Click on the each program title to register. Programs with an (*) are eligible for a member discount (Pacesetters and above). Advance registration encouraged – events may be cancelled if minimums are not met.
Art in Nature Programs
*ANIMAL ART : WORLD TURTLE DAY!
Celebrate your love for turtles with an art class. Irvine’s animal ambassadors include the Maryland State Reptile, the Diamondback Terrapin! Learn to draw and paint this rare species and your other favorite turtles. All experience levels and ages welcome, ages 10+ recommended.
Instructors: Brittany Roger, Irvine Educator and MICA-trained artist
Thursday, May 23rd
6:00 – 8:00PM
Cost: $20/individual
*ANIMAL ART : SNAKES
Celebrate World Snake Day by practicing observational drawing with live reptiles and artifacts! This class will focus on painting and drawing techniques that will provide new ways of expressing your connection with nature. Irvine’s animals will model for us as we capture their unique features through drawing and painting on a canvas tote bag! Participants will be able to take home a custom bag of their own creation at the end of the class. Not a typical “Paint Night” style activity where all painting the same thing step-by-step, each participant will instead be encouraged to engage in artistic expression and to bring their own sensibilities to this fun class. No experience needed, all skill levels welcome. Ideal for ages 13+.
Instructors: Brittany Roger, Irvine Educator and MICA-trained artist
Sunday, July 14th
4:00 – 6:00PM
Cost: $25/individual
*MAKE & TAKE: GOURD BOWL
Learn the skill of turning a dried bottle gourd, grown at the Irvine Native American site in the Three Sisters Garden, into a beautiful and functional hand-made bowl. We will begin by having each participant choosing, opening and cleaning their own gourd. Then, once you have polished and finished the surface the bowl, add a variety of decorations to make your take home creation special and unique.
Instructors: Dr. Clare Walker, Master Naturalist
Sunday, July 21st
1:00 – 4:00PM
Cost: $35/individual
*ANIMAL ART : BIRDS
Just in time for International Owl Awareness Day on August 4th, Irvine invites you to share your appreciation for our feathered friends by engaging in this art endeavor! This class will focus on painting and drawing techniques that will provide new ways of expressing your connection with nature. Irvine’s aviary friends will model for us as we capture their unique features through a mixed media activity with a variety of medium use– including acrylics, watercolor, colored pencils, charcoal, ink pens and a number of different surfaces. Participants will be able to take home a custom item of their own creation at the end of the class. Ideal for ages 13+.
Instructors: Brittany Roger, Irvine Educator and MICA-trained artist
Friday, August 2nd
6:00 – 8:00PM
Cost: $25/individual
*MAKE & TAKE: NATURAL SMALL TWINED BASKET
In this workshop, you will be introduced to twining, an ancient form of basketry. This is a technique in which two weavers are twined around splints to create a tightly woven and solid basket. As a style of basket used by people and civilizations from all over the world, the method can be adapted for use with many different sorts of long, flexible materials. In this class we will use locally harvested rushes, sedges, grasses and other natural offerings for the weavers and inner bark from a variety of tree species for the stakes. Both two and three strand twining will be utilized. The unique basket that participants will make to take home will be small– to allow for focus on mastering the technique of this centuries -old craft.
Instructors: Dr. Clare Walker, Master Naturalist
Sunday, August 18th
1:00 – 4:00PM
Cost: $35/individual
NATURE EXPLORATION Programs
*A SUMMER SOLSTICE CELEBRATION
Connect with nature on the special solstice that this year coincides with a full moon (or wait another 19 years). Take a gentle walk to our pollinator meadow to experience the evening peace. Listen to solstice stories from around the world while gathering around a fire scented with herbs collected on this longest day. Enjoy some seasonal beverages like elderflower spritzers. Then watch the moon rise over the meadow as it dances with fireflies. Irvine magic! Ideal for adults and children 8+.
Instructors: Dr. Clare Walker & Cecilia Boynton, Environmental Educators
Friday, June 21st
7:30 – 9:30PM
Cost: $12/individual or $25/family
*ANIMAL HIKE: SEARCHING FOR SNAKES
Enjoy and celebrate World Snake Day by “herping” at Irvine! Herping is the art of hiking to search for hidden reptiles. Irvine is the home to seven different species of incredible snakes. Join our expert guides for an early morning hike through the woodlands to the wetlands and back in search of all seven! All ages are welcome!
Instructors: Brittany Roger, Environmental Educator
Sunday, July 14th
8:00 – 10:00AM
Cost: $5/individual
*BEHIND THE SCENES ANIMAL ENCOUNTER: TURTLES
Love Turtles? So do we! Go behind the scenes with an animal caretaker to take care of these turtlally awesome reptiles! Meet and touch the turtles, learn about their lives, and get hands-on experience with feeding time! Ideal for families and children ages 4+.
Instructors: Ash Miller, Environmental Educator
Saturday, July 27th
11:00 – 11:30AM
Cost: $5/individual
*ANIMAL PRESENTATION: SNAKES
Celebrate World Snake Day by meeting different snakes from around the world! Snake expert, Brittany Roger, will give an interactive presentation covering the incredible diversity and superpowers of snakes. Come and see up close the many ways snakes behave in the world– some climb, some dig, and some use their camouflage skills to be masters of disguise! All ages are welcome!
Instructors: Brittany Roger, Environmental Educator
Sunday, July 14th
12:00 – 2:00PM
Cost: $5/individual
*MOON NIGHT CELEBRATION
On July 20, 1969 humans set foot on the moon for the first time! Mark the fifty-five year anniversary of this remarkable feat by celebrating International Moon Day with an (almost!) full moon at Irvine. We will listen to stories about the moon from around the world and share in a campfire with s’mores– all while observing the moon’s captivating and timeless beauty. Ideal for families with children 6+.
Instructors: Ash Miller, Environmental Educator
Saturday, July 20th
8:00 – 10:00PM
Cost: $10/individual or $25/family
*”GOING BATTY” AT IRVINE
Learn about and celebrate the much- maligned animal–the bat! International Bat Night is only a week away (August 24th) and we will use this class to investigate why some of the bats found in Maryland are becoming rare, while others become more common. We will hike around the building and down to the meadow (a gentle walk) to see where the “battiest” place at Irvine is by using an echolocator to detect bat calls. Ideal for ages 8+.
Instructors: Ash Miller, Environmental Educator and Dr. Clare Walker, Master Naturalist
Saturday, August 17th
7:30 – 9:00PM
Cost: $10/individual or $25/family
*ANIMAL ENCOUNTER: SNAKES!
Come meet a snake up-close and personal! An animal caretaker will introduce you to one of our resident snakes, answer any slithery questions, and give you the opportunity to touch the special guest. Perfect for longtime reptile fans, or anyone looking to face their fears! Ideal for ages 3-adult.
Instructors: Ash Miller, Environmental Educator
Saturday, August 31st
11:00 – 11:30AM
Cost: FREE No registration required- included in the cost of admission.
Health and wellness Programs
*QIGONG & TAI CHI
Through Qigong and Tai Chi, participants will explore the ancient practices of moving meditation to align body, mind, and spirit and build a deeper connection to nature. In addition to learning and practicing these healing arts, we will also experience one or more additional components of the following: qigong forest bathing, qigong walks, mindfulness meditation, and focused breath work. The classes will begin in the tent or conference room, then transition to various beautiful locations throughout the Irvine campus. Age 18+ No prior experience needed. All are welcome.
Instructors: Mary Pinkard, NQA Level II Instructor, and Michele Tsonis
Offered Sundays through June (No Class on Sun, May 26)
9:30 – 10:30AM
Cost: $15/participant
Register for one or more session dates. Preregistration available, walkups welcome.
