JC Raulston Arboretum: Garden Storytime, nature walk, more…

Take a Child Outside — Nature Walk
September 24 to 30, 2023
During garden open hours
Free

Bring your family out to the garden to explore the gardens and participate in Take a Child Outside week. We know that being outside provides so many good benefits, from reducing stress and anxiety to promoting creativity to increasing connection with the outdoors, so let’s get outside!

This week’s activity will be a self-guided exploration of the Arboretum’s gardens. To prepare for your visit, check out our open hours and map out directions to the Arboretum. Make it a group thing and invite friends to meet you for your adventure! Pack a snack or picnic lunch and grab your water bottle (we have new water bottle fillers at the Visitor Center and at the Necessary).

When you arrive, stop by the Visitor Center to pick up a Nature Walk activity to help guide your family’s visit. There is no cost for the activity, but please consider a donation to help support this program and others like them for everyone to enjoy. Contributions will support the JC Raulston Arboretum Children’s Program. A donation box will be set up to collect what you’re able to contribute.

You can choose your own adventure once you’re in the gardens, but we know that sometimes a 10.5 acre garden can seem a little daunting on your first visit so that’s when the Nature Walk activity comes in handy!

Gardening Adventures with Master Gardener Volunteers: “Attracting Wildlife and Butterflies”
Monday, September 25, 2023
10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Online
Free (Register here.)

The boundary between where our garden ends and where nature begins doesn’t need to be as rigidly defined as the lines on a map may imply. But blurring this line may be one of the greatest challenges a garden designer can face. Intentionally planting with the aim of attracting wildlife is a simple way to invite nature in and bring our gardens into harmony with the world around us. Join us for this Master Gardener presentation addressing various strategies for enticing creatures to come visit, so that you can expand the edge of your garden to the ends of the Earth!

Garden Conversations: Featuring Shannon Currey
Wednesday, September 27, 2023
3 p.m. to 4:30 pm.
Online
Free (Register here.)

We love talking to our fellow plant nerds! Shannon Currey is a part of the Education and Outreach team at Izel Native Plants, a plant brokerage website that aims to make acquiring native plants as easy for consumers as possible. But before joining them she spent 15 years at Hoffman Nursery where she worked as the Marketing Director introducing people to plants and opening their minds to the idea that “grasses” can mean a whole lot more than “turf”. Diversifying the landscape and introducing people to plants is what we’re all about here at the JCRA! You can be sure this Garden Conversation where our Director of Horticulture Greg sits down for a chat with Shannon is going to be a good one!

Garden Storytime
Friday, September 29, 2023
10 to 11 a.m.
$5 per child No cost for parent or caregiver.
Suggested age range 3-5

Garden Storytimes are a great way for families with preschool children to experience the garden. You’ll start with a stroll through the garden with the Children’s Program staff and volunteers to see what’s happening in the gardens, read a few children’s books with a garden twist, and go home with a garden themed craft created by your little one.

Parents and caregivers stay and participate with their children in the activities.

Program begins at the Bobby G. Wilder Visitor Center. Come dressed for the weather as this program is held outdoors. Activities are moved to a sheltered location in the event of rain. Don’t forget your blanket to sit on for listening to the stories!