Sharon Meeker, Experienced Birder and Trip Leader

Visit Briar Hill Preserve, see some spring migrants in the early morning light, and still get to your desk on time! Briar Hill Preserve, a beautiful piece of preserved land in the Wissahickon Watershed, is located next to Whitpain Township's Prophecy Creek Park. Together we will explore this forested and meadow habitat for spring arrivals. This park is known for its pristine ponds and connecting walking trails.  
Wear good walking shoes and bring binoculars. We will meet at Prophecy Creek Park, 205 W Skippack Pike, Ambler, PA 19002.

Friday, May 9       NEW DATE: Saturday May 10
7:00 – 9:00 am

Members: $30 | Non-members: $35

Sharon Meeker, Experienced Birder and Trip Leader

Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve in New Hope, PA, has been a hotspot for birders in Bucks County for many years. More than 110 species can be seen over the course of a year, including 31 species of warblers during peak spring and fall migration. We will walk through the preserve, stopping at a wide variety of bird habitats.  
The class fee covers admission to enter the preserve. Dress for the weather. Bring binoculars and a snack. We will meet at Bowman’s Hill Visitor Center, New Hope, PA 18938.

Thursday, May 15
8:00 am – 12:00 pm

Members: $45 | Non-members: $50

Sharon Meeker, Experienced Birder and Trip Leader

Just across from Temple Ambler’s campus is a 38-acre township park and environmental education center. We will gather for some early morning birding, exploring the trails for spring migrants and nest builders. Bring a thermos of coffee and start your week off right!
We will meet at Robbins Park, 1419 E. Butler Pike, Ambler, PA 19002.  Bring your binoculars and wear good walking shoes.

Monday, May 19
7:00 – 9:00 am

Members: $30 | Non-members: $35

Sharon Meeker, Experienced Birder and Trip Leader

Join us for a full day of witnessing the spectacle of migrating shorebirds! We will meet at Reeds Beach, where a rich diversity of birds and other wildlife make this stop a must during a visit to the area. From the end of the jetty, you can see the length of the coastline from East Point to North Cape May. From there, we will carpool to several beaches on the Delaware bay as the tide comes in, bringing the horseshoe crabs in to spawn. We will finish our trip at Heislerville Wildlife Management Area for more shorebird viewing as the tide recedes.  
Bring your binoculars, lunch and a water bottle; we will picnic at East Point Lighthouse! Meet at the parking area next to the jetty at Reeds Beach (300 N Beach Dr., Villas, NJ 08251).

Thursday, May 22
10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Members: $75 | Non-members: $85

Sharon Meeker, Experienced Birder and Trip Leader 

Explore some of the best spots for spring birding at the Morris Arboretum & Gardens! We will visit the Morris’s natural areas including wetlands, meadows, and the woodlands along the Wissahickon Creek. These areas provide great habitat for a wide variety of birds year-round. We will see resident birds as well as migrating raptors, warblers, and sparrows. If time permits, we will also have a chance to look for birds in other arboretum habitats. These sessions are for beginning or experienced bird watchers.  
This class meets at the Morris. Park in the meadow next to the entrance kiosk and meet Sharon there. Bring your binoculars. 

Pricing is per session.  Sign up for one or multiple sessions.

Session 1: Wednesday April 16
8:00 – 10:30 am  

Session 2: Wednesday, May 7
5:30 pm – dusk  

Session 3: Wednesday, May 28
7:30 – 10:00 am

Members: $25 | Non-members: $30

Jessica Liddell, Owner, Bella Mosaic

Make a colorful and unique piece of jewelry with the fused glass process, which layers and melts cut glass together for luminous results. You will leave the class with pendants, pins, earrings and/or rings. This is a fun way to build up your jewelry collection or make gifts for friends. Have fun, get creative, and make something special!  
Instructor Jessica Liddell has been teaching art since 1995. She has exhibited her work nationally and has directed collaborative public arts projects in community centers, camps, and schools. This is a two-session class. In the first session of the class, we will work on our fused glass pieces. In the second session, we’ll use some simple jewelry-making techniques and add hooks and beads to our projects.

Two Fridays: May 2, May 9
12:30 – 2:30 pm

Members: $90 / Non-members: $95

Mitch Roberge, Horticulturist & Artist, HSB Garden Designs, Calluna Plants & Gifts

Join us in the garden and learn the basics of watercolor in this 4-week seminar. During this course, you will complete one study per week, focusing on a different technique for capturing beauty in the natural world. Together, we will experiment with layering colors, creating texture, and building value as you find inspiration around the Morris Arboretum & Gardens.

This class will be held outside, with an inside space available in case of inclement weather. A materials list will be emailed to all participants in advance of the class.  

Four Saturdays: May 3, 10, 17, 24
10:00 am – 1:00 pm

Members: $145 / Non-members: $160

Henry Martin, Artist and Art Teacher  

What better way to herald the coming of spring than to draw outdoors, and where is a more magical place to do it than within the majestic trees of Morris Arboretum & Gardens? This class explores basic concepts designed to facilitate drawing for beginners and accomplished artists alike. Simply put, we use the trees to learn how to draw. We begin the first day with certain perceptual exercises that apply to all subject matter and then proceed to discuss detailed aspects of the trees’ anatomy, such as proportion, structure, branch patterns, foliage masses and sky holes, with the goal of arranging these visual components into a cohesive whole. Each class begins with exercises designed to warm up and hone our observational skills. Students then work at their own pace to take home a finished piece they can frame and treasure forever. A materials list will be emailed to each participant before the first class.

Four Mondays: May 5, 12, 19, 26
10:00 am – 1:00 pm

Members: $150 / Non-members: $165

Sara Robbins, Fiber Artist and Educator  

It’s time to be swept away with spring and maybe even the cleaning that traditionally comes with it! For centuries brooms have filled multiple needs such as function, ritual and decoration. Join in the fun of this heritage handicrafts and make two whisk brooms—a traditional Appalachian turkey wing and a hawk wing. We will be using authentic broomcorn to make our brooms. You will also learn a little broom lore along the way. To practice we will begin with a small broom for dusting crumbs off the table, cleaning mushrooms or silk from corn. This will give you a sense of what it’s like to wrap a broom tightly, so it does not come apart. Next you will move on to making a second, more complex broom. You will go home with two brooms you will feel proud to have made yourself, and all the knowledge you need to continue this craft on your own!  
Please note that moderate hand and wrist strength is a must for this class. We will also be using our feet as we will be working a ‘kickwinder’ which sits on the floor.

This SINGLE SESSION class will be held on two occasions (**New second date added below!!):

Thursday, May 22
1:00 pm – 4:30 pm  

Thursday, June 26

1:00 pm – 4:30 pm

Members: $85 / Non-members: $90

Sarah Claxton, Photographer, Educator, Author

Everyone is a photographer with a smartphone! Want to be a better one? Learn some technological fundamentals, photographic tips and develop a critical eye so you can take amazing pictures, no matter what kind of camera you have. No photography experience or special equipment is necessary—just your smartphone! In this workshop, you’ll learn how to compose a great image using depth of field, quality of light and composition tips and tricks. We'll discuss lighting and composition particularly as it relates to landscape and environmental photography, using perspective and magic hour. Then we'll take a walk through the gardens to experiment with both instructor guidance and on our own. Open to all skill levels. Bring your phone!  
Sarah Claxton has worked in the photo industry for 25+ years: as an editor for USA Weekend Magazine, commercial producer, photographer’s agent + consultant, and of course, as a photographer.  

Friday, May 30
10:00 am – 12:00 pm  

Members: $40 / Non-members: $45

Meghan Cary, Award-winning Songwriter, Artist, and Coach  

Are you a creative intrigued by the craft of songwriting? Or a more seasoned songwriter looking for inspiration and a few new tools for your writer's chest? Join award-winning songwriter Meghan Cary at the Morris in a class designed to jumpstart your creativity and fuel your passion for writing. This workshop welcomes both experienced and aspiring songwriters, offering a supportive environment to dive into the art and craft of songwriting amidst the spring blooms and inspirational setting of the garden. Join us to experiment, refine your craft, and rediscover the joy of songwriting—your muse will thank you!
Bring your instrument (if you’d like) and your creative spirit! You’re also invited to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy in the garden after class.

Saturday, May 31
10:00 am – 1:00 pm  

Members: $75 / Non-members: $80

Meg Lemieur, Local Artist 

Grab a friend and your art supplies and join us at the Morris after hours for a fun evening of learning to draw pollinators! This workshop will guide you to draw these beautiful and important creatures by breaking down animal forms to their most basic shapes and learning to draw all your favorite details. From bats to bees to leaping lemurs, we will share lots of fun pollinator facts all while relaxing outside at Morris Arboretum & Gardens. 

Each class will include a period of instruction, time to draw independently using large scale models of pollinators in the Morris garden areas, and 1:1 feedback from Meg on your artwork. We will meet at the Welcome Center; bring a folding chair; a list of simple art supplies to bring a long will be emailed to all registrants.

Meg Lemieur is a Philadelphia artist whose mission is to celebrate the diversity, interconnectedness, and amazing feats of the natural world. Learn more about Meg on her website: meglemieur.com.  Don’t miss this special opportunity to learn from Meg in person in this gorgeous after-hours setting!  

REGISTRATION IS BELOW  for each individual session, OR call to register for the full series at a discounted rate!  

Three Tuesdays, June 3, 10 and 17
6:00 – 8:00 pm

 Members: $40 / Non-members: $45

Members: $115 / Non-members: $125 Full series*

*Series discount pricing.  Please call us 215-247-5777 X125 to take advantage of this discount!

Meg Lemieur, Local Artist 

Session 1: 

Focus on learning the building blocks of drawing that will help you draw your favorite pollinators. Each class will include a period of instruction, time to draw independently using large scale models of pollinators in the Morris garden areas, and 1:1 feedback from Meg on your artwork. Don’t miss this special opportunity to learn from Meg in person in this gorgeous after-hours setting!

Tuesday, June 3
6:00 – 8:00 pm

Members: $40 / Non-members: $45

Meg Lemieur, Local Artist 

Session 2: 

Learn basic insect anatomy as well as tips and tricks to drawing fur, feathers, and scales.

Each class will include a period of instruction, time to draw independently using large scale models of pollinators in the Morris garden areas, and 1:1 feedback from Meg on your artwork. Don’t miss this special opportunity to learn from Meg in person in this gorgeous after-hours setting!

Tuesday, June 10
6:00 – 8:00 pm

Members: $40 / Non-members: $45

Meg Lemieur, Local Artist 

Session 3: 

Build upon what you've learned to construct your own artistic composition using a variety of proven techniques.

Each class will include a period of instruction, time to draw independently using large scale models of pollinators in the Morris garden areas, and 1:1 feedback from Meg on your artwork. Don’t miss this special opportunity to learn from Meg in person in this gorgeous after-hours setting!

Tuesday, June 17
6:00 – 8:00 pm

Members: $40 / Non-members: $45

Jack Hobe, Wildlife Artist, Birder, Freelance Educator 

Join naturalist and wildlife illustrator Jack Hobe for a three-part workshop series on drawing birds! Each session focuses on a different bird group—songbirds, raptors, and waterfowl—offering practical techniques to help you capture their unique shapes, postures, and movements on paper.

• How to Draw Songbirds
• How to Draw Raptors
• How to Draw Waterfowl

No prior art experience is required—each workshop welcomes all skill levels! Bring a sketchbook or paper, pencil, and colored pencils or watercolor (if desired). Different subjects will be explored each session.

REGISTRATION IS BELOW.   Sign up for one – or all three!

Three Saturdays: June 28, July 25, August 23
10:00 am – 12 pm

Members:  $40 / Non-members:  $45

Jack Hobe, Wildlife Artist, Birder, Freelance Educator 

Learn to sketch the lively songbirds in your backyard, using tricks for capturing posture, proportions, and feather patterns before they flit away. Also take a look at ways to simplify birds’ feathers, wings, tails and feet.

Saturday, June 28
10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Members:  $40 / Non-members:  $45

Jack Hobe, Wildlife Artist, Birder, Freelance Educator 

Discover techniques for drawing perched and soaring birds of prey, including gesture sketching for circling hawks.

Saturday, July 25
10:00 am – 12 pm

Members:  $40 / Non-members:  $45

Jack Hobe, Wildlife Artist, Birder, Freelance Educator 

Master the challenges of drawing ducks, geese, and swans, from their distinctive beaks to partially submerged bodies.

Saturday. August 23
10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Members:  $40 / Non-members:  $45

Tama Matsuoka Wong, Forager, Meadow Doctor, Lawyer, Author, and Owner of Meadows + More 

SPRING is the time when people are tired of winter root vegetables, but it is still too cold for most farmed vegetables. This is the perfect time to explore the bounty of forageable, delicious "weeds" right at our feet in the Mid-Atlantic region! 

Join Tama for a morning of exploring the most delectable of these wild plants in the Morris’s meadows. Tama will break down common assumptions about what is ugly, what is useless and what is unwanted by gleaning and making delicious use of unwanted ‘weeds.’ After an introduction, the group will go on a walk and learn how to forage for common spring edibles. You’ll learn the historical background and harvesting tips of some of the most common wild edibles in the Mid-Atlantic region. Then Tama will discuss the cooking and preparation of these edibles, and we will share bountiful tastes of wild edibles and ideas for incorporating them into every meal! 

Tama Matsuoka Wong is a forager, weed eater, meadow doctor, lawyer and mother of three. She is the author of the backyard field guide and cookbook Foraged Flavor (2012) and Into the Weeds (2024). She is the owner of Meadows + More, connecting great food with nature (meadowsandmore.com). 

Saturday, May 10 
10:30 am – 12:30 pm 

Members: $50 / Non-members: $55

Mitch Roberge, Horticulturist, Artist, Educator 

Learn the basics of cupcake decorating and impress your friends and family with cupcakes that look like a variety of succulents and cacti! In this two-hour *hands-on* workshop you will learn everything from making silky Swiss meringue buttercream to creating the perfect swirl of frosting decorated with detailed hand-piped floral techniques. Participants will be provided with cupcakes, swiss meringue buttercream, and food coloring.  A materials list will be emailed to all participants in advance of the class. 

Saturday, May 31 
1:00 – 3:00 pm 

Members: $45 / Non-members: $50 

Dorothy Bauer, Weavers Way Co-op Neighborhood Nutrition Team Member, Raw Food Chef  

Join us for a mushroom-focused evening of culinary exploration! This program will dive into the delicious and healthful qualities of mushrooms and explore their preparation in several different delectable ways. We’ll make (and taste!) savory mushroom jerky, umami mushroom crackers, and even mushroom-based beverages. If you are as enamored by our fungal friends as we are, you’ll love this class. Tastings and recipes included! 

Dorothy Bauer spent most of her adult life in Berkeley, California, where she was able to take classes at Living Light Culinary Institute and study with world raw food chef Elaina Love. 

Monday, June 9 
6:00 – 7:30 pm 

Members: $45 / Non-members: $50 

Joanna Eun & Dennis Teo, Artisanal Crafters

Explore and learn to make a unique and refreshing variation of white kimchi (baek kimchi). Unlike its spicier counterpart, white kimchi is naturally mild, crisp, and refreshing-perfect for those who love fermented foods but prefer a gentler taste. Learn various techniques and explore the benefits of fermentation. 

Take home your own batch of white kimchi and enjoy the health benefits and delicious flavor of this Korean staple. Perfect for beginners and kimchi enthusiasts alike!

Saturday, June 14
10:30 am – 12:30 pm

Members: $40 / Non-members: $45

Joanna Eun & Dennis Teo, Artisanal Crafters

Experience the art of Korean temple cuisine, a mindful and nourishing approach to cooking that deeply respects nature, balance, and simplicity. In this hands-on class, you'll learn to prepare beautifully crafted, plant-based dishes using fresh, seasonal, and locally sourced ingredients.

Discover the philosophy behind temple food rooted in harmony with nature, minimalism, and mindful eating-while exploring traditional techniques that enhance flavor without artificial seasonings. Together, we'll prepare a variety of dishes and conclude with a shared, family-style lunch, embracing the communal spirit of this timeless culinary tradition.

Saturday, August 16
10:30 am – 12:30 pm

Members: $50 / Non-members: $55

Al Paris, Professional Chef/Restaurateur

These demonstration classes will cover the creation of a meal focused on products from Erdenheim Farm. Each class will include a discussion about how the food is raised or grown on the farm, followed by a cooking demonstration by Chef Al Paris, and finish with a chance to eat and savor the creation. Chef Al Paris has owned and created the culture and cuisine of 13 award-winning restaurants—most recently Paris Bistro in Chestnut Hill. He believes that all cooks can create their own distinct cuisine through the clarity of their vision and the use of the freshest seasonal ingredients.

The class meets at the Sheep Barn parking lot at Erdenheim Farm (5051 Flourtown Road, Lafayette Hill, PA 19444).

A different seasonal menu is offered, and typically changes monthly. Please sign up for each session separately.  

Registration and menus located below.

Al Paris, Professional Chef/Restaurateur

MENU: The August menu will include a black garlic and green onion ciabatta; top of the season heirloom tomato salad with farm greens; Bombay vegetarian crepes stuffed with chard, potato, chickpeas, and paneer; topped with chives and a poached egg. For dessert, Chef will serve a corn cake with roasted peaches and a maple cream and ginger honey syrup!  The meal features Erdenheim Farm tomatoes, eggs, potatoes, corn, peaches, honey, onions, and greens.

Saturday, August 23
12:00-3:00 pm

Members: $100/ Non-members: $110

Rebecca Silvey, Environmental Educator   

Children ages 2-4 and their favorite caregiver are invited to join us to explore the outdoors and learn about some fun early science subjects like leaves, weather, soil, and insects. In each class we will take time to do an age appropriate activity and read an engaging story outside in nature! Class occurs rain or shine so please dress for the weather and bring sun protection and water. In the case of extreme weather we will move indoors.  
As we will be going on adventures on uneven terrain, we ask that all participants wear sturdy shoes and leave strollers behind. Siblings should register as participants.  Please arrive 15 minutes before the class start time so you can find your way to our starting spot in the Whimsical Woods.  

Six Mondays: April 14, 21, 28; May 5, 12, 19  27 (Tuesday; make-up day)
10:30 – 11:15 am   

Members: $140 / Non-members: $160

Stephanie Bruneau, Assistant Director of Adult Education, Morris Arboretum & Gardens

Brooke Ezzo, Penn Vet, Wildlife Futures Program
 
Come join us for an all-ages program all about fireflies and other creatures of the night!

Did you know that fireflies are not flies, but are actually beetles? Or that our planet is home to over 2,200 firefly species, and that over 30 species can be found in PA? Or that “glow worms” are actually firefly larvae, and can be found lighting up the soil all around us at night if we only know where and how to look?  In this program we will explore the natural history of fireflies, ways of observing and telling them apart, and what we can do to make our gardens more “glowing.”  Then, representatives from the Penn Vet Wildlife Futures Program will tell us about the work that they do to help our state’s wild species thrive, and about some of our nighttime neighbors that come out when the sun goes down!

The program will conclude with a short night walk in the garden where we will look for these nocturnal neighbors, and see some light-flash conversations in person. 

One registration covers one adult and one child.  Children must be accompanied by an adult.  Additional adults will require additional registration. 

Tuesday, June 24
7:30 – 8:45 pm  

Members: $25 / Non-members: $30  

Aimée Alesgría Barry, Owner, Centaur Tai Chi

Join instructor Aimée Alegría Barry for a workshop in meditation techniques that work through movement and breath to calm both mind and body. This course is ideal for people of all skill levels who are dealing with stresses and seeking new ways to feel more present and embodied. The program will include qi gong stretches, tai chi walking, guided meditation and more, all in the midst of spring’s unfolding in the gardens.

Register for each monthly session separately, below, or attend all three sessions at a discounted rate with registration by phone.

3 Saturdays: April 19, May 17, June 21
10:30 – 11:30 am 

Members: $30 / Non-members: $35
 Members: $80 / Non-members: $90  *Series discount pricing

Please call us 215-247-5777 X125 to take advantage of this discount!

Aimée Alegría Barry, Owner, Centaur Tai Chi

Saturday, May 17
10:30 – 11:30 am 

Members: $30 / Non-members: $35

Aimée Alegría Barry, Owner, Centaur Tai Chi

Saturday, June 21 / 10:30 – 11:30 am 

Members: $30 / Non-members: $35

Aimée Alegría Barry, Owner, Centaur Tai Chi  

Join us for an outdoor tai chi series, with the beauty of the unfolding springtime at Morris as a peaceful and grounding backdrop for your practice. Tai chi, a series of postures done slowly, promotes balance, flexibility, and strength. While teaching the tai chi form, Aimée Alegría Barry introduces the yin and yang principles that underlie this martial art. Tai chi is known as a soft martial art because it emphasizes a calm mind and relaxed body.
All levels welcome. Classes will be held outdoors with an indoor option available for weather. Meet at the Welcome Center. Dress for the weather.

Six Thursdays: May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; June 5
10:30 – 11:30 am  

Members: $110 / Non-members: $120

Kelly McLeod, Holden Qigong Certified Teacher; Founder, Chee Gong with Kelly Kel

Curious about qigong but not sure if it’s right for you? Join experienced practitioner Kelly McLeod for this introductory session and discover its potential to help you feel grounded, revitalized, and at ease. Kelly will walk you through qigong postures and movements while also explaining some of this healing art’s history, the Five Elements theory that motivates it, and the science behind how it helps to regulate the nervous system and promote relaxation. After learning and practicing the opening movements of the Five Elements form, you’ll finish with a guided meditation. Come to deepen your understanding and to experience the power of Qigong to help you feel energized and balanced.

Wednesday, May 7
10:30 – 11:30 am

Members: $30 | Non-members: $35

Kelly McLeod, Holden Qigong Certified Teacher; Founder, Chee Gong with Kelly Kel

Join experienced practitioner Kelly McLeod for six weeks of Five Elements Qigong amidst the tranquil beauty of nature at the Morris Arboretum & Gardens. Embrace the arrival of spring with this ancient Chinese art for fitness and healing, through routines that will include breathing techniques, warm-ups, stretching, invigorating exercises, gentle flowing movements and a brief closing meditation. Each session will let you explore the Five Elements theory of qigong as you connect your energy with the energy of the natural surroundings to feel grounded, revitalized, and at ease. Regardless of your prior experience, all are welcome to join and rejuvenate your mind, body and spirit.

Six Wednesdays, May 14, 21, 28; June 4, 11, 18
10:30 – 11:30 am  

Members: $110 / Non-members: $120

Maura Manzo, Yoga and Meditation Teacher
 
Join experienced yoga instructor Maura Manzo for this one-of-a-kind yoga experience on the Out-on-A-Limb exhibit at Morris, suspended 50 feet above ground and surrounded by a canopy of trees, colors, sights and sounds.  
This unique practice will be tailored to all skill levels and focuses on poses that promote rootedness, connection, and mindfulness. Human beings are deeply connected to trees and have much to learn from them, as well. Class will end with an extended guided relaxation inspired by one their greatest teachings: there is beauty that comes from letting go.
This treetop yoga experience is a wonderful way to combine the physical and mental benefits of yoga with the beauty and serenity of the natural world. You are invited to come early to class and explore the Morris’s walking trails and gardens as part of your experience.

One Thursday evening each month. Register below for each session separately. 

Members: $35 / Non-members: $40

Pricing is per session; Register below

This treetop yoga experience with Maura is a wonderful way to combine the physical and mental benefits of yoga with the beauty and serenity of the natural world. You are invited to come early to class and explore the Morris’s walking trails and gardens as part of your experience.

Thursday, May 15
5:15 – 6:30 pm

Members: $35 | Non-members: $40

This treetop yoga experience with Maura is a wonderful way to combine the physical and mental benefits of yoga with the beauty and serenity of the natural world. You are invited to come early to class and explore the Morris’s walking trails and gardens as part of your experience.

Thursday, June 26
5:15 – 6:30 pm

Members: $35 | Non-members: $40

This treetop yoga experience with Maura is a wonderful way to combine the physical and mental benefits of yoga with the beauty and serenity of the natural world. You are invited to come early to class and explore the Morris’s walking trails and gardens as part of your experience.

Thursday, July 24
5:15 – 6:30 pm

Members: $35 | Non-members: $40

This treetop yoga experience with Maura is a wonderful way to combine the physical and mental benefits of yoga with the beauty and serenity of the natural world. You are invited to come early to class and explore the Morris’s walking trails and gardens as part of your experience.

Thursday, August 21
5:15 – 6:30 pm

Members: $35 | Non-members: $40

Anisa George, Certified Forest Therapy Guide, Nationally Certified Health and Wellness Nurse Coach

Shinrin Yoku, also known as Forest Bathing or Forest Therapy, is an ancient practice that is now supported by scientific research. Improved immune function, reduced cortisol levels, increased cognition and memory, and improved mood are just some of the clinical findings from this practice. Facilitated by a trained guide to help support your own relationship to the healing benefits of nature, this experience allows for mindful connection to the “more than human world.” Participants move at a slow pace and are invited to connect in a sensorial way to the beautiful surroundings of the Morris Arboretum & Gardens. Leave the hectic world behind and come explore this ancient wisdom. 

Meet at the Welcome Center. The class is all outdoors. Dress for the weather. Choose one date, or attend all three!

Registration below.

Three Fridays: June 13, July 11 & August 29 
10:00 am – 12:30 pm

Members: $35 | Non-members: $40

Register Below!

Anisa George, Certified Forest Therapy Guide, Nationally Certified Health and Wellness Nurse Coach

Friday, June 13
10:00 am – 12:30 pm

Members: $35 | Non-members: $40

Anisa George, Certified Forest Therapy Guide, Nationally Certified Health and Wellness Nurse Coach

Friday, July 11
10:00 am – 12:30 pm

Members: $35 | Non-members: $40

Anisa George, Certified Forest Therapy Guide, Nationally Certified Health and Wellness Nurse Coach

Friday, August 29
10:00 am – 12:30 pm

Members: $35 | Non-members: $40

Jennifer Schelter, Teacher, Writer, Artist, and Founder of The Radiant Retreat  

Have you seen the incredible summer view from the grassy plateau, surrounded by blue sky, hemlocks and beech trees, facing west from Morris toward Erdenheim Farm? That setting and view provides the backdrop for this unique opportunity to study gentle yoga led by Jennifer Schelter, one of Philadelphia's premier yoga teachers. A master yoga teacher, writer and artist, Jennifer has taught for 26 years. Her philosophy is to practice for longevity and aging gracefully. She offers a rare embodied and poetic quality of metaphor, and inspiration for creative, mindful living. The yoga practice is both for the body as well as for the opportunity to reflect on one’s own heart, intention and truth. 
Participants learn the basics of yoga: breathing, mindfulness meditation, balance, strength, flexibility, core awareness, and deep relaxation. All are welcome, including beginners. Please bring a yoga mat, a towel to place under your mat, and wear comfortable clothes. In inclement weather the class will meet indoors.

Each monthly registration includes four early evening sessions, every Monday of the month, after the arboretum has closed to the public. Session 1 will be held Mondays in June and session 2 will be held Mondays in July.  Register for both sessions for a full summer of inspiration, health and zen. 

Session 1 - June  |  Mondays: June 9, 16, 23, 30 (Register here)
Session 2 - July  |  Mondays: July 7, 14, 21, 28  (Registration below) 
5:15 - 6:15 pm   

Members: $85 / Non-members: $95

**Single-session walk-ins always welcome on fair-weather days  for $25 (no member discount). Exact change cash payment is required; please arrive 10-15 minutes early.

Jennifer Schelter, Teacher, Writer, Artist, and Founder of The Radiant Retreat  

Whether your practice continues or you're just joining us, enjoy your practice in July with the incredible summer view from the Morris's grassy plateau, surrounded by blue sky, hemlocks and beech trees.  Register for both sessions for a full summer of inspiration, health and zen.

 All are welcome, including beginners. Please bring a yoga mat, a towel to place under your mat, and wear comfortable clothes. In inclement weather the class will meet indoors.

Each monthly registration includes four sessions.

 Session 2 - July (4 weeks)
Mondays: July 7, 14, 21, 28
5:15 - 6:15 pm   

Members: $85 / Non-members: $95

**Single-session walk-ins always welcome on fair-weather days $25. Exact change cash payment is required; please arrive 10-15 minutes early. (no member discount)

Michelle Detwiler, Wild About Native Plants
 
Learn how to make your space a haven for hummers! Curious about the life history of this fascinating bird? Interested in providing the natural conditions to support successful migration, foraging, and nesting in your yard? Did you know that you can see hummingbirds in your space from spring through late summer without an artificial nectar feeder?  
Ecological planting designer, Michelle Detwiler will present her favorite list of native plants for seasonal blooms—an irresistible buffet for this high-energy avian.
The class will end with a walk to see if we can spot some hummingbirds amidst the plantings growing to attract them in the Morris gardens!
 
Saturday, May 10
1:00 – 2:30 pm

Members: $30 / Non-members: $35

Damien Ruffner, Program Manager for Urban Conservation, Audubon Pennsylvania  

Join Audubon Mid-Atlantic at the Discovery Center for a native plant tour. We will be guided through the property to see the native plants, smell the native flowers, and look for our native pollinators that call the Discovery Center home. This tour will also look into future plans of site care at the Discovery Center and look at invasive species of plants they are trying to eradicate. The tour will take us on a 1.5 mile walk around the reservoir—wear good walking shoes!

Saturday, June 21
10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Members: $30 / Non-members: $35

Trevor Schulte, Azalea Meadow Horticulturist, Morris Arboretum & Gardens  
 
Join us at Morris for a talk-and-walk exploring the arboretum’s collection of native azalea! First, we will learn about horticulturist Trevor Schulte’s recent trip scouting Rhododendron prunifolium (plumleaf azalea) across their native range in Alabama and Georgia. In this trip, Trevor joined a group from Holden Forests and Gardens to help update GPS coordinates, survey plant populations and health, and search for new populations of this beautiful and fragrant native plant. The trip was successful and they found plenty of shrubs in full bloom, along with lots of other cool plants!  
After a short period of learning indoors, we will head into the garden for a guided walk to see (and smell!) this beautiful plant in our collection.
 
Friday, July 25
10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Members: $25 / Non-members: $30

Moving past the WHY, this series will explore HOW you can transform your garden, yard, or outdoor space into a thriving ecosystem that nurtures and supports a diverse range of plants, animals, and insects. Whether you're a land-care professional, an avid home gardener, or just getting started, join us at the Morris to discover simple, practical ways to make your home landscape more biodiverse—helping to restore balance, promote sustainability, and connect with nature right outside your door.
 
From creating habitat for pollinators and amphibians to choosing native plants and adopting land-care techniques that support local wildlife, this series will guide you through actionable steps to attract beneficial species, improve soil health, conserve water, and reduce the need for chemical inputs. By the end, you'll have the tools to cultivate a vibrant, resilient landscape that not only enhances your home's beauty but also contributes to the broader health of the environment.  
 
Ready to invite nature in? Let’s get started below!

Mitch Roberge, Horticulturist & Artist

Learn how to create a welcoming environment for native wildlife in your garden in this informational seminar. Participants will learn what plants attract different species, and how to cultivate shelter and nesting sites for all walks of the animal kingdom. From birds and butterflies to snakes and toads—we will discuss them all! You will leave feeling empowered to transform your garden into a sanctuary for native wildlife, enhancing biodiversity and contributing to environmental conservation in your community. Whether you have a small urban garden or a larger rural property, this class will provide you with the tools to create a beautiful space that nurtures both plants and animals.

Wednesday, June 18
6:00 – 7:30 pm

Members: $30 | Non-members: $35

David Hughes, Landscape Architect Specializing in Native Plants and Ecological Design

Join us for a private guided tour of this 4-acre Bucks County property purchased by David Hughes in 2014 –now a revitalized oasis of native plants, animals, insects, and soil life. David will describe how he was able to turn woodlands that were once over browsed by deer and overrun by invasive plants into what it is today—a healing forest floor community of indigenous plants and recycling organisms.  

The monoculture and ecologically unfriendly lawns have been replaced with native wildflower and warm season grass meadows. Vernal pools and rain gardens have been created to be a nurturing wetland habitat. Hedgerows that had been degraded due to pests, diseases and overzealous clearing are being re-established as food and nesting sites for birds and insects. Light refreshments will be provided during the tour, as well as suggestions for having lunch locally in the Point Pleasant / New Hope area.  

David Hughes is a Registered Landscape Architect and owner of Weatherwood Design LLC, specializing in native plant-based garden design, ecology and indigenous habitat conservation.  He has worked in the green industry for 34 years designing landscapes that focus on bringing back ecological functions to the site and its surrounding community.  

Friday, August 22
10:00 am – 1:00 pm

Members: $40 / Non-members: $45