Adult Courses

Course List

  • Meditation and Essential Oils
    Meditation and Essential Oils
    Explore meditative and self-nurturing yoga poses with the use of plant-based essential oils to restore and rebalance the mind and body in the tranquil setting of The Morton Arboretum. Wednesday, April 24, or Wednesday, June 26, 2019, 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

  • Spring Wildflower Walk
    Wander through the ever-changing array of blooms in our woodlands and prairie to learn how to identify wildflowers such as trillium, mayapple, and dog-tooth violet and hear about their folklore at The Morton Arboretum. Thursday, April 18, Friday, April 26, or Saturday, May 4, 2019, 8:30 to 11:00 a.m.

  • Field Study: Birds of Spring
    Learn how to identify Illinois' spring resident and migratory birds by sight and call and meet other birders at The Morton Arboretum. Five Saturdays, April 27 through June 1 (no class on May 18), 2019, 8:00 to 11:30 a.m.

  • The Sustainable Edible Garden: Food Forest Design Workshop
    The Sustainable Edible Garden: Food Forest Design Workshop
    Turn your yard into a sustainable, edible landscape using the design principles of permaculture in this two day workshop at The Morton Arboretum. (CANCELED) Two days: Saturday and Sunday, April 27 and 28, 2019, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

  • Spring Wildflower Walk
    Wander through the ever-changing array of blooms in our woodlands and prairie to learn how to identify wildflowers such as trillium, mayapple, and dog-tooth violet and hear about their folklore at The Morton Arboretum. Thursday, April 18, Friday, April 26, or Saturday, May 4, 2019, 8:30 to 11:00 a.m.

  • ACCA Soil Science
    Explore the world underground at The Morton Arboretum. Mondays, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and every other Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., January 28 through April 29, 2019.

  • Spring Warbler Workshop
    In this focused workshop, enjoy the spring warbler migration while learning about identification, arrival dates, migration patterns, habitat preferences, and daily feeding techniques at The Morton Arboretum. Three days: Wednesday, May 1, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., and Fridays, May 3 and 10, 2019, 8:00 to 11:30 a.m.

  • Grow a Salsa Garden
    Grow a Salsa Garden
    Learn to grow your own salsa just in time Cinco de Mayo at The Morton Arboretum! Thursday, May 2, 2019, 6:30 to 9:00 p.m.

  • Trolls After Dark Night Hike
    Trolls After Dark Night Hike
    Grab a flashlight and hit the trail for a night of troll hunting at The Morton Arboretum! THE APRIL 11 NIGHT HIKE HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED FOR APRIL 24, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. The May 2, 2019 hike is SOLD OUT.

  • Dynamic Travel Photography: Convey the Story of Place
    Whether you’re visiting a national park or your local nature preserve this summer, return home with rewarding photographs that tell the story of your experience. Three days: Two Thursdays, May 2 and 9, 2019, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. and Saturday, May 4, 2019, 8:00 to 11:00 a.m.

  • Nature Photography: Intro to Composition
    Develop your skills as a nature photographer through thoughtful compositions. Learn tools of composition and how to use your camera to make an image that captures the moment, feeling or experience in nature at The Morton Arboretum. Four days: Three Thursdays, May 2, 9, and 16, 2019, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. and Saturday, May 4, 2019, 8:00 to 11:00 a.m.

  • Identify Woodland Wildflowers (Online and In-person)
    Learn the names and ecology of the wildflowers that cover the woodland floor in spring at The Morton Arboretum. Registration will open February 19, 2019, for April classes.

  • Painting Landscapes

    Capture Arboretum landscapes on canvas with local artist and author Joel Sheesley. Saturday, May 4, 2019, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

  • Glacial History Bike Tour
    Glacial History Bike Tour
    RESCHEDULED AGAIN to the NEW date of Sunday, MAY 5, 2019, 10:00 a.m. to noon. Learn the geologic history of the Midwest as we cycle the the roads of the Arboretum.

  • Begin to Draw Nature
    Learn the basics of drawing in a class designed for true beginners at The Morton Arboretum. Four Thursdays, April 25 through May 16, 2019, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Summer registration opens May 21. Four Saturdays, September 7 through 28, 2019, 9:00 a.m. to noon.

  • The Edible Patio: Growing Food in Small Spaces
    The Edible Patio: Growing Food in Small Spaces
    Turn your small space into a productive, edible garden and take home seedlings to get started at The Morton Arboretum. Thursday, April 25, 2019, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., or Friday, May 10, 2019, 10:00 a.m. to noon.

  • Spring Floral Arrangement

    Create a spring arrangement bursting with vibrant flowers and greenery under the guidance of the Arboretum’s botanical arrangers. Friday, May 10, 2019, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

  • DIY Organic Body Care
    DIY Organic Body Care
    Make a set of organic body-care items to take home or give as a gift! Join Andrea Mattson of Edible Alchemy and learn the basics of creating natural skincare remedies at The Morton Arboretum. Saturday, May 11, 2019, 10:00 a.m. to noon, or 1:00 to 3:00 p.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 March 11 through June 10, 2019, times vary.

  • Spring Planting Workshop: Trees and Shrubs
    Spring Planting Workshop: Trees and Shrubs
    Help your new plantings establish and thrive. Learn best practices when planting new trees and shrubs from a member of the Arboretum’s horticulture crew. Saturday, May 11, 2019, 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.

  • Visiting Photographer Series: Mastering the Creative Photograph with Ian Plant
    Visiting Photographer Series: Mastering the Creative Photograph with Ian Plant
    Spend an exciting day with professional photographer Ian Plant! During this comprehensive classroom seminar, Ian will share the techniques and stories behind some of his favorite photos from around the world. He'll cover a range of topics, discuss artistic design principles, present field and digital darkroom techniques, and provide hands-on technical demonstration at The Morton Arboretum. Saturday, May 11, 2019, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

  • Morning Photography Outing with Ian Plant
    Join this small-group photography outing to capture early morning light on the Arboretum grounds with award-winning photographer Ian Plant. Sunday, May 12, 2019, 7:15 a.m. to 1:00 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, or Thursday, May 9, 2019.

  • Backyard Bootcamp: Yardcare Basics for Homeowners
    Backyard Bootcamp: Yardcare Basics for Homeowners
    Keep your yard looking great all year! This workshop is designed especially for new homeowners short on time. Get easy-to-follow instructions to care for the trees, shrubs, and other plants growing in your yard at The Morton Arboretum. Saturday, April 13 or May 11, 2019, 9:00 a.m. to noon

  • Sips with a Scientist: The Low-down on Spring Leaf Out (21+)
    Sips with a Scientist: The Low-down on Spring Leaf Out (21+)
    Christy Rollinson, forest ecologist at The Morton Arboretum will give us an insider’s look at what trees are up to in spring. Tuesday, May 14, 2019, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

  • Site Planning for Invasive Species Management (Online only)
    Learn to assess the invasive species issues at a site, and set priorities for efficiently and effectively managing invasive species in this engaging online class through The Morton Arboretum. Wednesday, May 15, 2019: 12:00 p.m. U.S. Central time: Online course becomes available.

  • The Life of Trees
    Take a journey through a tree, from roots to leaves at The Morton Arboretum. THIS CLASS IS CANCELED. Wednesdays, May 15 and 22, 2019, 6:30 to 9:00 p.m.

  • Do-It-Yourself Rain Gardens
    Do-It-Yourself Rain Gardens
    Learn how to design and plant a rain garden for your home at The Morton Arboretum. Thursday, May 16, 2019, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

  • A Cultural History of the Tallgrass Prairie
    Join prairie steward and writer Cindy Crosby as we explore the history of prairie, prairie ethnobotany, and the future of tallgrass in a changing world through this two-part evening class at The Morton Arboretum. Two Thursdays, May 16 and 23, 2019, 6:30 to 9:00 p.m.

  • Basic Tree ID
    Learn to identify the common trees you see in local preserves or in your neighborhood at The Morton Arboretum.Friday, May 17, 2019, 9:30 a.m. to noon, or Thursday, June 6, 2019, 6:30 to 9:00 p.m.

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