A virtual lunchtime discussion exploring the science of nature’s impact on the brain. 

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by constant media, packed schedules, and work pressures? Many of us know the relief that comes from stepping outside, breathing fresh air, and reconnecting with the natural world.

Join environmental neuroscientist Marc Berman, PhD, and psychologist and neuroscientist Emily Falk, PhD, for an engaging conversation on the science behind nature’s restorative effects. They will explore how time in natural environments can boost energy, sharpen focus, lift mood, and support mental and physical well-being.  A link to participate will be emailed to all registrants 24 hours in advance of the program.

Marc Berman, PhD, is a Professor of Psychology, University of Chicago; Director, Environmental Neuroscience Lab; author of Nature and the Mind: The Science of How Nature Improves Cognitive, Physical, and Social Well-Being (2025).

Emily Falk, PhD, is a Professor of Communication, Psychology, Marketing, and OID, University of Pennsylvania; Vice Dean, Annenberg School for Communication; Director, Communication Neuroscience Lab and Climate Communication Division, Annenberg Public Policy Center; author of What We Value: The Neuroscience of Choice and Change (2025).
 

Wednesday, May 20, 2026
12:00 – 1:00 pm

Members $10 | Non-members $15

To experience the calming effects of nature firsthand, visit Morris Arboretum & Gardens this season. In June 2026, the Morris will launch The Pursuit of Happiness: Finding Joy in Nature, a summer exhibition designed to help visitors slow down and savor what it feels like to be immersed in nature.  Follow this link to our  Health & Wellness section, including the  Forest Bathing for Health series. 

Bob Gutowski, Former Director of Visitor Experience and Education, Morris Arboretum & Gardens 

Join us for a special after-hours wander through the Garden! Together we’ll watch the colors of sunset fade into twilight, how the evening changes the sounds and feel of the landscape. Using red lights to keep our night vision intact, we’ll uncover details that are often missed in daylight. This special after-hours experience will be led by Bob Gutowski, an experienced horticulturist, naturalist, educator, and Morris historian. We will stick to level paths and start from the Welcome Center. This program is held twice this spring. Choose one date or join us for both! Please register for each session separately. Pricing is per session. 

Thursdays: April 16, May 14 **Date change: Wednesday, May 13
7:00 – 8:30 pm 

Members: $30 / Non-members: $35

Off the Beaten Path: Mushroom Walk with the Philadelphia Mycology Club 
Sam Bucciarelli, President of the Philadelphia Mycology Club  

Join the Philadelphia Mycology Club on a walk around the Morris, looking for fungi growing behind the scenes of the main garden display! We will explore the grounds for fungi growing in the garden beds and amongst the trees and discuss how to document and identify them. We'll also discuss the important roles these fungi might be playing in the overall health of the gardens.  

Leading the tour is Sam Bucciarelli, president of the club. Sam is an educator with a passion for ecology, especially as it pertains to fungi and the role they play in helping our ecosystems thrive.  

Saturday, May 9 
10:00 am – 12:00 pm 

Members: $25 / Non-members: $30 

Private Tour of Calder Gardens 
Erin Monda, Horticulture Manager, Calder Gardens 

Calder Gardens is Philadelphia’s newest public garden designed by renowned Dutch garden designer Piet Oudolf, located in Fairmount. Join Horticulture Manager Erin Monda for a tour of the Calder Gardens landscape, where she will cover the construction and installation of the garden, Oudolf's designs, plant highlights and some of her favorite combinations, and management of the garden. Admission into the building to discover Alexander Calder's art is included. (Exploration of the indoor portion of the Museum is self-guided.) 

Thursday, May 21 
1:00 – 3:00 pm 

Members: $65 / Non-members: $70 

Please go to our TRIPS section to register for this event

Troy Bynum, Whitemarsh Foundation  

Join us for a morning exploring the birds at the Dixon Meadow Preserve. Covering 14 acres of land, the Dixon Meadow Preserve includes a boardwalk measuring nearly two-thirds of a mile. The preserve is a haven for birders, walkers and those who enjoy the area’s natural flora and fauna. Each of these three walks will highlight different birds as the meadow’s residents shift in each season! 

An accomplished wildlife photographer, Troy’s work has been published by Discovery Warner Bros., the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Grid Magazine, Northern Virginia Bird Alliance, The Chestnut Hill Local, and other regional publications.Troy is also an avid birder and experienced guide, leading regional and international birding tours with Hillstar Nature, Delmarva Birding Weekends, DC Bird Alliance, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, and TB Wildlife Photography LLC to name a few organizations. Troy also volunteers as Field Trip Chair for Liberty Bird Alliance where he coordinates and often leads domestic and international birding trips for the members.

Meet at the Dixon Meadow Preserve, 548 Flourtown Rd, Lafayette Hill, PA 19444. Bring your binoculars.  Please wear good walking shoes and dress for the weather.

Register below.  Choose one date or join us for all three! Register for each session separately. Pricing is per session. 

Saturdays: April 11, June 13, September 5 
8:00 – 9:30 am  

Saturday June 13
8:00 – 9:30 am  

Members: $25 / Non-members: $30

Saturday September 5
8:00 – 9:30 am  

Members: $25 / Non-members: $30

Sharon Meeker, Experienced Birder and Trip Leader 

Explore some of the best spots for autumn birding at the Morris! We will visit the Morris’s natural areas including wetlands, meadows, and the woodlands along 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 Morris habitats. These sessions are for beginning or experienced bird watchers. Bring binoculars. Each single-session class will meet at the Morris Wetland. Park in the meadow next to the entrance kiosk and meet Sharon there. 

Choose one date or sign up for all three! Pricing is per session. 

Wednesday, April 22 
7:30 – 9:30 am 

Wednesday, May 6   **Cancelled**
5:30 – 7:30 pm 

Wednesday, May 27 
7:30 – 9:30 am 

Members: $25 / Non-members: $30 

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.  

Please bring binoculars and wear good walking shoes. We will meet at Prophecy Creek Park, 205 W. Skippack Pike, Ambler, PA 19002. 

Monday, May 11 
7:30 – 9:30 am 

Members: $30 / Non-members: $35

Sharon Meeker, Experienced Birder and Trip Leader 

Evansburg State Park is a 3,000-acre park in southcentral Montgomery County between Norristown and Collegeville. Consisting of mixed hardwood forests, old fields and meadow habitat, with the Skippack Creek running through, this park is the perfect location for an early morning birding adventure during the peak of songbird migration. We will be looking for warblers, orioles, thrushes, and perhaps a bald eagle. 

Please bring your binoculars, a water bottle, and wear good walking shoes. We will meet at the Evansburg State Park Office and Visitor Center, 851 Mayhall Rd, Collegeville, PA 19426. 

Wednesday, May 13  
7:30 – 10:30 am 

Members: $40 / Non-members: $45

Sharon Meeker, Experienced Birder and Trip Leader 

On this trip we will be birding along the Perkiomen Trail, the former rail bed of the Perkiomen Line of the Reading Railroad. This gravel trail, preserved as open space, runs along the Perkiomen Creek in Montgomery County. We will look for spring migrating and resident birds. Along the way we will visit the Perkiomen Valley Park, which has a variety of good birding habitats including woodlands, wetlands, and open-grass areas. We hope to see herons, kingfishers, waterfowl, ospreys, woodpeckers, hawks, bluebirds, a variety of songbirds, and possibly a bald eagle.   

Tuesday, May 19 
7:30 am – 10:30 am 

Members: $40 / Non-members: $45 

Sharon Meeker, Experienced Birder and Trip Leader 

Join us for an evening of birding in the Wissahickon section of Fairmount Park. We will meet at Forbidden Drive and stroll along the beautiful Wissahickon Creek, a designated Important Bird Area by the Pennsylvania Audubon Society. In this green corridor, which features a variety of great bird habitats, we hope to see spring migrants to our area including wood ducks, northern water thrushes, veeries, tanagers, and many different warblers as well as resident and nesting birds.  

Please bring your binoculars and wear good walking shoes. Meet Sharon in the Wissahickon section of Fairmount Park at the concrete picnic tables at the intersection of Bells Mill Road and Forbidden Drive. 

Thursday, May 21 
6:00 – 8:00 pm 

Members: $25 / Non-members: $30

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. Weather permitting, each class may conclude with an optional short walk for those who feel comfortable sketching outdoors. 

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 in each session.  

Descriptions and registration below. Pricing is per session.
Register for each session separately.  Sign up for one, or all three! 

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

Saturday, May 23 
10:00 am – 12:00 pm 

Members:  $30 / Non-members:  $35

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

Saturday, June 20 
10:00 am – 12:00 pm 

Members:  $30 / Non-members:  $35

Meg Lemieur, Artist and Illustrator 

Ready to take a deep dive into the natural world? Nature journaling is a wonderful tool for observing and recording the flora and fauna around us. Utilizing our inner scientist, writer, and artist, we will learn to capture the intricate details we find. These four classes will provide an encouraging and supportive atmosphere to learn the tools and techniques for observing, recording, and sketching our surroundings at the Morris.  Each class will explore a new area in the garden.

Meg Lemieur is a nature-focused illustrator based in Philadelphia, whose mission is to celebrate the diversity, interconnectedness, and amazing feats of the natural world. Her illustrations have been published in numerous tabletop games, in comic anthologies, and as large-scale educational tapestries. She lends her skills to a variety of advocacy campaigns and was an Artist in Residence with the PA Environmental Council for 2025.  

• Class 1 will cover an intro to Nature Journaling, learning to break down how to observe and record plants in our journals using prompts, questions, and conversation to heighten your awareness and ability to notice more.
  

• Class 2 will lead participants through a series of intentional questioning exercises to focus our creative, curious minds on figuring out a mystery that we find in a small corner of the Morris.

• Class 3 will turn us in many directions as we learn to use changing perspective to identify and understand plants and the world around us.

• Class 4 will deepen our observational skills as we learn to record the passing of time, noticing how plants shift and change through their lives.

 
Choose one session or join us for all four!  Pricing is per session.  Register for each session separately.

Fridays: May 1, 8, 15, 22 
10:30 am – 12:30 pm 

Members: $40 / Non-members: $45

Margaret Saylor, Botanical Artist 

Have you always wanted to practice plant illustration but don’t know where to start? Or maybe you enjoy botanical illustration already, and would love an afternoon carved out in the Morris’ beautiful setting to practice your technique in the presence of a skilled instructor? Join us for this fun and engaging experience designed for botanical artists of all levels—and work at your own pace to discover your own illustration style. Frequent demonstrations from artist Margaret Saylor will clarify the painting progress. A materials list will be emailed to all participants in advance of the class. 

Artist Margaret Saylor creates highly detailed, textural botanical paintings and drawings that capture the essence of a simple object from nature and present it as an exquisite jewel in an ethereal setting. She specializes in mushrooms, fungi, and woodland plants and combines accurate illustration with the beauty of shape, form, and color.  

Wednesday, May 13 
1:00 – 4:00 pm 

Members: $90 / Non-members: $95 

Maeve Gavin, Owner, The Flower Mama 

Join us for a fun and creative floral design class with The Flower Mama! In this hands-on workshop, you’ll design your own four-piece bud vase arrangement using a vibrant selection of seasonal blooms—all sourced from our Best of Philly-winning flower truck, Rosebud, a beautifully restored 1959 vintage VW and Philadelphia’s most famous flower truck.  

You’ll hand-select your four vases and receive a carrying case for easy transport while learning tips and best practices for working with flowers. Don’t forget to snap plenty of photos with Rosebud after class—it’s the perfect backdrop for your floral masterpiece! 

Friday, May 15 
1:00 – 2:30 pm 

Members: $60 / Non-members: $65 

Mitch Roberge, Artist; Horticulturist, Haverford College 

Join us in the garden and learn the basics of watercolor in this two-part class. 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 2-session class will be held outside, with an indoor space available in case of inclement weather. Bring a snack and drink. A materials list will be emailed to all participants in advance of the class.  

Two Saturdays: June 6 and 13 
10:30 am – 1:30 pm 

Members: $70 / Non-members: $75

Sara Robbins, Fiber Artist, Educator 

Create stunning silk scarves using leaves and other natural materials in this one-day workshop! Eco or botanical printing is a technique that allows the natural dye materials in plants, called tannins, to transfer the print of the plants onto fiber. The result is a beautiful, organic design that is ecofriendly. We will be making contact prints on 100 percent silk scarves by layering on the damp cloth leaves and other plant materials that have been dipped in iron water. We will be using a heat press to transfer the prints onto fiber using heat and moisture. One of the fun parts of eco printing is the unpredictability in the results. What a plant looks like in nature may be different on your scarf, yet still beautiful. You will love the results! Perfect for beginners and experienced textile artists alike. Each participant will create two silk scarves.  

Prior to class, students will be sent a list of plant materials that work well with eco printing. Students should try and bring what they can. Plant materials will also be provided by the instructor. Bring a lunch/snack, water, and creative enthusiasm!  

Friday, June 12 
10:00 am – 2:30 pm 

Members: $135 / Non-members: $140 

Becca Kohn, Manager of The Sewing Room; Education Assistant, Morris Arboretum & Gardens 

Mending at the Morris! Give your favorite clothes a new life while learning fun, creative, visible mending techniques. Bring a worn garment and stitch with us in a cozy, supportive space. We’ll walk through a few different stitches and provide materials and guidance. The instructor will offer one-on-one support and a flexible approach you can use on future projects. An easy, satisfying way to care for what you already love. Each participant will receive a kit of mending materials for use in the workshop that will also enable you to take your new skills home with you! 

Wednesday, June 17 
4:00 – 6:00 pm 
 
Members: $35 / Non-members: $40

Jessica Liddell, Owner, Bella Mosaic 

Mosaic art is an amazing medium for creating unique pieces for both indoor and outdoor spaces. In this hands-on, two-session course, students will learn about mosaic design, cutting tile, assembling, and grouting projects. You will work on creating your own unique wall hanging for indoor use. Instructor Jessica Liddell has been teaching ceramics to adults and children 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. Materials will be provided. 

Two Fridays: July 10, July 17 
12:30 – 2:30 pm 

Members: $90 / Non-members: $100 

Liz Aubry, Bartender, Bar Lizette 

Spring forward into a treasure trove of cocktail ingredients. With the frost lifting, the home gardener has plenty of fresh ingredients to turn into seasonal cocktails. From fresh herbs and flowers to early harvest produce, learn how to bring your spring garden to the glass. 

This class will focus on flavor combinations and cover techniques and ingredients accessible to the home bartender, all set against the beautiful backdrop of Morris Arboretum & Gardens at sunset. This class is for ages 21+. Ample tastings included - BYO cheese and crackers if you desire a snack with your sips! 

Sunday, May 3 
6:00 – 8:00 pm 

Members: $60 / Non-members: $65 

Growing Minds at Morris Arboretum & Gardens is a program series for kids and families that inspires a sense of wonder about the natural world within the beautiful setting of the Morris. The classes represented in this section offer children and their caregivers the opportunity to connect meaningfully with nature through a wide variety of creative and educational programs.

 Parents and caregivers are asked to stay with children for classes.

Rebecca Silvey, Environmental Educator 

Children ages 2–4 years 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! 

Our adventures might take us on uneven terrain, so  all participants should wear sturdy shoes and be willing to leave strollers behind.  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.  Siblings should register as participants.  

Please plan to arrive 15 minutes before the class starts so you can find your way to our starting spot at the fairy woods.  

Six Mondays: April 13, 20, 27; May 4, 11, 18 
10:30 – 11:15 am  

Members: $145 / Non-members: $165

Erin Park, Children’s Yoga Instructor; Youth Educator 

Join us for Yoga Stretch & Flow, a delightful adventure for kids ages 2–7 and their families! In this lively and engaging class, kids will flow through fun yoga poses inspired by the wonders of nature, stretch like flowers, wiggle like playful animals, and move with the breeze. Together, we’ll explore the magic of the outdoors, build strength and flexibility, and enjoy playful, mindful movement. Kids will also get creative with nature-inspired arts and crafts to celebrate the beauty around us. It's a joyful experience that combines yoga with outdoor exploration, encouraging kids to relax, stretch, and enjoy the beauty of the season.  Adult caregivers are invited to participate on their own mat beside their youngster or watch from the sidelines, it's up to you!

Erin Park is the playful yoga guide who brings joy and laughter to children’s adventures! Having a children’s yoga certification and over 10 years of teaching experience working with children in an educational environment, she decided to mix her love of both. She creates magical classes filled with storytelling, games, and imaginative poses that nurture young hearts and minds. Certified in child-friendly yoga techniques, Erin fosters confidence, creativity, and connection in every child, empowering them to explore movement and mindfulness with curiosity and kindness! 
    
Choose one date or join us for all four! Register for each session separately, below.
Bring your own yoga mats if you have them.   Reminder that  caregivers are asked to stay with children for classes.

Members: $30 / Non-members: $35 

Saturday, May 2
10:30 – 11:30 am 

Members: $30 / Non-members: $35 

Friday, May 22
10:30 – 11:30 am 

Members: $30 / Non-members: $35 

Saturday, June 13
10:30 – 11:30 am 

Members: $30 / Non-members: $35 

Wednesday, June 24
10:30 – 11:30 am 

Members: $30 / Non-members: $35 

Ginger Mimmo Rohlfing, State Certified Art Instructor; Art Educator at Moore College of Art & Design and Woodmere Art Museum 

Bring your little ones to discover the birds of the Morris. We will focus on five local birds and create dynamic mobiles with the birds in flight! Children will discover migration patterns while making their own birds with mixed media materials including paint, feathers, beads, and more. When each bird is made, they will take flight in a marvelous hanging mobile to take home. A discovery worksheet will be included so that children can try to find birds throughout the Morris after artmaking. This will be a fun morning of art and learning! 

Saturday, May 30 
10:00 – 11:30 am 

Members: $35 / Non-members: $40

Stephanie Bruneau, Assistant Director of Adult Education, Morris Arboretum & Gardens 
Staff Members, Penn Vet, Wildlife Futures Program 
  
Come join us for an all-ages program all about fireflies, bats, 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.  

Thursday, June 25 
7:30 – 9:00 pm 

Members: $25 / Non-members: $30 

Lisa Zahren, Mindful Dance Instructor 

Using gentle, easy-to-follow guidance and open, free-flowing movements, we will experience the Morris with all of our senses through embodiment practices, dance, and mindfulness. This practice invites you to dance and move in your body’s way. All bodies celebrated and welcomed. 

Each of the sessions will meet at the Welcome Center and begin with a short, mindful walk to the location for that week. Once there, we will follow a guided movement and some stillness meditation to open all the senses and connect with that area of the Morris. 

Lisa has been teaching embodied movement and dance since 2011, including in therapeutic settings. She is a certified teacher of Nia Technique and Open Floor Dance Practice. 

Three series of dates to choose from, or join us for all 3 series! Pricing is per series.  Please register for each series separately. 

Lisa Zahren, Mindful Dance Instructor 

This second of our Nia Dance series also begins with a short, mindful walk to the location for that week. Once there, we will follow a guided movement and some stillness meditation to open all the senses and connect with that area of the Morris.  Dates and registration below.

Series 2  
Three Wednesdays: April 22, 29, May 6 
10:30 am – 12:00 pm 

Members: $70 / Non-members: $80 

Lisa Zahren, Mindful Dance Instructor 

This third of our Nia Dance series also begins with a short, mindful walk to the location for that week. Once there, we will follow a guided movement and some stillness meditation to open all the senses and connect with that area of the Morris.  Dates and registration below.

Series 3  
Three Wednesdays: May 13, 20, 27 
10:30 am – 12:00 pm 

Members: $70 / Non-members: $80 

Aimée Alegría Barry, Owner, Centaur Tai Chi  

Join instructor Aimée Alegría Barry for another workshop in meditation techniques that include qigong stretches, tai chi walking, guided meditation and more, all in the midst of spring’s unfolding in the gardens in the month of May. Pricing is per session.

 
Saturday, May 23 
10:30 – 11:30 am  

Members: $30 / Non-members: $35 

Aimée Alegría Barry, Owner, Centaur Tai Chi  

Join instructor Aimée Alegría Barry for another workshop in meditation techniques that include qigong stretches, tai chi walking, guided meditation and more, all in the midst of spring’s warming and unfolding in the beautiful month of June. Pricing is per session.

 
Saturday, June 20
10:30 – 11:30 am  

Members: $30 / Non-members: $35 

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.  

We will meet at the Welcome Center. The class is all outdoors so please dress for the weather. Choose one date per month this spring or join us for all three! Pricing is per session.  Registration and dates found below.

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

As we move through spring, Shinrin Yoku participants are again invited to connect in a sensorial way to the beautiful surroundings of the Morris Arboretum & Gardens. Come explore this ancient wisdom as the gardens green and bloom.  

Saturday, May 16 
10:00 am – 12:00 pm 

Members: $35 / Non-members: $40

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

As summer nears, Shinrin Yoku participants are immersed in the fragrant and colorful surroundings of the Morris Arboretum & Gardens. Come explore this ancient wisdom as the gardens to life!  

Saturday, June 6
10:00 am – 12:00 pm 

Members: $35 / Non-members: $40

Aimée Alegría Barry, Owner, Centaur Tai Chi  

Join us for an outdoor tai chi series of 6 sessions, with the beauty of the unfolding spring season 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. Class will be adapted to meet participants where they are. Classes will be held outdoors with an indoor option available for inclement weather. We will meet at the Welcome Center. Dress for the weather. 

Six Thursdays: April 30; May 7, 14, 21, 28; June 4 
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 the history and science behind how it helps 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 deepen your understanding and experience the power of qigong to help you feel energized and balanced. 

Tuesday, May 5 
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 the Morris. Embrace the arrival of the spring season with this ancient Chinese art for fitness and healing. We will practice routines that include breathing techniques, warm-ups, stretching, invigorating exercises, gentle flowing movements, and a brief closing meditation. Each session will let you explore the five-element 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 Tuesdays: May 12, 19, 26; June 2, 9, 16 
10:30 – 11:30 am 

Members: $110 / Non-members: $120

Meghan Dwyer, Yoga Teacher 

Join Meghan Dwyer for a gentle, all-levels yoga class on the beautiful grounds of the Morris. In tune with the new moon and the changing astrological season, we’ll move slowly, breathe deeply, and connect with nature’s quiet invitation to begin again. 

This practice blends mindful movement, breath, and reflection to help you set heartfelt intentions for the lunar cycle ahead. Supported by Meghan’s intuitive guidance and drawing from her work with earth-based practices, this practice encourages a deep connection to the earth, the season, and your own inner rhythms, supporting intention-setting and gentle renewal. Surrounded by the Morris’s living landscape, you’ll leave feeling centered, renewed, and connected—to the earth, the season, and yourself. 

Meghan Dwyer is a yoga teacher and ceremonialist hailing from Chestnut Hill. She currently teaches at Camaraderie, Ambler. 

Please bring your own mat.  Three different dates and times to choose from, or join us for all 3!  Register for each session separately. Pricing is per session; additional dates and times below. 

Monday, June 15 
11:00 am – 12:15 pm 
 
Members: $30 / Non-members: $35 

Meghan Dwyer, Yoga Teacher 

Join Meghan Dwyer once again for a gentle, all-levels yoga class on the beautiful grounds of the Morris. In tune with the new moon and the changing astrological season, we’ll move slowly, breathe deeply, and connect with nature’s quiet invitation to begin again. 

Similar to the first session, this practice also blends mindful movement, breath, and reflection to help you set heartfelt intentions for the lunar cycle ahead and deepen your connection to the earth, the season, and your own inner rhythms, supporting intention-setting and gentle renewal.

Please bring your own mat.   

Tuesday, July 14 
11:00 am – 12:15 pm 
 
Members: $30 / Non-members: $35 

Meghan Dwyer, Yoga Teacher 

Join Meghan Dwyer this evening 'under the new moon' to close out the series of gentle, all-levels yoga class on the beautiful grounds of the Morris. In tune with the new moon and the changing astrological season, we’ll move slowly, breathe deeply, and connect with nature’s quiet invitation to begin again. 

As in the earlier sessions, this practice also blends mindful movement, breath, and reflection to help you set heartfelt intentions for the lunar cycle ahead and further deepen your connection to the earth, the season, and your own inner rhythms, supporting intention-setting and gentle renewal.

Please bring your own mat.   

Tuesday, August 11 
5:15 – 6:30 pm  
 
Members: $30 / Non-members: $35 

Mary Campbell, Yoga Teacher 

Reconnect with your body, breath, and the beauty of nature in this gentle chair yoga series of four sessions held outdoors at the Morris. Designed for practitioners of all levels, this practice invites you to explore yoga in a safe, supported, and accessible way. 

Whether you are returning to movement after an injury, managing chronic conditions, or simply looking for a gentle outdoor practice, this series offers a welcoming space to move, breathe, and restore.  

Bring a chair if you prefer, or one will be provided, and wear comfortable layers to enjoy the meadow’s fresh air. Mary Campbell is a yoga teacher, reiki master, poet and outdoor enthusiast. She currently teaches at Camaraderie, Ambler.  

Four Fridays: June 5, 12, 19, 26 
10:30 – 11:30 am 

Members: $95 / Non-members: $115

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. Class will end with an extended guided relaxation inspired by one of the greatest teachings of trees: 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 walking trails and gardens within the Morris as part of your experience. One Thursday evening scheduled each month.  Pricing is per session.  Register for each session separately.

  Pricing is per session; Register below. 

Maura Manzo, Yoga and Meditation Teacher 
  
This treetop yoga course in May is a wonderful way to enjoy the fragrant beauty and serenity of the trees in bloom. You are invited to come early to class and explore the walking trails and gardens within the Morris as part of your experience.

Thursday, May 28
5:15 – 6:30 pm 

Members: $35 / Non-members: $40 

Maura Manzo, Yoga and Meditation Teacher 
  
This treetop yoga course in June is a wonderful way to combine the physical and mental benefits of yoga with the beauty and serenity of a warm spring evening.  You are invited to come early to class and explore the walking trails and gardens within the Morris as part of your experience.

Thursday, June 18
5:15 – 6:30 pm 

Members: $35 / Non-members: $40 

Maura Manzo, Yoga and Meditation Teacher 
  
This treetop yoga course in July is a wonderful way to enjoy the bird activity in the treetops while the garden is in bloom below.  You are invited to come early to class and explore the walking trails and gardens within the Morris as part of your experience. 

Thursday, July 23
5:15 – 6:30 pm 

Members: $35 / Non-members: $40 

Maura Manzo, Yoga and Meditation Teacher 
  
Join us for the final treetop yoga of the summer as the garden is in all its summer glory.  You are invited to come early to class and explore the walking trails and gardens within the Morris as part of your experience.

Thursday, August 27
5:15 – 6:30 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, towering hemlocks and beech trees, facing West from Morris towards Erdenheim Farms?

This setting and view provide the backdrop for a unique opportunity to study gentle yoga led by Jennifer Schelter, one of Philadelphia's premier yoga teachers. Master yoga teacher, writer, and artist, Jennifer has taught for 26yrs. 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 practice 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. Registration includes four sessions for a summer of inspiration, health and zen.

Four Mondays: July 6, 13, 20, 27
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)

Samantha Nestory, Engagement Manager and Naturalist, Stoneleigh: a natural garden 

Insects rely on plants for a variety of things, such as food, shelter, breeding habitat, and much more. For our native insects, native plant species are of particular importance as they often fill unique needs that other plants cannot. Join us as we learn how insects and native plants interact and support each other in our own backyards. 

After an indoor lecture, we will move out into Stoneleigh’s gardens to explore the plants and their pollinators in the landscape. 

This program will take place at Stoneleigh, a former private estate located in Villanova that is now one of the newest public gardens in the Philadelphia region. Its extraordinary trees, sweeping vistas, and intimate garden spaces reflect more than a century of loving care by three different families. In its new role, Stoneleigh is an intriguing blend of historical landscapes overlayed with beautiful new gardens designed to support and nurture our local ecology. Stoneleigh’s Engagement Manager Samantha Nestory holds ecology and entomology degrees from the University of Delaware and is passionate about ecological gardening, native plants, and insect conservation. 

Completion of this course fulfills an elective requirement for the Ecological Horticulture Certificate Program.  This class has been approved for 2 CEUs for ISA and LA-CES certifications. 

Thursday, May 7 
10:30 am – 12:30 pm 

Members: $40 / Non-members: $45

Mallory Sustick, Landscape Stewardship Manager, Refugia Design

Traditional horticulture often employs a cycle of seasonal tasks to maintain designed spaces, such as mulching, fertilizing, pruning and cutbacks. These practices have long been adopted and applied as the norm for many home gardeners with the intention of keeping gardens looking the same year after year. Gardens are not innately static spaces and are composed of many living things, all of which are dynamic and interconnected. Approaching garden management through an ecological lens requires us to position ourselves in relation to the spaces we’re caring for, as opposed to separate from them.

This course will explore the principles and practices of responsibly stewarding different garden types, prioritizing natural resources and ecosystems to ensure their long-term health and resiliency. We’ll compare and discuss different methods and materials that aim to support functional and delicate ecosystems in the garden. Through a combination of in-class and field-based learning, you’ll gain hands-on experience on how to tread lightly and take cues from nature when managing a designed landscape.

This course is open to the public, with priority registration offered to individuals enrolled in Morris Arboretum & Gardens’ Certificate Program in Ecological Horticulture. Completion of this course counts towards the CORE  requirements of the Certificate Program.  This three-part program has been approved to carry 8 CEUs for ISA and  LA-CES certifications.

Saturday, May 9 (ONLINE)
9:00 AM—11:00 AM

Friday, May 15 (Field day)
9:00 AM—12:00 PM

Friday, May 22 (Field day)
9:00 AM—12:00 PM

Members: $195 | Non-members: $210 

Please go to our Certificate Program in Ecological Horticulture section to register for this course.

Trevor Schulte, Azalea Meadow Horticulturist, Morris Arboretum & Gardens  

Most people are familiar with the innumerable benefits of living trees, but even after their death, trees provide vital habitat, shelter, and food for wildlife. And beyond their ecological benefits, stumps, branches, and other parts of felled trees can be beautiful garden elements, too! Join Morris Horticulturist Trevor Schulte to learn how dead and dying trees still teem with life, and how deadwood branches and other parts of felled trees are used at the Morris in our garden designs. After a brief indoor presentation, we will walk through the garden with Trevor. We will visit the Morris Stumpery, view some of the snags that the Morris has left standing for the benefit of wildlife, and look at some of the deadwood elements in various garden displays throughout the grounds.  

Completion of this course fulfills an elective requirement for the Ecological Horticulture Certificate Program.  This class has been approved for 1.5 CEUsfor ISA, NJ BTE and LA-CES certifications. 

Thursday, June 18 
1:30 – 3:00 pm 

Members: $25 / Non-members: $30 

Tony Dufour, Registered Landscape Architect, Anthony Dufour Gardens 

In this intensive lecture, we'll cover the advantages and disadvantages of planting nursery stock— harvested, balled-and-burlapped, bare root, grown in containers or root control bags. Participants will gain a solid understanding of handling and transporting trees, identifying the root collar and proper planting depth, and dealing with root defects such as girdling roots. We'll discuss the size of the planting hole, soil amendments (yes or no?), pruning (yes or no?), watering and tools and equipment of the trade.  

This course has been submitted to carry 2 CEUs for ISA Certified Arborists and municipal specialists. 

Friday, April 24 
10:00 am – 12:00 pm 

Members: $45 / Non-members: $50 

Please go to our School of Arboriculture section to register for this course.

Mitch Roberge, Artist; Horticulturist, Haverford College 

Spring is the season of renewal—for you and your houseplants! As days lengthen and light returns, it’s the perfect time to refresh your indoor collection. Learn the essentials of light, watering, humidity, and pest care to help your plants thrive all year long. A lecture will be followed by a demonstration of potting and propagation techniques, plus a session of Q&A to talk about any specific houseplant woes you may have at home. 

Wednesday, June 24 
5:30 – 7:00 pm 

Members: $35 / Non-members: $40 

Troy Bynum, Whitemarsh Foundation  

Join us for a morning exploring the birds at the Dixon Meadow Preserve. Covering 14 acres of land, the Dixon Meadow Preserve includes a boardwalk measuring nearly two-thirds of a mile. The preserve is a haven for birders, walkers and those who enjoy the area’s natural flora and fauna. Each of these three walks will highlight different birds as the meadow’s residents shift in each season! 

An accomplished wildlife photographer, Troy’s work has been published by Discovery Warner Bros., the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Grid Magazine, Northern Virginia Bird Alliance, The Chestnut Hill Local, and other regional publications.Troy is also an avid birder and experienced guide, leading regional and international birding tours with Hillstar Nature, Delmarva Birding Weekends, DC Bird Alliance, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, and TB Wildlife Photography LLC to name a few organizations. Troy also volunteers as Field Trip Chair for Liberty Bird Alliance where he coordinates and often leads domestic and international birding trips for the members.  

Meet at the Dixon Meadow Preserve, 548 Flourtown Rd, Lafayette Hill, PA 19444. Bring your binoculars.  Please wear good walking shoes and dress for the weather. Choose one date or join us for all three! Register for each session separately. Pricing is per session. 

Saturdays: April 11, June 13, September 5 
8:00 – 9:30 am  

Members: $25 / Non-members: $30

Please go to our Birding section to register for this course

David Culp, Gardener, Author, Lecturer, and Designer 

Meet at historic Brandywine Cottage in Downingtown, PA, for a personal tour of David Culp’s famous layered garden. You can look forward to seeing Galanthus (snow drops), other early spring ephemerals, emerging spring bulbs, and hellebores.  

David Culp is the creator of the gardens at Brandywine Cottage in Downingtown. He has been lecturing about gardens nationwide for more than 25 years. David is a former contributing editor to Horticulture magazine and served as chairman of the Mid-Atlantic Hardy Plant Society. David is vice president of Sunny Border Nurseries in Connecticut. He is the author of the book The Layered Garden, published by Timber Press. 

Thursday, April 30 
10:30 am – 12:00 pm  

Members: $40 / Non-members: $45

Lori Litchman, Author; Teacher; Poet 

Ridley Creek State Park encompasses more than 2,606 acres of Delaware County woodlands and meadows.  The gently rolling terrain of the park, bisected by Ridley Creek, is only 16 miles from center city Philadelphia and is an oasis of open space in a growing urban area.

We’ll start with a grounding meditation to quiet our minds and help attune to the sounds of nature before embarking on a 2-mile loop hike at Ridley Creek State Park, on a trail separate from the main parking area and often a bit less busy. The loop consists of rolling hills with gentle elevation gain. This trail is considered moderate, though, due to the uneven terrain that includes numerous exposed roots and rocks.

We’ll keep our eyes open for any spring ephemeral flowers that might be popping up in the woodlands and we’ll take some time to hop on the rocks in the Ridley Creek, which guides the second half of our journey.

 Dress for the weather, wear good hiking shoes, and bring some water and a snack. 

Saturday, May 2 
1:00 – 3:30 pm 

Members: $30 / Non-members: $35 

Sharon Meeker, Experienced Birder and Trip Leader 

Join us on a birding tour at Laurel Hill East, one of Philadelphia’s very special places. We will walk through this beautiful arboretum and look for spring birds among the towering trees and diverse plantings. We will be guided both by Sharon and a cemetery tour guide who will help us learn about the landscape and its history, too! 
  
Established in 1836 as the second major garden-designed cemetery in the U.S., Laurel Hill is the nation’s first National Historic Landmark Cemetery. Laurel Hill’s natural beauty, serenity, and views of the Schuylkill River make it a great place to go for a peaceful walk or retreat from the city.  This beautiful green space is complemented by the breathtaking art, sculpture, and architecture that can be found there.   

Please bring your binoculars. Parking is available within the cemetery. We will meet at the gatehouse courtyard at the cemetery’s main entrance at 3822 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19132.   

Tuesday, May 5 
7:30 am – 12:30 pm 

Members: $45 / Non-members: $50 

Please go to our Birding section to register for this course

Erin Monda, Horticulture Manager, Calder Gardens 

Calder Gardens is Philadelphia’s newest public garden designed by renowned Dutch garden designer Piet Oudolf, located in Fairmount. Join Horticulture Manager Erin Monda for a tour of the Calder Gardens landscape, where she will cover the construction and installation of the garden, Oudolf's designs, plant highlights and some of her favorite combinations, and management of the garden. Admission into the building to discover Alexander Calder's art is included. (Exploration of the indoor portion of the Museum is self-guided.) 

Wednesday, May 20 **Rescheduled for Thursday, 5/21**
1:00 – 3:00 pm 

Members: $65 / Non-members: $70 

Kathryn Butler, Greenhouse and Garden Manager, Biology Department, University of Pennsylvania 

Step out of the city and into the verdant oasis of the James G. Kaskey Memorial Park, home of the BioPond. Established as the first botanical garden of the University of Pennsylvania in the 1890s, this 3.5-acre haven is still cared for by the Biology Department. Its collections reflect generations of horticulturists who have cultivated a densely layered landscape, from the beautiful towering canopy of shade trees to the diminutive herbaceous plants nestled among shrubs and understory trees. 

Join us for a leisurely walk along the park’s winding paths as we highlight standout plants and explore how we select species that will thrive in the park’s varied microclimates. We’ll also discuss the maintenance strategies we use to support a resilient, thriving ecosystem.  

Wednesday, May 27 
11:30 am – 1:00 pm 

Members: $30 / Non-members: $35

Andrew Conboy, Certified Arborist & Founder, Community Canopy Project 

From introduced exotics to nursery remnants to rare native species, there is a good diversity of plants within Wissahickon Valley Park. Andrew Conboy, urban forester and ISA Certified Arborist, will lead a walk along Forbidden Drive to point out and discuss interesting trees, shrubs, and wildflowers along the way. He will teach you how to identify these plants, discuss their ecological value, and point out various galls and other wildlife that can be found using these plants.  

We will meet at the start of Forbidden Drive at the end of Northwestern Avenue. Parking is available along Northwestern Ave. Please wear good walking shoes and bring a drink. 

Saturday, May 30 
11:00 am – 1:00 pm 

Members: $30 / Non-members: $35