Houston Arboretum & Nature Center Calendar of Events – April 2011

The Houston Arboretum & Nature Center, a lush 155-acre nature preserve, is one of the city’s greatest natural treasures. Located in Memorial Park, at 4501 Woodway Drive, the Arboretum is home to more than 75 varieties of native trees, 160 species of birds, 16 species of turtles, 10 species of frogs and 33 kinds of butterflies. Visitors can explore and enjoy five miles of walking trails to experience nature at its most dramatic and in exquisite detail. The Arboretum grounds are open to the public daily, except major holidays, from dawn to dusk.

The Nature Center building is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Discovery Room is open every day except Mondays, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and provides fun, hands-on activities and exhibits to explore nature up close. Admission is free, but donations to support this nonprofit organization are appreciated.

A bustling schedule of year round activities and courses are available for adults, children and families to create a sense of wonder and appreciation for nature. For more information, call 713-681-8433 or visit www.houstonarboretum.org.

Pre-registration is required for the following activities/events.
Call 713-681-8433 or visit www.houstonarboretum.org for more information

Summer Nature Trekkers Camp for kids
June 6 – August 12
9 a.m. – 3 p.m. (limited half day options are available)
Kids can explore everything from hawks and other birds that soar in our skies to the microscopic creatures that live in ponds in the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center’s Nature Trekkers Camps this summer. The week-long classes offer hands-on learning experiences for children ages 5 to 12 under the guidance of staff naturalists, and include both indoor and outdoor activities at the 155-acre nature sanctuary. Camp topics include: “Bird Life,” June 6-10 and July 11-15; “MicroWorld Explorer,” June 13-17 and July 18-22; “Reptiles & Amphibians,” June 20-24 and July 25-29; “Angry Earth,” June 27-July 1 or August 1-5; and “Spiders,” July 5-8 or August 8-12. Children are taught by qualified staff naturalists in classes by age (5 & 6, 7 & 8, 9-12). Full day camp (9 a.m. – 3 p.m.): $250 members; $300 non-members. Morning only camp (9 a.m. – noon): $130 members; $165 non-members. For more information, call 713-681-8433 or visit www.houstonarboretum.org/summercamp.asp.

Arboretum Celebrates Earth Day with “Let’s G.O. (Get Outside)”
Saturday, April 9
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Bring the family for a day to Get Outside and enjoy the outdoors at the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center. Take a stroll on Arboretum trails and learn about some of the wildlife of our area at activity stations located along the path. For details on schedule and activities, visit www.houstonarboretum.org. Earth Day is sponsored by Waste Management, Inc. and KUHF.

Wednesdays, April 6, 13, 20 & 27
5:45 – 6:45 p.m.
Saturdays, April 2, 9, & 23 (no class 4/16 or 4/30)
9 – 10 a.m.
Introductory Tai Chi
The Arboretum provides a serene, natural backdrop for this graceful and meditative form of exercise. Class will be held outside in the nature sanctuary except when weather conditions are prohibitive. Cost is $15 per session or $45 per month for 1 class per week; $70 per month for 2 classes per week.

Thursdays, April 7, 14, 21 & 28
5:45 – 6:45 p.m.
Yoga on the way Home
Why fight the traffic? Slow down and relax in the peaceful beauty of the Arboretum during a one-hour yoga session in the Arboretum’s classroom overlooking the forest. Cost is $15 per session or $12 per session when registering for a month.

Sunday, April 3
2 – 5 p.m.
Make a Windowbox Hummingbird Garden
Learn about native plants whose flowers provide nectar for hummingbirds. Participants will plant and take home a Window Box Hummingbird container garden. Cost (includes all supplies) $75 for members; $95 non-members

Thursday, April 14
7 – 9 p.m.
Photographing Birds
Field Trip: Saturday, April 16, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Greg Lavaty, one of Houston’s most popular bird photographers, will discuss lenses and other equipment, how to brave the elements to get good shots, techniques for approaching birds for photographs, composing shots, common mistakes in nature photography and other topics. An evening class will be followed by a Saturday field trip to the Texas coast to practice techniques taught in class. Cost is $90 for members; $125 for non-members.

Friday, April 15 or Saturday, April 16
9–10:15 a.m. or 10:45 a.m. –12:00 p.m.
Tadpole Troopers: Fluttering Butterflies
Ages 3–5 with an adult
Tadpole Troopers is a nature class for 3, 4 and 5 year olds with an adult. April’s class will take a close up look at butterflies and their wings. Cost is $15 for members; $28 for non-members.

Saturday, April 16
9 – 11 a.m. or 1 – 3 p.m.
Naturalist Explorers: Predators in Small Sizes
Ages 5 to 8
This spring, Naturalist Explorers students will explore the insect world. In April, students will learn about predatory insects including dragonflies and the praying mantis. Cost is $18 for members; $33 for non-members.

Saturday, April 16
9 – 11 a.m.
EcoTrackers: Pint-sized Predators
Ages 9 to 12
EcoTracker classes inspire young naturalists with hands-on, engaging activities about a nature topic each month. April’s class will investigate predators of the insect world such as the praying mantis and dragonfly and discover how they help the ecosystem. Cost is $18 for members; $33 for non-members.

Sunday, April 17
Building and grounds closed.

Thursday, April 21
7 p.m.
Alfresco Gala: The Beetle Ball honoring Waste Management, Inc.
The Houston Arboretum & Nature Center will present the Arboretum’s annual Green Leaf Award to Waste Management, Inc. at the Arboretum’s annual Alfresco fundraising gala. Guests will enjoy dinner and dancing under the stars to the sounds of The Fab 5. Proceeds support the education and conservation programs of the Arboretum. The 2011 Alfresco is co-chaired by Christine and Blake Williams and Nicole and David Zarr.
Limited tickets are available starting at $300. For more information, call 713-366-0374.

Friday, April 22
Building closed

Saturday, April 23
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Spring Bird Migration Field Trip
This Saturday field trip will include visits to various spots on the Upper Texas Coast, including High Island and Galveston. Trip will be led by Arboretum staff member Bill Eley, who has 30 years of birding experience on the Gulf Coast. Cost is $50 for members; $80 for non-members (does not include transportation)

Sunday, April 24
Building closed

Tuesday, April 26
9 – 11:30 a.m.
Photographing Butterflies with Kathy Adams Clark
Join professional nature photographer Kathy Adams Clark in this class to learn the techniques needed to capture great photos of butterflies. Class begins with an hour inside where students will learn how to use the light meter, how the shutter speed and aperture work, tips on making the photo look better and a little on butterfly behavior. The remainder of the class will be outside on the Arboretum grounds photographing butterflies.

Instructor: Kathy Adams Clark is a professional nature photographer whose work has been published in a variety of national and regional publications including National Geographic Books, The New York Times, and Sierra.
Cost is $50 for members; $75 for non-members

Sunday, May 1 or May 8
2 – 5 p.m.
Build Your Own Rain Barrel Workshop
Rain barrels are not only great for collecting and storing water for future use in the garden, but they can also help you reduce your water bill. In this hands-on, make and take workshop taught by Arboretum conservation director Joe Blanton, learn how a one-time investment of less than $100 will allow you to harvest 50 gallons of water from your roof every time it rains. Cost, which includes materials for 1 rain barrel, is $75 for members; $95 for non-members.