Adult Courses

Course List

  • Invasive Species (Online Only)
    Learn to identify and manage the most common invasive plants in the Great Lakes region at The Morton Arboretum. Register now for the Online class available on Wednesday, February 20, 2019. Registration opens February 19, 2019 for the Online class available on May 8, 2019.

  • Stretch and Sip
    Stretch and Sip
    (CANCELED) For ultimate relaxation, join us for one hour of peaceful yoga stretches, then enjoy sipping your beverage of choice while looking upon the tranquil setting of the Morton Arboretum. Thursday, February 21, 2019, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

  • Design a Meditative Garden
    Design a Meditative Garden
    (CANCELED) Create a garden space that offers rest and renewal. In this class, we’ll identify visual cues that create places that nurture the spirit and invite us to take a meditative stroll, to sit and relax with a cup of tea, to read and reflect, to stretch, to meditate or to write. Two Thursdays, February 21 and 28, 2019, 7:00 to 9:30 p.m.

  • Sips with a Scientist: Fire and the Forest Floor (21+)
    Sips with a Scientist: Fire and the Forest Floor (21+)
    What’s so “hot” about soil ecology? Grab a grown-up hot chocolate and get “the dirt” on soils from Arboretum soil ecologist Meghan Midgley. Thursday, February 21, 2019, 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

  • Fairy Garden Design
    Fairy Garden Design
    Capture the magic and whimsy of youth with a fairy garden at The Morton Arboretum! Saturday, February 23, 2019, 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.

  • Basic Plant ID (Online or In-person)
    Get the botany basics you need to identify plants at The Morton Arboretum. Dates vary starting February 12, 2019 with online or in-person options available.

  • Seed Starting for the Edible Garden
    Seed Starting for the Edible Garden
    Discover techniques for and benefits of growing your vegetables from seed started indoors at The Morton Arboretum. Saturday, January 26, 2019, or Saturday, February 23, 2019, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

  • Winter Pruning (Online and In-person)
    Winter Pruning (Online and In-person)
    Practice correct pruning techniques and learn which plants to prune now and more importantly, which to prune later at The Morton Arboretum. Online component begins: Friday, February 15, or Thursday, February 28, 2019, and In-person components meets: Saturday, February 23, or Friday, March 8, 2019, 9:00 to 11:30 a.m.

  • A Cultural History of Wilderness in America
    What exactly is wilderness? In America, it's been a threatening frontier to be conquered; a place where timber and minerals lay ready for extraction; a refuge for wildlife; a home for indigenous people; a retreat for city folks to retreat from the hustle and bustle of civilization; and a "untrammeled, unspoiled cathedral" which inspires art, poetry, and transcendent thought. Two Thursdays, February 21 and 28, 2019, 6:30 to 9:00 p.m.

  • Black-and-White Nature Photography: in The Footsteps of Edward Weston
    Black-and-White Nature Photography: in The Footsteps of Edward Weston
    Study the portfolio of renowned nature photographer Edward Weston, a giant of early and mid-20th century photography, and learn to apply his approach under the guidance of your expert instructors at The Morton Arboretum. (NEW SECTION) Five days: three Thursdays, February 28 through March 14, 2019, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., and Two Saturdays, March 2 and 9, 2019, 8:00 to 11:00 a.m. (SOLD OUT) Five days: three Thursdays, January 17, 24, 31, 2019, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. and Two Saturdays, January 19 and 26, 2019, 8:00 to 11:00 a.m.

  • New Paths and Podcasts: Explore the digital tree science resources to inspire your students
    Participants in this workshop will explore new online resources and an onsite exhibit related to careers in the plant science field. Friday, March 1st, 2019, 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

  • Linoleum Block Printing Workshop
    Learn to create your own unique collection of linoleum block prints at The Morton Arboretum. Two Saturdays, March 2 and 23, 2019, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

  • Winter Plant ID
    Winter Plant ID
    Learn to identify plants without leaves or flowers at The Morton Arboretum. Saturday, March 2, 2019, 8:00 a.m. to noon

  • Build Your Own Musical Instrument
    Build Your Own Musical Instrument
    Learn to make wood sing in this build-your-own musical instrument class at The Morton Arboretum. Saturday, March 2, 2019, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

  • Nature Writing Workshop (Online and In-Person)
    Learn the nuts and bolts of excellent nature writing and improve your wordsmithing skills in this blended online and in-person course at The Morton Arboretum. Online component begins Tuesday, February 26, 2019. In-person classes meet Tuesday, March 5, 19, and April 2, 2019, 6:30 to 9:00 p.m.

  • Nature in Graphite
    Nature in Graphite
    Learn to capture nature with graphite, the perfect medium for textures. at The Morton Arboretum. Four Wednesdays, March 6 through 27, 2019, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

  • Natural Areas Conservation Training Program Orientation (Online or In-person)
    Natural Areas Conservation Training Program Orientation (Online or In-person)
    Join us for a FREE orientation program on the Natural Areas Conservation Training Program Orientation (formally the Woodland Stewardship Program) at the Morton Arboretum. Registration is open now for Thursday, March 7, 2019, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Registration opens February 19, 2019, for Thursday, April 4, 2019, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.,or Wednesday, June 5, 2019, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.,

  • Nature Photography: Intro to Light and Exposure
    Learn to creatively use light in your photography. Improve your results by considering the quantity, color, and quality of light found during the course of the day and throughout the seasons at The Morton Arboretum. Four days, three Thursdays, March 7, 14 and 21, 2019, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., and Saturday, March 9, 2019, 8:00 to 11:00 a.m.

  • Design a Vibrant Shade Garden
    Design a Vibrant Shade Garden
    Bring life and interest to even the shadiest parts of your landscape with plant lists, design ideas, and maintenance tips from a practicing landscape designer at The Morton Arboretum. Informational Session Only:Thursday, March 7, 2019, 9:00 a.m. to noon, OR Informational and Workshop Sessions: Three Thursdays, March 7 through 21, 2019, 9:00 a.m. to noon.

  • Painting Life-like Insects
    Bring insects to life in your artwork. Work side-by-side with artist and insect aficionado Karen Johnson and learn to to capture life-like postures and detailed renderings of insects at The Morton Arboretum. Four Thursdays, March 7 through 28, 2019, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

  • Beginning Smartphone Photography
    Remember, “the best camera is the one that’s with you.” Whether you are new to photography or new to smartphones, discover techniques for getting great nature images with your phone at The Morton Arboretum. Saturday, January 26 is sold out. Register now for March 2, 2019, noon to 3:00 p.m. Registration opens February 19 for spring classes on Saturday April 13, or June 15, 2019, 8:00 to 11:00 a.m.

  • Arboretum Yoga

    Arboretum Yoga
    Improve your health and well-being with yoga. We will practice poses, breathing and meditation in the tranquil setting of the Morton Arboretum. Select Mondays or Tuesdays November 19, 2018 through April 9, 2019, times vary.

  • Cocoa in the Conifers
    Cocoa in the Conifers
    Join an Arboretum expert for a cup of hot cocoa and a winter stroll through the conifer collection. Saturday, February 16, or Saturday, March 9, 2019, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

  • Spring Native Plant Propagation
    Learn spring methods for propagating your favorite native plants at The Morton Arboretum.Sunday, March 10, 2019, 1:00 to 4:30 p.m. This class will be offered again in Winter 2020.

  • Mosaic Flowers for the Garden
    Mosaic Flowers for the Garden
    Create a one-of-a-kind piece of art for your garden. Artist Lisa Tolbert will teach you the art of mosaics using a variety of reclaimed materials like glass and porcelain at The Morton Arboretum. Sunday, March 10, 2019, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

  • Nature at Night Hike
    Nature at Night Hike
    Gain a new perspective on familiar settings with the chance to see what happens in the Arboretum at night when no one is around. Thursdays, December 6, 2018, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. (open for registration). Thursdays, February 14, 28 or March 14, 2019, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.

  • Ecosystem Concepts (Online and In-person)

    Explore the interactions that drive ecosystem function and learn to identify plants, animals, and fungi in relation to ecological habitats at The Morton Arboretum. Register now: for class starting Wednesday, March 13, 2019. Registration opens February 19, 2019: for class starting Thursday, May 9, 2019.

  • Backyard Conservation
    Backyard Conservation
    Make a difference in your own backyard with simple ideas that have a big impact on the planet. Learn how you can have an attractive, functional, outdoor space that your family--as well as the birds and the butterflies--can enjoy at The Morton Arboretum. Thursday, March 14, 2019, 7:00 to 9:30 p.m.

  • Candlelight Yoga
    End your day with a peaceful candlelit yoga class that will leave you feeling rejuvenated and relaxed at The Morton Arboretum. Thursday, January, 10, February 7, or March 14 2019, 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.

  • Botanical Names Demystified (Online Only)
    Learn to call plants by their botanical names through The Morton Arboretum. Online course begins Friday, March 15, 2019

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