Nature Trekkers Summer Camp Registration opens for Arboretum Founders Level Members.

Saturday, February 6

9 – 10:15 a.m.,
10:45 a.m. – 12 p.m.,
OR 1 – 2:15 p.m.
Ages 3 to 5 with an adult

Tadpole Troopers:Weird Insects
This spring classes will explore the weird and wild side of nature. February's class will examine, up close, some unusual insects and bugs. Cost is $13 for members; $26 for non-members.

Backyard Habitat Builder Series: Spring Nesting Sites for Wildlife
Backyard Habitat Builder Series includes monthly half-day classes taught by Arboretum Conservation Director Joe Blanton, where participants will learn about and create habitat components for birds, butterflies and other wildlife. The majority of each class will be spent outside as students gain practical experience through a hands-on project completed on the Arboretum grounds. Most classes include take-home items assembled in class. In February’s class, students will learn the importance of providing nesting sites for wildlife and make bird nest boxes and solitary bee houses. Each class is $40 for members or $50 for non-members.

The Art of Cooking Mexican Food with Hugo Ortega
Renowned Houston chef Hugo Ortega will demonstrate how to prepare his most popular Valentine’s dishes from Backstreet Café and Hugo’s: small vegetable quesadillas, quail with rose petal sauce, and flourless chocolate cake.
Cost is $60 for members; $75 for non-members. Limited space available. Registration required.

Friday, February 12

10:30- 11:45 a.m.
Ages 3 to 5 with an adult

Spring Volunteer Orientation
Get out and get back to nature by volunteering at the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center. Learn about the Arboretum's history, mission and programs, take a tour of the building and grounds and find out about the opportunities available to get involved at this 155-acre non-profit nature sanctuary. Sign up to attend job specific trainings later in February. Free, but registration is required.

Tapas on the Trails
Looking for something different to do with your special someone this Valentine’s Day? Make reservations for an evening of gourmet food and wine on the trails of the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center. Enjoy a stroll along a forest path encountering food stations, each with a tapas menu prepared by Chef Adam Paul. A selection of wines will be served to compliment each food selection. The trail will finish at the Arboretum’s Meadow Deck, where guests will enjoy champagne and a romantic dessert.
Cost is $60 per person for Arboretum members; $75 per person for non-members. Childcare for ages 5 and up at a fee of $10 per child. Reservations are required; limited spaces are available.

Buffalo Bayou History Presentation with optional Canoe Trip
Learn the history of Buffalo Bayou through an evening presentation by Janet Wagner, current President of the Houston Historical Society. Up to12 participants can register for a half-day canoe trip, Saturday, Feb. 20, down Buffalo Bayou to see important sites firsthand. Be part of an exciting floating classroom of natural, fluvial, historical and geological information in our cities most important natural asset.
Fee for History Presentation only: $40 for members; $50 for non-members.
Fee for History Presentation and Canoe Trip (limited to 12, includes all equipment): $135 for members; $145 for non-members

Edible Wild Plants
Learn where to find, how to identify, and how to properly prepare the fruits, shoots, roots and salad greens growing all around you. Participants should wear comfortable walking shoes and bring water and a snack. Instructor Mark Vorderbruggen, is a research chemist and also one of the Houston area's most intrepid explorers. Cost: $40 for members; $60 for non-members.

Environmentally Friendly Pest Management
Learn environmentally friendly ways to manage pest problems and control weeds in the garden and landscape through proper plant selection, weed identification, knowledge of phenology, and the use of safe herbicide alternatives as well as “soft” pesticides such as soaps and oils. Class will include a trip to Wabash Antique & Feed Store. Cost: $30 for members; $40 for non-members.

Appalachian Basket Making
Master basket weaver Kathy Chang will lead this hands-on workshop that will guide students through the process of making a hyacinth basket, with a solid wood base and wooden lid. Fee includes all materials: $65 for members; $75 for non-members

1:30- 3:00 p.m.
Ages 5 to 12

Home School Class: Turtle Time
Designed especially for home schoolers, the spring classes will focus on herpetology. In February, students will examine the physical characteristics of turtles and learn how these prehistoric organisms have adapted over time to survive. Class will include a walk outside to look for turtles on the Arboretum grounds. Cost is $15 for members; $25 for non-members.

The 411 on Ecosystems: An Introduction to the Arboretum
Join Arboretum naturalists Pat Marks and Jenny Herrera to learn about the forest, meadow and wetland ecosystems of our area in a morning at the Arboretum that includes hands-on investigations in the field. Class qualifies for SBEC credit for educators and Advanced Training for Master Naturalists. Cost is $20 for members; $35 for non-members.

Path to a Healthy, Sustainable Green Home
(Please note: class will take place at New Living, 6111 Kirby Drive, 77005)
Jeff Kaplan, owner of New Living, will demonstrate how to make minor changes to your home that can help save money, and have a positive impact on the environment. Learn about natural building materials and new products for building or remodeling homes on the Texas Gulf coast. Cost is $35 for members; $50 for non-members