Calendar

Apr
22
Sun
Natural History Demonstration @ Armand Bayou Nature Center
Apr 22 @ 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Learn about the animals of Armand Bayou and the habitats they live in. Demonstrations vary from week to week: mammals, birds and reptiles.

Apr
23
Mon
Home School Program @ Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
Apr 23 @ 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Our home school classes are offered on Mondays from 1:00-3:00 p.m. for students ages 5-12. A different three-week science unit is taught each month, with classes consisting of instructional time, hands-on activities, and outdoor activities. Extension ideas will be provided to parents so they can follow up with lessons and activities at home.
Visit our Home School Blog at www.HouArbHomeSchool.wordpress.com to see what Home Schoolers have been up to!

Schedule: Three Mondays a month from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. (classes for ages 5, 6 – 7, 8 – 9, and 10 – 12)
Fees per student: $60 member** / $90 nonmember per three-week unit

**Must be a Family Tree Member or above for member rate.

Please note: Additional Parents and siblings may not attend class. Those who wish to go out on a nature hike may do so on a special basis by discussing with instructors. *Attendee(s) must be mature enough to participate in the program(s) without parental or guardian supervision. 

Registration note: Parents, when registering for multiple months, please register your child in the same age group for the entire semester.  Thank you!


As part of your registration, you will also receive email updates from our Home School Blog with information and pictures showing you what the students did in class, take home activities to continue learning at home, and updates about the Home School Program in general.


January 8, 22, 29: Body Systems I

The human body is amazing! Come learn how our body systems compare to other animal’s bodies – like a frog! We will dissect a frog in class to examine the different body parts. Register Online

February 5, 19, 26: Body Systems II

This month we continue learning more about body systems. Do mammals breathe the same way as fish? Does a sheep’s heart look like ours? Join us as we explore more about bodies! Register Online

March 5, 19, 26: Urban Farming

Chickens in your backyard? Fresh vegetables from your own garden? Urban farms are sprouting up all over the city! Learn how you can be eco-friendly, save money, and reconnect with nature by creating an urban farm of your own. Register Online

April 9, 16, 23: Geology Rocks!

Rocks, soil, and water are all a part of our physical environment here on earth. This month we will explore how rocks and soil are formed, use stream tables to study geomorphology, and even make our own crystals! Register Online

May 7, 14, 21: Curious Concoctions

Chemistry isn’t just for scientists in labs! Chemistry can be found even in your home and the natural world just outside the door. Find out where you can see chemistry in action as we conduct experiments using the scientific method. Register Online

Apr
26
Thu
Science Sprouts (ages 4-5) @ Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
Apr 26 @ 10:00 am – 11:15 am

Nature experiences for preschoolers!

Science Sprouts is an exciting series for curious kids who love nature and science. Classes will include a short lesson on the topic of the day, followed by a nature walk on the trails of the Arboretum. Each class will have a fun mixture of games, live animals, biofacts, crafts, story time, or music. Parents are welcome to participate with their child or simply drop them off.


Dates and Topics

  • February 1 – Cool Critters
  • February 8 – Rock N Roll
  • February 22 – Parts of a Plant
  • March 1 – Beautiful Birds
  • March 8 – Egg’stravaganza
  • March 15 – SPRING BREAK – NO CLASS
  • March 22 – Mammal Babies & More
  • March 29 – SSSS Snakes
  • April 5 – Leapin’ Lizards
  • April 12 – NO CLASS
  • April 19 – Far Out Frogs
  • April 26 – Totally Turtles
  • May 3 – Interesting Insects
  • May 10 – Pond Pals

Cost: $225 members*/$350 non-members for the semester

*Must be a Family Tree Member or above for member rate.

Note: You must enroll for the entire semester in order to participate

Register Now!

For more information, visit houstonarboretum.org.

610 Entrance now open. Woodway Entrance closed until late Spring 2018. Map and directions available.

Apr
28
Sat
Natural History Demonstration @ Armand Bayou Nature Center
Apr 28 @ 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Learn about the animals of Armand Bayou and the habitats they live in. Demonstrations vary from week to week: mammals, birds and reptiles.

Apr
29
Sun
Natural History Demonstration @ Armand Bayou Nature Center
Apr 29 @ 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Learn about the animals of Armand Bayou and the habitats they live in. Demonstrations vary from week to week: mammals, birds and reptiles.

May
1
Tue
Deadline: Clear Lake Gem & Mineral Society Scholarship
May 1 all-day

The Clear Lake Gem & Mineral Society, Inc. hopes to fund courses in Geology, Mineralogy, Geophysics or Paleontology to students at any accredited university or college as part of a course of studies in Earth Sciences.

Amount: $500 to $1,000 each.

An eligible applicant must be:

  1. A Senior in any Secondary School (High School) who will be entering college and majoring in any Earth Science; OR
  2. A student in good standing who is already enrolled in an accredited 2 or 4-year college or university and is in an established course of study towards a degree in Earth Sciences.

Application Deadline: Applications must be received or postmarked not later than the 1st of May of the year to be awarded. So applications received prior to 5/1/2018 will be judged and the winners will be awarded scholarship checks in June 2018.  Late applications will be considered for the next year.

For more information, visit clgms.org.

May
3
Thu
HPARD’s Native Plant Propagation Workdays @ HPARD Greenhouse
May 3 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Image result for Houston Parks & Recreation Department logo

Habitat Restoration

Our volunteer group meets the second and fourth Thursday of the month from 9 a.m. to noon at the HPARD Greenhouse.

We propagate plants from locally collected native seed. A typical workday may include seeding pots, bumping up trays into 1-gallon containers, separating seedlings, and weeding pots. We will also have special seed collecting trips, invasive species removal workdays, and planting events in our restored prairies!

We are also beginning to conduct semi-annual vegetation transects and monthly bird surveys at our current and future restoration sites. If you’re good at identifying plants or birds or if you would like to learn more about them, come join us!

If you’re interested in volunteering for the NRMP, email kelli.ondracek@houstontx.gov.

Science Sprouts (ages 4-5) @ Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
May 3 @ 10:00 am – 11:15 am

Nature experiences for preschoolers!

Science Sprouts is an exciting series for curious kids who love nature and science. Classes will include a short lesson on the topic of the day, followed by a nature walk on the trails of the Arboretum. Each class will have a fun mixture of games, live animals, biofacts, crafts, story time, or music. Parents are welcome to participate with their child or simply drop them off.


Dates and Topics

  • February 1 – Cool Critters
  • February 8 – Rock N Roll
  • February 22 – Parts of a Plant
  • March 1 – Beautiful Birds
  • March 8 – Egg’stravaganza
  • March 15 – SPRING BREAK – NO CLASS
  • March 22 – Mammal Babies & More
  • March 29 – SSSS Snakes
  • April 5 – Leapin’ Lizards
  • April 12 – NO CLASS
  • April 19 – Far Out Frogs
  • April 26 – Totally Turtles
  • May 3 – Interesting Insects
  • May 10 – Pond Pals

Cost: $225 members*/$350 non-members for the semester

*Must be a Family Tree Member or above for member rate.

Note: You must enroll for the entire semester in order to participate

Register Now!

For more information, visit houstonarboretum.org.

610 Entrance now open. Woodway Entrance closed until late Spring 2018. Map and directions available.

Urban Harvest’s Growing Organic Vegetable Series @ University of Houston, Central Campus, McElhinney Hall, Room TBD
May 3 @ 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm

In a total of 10 classes (25 hours of instruction), this series covers everything you want to know about growing vegetables. Topics include the advantages of organic and ecological approaches over chemicals; vegetable garden design; irrigation and drainage; soil fertility, mulches and composts; organic pest control; seeds, transplants, where to get them and how to plant them. The last half is a detailed discussion of selecting, growing and using the many varieties of vegetables, annual herbs, and melons.

Those who complete the class will become certified Organic Vegetable Specialists.

This is a series of ten classes and may not be taken individually. Assignments for the class include the reading of Dr. Bob Randall’s book, Year Round Vegetables, Fruits and Flowers for Metro-Houston. Cost of the book is $45.


SCHEDULE

Thursdays, 2018 from 6:30pm to 9pm

Class 1 – January 18
Class 2 – January 25
Class 3 – February 8
Class 4 – February 22
Class 5 – March 8
Class 6 – March 22
Class 7 – April 5
Class 8 – April 19
Class 9 – May 3
Class 10 – May 17

For an in-depth schedule, go to Spring 2018 class schedule and description.


DIRECTIONS AND PARKING

I-45 S, exit Cullen, go south, enter University of Houston campus, proceed through Elgin, Holman, Entrance 14 and Entrance 13, Cougar Place, turn left at Wheeler, take first right into driveway – park to the left of Lot 9C(although it says permit required, we have permission) Follow Urban Harvest signs back to Wheeler at Cullen. Walk north along Cullen, pass entrance 13 Cougar Village and follow the Urban Harvest signs to the classroom

 

For more classes by Urban Harvest, view their Upcoming Classes.

May
4
Fri
First Friday Friends @ Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center
May 4 @ 1:00 pm

Senior adults are welcome to this monthly gathering for natural history programs, leisurely walks, and fun environmental activities. Call for information. Ages 55+.

All Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center programs and events are free of charge unless otherwise noted and open to the public regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, physical ability, national origin, or religion. Anyone requiring special assistance to participate in these programs should contact the nature center. Programs meet at the Nature Center unless otherwise noted. Solid shoes are recommended for all walks. Call 281-446-8588 for more information.