Spend an afternoon in Duke Forest, learning about the common mosses of North Carolina woods. Learn about the biology of mosses and liverworts and gain basic moss identification skills as you explore a world beneath your feet. With Blanka Aguero, bryophyte data manager at the Duke University Herbarium, in collaboration with the Duke University Herbarium.
Join horticulture staff and volunteers on a walk around the Blomquist Garden of Native Plants to learn about connections between people, plants and place. Each month will feature a different seasonal topic related to gardening with native plants. Look for an additional walk on June 5.
This one-day workshop will cover making a hanging basket, traditionally used for storing garlic or onions, from start to finish. It’s a great introduction to working with natural reed and creating a structural vessel by following a simple weaving pattern. Students will leave with their own basket to hang in the kitchen. Materials and tools included.
Join Chizuko Sueyoshi and members of the Japanese Tea Practitioners of Durham for a moment of respite in the Duke Gardens teahouse, where you will experience the centering calm of a traditional Japanese tea gathering. Enjoy the aesthetics, poetry and serenity of this rich tradition over an enticing bowl of whisked green tea and a Japanese confection. Guests will meet onsite at Duke Gardens, to be escorted on a 10-minute walk to the teahouse. Seating is on the ground unless a chair is requested during registration by emailing GardensEducation@duke.edu. Capacity of eight; for ages 12 and up.
Stay connected to the most recent garden updates and seasonal highlights by learning directly from Duke Gardens staff on a casual stroll. While construction for the transformative Garden Gateway Project is underway, enjoy special access on this monthly walk. Use your members' free code or become a member today! Spend a May afternoon under the shade of native trees and visit an exciting new garden area developed within the Blomquist Garden of Native Plants.
Join ComMotion for a virtual exploration of spring in Duke Gardens designed to get your body moving. Music will guide our attention to the sights, sounds, and smells of nature. We will perform simple movements for all abilities inspired by the Gardens, stretching our bodies and relaxing our minds.
*THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED* Explore different facets of transformation through the lens and practice of ecosomatics in a series of five workshops designed around a central theme that can also be taken as stand-alone classes. The May 8 session will focus on the themes of adaptation and resilience. Through guided movement, sensory exploration and reflective practices, we will engage with the more-than-human world as a teacher of adaptability and strength. Together, we’ll consider how ecosystems respond to change in unexpected ways, opening to the myriads of possibilities that unfold from every moment. Guided by the notion that the future is not a foregone conclusion, we will see how we, too, can draw on our embodied wisdom to navigate challenges and adapt together. This class invites you to cultivate a deeper connection to the garden, each other and your own relational capacity for resilience in the face of life’s uncertainties.
Lichens are found in nearly every habitat on Earth. Despite being often overlooked, they are extremely useful indicators of both air pollution and climate change. Embark on a lichen-centric ramble through Duke Gardens to explore the fascinating world of these curious organisms. Learn to identify different kinds of lichens and understand their ecological roles.
Explore different facets of transformation through the lens and practice of ecosomatics in a series of five workshops designed around a central theme that can also be taken as stand-alone classes.
The May 22 session will conclude our ecosomatics series with a class exploring the Cycles of Life. Through movement, reflection and sensory practices, we’ll attune to the rhythms of beginnings and endings, and the threads that carry forward through time. Drawing inspiration from the more-than-human world, this class invites participants to consider what it means to end well, honor transitions and nurture continuity within change. Together, we’ll explore how cycles in nature and our own lives offer wisdom for living with intention and grace. Join us for this reflective and grounding experience in the beauty of Duke Gardens.
Come discover the regenerative power of mindful engagement with nature. The Japanese tradition of Shinrin-Yoku, forest bathing, is a practice of using all your senses to connect with nature. Many studies have found it to be helpful in decreasing stress, increasing immune system functioning, and improving concentration, creativity and mood. In a slow-paced two-hour session, certified Forest Therapy Guide Stephanie Campbell will offer a sequence of gentle invitations designed to help you immerse yourself in deeper connection with nature, ending with a forest-based tea.
