New Spring Classes Offered at The Morton Arboretum

Go birding, hike at twilight, create an art journal, join a tea party and more.

LISLE, IL (January 16, 2013) – Never stop learning with our education classes at The Morton Arboretum. The Arboretum offers 180 courses for children, families and adults on topics ranging from art to birding to becoming a naturalist. This spring, we are bringing back our most popular programs including Family Twilight Adventures and our fishing program, as well as offering many brand new classes. Here is a sampling:

For Families

Acorn Express Adventures
Wed. and Fri., April-June from 11-11:45 a.m. (weather permitting, no class April 26)
Cost: $4 per child per session (nonmembers $5) plus admission
Families, join us on the Acorn Express tram for an adventure through the Arboretum! We’ll seek out fun destinations, make a craft, and explore new topics each week. Purchase tickets in the Visitor Center.

Flower Petal Tea Party
Sun., April 21 from 2-3:30 p.m.
Cost: $20 per person (nonmembers $28)
Calling all mothers and daughters! Enjoy a cup of tea made from flowers and some sweet treats as we celebrate spring with a tea party! Discover which flowers make the best teas, then plant some flowers to take home.

Families Grow Together: Magical Container Gardening
Sat., March 25 and Sun., June 2, 9-10:30 a.m.
Cost: $10 per person (nonmembers $17)
Explore the Children’s Garden growing gardens and create a magical container garden with your family to take home. Magical gardens are a perfect habitat for attracting fairies, gnomes, and tiny animals!

For Adults

Beginning Birdwatching
Sat., March 23, 9 a.m.-Noon
Cost: $18 (nonmembers $25)
Always wanted to watch birds, but never knew where to start? This class is for you! In this single morning workshop for beginners, learn how to find birds, discuss equipment, keeping track of your observations and more. We’ll walk the Arboretum to test out our new skills.

Pollinator Gardens
Sat., April 6, 9-11:30 a.m.
Cost: $29 (nonmembers $36)
Where have all the pollinators gone?  Explore and learn about which trees, shrubs, annuals and perennials are ideal for developing and maintaining pollinator habitats.

The Illustrated Journal
Saturdays, April 20-May 18, 1-4 p.m.
Cost: $110 (nonmembers $129)
Exercise your creativity by making your own illustrated nature journal. Class time will be split between making a simple journal, learning creative writing and drawing techniques to fill your journal, and sketching and journaling outdoors. No art experience necessary.

Spring Twilight Hike
Sat., April 20 and Sat., May 18, 6:30-9 p.m.
Cost: $22 (nonmembers $26)
Enjoy the unique sounds and sensations of a springtime evening. Walk through the Arboretum woodlands and prairie to feel and hear the differences between night and day. Then make s’mores in front of a roaring fire and stargaze. Children ages 12 and up welcome to register with adult registrant.

Class Registration
Enrollment for our spring classes begins January 30. To register for classes or for a full list of all our classes, visit www.mortonarb.org/education, call 630-719-2468 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . When you attend our Education classes, you support the Arboretum's mission to plant and protect trees.

The 2013 admission rates are:
$12/adult, ($8 on Wednesday), ages 18-64
$11/senior, ($7 on Wednesday), ages 65 and over
$9/child ($6 on Wednesday), ages 2-17
Under age 2 is free. Parking is free.

About The Morton Arboretum
The Morton Arboretum is an internationally recognized outdoor tree museum on 1,700 acres.  Plant collections, scientific research, and education programs support the mission to plant and conserve trees and other plants for a greener, healthier, and more beautiful world.  Throughout natural landscapes are specialty gardens, 16 miles of trails, and nine miles of roads.  Other offerings include tree-focused events, activities, and services for adults, children, professionals, and communities.   The Arboretum welcomes more than 800,000 visitors annually and serves 34,000 member households.  Located 25 miles west of Chicago in Lisle, Illinois, the Arboretum is open daily 7 a.m. until sunset.  More information is available at www.mortonarb.org.

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Media Contact: Sarah Clark | 630-719-5768 | This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it