February 2008
Calendar of Events
Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
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| Saturday, February 2 |
8:00 a.m. – noon
& 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. |
Volunteer Trail Work Project
Get outside and help the Arboretum with trail or habitat enhancement projects. Ages 16 and up. Registration required by Wednesday prior to work event. Email or call 713-681-8433 for more information.
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| 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. |
Buffalo Bayou Canoe Trip
Spend the afternoon in a canoe on Buffalo Bayou and explore its natural history. This stretch of bayou flows between I-610 and Shepherd Drive, one of the wildest portions of the bayou, includes the Arboretum and Memorial Park. The trip will be preceded by a one-hour orientation at the Arboretum on Thursday evening, Jan. 30. This outdoor class is one in a series of trips sponsored by the Arboretum and Whitewater Experience founder Don Greene. While canoeing experience is not necessary, a desire to learn definitely is. The natural history of the bayou, including erosion issues, geology, plants, birds and mammals, will be explored in-depth in this series of trips. Cost is $85 for members, $95 for non-members. For more information call Bill Eley at 713-681-8433. Pre-registration is required.
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| Monday, February 4 |
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Spring Break Camp - Registration open to public
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| 10:00 a.m. - noon |
Home School Program - Ready or Rot, Here I Come!
Students will learn about the importance of nature's recyclers. This program is offered exclusively for home schooled children ages 5 to 12. Cost is $18 for members; $20 for non-members. Registration required. |
| Thursday, February 7 |
| 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. |
Yoga On the Way Home
Why fight the traffic? Slow down and relax. Restorative Yoga is every Thursday in the Arboretum's classroom (with a view of the forest) . Cost is $15 per session. For more information, call 713-681-8433 Registration is required. |
| Friday, February 8 |
| 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. |
Owl Prowl
Take a guided tour along the forest trails at night. Hear a naturalist imitate an owl call and listen to hear whether an owl calls back. It is a nighttime adventure at the Arboretum. Cost for members is: $20/adult; $10/child (12 and under). Non-members: $25/adult; $15/child. Register by February 6. For more information, call 713-681-8433. |
| Saturday, February 9 |
9:00 a.m. - noon
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Spring Volunteer Orientation
Get back and give back to nature as a volunteer at the Houston Arboretum! Spend the morning learning about the Arboretum and the many opportunities available to volunteer. Meet current staff and volunteers and take a guided tour. Training sessions for specific volunteer jobs are held later in February and March. For more information, call 713-366-0375 or email volunteer@houstonarboretum.org.
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8:00 a.m. – noon
& 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. |
Volunteer Conservation Project
Get outside and help the Arboretum with trail or habitat enhancement projects. Ages 16 and up. Registration required by Wednesday prior to work event. Email or call 713-681-8433 for more information. |
| Monday, February 11 |
| 2:00 p.m. |
Soil Food Web - Talk by John Ferguson
Soil scientist and owner of Nature's Way Resources, John Ferguson will speak on composting and the soil food web at the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center. Learn how a healthy living soil is an ecosystem with oxygen, water and nutrients - all important for healthy plant growth. Soil is home to microbes and earthworms that turn nutrients into forms plants can absorb. By nurturing this below-ground soil food web, gardeners can ensure that their plants have a healthy diet. Learn how to produce a healthy soil food web with correct composting techniques.
With over 27 years of business experience, Ferguson holds an MS degree in Physics and Geology and is a licensed soil scientist in Texas. He has won many awards in horticulture and environmental issues and his personal garden has been featured in several horticulture books and Better Homes and Gardens magazine. Email for more information.
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| Thursday, February 14 |
| 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. |
Yoga On the Way Home
Why fight the traffic? Slow down and relax. Restorative Yoga is every Thursday in the Arboretum's classroom (with a view of the forest) . Cost is $15 per session. For more information, call 713-681-8433 Registration is required.
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| Friday, February 15 |
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Deadline for submissions for Youth Nature Photography Contest
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10:00 - 11:15 a.m.
OR
Lunch Bunch Class:
Lunch: 12:00 - 12:30
Class: 12:30 - 1:45 p.m.
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Tadpole Troopers – That's Batty
Accompanied by a big person of their choice, Tadpole Troopers discover discover fun facts about this unusual flying mammal and why bats are important to the environment. Cost is $12 for members, $24 for non-members. Pre-registration by February 13 is required.
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Saturday, February 16 |
9:00 - 10:15 a.m.
10:30 - 11:45 a.m.
Ages 3 - 5
OR
2:00 - 3:15 p.m.
Class for 5 yrs. only |
Tadpole Troopers – That's Batty
Accompanied by a big person of their choice, Tadpole Troopers discover discover fun facts about this unusual flying mammal and why bats are important to the environment. Cost is $12 for members, $24 for non-members. Pre-registration by February 13 is required.
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| Tuesday, February 19 |
| 6:45 - 8:00 a.m. |
Early Morning Bird Walk
Join Arboretum Naturalist Lucien (Luc) Bouffard for a guided walk on the Arboretum trails to look for birds during the spring migration season. This is a great way to improve your birding skills, meet other birders and enjoy some time in nature. Bring your binoculars and field guides. Coffee provided. Cost: Free for Arboretum members; $5 for non-members. No registration required.
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| 9:30 a.m. - noon |
Volunteer Training - School Tour Guide (Session 1 of 4)
Share your love of nature with kids and help cultivate the next generation of environmental stewards. First in a series of four training sessions for School Tour Volunteer Guides at the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center. (Other sessions: Feb. 21, 26& 28.) Volunteers must go through application process, including background check. For more information, call 713-681-8433 or email volunteer@houstonarboretum.org. |
| Thursday, February 21 |
| 6:45 - 8:00 a.m. |
Early Morning Bird Walk
Join Arboretum Naturalist Lucien (Luc) Bouffard for a guided walk on the Arboretum trails to look for birds during the spring migration season. This is a great way to improve your birding skills, meet other birders and enjoy some time in nature. Bring your binoculars and field guides. Coffee provided. Cost: Free for Arboretum members; $5 for non-members. No registration required. |
| 9:30 a.m. - noon |
Volunteer Training - School Tour Guide (Session 2 of 4)
Share your love of nature with kids and help cultivate the next generation of environmental stewards. First in a series of four training sessions for School Tour Volunteer Guides at the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center. (Other sessions: Feb. 19, 26 & 28.) Volunteers must go through application process, including background check. For more information, call 713-681-8433 or email volunteer@houstonarboretum.org. |
| 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. |
Yoga On the Way Home
Why fight the traffic? Slow down and relax. Restorative Yoga is every Thursday in the Arboretum's classroom (with a view of the forest) . Cost is $15 per session. For more information, call 713-681-8433 Registration is required.
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| Friday, February 22 |
10:00 - 11:15 a.m.
OR
12:00 - 1:45 p.m.
(Lunch Bunch class)
Ages 3 - 5 |
Tadpole Troopers – That's Batty
Accompanied by a big person of their choice, Tadpole Troopers discover discover fun facts about this unusual flying mammal and why bats are important to the environment. Cost is $12 for members, $24 for non-members. Pre-registration by February 20 is required.
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| Saturday, February 23 |
| 6:45 - 8:00 a.m. |
Early Morning Bird Walk
Join Arboretum Naturalist Lucien (Luc) Bouffard for a guided walk on the Arboretum trails to look for birds during the spring migration season. This is a great way to improve your birding skills, meet other birders and enjoy some time in nature. Bring your binoculars and field guides. Coffee provided. Cost: Free for Arboretum members; $5 for non-members. No registration required.
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9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
OR 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Ages 5 - 8 |
Naturalist Explorers – Slimy Salamanders
Learn about the secretive life of our friend the salamander. Discover where and how these elusive creatures spend their lives. For more information, call 713-681-8433.Cost is $15 for members, $30 for non-members. Pre-registration is required by Feb. 21.
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9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Ages 9 - 12 |
EcoTrackers – Tigers at the Arboretum
The tigers that live at the Arboretum are black with yellow spots.. not your typical tiger! Learn about the tiger salamander and the lesser siren and the secretive lives they lead. For more information, call 713-681-8433. Cost is $15 for members, $30 for non-members. Pre-registration is required by Feb. 21.
|
9:00 - 10:15 a.m.
10:30 - 11:45 a.m.
Ages 3 - 5
OR
2:00-3:15 p.m.
Class for 5 yrs. only |
Tadpole Troopers – That's Batty
Accompanied by a big person of their choice, Tadpole Troopers discover why birds have colorful feathers and why they are able to fly. Listen to bird calls and test your own bird calling skills in the forest. For more information, call 713-681-8433. Cost is $12 for members, $24 for non-members. Pre-registration by Feb. 23. is required.
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| 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. |
Nature 101 - 3 Kingdoms
What 3 kingdoms do you encounter at the Arboretum everyday no matter what the weather or time of year? Come and learn about the fascinating characteristics of the plant, fungi, and monera (bacteria and blue/green algae) kingdoms. Participants will look in greater detail at flower and fungi anatomy with hands on actvities. Nature 101 classes are introductory natural history courses designed to introduce you to the animals and plants of the Arboretum. Teachers can earn 2 hrs. of SBEC credit and Texas Master Naturalists can earn Advanced Training. |
| Tuesday, February 26 |
| 6:45 - 8:00 a.m. |
Early Morning Bird Walk
Join Arboretum Naturalist Lucien (Luc) Bouffard for a guided walk on the Arboretum trails to look for birds during the spring migration season. This is a great way to improve your birding skills, meet other birders and enjoy some time in nature. Bring your binoculars and field guides. Coffee provided. Cost: Free for Arboretum members; $5 for non-members. No registration required. |
| 9:30 a.m. - noon |
Volunteer Training - School Tour Guide (Session 3 of 4)
Share your love of nature with kids and help cultivate the next generation of environmental stewards. First in a series of four training sessions for School Tour Volunteer Guides at the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center. (Other sessions: Feb. 19, 21 & 28.) Volunteers must go through application process, including background check. For more information, call 713-681-8433 or email volunteer@houstonarboretum.org. |
| Thursday, February 28 |
| 6:45 - 8:00 a.m. |
Early Morning Bird Walk
Join Arboretum Naturalist Lucien (Luc) Bouffard for a guided walk on the Arboretum trails to look for birds during the spring migration season. This is a great way to improve your birding skills, meet other birders and enjoy some time in nature. Bring your binoculars and field guides. Coffee provided. Cost: Free for Arboretum members; $5 for non-members. No registration required. |
| 9:30 a.m. - noon |
Volunteer Training - School Tour Guide (Session 4 of 4)
Share your love of nature with kids and help cultivate the next generation of environmental stewards. First in a series of four training sessions for School Tour Volunteer Guides at the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center. (Other sessions: Feb. 19, 21 & 26.) Volunteers must go through application process, including background check. For more information, call 713-681-8433 or email volunteer@houstonarboretum.org. |
| 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. |
Yoga On the Way Home
Why fight the traffic? Slow down and relax. Restorative Yoga is every Thursday in the Arboretum's classroom (with a view of the forest) . Cost is $15 per session. For more information, call 713-681-8433 Registration is required.
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