Growing Native Woody Plants from Seed, Session 1

Growing native plants from seed secures stronger genetic diversity and adaptability to our changing climate. This class covers the basic set-up and the correct steps and considerations to grow native woody plants from seed. Through a hands-on workshop, we will explain and demonstrate the ins and outs, including the processes of collection, seasonal timing, germination rates, materials, and the steps of caring for the plant collection to the point they're sold or planted in your clients' gardens or landscapes. Instructors will teach the content according to the plants' natural communities, from coastal maritime to freshwater wetlands and other communities throughout Maine and New England. Please note that the March 6 session will cover different plants from the February 15 session (Growing Native Woody Plants from Seed, Session 2). It is recommended that you take both classes. Class Level: Intermediate - Advanced

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Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Multiple Instructors
Price: $60 / $75
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Growing Native Woody Plants from Seed, Session 2

Growing native plants from seed secures stronger genetic diversity and adaptability to our changing climate. This class covers the basic set-up and the correct steps and considerations to grow native woody plants from seed. Through a hands-on workshop, we will explain and demonstrate the ins and outs, including the processes of collection, seasonal timing, germination rates, materials, and the steps of caring for the plant collection to the point they're sold or planted in your clients' gardens or landscapes. Instructors Shawn Jalbert, owner of Native Haunts Nursery, and Nikki Lively Savage, from New England Wetland Plants, will teach the content according to the plants' natural communities, from coastal maritime to freshwater wetlands and other communities throughout Maine and New England. Please note that the March 6 session will cover different plants from the February 15 session (Growing Native Woody Plants from Seed, Session 1). It is recommended that you take both classes. Class Level: Intermediate-Advanced

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Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Multiple Instructors
Price: $60 / $75
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Winter Pruning Workshop: Plants & Practices

Practice your skills and learn more about the plants to prune during certain times of the year with the Gardens' Arborist and IPM Specialist, Garth Welch, and Horticulture Educator, Irene Barber. In this hands-on workshop, we'll demonstrate and discuss the variety of pruning practices selected according to timing, setting, plant health, and desired aesthetic goals. Class Level: Beginner-Intermediate

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Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Garth Welch
Price: $24 / $46
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Garden Design: Creating a Base Plan

Creating a base plan for a plan-view design of your garden may not be the most exciting part of the process, but it is an all-important one! This in-person class will combine presentation and practice on how and what to measure for a new garden or multiple gardens and how to translate it into a scaled drawing. Students will begin developing a design key and practice drafting skills. This scaled base plan will be necessary to pursue further design stages and enable the designer to practice sketching with trace paper and explore ideas. Class Level: Intermediate

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Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Multiple Instructors
Price: $60 / $75
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Garden Design: Conceptual Planning

When we design a garden, we do much more than create a space to show off favorite flowers; we reflect personality and a sense of place, incorporating circulation, function, and design principles. Join us at the Gardens as we explore the conceptual process that awakens creativity and trains the brain to draw freehand while learning how to use graphic tools. We’ll practice with onsite spaces and have time for students to apply newfound skills to their projects. Class Level: Intermediate

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Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Cheryl Salatino
Price: $60 / $75
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Garden Design: Its in the Layers

In this class hosted at the Gardens, we’ll look at the palette and plant choices that coordinate with the structure and movement of our design space(s), along with personal and environmental considerations. Using a base plan, we’ll focus on implementing the layers of details, from ground to canopy, onto layers of trace paper. By constructing your physical garden’s layers on layered drafts of trace paper, you can avoid becoming overwhelmed, and before you know it, your dream design is intact! Class Level: Intermediate

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Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Cheryl Salatino
Price: $60 / $75
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Garden Design: Final Plan to Fruition

Whether you're working on a new garden design or revising an existing one, this class at the Gardens will address both the large-scale process and the detailed specifics of design. After a brief recap of the design process to ensure comprehension and strengthen the core intent of our designs, we'll address how to merge the layers of design details, ensuring legibility is maintained. Through a collaborative workshop, students will present their design projects, exchange constructive feedback, and discuss the means for making the design come to fruition. As the series final installment, students should come prepared with a design project they've been working on, no matter the stage. Upon registration, students will receive a list of supplies needed. Class Level: Intermediate

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Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Multiple Instructors
Price: $60 / $75
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Homeschool Days: Life of a Plant (Ages 4-10)

Tuesday, May 7, noon-1:30 p.m. & 2-3:30 p.m.
Monday, June 3, 10-11:30 a.m.

Explore a plant's life cycle from seed to fruit as we dissect a seed, learn about plant parts and functions, photosynthesis, the importance of plants, and their unique adaptations. We'll head out to the Learning Garden to sample different plant parts and pot up a plant to grow at home.

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.

Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Erika Huber
Price: $10 / $12
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Signs of the Seasons Training

Friday, May 10, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

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

Hosted in the Bosarge Family Education Center at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens

The training is free, but registration is required. 

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Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Price: Free

Proper Planting: Plants & Practices

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.

Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Catherine Kaczor
Price: $32 / $40
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Homeschool Days: Wabanaki Traditions (Ages 8-18)

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.

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Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Sandra Bassett
Price: $10 / $12
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Watercolor Batik with Erica Qualey

Watercolor and wax is an exciting combination, and when you add in a delicately textured rice paper, WOW! The results are fantastic and lovely, with rich, bold colors and soft textures created by the natural qualities of rice paper. Erica will lead you step by step through layering paint and wax, teaching you all the skills you need to know to start creating your watercolor batiks. We'll begin with how to choose a good reference photo, how to design a strong composition, and finally, where to apply wax and how to make corrections when you make a mistake. All levels of painters, from beginners to advanced, are encouraged to join the fun. Suitable for teens 14+.

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Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Erica Qualey
Price: $235 / $325
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Trees of Maine: ID, Ecology & Management

Kick off Memorial Day weekend with this field-study class honoring our northeastern forests and learning more about their fragile ecosystems. Wabanahkik (Dawnland), the broader territory that includes the area now known as 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 Levels. Suitable for teens 14+.

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Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Multiple Instructors
Price: $15 / $34
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Silk Painting in Bloom Family Program (Ages 9+)

Unleash your creativity in this family-friendly silk painting workshop lead by artist Erica Qualey. Inspired by the enchanting flowers and foliage gathered from the Gardens, participants will embark on a journey of artistic expression. Using resist and dyes, attendees will design their silk scarves, playing with vibrant colors and creating intricate patterns that capture the essence of the natural world. Parents/Caregivers are welcome to work with their young artist to craft a unique silk masterpiece together (adults do not need to register), or adults with a child taking the class may register separately to create their own wearable work of art. This workshop is a perfect opportunity for children and adults to bond over art. Scholarships are available for families with a financial need.

Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Erica Qualey
Price: $36 / $44
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Homeschool Days: Birds (Ages 8-18)

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.

Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Bridget VerVaet
Price: $10 / $12
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Homeschool Days: Climate Stories Tour (Ages 10-18)

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.

Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Multiple Instructors
Price: $10 / $12
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Homeschool Days: Five Senses Tour (Ages 4-8)

Monday, May 13, 2-3:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 30, noon-1:30 p.m.

Putting our five senses to work, we'll wind our way through the Lerner Garden of the Five Senses, experiencing a garden in a whole new way. Participants will be encouraged to sample different herbs and edible flowers that may be new to them.

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. Please email Erika Huber at ehuber@mainegardens.org for an application.

Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Erika Huber
Price: $10 / $12
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Homeschool Days: Ecosystems (Ages 8-14)

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.

Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Bridget VerVaet
Price: $10 / $12
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Homeschool Days: Life of a Plant (Ages 4-10) (Sold Out)

Tuesday, May 7, noon-1:30 p.m. & 2-3:30 p.m.
Monday, June 3, 10-11:30 a.m.

Explore a plant's life cycle from seed to fruit as we dissect a seed, learn about plant parts and functions, photosynthesis, the importance of plants, and their unique adaptations. We'll head out to the Learning Garden to sample different plant parts and pot up a plant to grow at home.

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.

Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Erika Huber
Price: $10 / $12

Homeschool Days: Pond Life (Ages 4-10)

Monday, May 13, noon-1:30 p.m. & 2-3:30 p.m.
Monday, June 3, noon-1:30 p.m. & 2-3:30 p.m.

Learn to identify the aquatic creatures found in the Gardens’ ponds and understand their life cycles, gaining more knowledge about the food web and habitat of the pond in the process. With nets and buckets, participants will have time to explore life in the pond.

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.

Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Bridget VerVaet
Price: $10 / $12
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Homeschool Days: Wild Edibles (Ages 8-18)

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.

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Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Nikaline Iacano
Price: $10 / $12
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Homeschool Days: Meet a Horticulturalist (Ages 9-18)

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.

Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Multiple Instructors
Price: $10 / $12
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Homeschool Days: Pond Life (Ages 4-10) (Sold Out)

Monday, May 13, noon-1:30 p.m. & 2-3:30 p.m.
Monday, June 3, noon-1:30 p.m. & 2-3:30 p.m.

Learn to identify the aquatic creatures found in the Gardens’ ponds and understand their life cycles, gaining more knowledge about the food web and habitat of the pond in the process. With nets and buckets, participants will have time to explore life in the pond.

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.

Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Bridget VerVaet
Price: $10 / $12

Forest Therapy Walk and Tea: Spring (Sold Out)

This class is sold out, but please click "Learn More" to join our waitlist. | Deepening your connection to nature through moving meditation offers enormous benefits for personal well-being. In this gentle and sensory-oriented class, students will experience the practice of walking mindfully through a forest to gain deep serenity and new awareness. Follow Susan Bickford, certified guide in the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku, or forest therapy/forest bathing, as she gives you the tools to begin your own meditation practice. The walk ends with a tea ceremony that honors the experience. Suitable for teens 14+.

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Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Susan Bickford
Price: $15 / $36

Wearable Art: Marquetry Jewelry with Polymer Clay

Build your own pin or pendant (or both) based on inspirations from the flowers and foliage in the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. From observational drawing or photography, develop a simple flower or leaf design based on a color palette of your choosing. Employing Bonnie's signature marquetry techniques for surface design, and construct your pendant before making a pin back or pendant bale using wire and clay for a beautiful and fun finish. Basic polymer skills will be helpful but not required. Suitable for teens 14+.

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Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Bonnie Bishoff
Price: $235 / $325
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Plant A Succulent Container Garden (Sold Out)

This class is sold out, but please click "Learn More" to join our waitlist. | 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 your own shallow container garden that you'll take home to display and admire on your patio, deck, or balcony. All materials will be provided. Class Level: All Levels. Suitable for teens 14+.

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Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Brent McHale
Price: $45 / $80

Plant ID and Ecology: Hardy Ferns (Sold Out)

This class is sold out, but please click "Learn More" to join our waitlist. | Ferns are commonly used to add elegance, texture, and an ethereal feeling to any shade garden, and did you know there are thousands of fern species? To learn more about fascinating fern ecology, genera, species, and cultivars, join Bill Cullina, former Director of Horticulture and President & CEO of Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, now Director of Morris Arboretum at the University of Pennsylvania, and author of Native Ferns, Mosses, & Grasses for a captivating slideshow and garden tour exploring the extensive inventory of ferns at the Gardens. Class Level: All Levels

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Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Bill Cullina
Price: $36 / $44

Watercolor Wonders in the Gardens (Ages 9-13)

Wednesday-Friday, June 26-28, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Explore the vibrant world of watercolor with artist Erica Qualey, in this workshop designed for creative minds aged 9-13. Dive into the basics of watercolor, from fundamental skills to mastering brushstrokes and layering washes. This hands-on experience will guide young artists through the enchanting process of field sketching with watercolor, offering a perfect blend of artistic exploration and skill-building. Participants will embark on exciting painting activities throughout the workshop, fostering a playful and enjoyable learning environment. The journey includes immersing in gardens to gather inspiration for their artwork and exploring new techniques to help capture what they see on paper. As the days progress, attendees will build upon their skills and principles, culminating in creating a final masterpiece on the last day. All materials provided. Scholarships are available for families with a financial need.

Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Erica Qualey
Price: $160 / $200
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Integrated Pest & Disease Management (Sold Out)

This class is sold out, but please click "Learn More" to join our waitlist. | 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

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Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Gary Fish
Price: $50 / $62

Block Printing: Inspired by Nature (Ages 8-12)

Monday-Wednesday, July 1-3, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Join artist Jordan Kendall Parks for a playful introduction to planning, carving, and printing linoleum blocks by hand. Students will use the Gardens as inspiration to create their designs, which will be printed on paper and functional fabric items like tote bags and t-shirts. Participants will leave the workshop with an understanding of basic block printing techniques and multiple prints of their own designs. Students will take home their carved blocks and supplies to make more prints at home. Scholarships are available for families with a financial need.

Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Jordan Parks
Price: $160 / $200
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Nature Adventure Camp (Ages 4-6) (Sold Out)

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. Exploration-filled activities will take us on adventures throughout the Gardens and surrounding forests as we investigate birds, food chains, mammals, pond life, and more. Through observations, games, stories, experiments, and nature-related projects, 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.

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Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Karen Jones
Price: $155 / $194

Block Printing with Jordan Parks

Explore traditional block printing methods with a modern touch, which can be used anywhere, as a printing press is not required! Participants will leave the workshop understanding basic block printing techniques and multiple prints of their designs. We encourage students to use the gardens as inspiration and/or to bring ideas, sketches, or photographs from home. During this two-day workshop, you'll learn about the various tools and materials used in linoleum block printing, how to transfer ideas to sketches, and how to take those sketches from tracing paper to block and paper. No previous printmaking experience is required, but students with experience are also welcome. Suitable for teens 14+.

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Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Jordan Parks
Price: $210 / $295
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Drawing Maine’s Wildlife (Ages 7-11) (Sold Out)

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. Exploration-filled activities will take us on adventures throughout the Gardens and surrounding forests as we investigate birds, food chains, mammals, pond life, and more. Through observations, games, stories, experiments, and nature-related projects, 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.

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Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Hélène Farrar
Price: $160 / $200

Is it Really a Weed? ID and Management

Weeds, by casual definition, are undesired plants found in a specific location. Delany Pitman, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens Horticulturist, leads a combination of field study and lecture discussing the perception of weeds, identification, cultural management, and ecology. You'll leave with a broader understanding of what & why plants are commonly known as "weeds" and whether they might be embraced or removed from a garden or landscape. Class Level: All Levels

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Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Delaney Pitman
Price: $28 / $36
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Photography Workshop: The Art of Flower Portraiture

Known for her creative use of natural light and unique artistic composition, Kathleen likens flower photography to painted portraits. In this workshop, she will share her favorite equipment and techniques. Topics include lens choice, lighting, subject selection, focus issues, aperture choices, background selection, and how to simplify a subject to truly capture its natural beauty.

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Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Kathleen Clemons
Price: $95 / $125
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Nature Adventure Camp (Ages 6-9) (Sold Out)

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. Exploration-filled activities will take us on adventures throughout the Gardens and surrounding forests as we investigate birds, food chains, mammals, pond life, and more. Through observations, games, stories, experiments, and nature-related projects, 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.

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Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Karen Jones
Price: $155 / $194

Drawing Maine’s Wildlife (Ages 9-13)

Wednesday-Friday, July 24-26 , 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Young artists aged 7-13 will study alongside Artist Helene Farrar as they draw Maine's wonderful wildlife! Animals such as chipmunks, foxes, owls, and turtles will come to life on paper as students explore their geometric forms and textures, working in pencil, watercolor, and more! We will also look to the Gardens to create imagined and real environments and observe wildlife up close with a visit from Chewonki's Traveling Natural History Program. Leave this workshop inspired and with the tools to draw Maine's wildlife. All materials provided. Scholarships are available for families with a financial need.

Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Hélène Farrar
Price: $160 / $200
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Plant Problems? Ask Garth (Cancelled)

Are yellow, wilting, puckered, or folding leaves getting you down? Is Google simultaneously telling you that you're under and over-watering? Enter our staff expert, Garth, to assess, and accurately diagnose your plant problems in real-time, and provide recommendations to resolve the issues. You'll gain the tools to help you identify any more problems you may encounter in the future and even learn how to prevent them when possible. Students are encouraged to bring photo samples of up to two different plant issues for Garth to help identify. To prevent spread, please do not bring live samples of the plant(s). Class Level: All Levels

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

Garden Investigators Camp: A Bug’s Life (Ages 6-9) (Sold Out)

This class is sold out, but please click "Learn More" to join our waitlist. | Bug lovers unite as we scour the garden, woods, and ponds in search of the Gardens' tiniest residents. Campers will learn about insect life cycles, their role in nature, and the secrets of their survival through activities, observations, and a special visit with our resident entomologist. We'll also spend time investigating the lives of caterpillars, butterflies, and bees in our on-site exhibits. Creepy crawly fanatics will love this camp! Extended Explorations aftercare is available as an add-on. Scholarships are available for families with a financial need.

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Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Karen Jones
Price: $155 / $194

Members Only Moth Lighting Night

It's time to get mothing again! Back by popular demand, The Gardens has once again teamed up with The Caterpillar Lab for a members-only after-hours mothing extravaganza. Lightsheeting, or "mothing," is the practice of providing an irresistible surface for insects to land on by illuminating a large white sheet. This favorite pastime of biologists has quickly become a popular hobby for nature lovers, gardeners, and the naturally curious worldwide. Popular events like National Moth Week and Mothapalooza have been attracting more and more attention—and now you, too, can be an explorer at this exclusive, after-hours event. This program is designed for anyone ages ten and up, adults and families alike. The rain date for this event is Saturday, August 3.

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Location: Bosarge Family Education Center Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: The Caterpillar Lab
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