day workshop will focus on creating monoprints on various papers. Unlike most printmaking techniques, which allow for multiple originals, monoprinting creates a single, unique image at a time. The beauty of this technique lies in its spontaneity and its allowance for combinations of printmaking, painting, and various mark-making methods that can be printed multiple times in various ways. All levels are welcome. Suitable for teens 14+.
The mission of Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is to inspire meaningful connections between people and nature and promote plant conservation through horticulture, education, and plant science.
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