December 2009
Calendar of Events
Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
|
| Tuesday, December 1 & Wednesday, December 2 |
Tuesday, Dec. 1:
6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 2:
6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Field Trip:
Saturday, Dec. 5:
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
|
Photographing Birds
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. Two evening classes will be followed by a Saturday field trip to the Texas coast to practice techniques taught in class.
Instructor: Greg Lavaty - view Greg's photo galleries
Cost: $80 for members; $110 for non-members
|
| Thursdays, December 3, 10 & 17 |
| 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 $10 per session when registering for a month or $15 per session. |
| Saturday, December 5 |
9 – 10:15 a.m.
OR
10:45 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Ages 3 to 5 with an adult |
Tadpole Troopers: The Day Jimmy's Boa Ate The Wash
In December, Tadpole Troopers will learn fun facts about snakes and even get to see some live snakes after reading The Day Jimmy’s Boa Ate the Wash by Trinka Hakes Noble.
Cost is $13 for members; $26 for non-members. Pre-registration required. |
| Sunday, December 6 |
| 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. |
Backyard Habitat Builder Series: Permanent Food Sources 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 December ’s class, “Permanent Food Sources for Wildlife” students will learn what native plants will attract birds, butterflies and other wildlife, proper planting techniques and the use of supplemental feeders. Cost for each class is $60 for members or $80 for non-members. |
|
Tuesdays, December 8, 15, 22 & 29
Saturdays, December 12 & 19 |
Tuesdays: 5:45- 6:45 p.m.
Saturdays: 10:00- 11:00 a.m.
|
Continuing Tai Chi
For students wishing to further develop Tai Chi skills and knowledge. Prior enrollment in Introductory Tai Chi required. Class is held inside an Arboretum classroom overlooking the forest. Cost is $15 per session; or $45 per month for one weekly session (either Tuesday or Saturday), or $70 per month for all sessions (on Tuesdays and Saturdays).
|
Wednesdays, December 9, 16 & 30 |
| 5:45 - 6:45 p.m. |
Introductory Tai Chi
The Arboretum provides a serene, natural backdrop for this graceful and meditative form of exercise. Class will be held outside except when weather conditions are prohibitive. Cost is $15 per session; or $45 per month. |
Friday, December 11 |
10:45- 11:30 a.m.
Ages 3 to 5 with an adult |
Tadpole Troopers: The Day Jimmy's Boa Ate The Wash
In December, Tadpole Troopers will learn fun facts about snakes and even get to see some live snakes after reading The Day Jimmy’s Boa Ate the Wash by Trinka Hakes Noble.
Cost is $13 for members; $26 for non-members. Pre-registration required. |
1:30- 3:00 p.m.
Ages 5 to 12
|
Home School Class: Family Life of Birds
Designed especially for home schoolers, this class will follow the family life of birds: from nests, to eggs, to hatchlings and more.
Cost is $15 for members; $25 for non-members. Pre-registration is required by the Wednesday prior to class.
|
7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Ages 6 and up; Minors must be accompanied by a parent |
Family Owl Prowl
Bring the family (ages 6 and up only) for a night hike with an Arboretum naturalist to listen and look for owls, flying squirrels and other animals in the night forest. Afterward, enjoy hot chocolate, cider and homemade cookies. Wear walking shoes and dress for the weather - the event will be held rain or shine. Cost, for ages 16 and up, is $22 for members; $32 for non-members. Children ages 6-15 are $15. |
| Saturday, Dec. 12 – Wednesday, Dec. 23 |
| 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., daily |
Winter Holiday Native Tree & Shrub Sale: The 12 Days of a Green Christmas
Do something different this holiday and consider giving a greener gift? The Houston Arboretum & Nature Center will sell over 24 different types of Texas native trees and shrubs. A native tree or shrub is the perfect “green gift” to give for the holidays. Arboretum members get discount on all purchases. Proceeds benefit the Arboretum’s conservation and education programs. For more information call 713-681-8433 or visit www.houstonarboretum.org
|
Saturday, December 12 |
9 – 10:15 a.m.,
OR
10:45 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Ages 3 to 5 with an adult
|
Tadpole Troopers: The Day Jimmy's Boa Ate The Wash
In December, Tadpole Troopers will learn fun facts about snakes and even get to see some live snakes after reading The Day Jimmy’s Boa Ate the Wash by Trinka Hakes Noble. Cost is $13 for members; $26 for non-members. Pre-registration required.
|
9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
OR 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Ages 5 to 8 |
Naturalist Explorers: Wiley Coyote
This fall, Naturalist Explorer classes will study mammals found in Houston. In December, students will learn about coyotes and the important role they play in the ecosystem. Cost: $15 for members; $30 for non-members. Pre-registration required by noon on Friday prior to class.
|
9:00- 11:00 a.m.
Ages 9 to 12 |
EcoTrackers: The Urban Coyote
EcoTracker classes inspire young naturalists with hands-on, engaging activities about a nature topic each month. December’s class will explore how coyotes are surviving in urban areas like Houston. $15 for members, $30 for non-members. Pre-registration required by noon on Friday prior to class. |
| Thursday, December 24 & Friday, December 25 |
| |
Building closed. |
| Monday, December 28 - Thursday, December 31 |
| |
Winter Break Camp: A Sense of Nature
Each day campers will investigate a sense: taste, touch, hearing, and sight and explore how animals and plants use these same senses. Children will discover how butterflies taste with their feet, snakes smell with their tongue and how raccoons hunt at night in murky ponds with their sense of touch. They will also study the importance of the sense of hearing for animals in communicating danger, finding a mate and designating territory. Finally, students will investigate how animals use their sense of sight and learn which creatures are color blind and the advantages and disadvantages of a colorful coat. Classes are taught by Arboretum naturalists and include both indoor and outdoor hands-on activities on the nature sanctuary grounds. Cost: $190 for members; $215 for non-members. Morning only (9 a.m. – noon) option- cost is $100 for members; $125 for non-members (limited spaces). |
| Friday, January 1 |
| |
Building closed. |
