What’s Happening at the Botanical Conservatory in March
Conservatory New Volunteer Orientation
Wednesday, March 6, 1 – 4 pm
The Botanical Conservatory is inviting new volunteers to join their support team in a variety of positions. Come discover where you might fit! Volunteer opportunities include butterfly attendants, admission or gift shop cashiers, garden or greenhouse helpers, special event helpers, and plant sale support.
Staff and volunteers will offer an overview of the volunteer program and its benefits, answer questions, and give facility tours as you enjoy light refreshments. Personal follow-up and training for positions is provided. For more information, call Rebecca at(260)427-6442.
Yoga in the Garden
Wednesdays, March 6 – March 27, 5:30-6:30pm
Now pre-registered! The practice of yoga is a wonderful way to build strength and flexibility, reduce stress, and enhance general well-being. Taught by certified yoga instructor and world traveler Lanah K. Hake, these classes are for all levels and are tailored to fit the ability level of the individual. A few blankets and mats are available but you should bring your own supplies if you have them. Additional class information is available by following Fort Wayne Outdoor Yoga on Facebook, or by checking the instructor’s website at www.lanahlink.com. Ages 15-adult. Registration deadline: February 27. Min.13. Max. 25. Fee: $30/public; $24/Conservatory member or volunteer. For further information, please call the Conservatory at (260) 427-6440.
Mighty Jungle Adventure exhibit
Through April 7
You are lost deep in the heart of the jungle. What will you eat? What will you drink? How will you survive? In the midst of a beautiful garden of flowers and lush tropical plants, parents will enjoy watching their preschoolers and other children explore the Conservatory’s jungle tree house and playground structures for a few hours of pretend play. Little ones can play at fishing, finding food, balancing on logs, and “jungle housekeeping” in our tame version of Jungle Survivor. Exhibit sponsored by the Edward C. and Mary McCrea Wilson Foundation, WAJI Majic 95.1 FM, and WLDE 101.7 FM. For more information, call(260)427-6440.
$1 Night
Thursday, March 7, 5 – 8 pm
On the first Thursday night of the month we offer $1 admissions,5-8 pm, for adults and children. Babies and up to age 2 are still admitted free. Enjoy our evening hours at a special discount once a month. For more info, call(260)427-6440.
Discovery Corner: Wind
Daily in the Discovery Gallery
Our youngest visitors are always welcome to visit the Discovery Corner behind Woody the Talking Tree where they’ll find stories and activities. This month’s theme is Wind. Our materials are suitable for kids in pre-K through 1st grade. Adults are encouraged to read aloud to their young learners and explore ideas together. The Discovery Corner is free with general admission; no pre-registration required.
Seed Starting 101: All Things Considered
Thursday, March 14, 6:30-7:30 pm
What? Start my own seed, you ask? Yes, you can! Master Gardener Kathy Lee will give you the scoop on how to get started. You will learn when and how to start your seed, inside or outside. She’ll explain how to use all that pesky information in the seed catalog and on the package. Gardening weather will be here before you know it, so get those tomato, pepper, and cabbage seeds growing! You say you don’t care about vegetable seeds? Why not start your own marigolds, petunias, and dahlias? Kathy will show you how she uses items she has saved from the recycle bin to start her seeds so your cost will be much less than if you buy plants from the local box store or nursery. Ages 10-adult. Registration deadline: March 7. Min. 10. Max. 25. $9/public; $7/Conservatory volunteer or member. Held at Botanical Conservatory,1100 S. Calhoun St. To register, call the Park Department at (260) 427-6000.
Science Fun: Blast Off?
Saturday, March 16, 11 am & 1 pm
Alka-Seltzer can be used to relieve an upset stomach, acid indigestion, headache and…launch a rocket? That’s right, we’ll be constructing rockets from empty film canisters and counting down to take off. Will one Alka-Seltzer tablet be strong enough to shoot an empty film canister high in the sky? Who would have thought that a pain reliever could have more than one use? Join us to find out! The program lasts 45-60 minutes and is appropriate for ages 5 and up. NISTEM members (www.nistem.org) can earn points for attending. Preregistration is not required and the program is free with regular Conservatory admission: $5/adult, $3/child ages 3-17. Conservatory members and volunteers admitted free. For details, call(260)427-6440.
Sales Garden Spring Open House
Saturday, March 23, 10 am – 5 pm
Looking for something to brighten your home or garden? Add some fragrance with cold-tolerant pansies or stock, or color your dining table with a pot of forced tulips or daffodils. Perfect for gift giving, our flowers will put a “spring” in your step! Free warm drinks while you shop. No admission is required to shop at the Conservatory, but to visit the gardens, regular admission applies. The springShowcaseGardenexhibit is “Mighty Jungle Adventure,” a perfect opportunity for pre-schoolers and other youngsters to interact with their adults in a pretend-play garden setting. For more information, call(260)427-6440.
Family Garden Close-Up
Saturday, March 23, 10 am – 5 pm
Get a closer look at our plants and gardens on the fourth Saturday of the month with short walks, crafts and snacks. We will visit one of our gardens to discover a different feature. You’ll get the opportunity to see what the Conservatory truly has to offer as you learn fun and valuable information. Especially fun for families with young children. In March, enjoy the “Mighty Jungle Adventure” in theShowcaseGardenbefore it comes to an end on April 7. This Saturday we’ll be making jungle animal masks and a treat that’s sure to please. Explore our jungle with your mask on and act like your favorite animal in the exhibit. It will be a ROARin’ good time! Drop in. Regular Conservatory admission applies: $5/adult, $3/child age 3-17.
Botanical Brown Bag: All Season, Every Season
Thursday, March 28, 12 – 1 pm
Growing vegetables year-round started back in the late 1960s and early 70s and gained popularity in the United Statesalong the east coast. Master Gardener Art Stahlhut will share what he’s learned from four-season farmers in Maineand other New Englandstates. Come learn how you, too, can grow fresh vegetables all year long, in ways that are cost-saving using this intensive gardening method. Bring a sandwich or get something at the Bagel Station to nibble while you listen. Free coffee and tea. Please note change in price: $5/public adult; $3/child ages 3-17 or Conservatory member or volunteer. For more information, call (260) 427-6440.
Easter in the Garden
Friday, March 29, 10 am – 3 pm
Hop on down to the Botanical Conservatory with your children and a camera to meet the Easter Bunny. Enjoy our live butterfly exhibit, play games for prizes, make crafts, pot a plant, and enjoy light refreshments. Toddlers through elementary age can look for Easter eggs in our annual indoor Easter Egg Hunt. Enter our drawing for a chance to win a “sweet” Easter basket. We’ll also have live animals such as baby chicks, ducks, bunnies, sheep and goats. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Regular Conservatory admission applies: $5/adult, $3/child age 3-17, free for children 2 and under. For more information, call(260)427-6440. Sponsored by WAJI Majic 95.1 FM.
Rain Garden “How-To” Workshop
Saturday, March 30, 9 am – 12 pm
As cities continue to develop, more hard surfaces such as rooftops, roadways and parking lots mean more stormwater and more water pollution. Rain gardens are landscape features that reduce stormwater runoff by collecting rain water and allowing it to soak into the soil. In this class novice and experienced gardeners alike will learn the basics of rain garden design and construction, including how to determine the optimal size for the garden and how to locate it most effectively. Plant selection and garden planning are also included. Participants who live inside the Fort Waynecity limits may qualify for incentives including cash or plant discounts. Workshop taught by a landscape architect with assistance from City Utilities’ stormwater engineers. Please bring a ruler, calculator, and the square footage of your property, house, and any other buildings (i.e. garage, shed, etc.). Light refreshments. Ages 18-adult. Registration deadline: March 22. Min. 10. Max. 25. $15/public; $13/Conservatory volunteer or member. Held at Botanical Conservatory,1100 S. Calhoun St. To register, call the Park Department at (260) 427-6000.
Photography Exhibit Jennifer L. Renner
March-April
Jennifer has done artwork for as long as she can remember knowing in the third grade that she wanted to be an artist when she grew up. In 1993 she received her BA in Fine Arts, with a concentration in painting, fromIndianaUniversity. Unsure if she could be a working artist she pursued life in the working world not creating art to speak of for many years all the while feeling like something was missing. In 2006 she began taking photographs and entering them into exhibitions. She loves creating things in many different forms and is always looking for new ways to express herself.
