Special Events
Promotional banner for a Nature Reconnection class series at the Edith J. Carrier Arboretum, featuring details on dates, pricing, and instructor Annette Naber, Ph.D.

Nature Reconnection:

Deepen Your Bond with the Earth

June 14 - Oct 11 | 10-11:30 AM

Location: Ernst Tree Terrace

Through nature activities, reflective practices, and hands-on learning, you will reconnect with the wisdom of the land and your own intuitive self. 

Register Here

Walks, Talks & Workshops
Event flyer for a free forest bathing session at Edith J. Carrier Arboretum, scheduled for Friday, May 23rd from 1 to 2:30 PM.
Forest Bathing with Annette Naber

Friday, May 23rd | 1-2:30 PM | FREE

Location: Meet at the Pavilion

Experience some of the mindful and multi-sensory exercises that make forest bathing an enjoyable and beneficial nature therapy. Join Annette Naber of Emerald Mountain Sanctuary and author of Seasons of a Wild Life on this guided walk through the Arboretum grounds.

Forest Bathing, or shinrin-yoku, was developed in Japan in the 1980s as a form of preventative medicine with many scientific studies confirming its beneficial impacts on our sense of well-being and physical health.  

Register here

Promotional graphic for a Succulent and Cacti Terrarium Workshop, featuring a potted cactus and event details including date, time, and pricing.
Succulent + Cacti Terrarium

Sunday, June 1st | 1-2 PM 

$40/adult + $10/kid

Location: Ernst Tree Terrace

Perfect for plant enthusiasts and budding novices, this workshop combines hands-on crafting with a deep dive into the captivating world of arid plants. You’ll be able to craft a terrarium from your choice of succulents and cacti.

All materials provided!

Register here

A colorful promotional flyer for a Wildflower Nature Walk event at the Edith J. Carrier Arboretum, featuring floral designs and event details.
Wildflower Nature Walks with MRL

Tuesday, June 3rd | 10 - 11 AM | FREE

Location: Meet at the Frances Plecker Education Center

Join us for an educational nature walk at the Edith J. Carrier Arboretum! We'll observe flowers in bloom on the beautiful pond loop and wildflower trails. The walking level is easy, so adults of all fitness levels can join us!

Register here

Colorful event poster for a Native Plant Game Night titled "Plot to the TOP!" featuring playful illustrations of people playing games. The event details include the date, time, and location at Edith J. Carrier Arboretum.
Game Night: Plot to the TOP!

Friday, June 6th | 6 - 8 PM | FREE

Location: Meet at the Frances Plecker Education Center

Take a load off from finals week and plot your way to victory at the Arboretum's first game night event! From the creative mind of Briana Miller, Plot: A Strategic Planting Game is all about outcompeting your opponents for the most diverse and attractive garden plot around. Attract unique pollinators to your plot and boost ecosystem services by planting Virginia native species!

Register here

Reoccuring Programs
Promotional graphic for the "Evenings with Bats" event featuring a full moon, bats in flight, and silhouetted trees.
Evenings With Bats | Monitoring Program

1st & 3rd Fridays | Dusk | FREE

Next Meeting: June 6th | 8:15-9:15 PM

Location: Pond

Gather around the Pond and marvel at bats as they emerge for their evening hunt. The VA Master Naturalists return for their bat emergence monitoring program. 

Plan to arrive 15 minutes before sunset.

Register Here

flyer for bonsai club meetings
Bonsai Club Meeting

1st Tuesdays | 6-8 PM | FREE

Next Meeting: June 3rd

Location: Frances Plecker Education Center

Join presenters, Clark Driver and Simon Jilg for a short lecture, bonsai displays, and door prizes!

Register Here

Wellness and Soundscape Programs
Promotional graphic for martial arts classes featuring participants practicing Tai Chi and Baguazhang outdoors.
Martial Arts at the Arb!

Martial Arts | $15/session

Location: FPEC or Terrace

Tai Chi | Saturdays | 8-9 AM

Tai chi is a gentle, low-impact form of exercise that can improve muscle strength, flexibility, and balance.

Baguazhang | Tuesdays & Thursdays | 5:30-7 PM

Baguazhang is an 18th century Chinese martial art inspired by a form of Taoist meditative circle walking.

ad for sound bathing
Sound Bathing Experience

Wednesday, June 18th | 5:30-7 PM 

$25/session

Location: Frances Plecker Education Center

Embark on a sound journey that will relax and de-stress you and bring your whole being back into a state of harmony on all levels; physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.

Connie Magee is a multi-modality massage therapist, medicine woman, Yoga Instructor, and meditation teacher.

Register Here

A woman in a colorful skirt gestures while speaking to an audience seated at a picnic table in a rustic pavilion setting. A man plays a ukulele nearby.
Harrisonburg Songtuary

Saturdays |Dates TBA | 2-3:30 PM

Location: Pavilion

Harrisonburg Songtuary is a community song circle that seeks to propagate co-enchanting cohorts of contemplayful singers, sponsored by the Arts Council of the Valley and the Office of Creative Propulsion.

RSVP Here

On the Songtuary website, you may find more details and RSVP for upcoming gatherings; receive email updates, add to your calendar, or share on social media. We appreciate when you let us know you’re coming, and we hope the web RSVP is convenient for you as well!

ANNUAL EVENTS

February
Frances Litten Botanical Lecture & Invitiational Reception
Great Backyard Bird Count

March
Workshop and/or Wine & Cheese

April
Guided Wildflower Walks
Spring Celebration Plant Sale

May
Spring Celebration Plant Sale
Guided Wildflower Walks
Wine & Cheese on the Ernst Tree Terrace

June - August
Summer Brown Bag Lunch Lecture Series

September
Wine & Cheese on the Ernst Tree Terrace
Fall Plant & Bulb Sale
Monarch Tagging Workshop

October - December
Festive Greens Workshop
Harvest Festival

May - September | Private Greenhouse Shopping by Appointment
$50 Minimum purchase required, call (540)-568-3194 to schedule

View Annual Youth Programs Calendar

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