Public Event

Design and implement landscapes that work.  Learn valuable techniques to develop landscapes that are made to last and function sustainably with local ecosystems in this free virtual workshop.  A properly designed sustainable landscape should be beautiful and eco-friendly while saving resources and requiring minimal maintenance.  Keep water on your property, reduce localized flooding, manage storm water flows, design for conservation ...

Learn how the Botanical Garden showcases ways to conserve scarce resources.  Its infrastructure, architecture, and plants offer important lessons on building sustainable communities.  Join a specially trained docent on a walk to examine these diverse features. Space is limited and face coverings are required. Meet at 10:00 AM behind the Admission kiosk. Fee:  $15 ($13.50, Garden members)  Registration deadline is ...

Level 1 Class: Introduction To Native Landscapes April 3, 2021 8:00 am – 3:00 pm The class is an online presentation on Zoom. Learn the value of including and preserving native plants in landscapes. Discover the differences between sustainable and conventional development. Understand your Texas vegetation region and soil. Become familiar with 40 native Texas plants recommended for your landscape ...

Explore our 11 – acre Texas Native Trails with a Master Naturalist.  Learn how native plants conserve water, adapt to their environment, work in landscapes, and what their growing requirements are.  Topics include cultural uses of native plants as well as which are favored by birds, butterflies, and other wildlife.  There are more than 250 plant species in the Botanical ...

Explore the San Antonio Botanical Garden’s three Texas Native Trails with Dr. Mark “Merriwether” Vorderbruggen of Foraging Texas and  learn about the edible, medicinal, and practical uses of Texas Native plants.  This workshop incorporates all senses to learn how to properly identify and use useful plants on your own.  Merriwether will provide examples of ways he incorporates plants into his family’s ...

Are you looking to cook high quality compost?  If so, this workshop is for you.  We will take a deep dive into a super effective, time tested method for producing high quality hot compost.  We'll get into the process, science, feedstocks, inoculants, "pro tips", and much more in this free workshop. Registration

Come see what’s in bloom!  Explore the Botanical Garden’s WaterSaver Gardens with a Master Naturalist.  Learn the characteristics of different drought tolerant landscapes, including Cottage, Hill Country, Manicure Xeriscape, and Spanish style. Space is limited and face coverings are required. Meet at 10:00 AM behind the Admission kiosk. Fee:  $15 ($13.50, Garden members)  Registration deadline is Wednesday, April 14, at ...

Learn about resident and migrant birds at the Botanical Garden, their characteristics, requirements for food, nesting, and protection, and the native plants you can use to attract them to your yard. Meet at 9:15 am behind the Admissions kiosk.  Space is limited and face coverings are required. Fee:$15 ($13.50, Garden members).  Registration deadline is Friday, April 16 at 9:15 A.M. ...

Come join Gardening Volunteers of South Texas (GVST) as we explore Rainbow Gardens Nursery on Bandera Road. Laura Jarvis (Event Coordinator, Rainbow Gardens) and Karen Stamm (GVST) will discuss in three short videos: “How to Prepare for a Trip to the Nursery” “Your Plants Froze-Now What?” “Native Plants for Your Butterfly Garden” This program is eligible for 1 SAWS Reward ...

Participate in Community Science using iNaturalist! Join us to learn about iNaturalist, a comprehensive community science website and app for exploring nature around you while recording your observations of wildlife and plants.  Alamo Area Texas Master Naturalist and Native Plant Society of Texas board member Peter Hernandez leads this training to help you get started using iNaturalist both in the ...

For thousands of years Texas plants have been used for sustenance, medicine, and the establishment of the area.  As the region and its populations changed, so did the ethnobotany (relationship between people and plants).  This seasonally changing tour will explore the Texas Native Trails, exploring the diverse relationships people have had, and still have, with plants in Texas. Instructor:  Maeve ...

Join Master Naturalist/Gardener Jessica Leslie and be inspired by all the beautiful and interesting native plants you can use in your home landscaping.  Learn how native plants conserve water, adapt to their environment, work in landscapes, and how to best grow them yourself. Meet at 10:00 AM behind the Admissions kiosk.  Space is limited and face coverings are required. Fee: ...

Get the scoop about the importance and benefits of composting for the kitchen, the garden, and the planet!  Learn about the different kinds of composting and how to maintain your soil’s health. Instructor:  Betsy Gruy, Co-Founder, Compost Queens Space is limited and face coverings are required. Fee: $15 ($13.50,  Garden members).  Registration deadline is Monday, April 26 at 10:00 A.M. ...

When land stewards can slow and sink water into the land, this physical process provides a variety of benefits, including reduced erosion, increased soil moisture and plant production, flood mitigation, groundwater replenishment, habitat enhancement, and increasing the flow of spring-fed creeks. Speaker:  Daniel Oppenheimer, Land Program Manager with Hill Country Alliance, will discuss simple and advanced examples of site-specific structures ...

Gardening is one of the most exciting and rewarding lifestyle changes one can implement.  But where do you start?  There is so much to know and learn. In this free virtual workshop we will will start with the basics.  Learn about the most common types of gardens, soil types, amendments, and we will answer as many questions as possible. Registration