Events

July 2023
Things With Wings
Free youth-centered celebration of native birds and pollinators and the ecosystems they support.
Find out more »June 2023
Little Trees, Big Impact: Beginner Satsuki Workshop
Beginner Satsuki workshop with David Kreutz will take place from 9am-12pm in the Head House at Matthaei Botanical Gardens. A private tour of the Satsuki collection will take place at noon for workshop attendees. Registration is required, and the event is limited to 10 participants. Tickets are $50 per person and include a Tensei-no-Mai tree (15" tall 1/2 " trunk). Box lunches are available for purchase at registration for $15 each. Looking for more bonsai fun? Check out our Little…
Find out more »Little Trees, Big Impact: Bonsai Expert Demonstrations
Hiroharu Kobayashi and Yoichi Fukudan, well-known Satsuki experts from Japan, will give a Satsuki demonstration on the commons between 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm. Kobayahshi and Fukudan are owners respectively of Kobayashi Sangyou Nursery and Rakjyuen Nursery, two of the premier Satsuki nurseries in Kanuma, Japan. Open to the public, free to attend. Looking for more bonsai fun? Check out our Little Treees, Big Impact celebration!
Find out more »Little Trees, Big Impact: Advanced Satsuki Workshop
Hiroharu Kobayashi and Yoichi Fukudan, well-known Satsuki experts from Japan, will join instructor David Kreutz for this advanced Satsuki workshop. A Miki-no-mai tree (4/5" tall 1" trunk) is included in the workshop fee of $350. Registration is required. Boxed lunches will be available for purchase upon registration. Looking for more bonsai fun? Check out our Little Treees, Big Impact celebration!
Find out more »Little Trees, Big Impact: Bring Your Own Tree Workshop
For participants looking to further their Satsuki bonsai knowledge and skills, this workshop led by David Kreutz allows participants to bring their own Satsuki tree. Trees are available to purchase during registration for those who do not have one. Tickets are $50 per person. Add-on trees are $150. Registration is required, and the event is limited to 10 participants. Looking for more bonsai fun? Check out our Little Treees, Big Impact celebration!
Find out more »Little Trees, Big Impact: Basics of Bonsai
Families are invited to explore the bonsai collection and learn about bonsai. Children and youth explore the art and science of bonsai, and practice simple wiring techniques using chenille sticks and objects for a penjing-like scene for beginners. Recommended ages 7-14. Registration is required, and space is limited. The cost is $8.00 per child. Family tree members may use one of their 6 youth education passes for this class, please contact us to use your free class pass. Looking for more…
Find out more »Little Trees, Big Impact: Bonsai Stories
Plants have many stories to tell about their lives, these stories are shown by shape, size and other characteristics that make a plant unique, just like humans. Explore the bonsai collection and create and illustrate a story to imagine stories that your favorite bonsai might tell. Recommended ages 7-14. Registration is required, and space is limited. Cost is $8.00/participant. Family tree members may use one of their 6 youth education passes for this class, please contact us to use your…
Find out more »Ann Arbor Bonsai Society Meeting: Bonsai Garden 10th Anniversary Program
Ann Arbor Bonsai Society Monthly Meeting: Bonsai Garden 10th Anniversary Program Meet with members and learn more about the activities hosted by the Ann Arbor Bonsai Society. Special speakers will discuss the collection at Matthaei Botanical Gardens and how the society supports bonsai practice in the south east Michigan area through general meetings, shows and educational activities. 7pm-9pm at Matthaei Botanical Gardens. Looking for more bonsai fun? Check out our Little Treees, Big Impact celebration!
Find out more »Great Lakes Garden Celebration
The Great Lakes Garden at Matthaei Botanical Gardens will celebrate its 10th year in 2023! Join us throughout the summer and fall seasons for native plant and pollinator-focused events including a symposium, native plant sale, family-friendly activities, and more!
Find out more »August 2023
2023 Native Plant Symposium
2023 Native Plant Symposium Celebrating Biodiversity and Native Plants of the Great Lakes RegionWe welcome you to register for our 2023 Native Plant Symposium: Celebrating Biodiversity and Native Plants of the Great Lakes Region on Friday, August 18, 2023. Our panel includes local and national experts in the field of conservation who will provide thoughtful and manageable goals that support biodiversity in urban and suburban settings. Our micro-actions can have macro effects, and we hope guests will leave feeling empowered…
Find out more »September 2023
Ann Arbor Orchid Society Meeting
The AAOS welcomes visitors and guests to our meetings. If you have an interest in orchids, please join us and perhaps even think about becoming a member! Each meeting features a different guest speaker each month. This month we welcome Kristen Uthus, New World Orchids: Miniature Orchids. Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Room 139. Contact ksreeniv@umich.edu with questions!
Find out more »November 2023
Ann Arbor Orchid Society Meeting
The AAOS welcomes visitors and guests to our meetings. If you have an interest in orchids, please join us and perhaps even think about becoming a member! Each meeting features a different guest speaker each month. Peter T. Lin, Diamond Orchids: Epidendrum, Prosthechea, and Encyclia. Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Room 125. Contact ksreeniv@umich.edu with questions!
Find out more »August 2023
Ann Arbor Orchid Society Meeting
The AAOS welcomes visitors and guests to our meetings. If you have an interest in orchids, please join us and perhaps even think about becoming a member! Each meeting features a different guest speaker each month. Thanh Nguyen, Springwater Orchids: Paphiopedilum Orchids. Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Room 139. Contact ksreeniv@umich.edu with questions!
Find out more »June 2023
Ann Arbor Backyard Beekeepers Meeting: Brood Frames
Ana Heck: Brood Frames Ann Arbor Backyard Beekeepers meet on the second Tuesday of the month from 7-9 PM. They use the half hour from 6:30- 7PM to answer new beekeeper questions. All members are welcome to join in via Zoom or in person; the public is welcome to the in-person meeting. For more information visit: www.A2B2club.org www.facebook.com/A2B2club Questions? Please connect with A2B2club@gmail.com
Find out more »July 2023
Ann Arbor Backyard Beekeepers Meeting: Learning from Mistakes
Andy Hemken Learning from Mistakes Ann Arbor Backyard Beekeepers meet on the second Tuesday of the month from 7-9 PM. They use the half hour from 6:30- 7PM to answer new beekeeper questions. All members are welcome to join in via Zoom or in person; the public is welcome to the in-person meeting. For more information visit: www.A2B2club.org www.facebook.com/A2B2club Questions? Please connect with A2B2club@gmail.com
Find out more »August 2023
Ann Arbor Backyard Beekeepers Meeting: Anticipatory Beekeeping
Dewey Caron Anticipatory Beekeeping Ann Arbor Backyard Beekeepers meet on the second Tuesday of the month from 7-9 PM. They use the half hour from 6:30- 7PM to answer new beekeeper questions. All members are welcome to join in via Zoom or in person; the public is welcome to the in-person meeting. For more information visit: www.A2B2club.org www.facebook.com/A2B2club Questions? Please connect with A2B2club@gmail.com
Find out more »September 2023
Ann Arbor Backyard Beekeepers Meeting: Winter Bees
Meghan Milbrath Winter Bees Ann Arbor Backyard Beekeepers meet on the second Tuesday of the month from 7-9 PM. They use the half hour from 6:30- 7PM to answer new beekeeper questions. All members are welcome to join in via Zoom or in person; the public is welcome to the in-person meeting. For more information visit: www.A2B2club.org www.facebook.com/A2B2club Questions? Please connect with A2B2club@gmail.com
Find out more »June 2023
Guided Nature Walks: The Importance of Pollinators
The Importance of Pollinators We all depend on the sun, from the smallest duckweed to the mightiest oak and the sun is the center of all food webs. Take a walk to learn how plants and animals make the best use of the sun for warmth and growth. Maybe even learn a few sun salutations as a ‘thank-you’ to the sun. Matthaei Botanical Gardens is hosting free guided nature walks on select Wednesdays and Sundays. These walks are FREE, no…
Find out more »Guided Nature Walks: From Flowers to Fruits
From Flowers to Fruits We all depend on the sun, from the smallest duckweed to the mightiest oak and the sun is the center of all food webs. Take a walk to learn how plants and animals make the best use of the sun for warmth and growth. Maybe even learn a few sun salutations as a ‘thank-you’ to the sun. Matthaei Botanical Gardens is hosting free guided nature walks on select Wednesdays and Sundays. These walks are FREE, no…
Find out more »July 2023
Guided Nature Walks: Winged Beauties
Winged Beauties We all depend on the sun, from the smallest duckweed to the mightiest oak and the sun is the center of all food webs. Take a walk to learn how plants and animals make the best use of the sun for warmth and growth. Maybe even learn a few sun salutations as a ‘thank-you’ to the sun. Matthaei Botanical Gardens is hosting free guided nature walks on select Wednesdays and Sundays. These walks are FREE, no registration is…
Find out more »Guided Nature Walks: Native Plant Communities
Native Plant Communities We all depend on the sun, from the smallest duckweed to the mightiest oak and the sun is the center of all food webs. Take a walk to learn how plants and animals make the best use of the sun for warmth and growth. Maybe even learn a few sun salutations as a ‘thank-you’ to the sun. Matthaei Botanical Gardens is hosting free guided nature walks on select Wednesdays and Sundays. These walks are FREE, no registration…
Find out more »August 2023
Guided Nature Walks: Ripening Fruits
Ripening Fruits We all depend on the sun, from the smallest duckweed to the mightiest oak and the sun is the center of all food webs. Take a walk to learn how plants and animals make the best use of the sun for warmth and growth. Maybe even learn a few sun salutations as a ‘thank-you’ to the sun. Matthaei Botanical Gardens is hosting free guided nature walks on select Wednesdays and Sundays. These walks are FREE, no registration is…
Find out more »Guided Nature Walks: Summer Highlights
Summer Highlights We all depend on the sun, from the smallest duckweed to the mightiest oak and the sun is the center of all food webs. Take a walk to learn how plants and animals make the best use of the sun for warmth and growth. Maybe even learn a few sun salutations as a ‘thank-you’ to the sun. Matthaei Botanical Gardens is hosting free guided nature walks on select Wednesdays and Sundays. These walks are FREE, no registration is…
Find out more »June 2023
Nature Play Pop Up: Build a Little Bird’s Nest play
Let’s imagine we’re birds, and forage from our natural loose parts collection, maybe build a nest... The Gaffield Children’s Garden at Matthaei Botanical Gardens is hosting weekly hands-on Nature Play Pop-ups for summer 2023. This lightly guided play takes place in the nature art area of the Gaffield Children’s Garden. Young children will have hands-on fun while taking a closer look at nature, and parents will leave with easy ideas to encourage creative nature play at home. No registration, free…
Find out more »Nature Play Pop Up: Stacking Stones play
Whether you call them stones or rocks, we have a varied collection and invite you to play with us to build, design, and wonder. The Gaffield Children’s Garden at Matthaei Botanical Gardens is hosting weekly hands-on Nature Play Pop-ups for summer 2023. This lightly guided play takes place in the nature art area of the Gaffield Children’s Garden. Young children will have hands-on fun while taking a closer look at nature, and parents will leave with easy ideas to encourage…
Find out more »Nature Play Pop Up: Nature Potions play
Young children the world over enjoy mixing and mixing and mixing. An important schema of child development, join us as we transform petals, pebbles, water and other magical finds from the natural world. The Gaffield Children’s Garden at Matthaei Botanical Gardens is hosting weekly hands-on Nature Play Pop-ups for summer 2023. This lightly guided play takes place in the nature art area of the Gaffield Children’s Garden. Young children will have hands-on fun while taking a closer look at nature,…
Find out more »Nature Play Pop Up: Ball Run Gravity Play
Play and investigate spheres & near -spheres as we build the ball-runs-of-our-dreams sourced from our loose parts collections. The Gaffield Children’s Garden at Matthaei Botanical Gardens is hosting weekly hands-on Nature Play Pop-ups for summer 2023. This lightly guided play takes place in the nature art area of the Gaffield Children’s Garden. Young children will have hands-on fun while taking a closer look at nature, and parents will leave with easy ideas to encourage creative nature play at home. No…
Find out more »Nature Play Pop Up: Leaf Quest play
We wonder why there are so many different kinds of leaves…take a close look at some leaves and start a collection or make some leaf art. The Gaffield Children’s Garden at Matthaei Botanical Gardens is hosting weekly hands-on Nature Play Pop-ups for summer 2023. This lightly guided play takes place in the nature art area of the Gaffield Children’s Garden. Young children will have hands-on fun while taking a closer look at nature, and parents will leave with easy ideas…
Find out more »Nature Play Pop Up: Bird Egg Artistry
Why does a Robin’s egg look so different from a warbler’s egg, or a goose egg? We wonder, too! We’ll bring out art supplies to flex our imaginations as we design some bird eggs of our own. The Gaffield Children’s Garden at Matthaei Botanical Gardens is hosting weekly hands-on Nature Play Pop-ups for summer 2023. This lightly guided play takes place in the nature art area of the Gaffield Children’s Garden. Young children will have hands-on fun while taking a…
Find out more »Nature Play Pop Up: Wild Card!
WILD CARD: You never know what special natural loose parts we’ll bring out, but we’ll definitely bring them out and invite you to play with us! The Gaffield Children’s Garden at Matthaei Botanical Gardens is hosting weekly hands-on Nature Play Pop-ups for summer 2023. This lightly guided play takes place in the nature art area of the Gaffield Children’s Garden. Young children will have hands-on fun while taking a closer look at nature, and parents will leave with easy ideas…
Find out more »Nature Play Pop Up: Digging for Treasures play
Who doesn’t love digging? Who doesn’t love treasures? Come play with us, digging, finding, and burying treasures. The Gaffield Children’s Garden at Matthaei Botanical Gardens is hosting weekly hands-on Nature Play Pop-ups for summer 2023. This lightly guided play takes place in the nature art area of the Gaffield Children’s Garden. Young children will have hands-on fun while taking a closer look at nature, and parents will leave with easy ideas to encourage creative nature play at home. No registration,…
Find out more »Nature Play Pop Up: Fairy House play
We’ll bring out our specially curated supply of fairy house building materials. While building, let’s consider the tiny creatures who might find it a suitable home. The Gaffield Children’s Garden at Matthaei Botanical Gardens is hosting weekly hands-on Nature Play Pop-ups for summer 2023. This lightly guided play takes place in the nature art area of the Gaffield Children’s Garden. Young children will have hands-on fun while taking a closer look at nature, and parents will leave with easy ideas…
Find out more »Nature Play Pop Up: Bubbles! Bubbles!
Marvelous, magical bubbles encourage even the youngest among us to consider the wonder of physics and chemistry. Let’s make giant and tiny bubbles and all the bubbles in between! The Gaffield Children’s Garden at Matthaei Botanical Gardens is hosting weekly hands-on Nature Play Pop-ups for summer 2023. This lightly guided play takes place in the nature art area of the Gaffield Children’s Garden. Young children will have hands-on fun while taking a closer look at nature, and parents will leave…
Find out more »