Little Sprouts

Explore the outdoors with your children ages 18 months to 3 years at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden. Spend your morning outside as we enjoy story time and activities with Carlos the Cactus! This month we will be reading the book, “I Took a Walk” by Henry Cole. The hummingbirds are zooming, the bees are buzzing, and the flowers are blooming! After story time, come along for the adventure as we discover all there is to find on our stroll through the Garden. We’ll head back to the pavilion for fun activities and hands-on scientific fun, see you there! 

• Time: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
• Location: Backyard Veggie Garden
• Parking: Botanic Garden Welcome Center (free)
• Tram Drop-Off: Circle drive by the Backyard Veggie Garden
• Age: Catered to children 18 months to 3 years old

Free (including garden admission) for all children under 6 years old and accompanying caregivers (limit 2 adults). Regular admissions rates apply to all additional individuals.  

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Please enter through the Garden Center (Welcome Center) to check-in. There will be a free tram service to transport you and your family to this program at the Backyard Veggie Garden! We recommend arriving 15-20 minutes early to account for tram transportation time.

*No programs in July, December, January, & February.*

GROW-Guided Field Study Trips are two-hour, immersive experiences available at both BRIT and the Fort Worth Botanic Garden campuses, led by our amazing GROW educators. Students can become scientists in our herbarium of over 1.5 million plant species, explore the many areas of the gardens, and learn about botany in TEKS based, nature-inspired field study trips! 

This fall season we are offering:

FWBG Experiences:

• Pre-K - 2nd: Pumpkin Palooza
• 3rd - 5th: Pumpkin Problems
• Middle & High School: Spectacular Systems

BRIT Experiences:

• Pre-K - 2nd: Botanists in Training
• 3rd - 5th: Botany at BRIT
• Middle & High School: LEEDing the Way (10:00 am - 12:30 pm)

Available : Tuesdays-Fridays, 10 am – 12 noon (exceptions upon request)

$7 /student and $5 /registered adult chaperone*

$140 minimum for groups of 20 or fewer.

Any unregistered adult joining on the day of a Field Study Trip at the Garden will pay the regular garden admission of $12.

*Click here to download our Fall Field Study Trip Guide for further details on experiences and pricing. 

Fill out our quick inquiry form to request a date for your Field Study Trip!

Please contact Michelle Schmidlkofer at mschmidlkofer@brit.org with any questions or concerns about Field Study Trips.

From Amazon.com: "In this wholly original book, biologist David Haskell uses a one- square-meter patch of old-growth Tennessee forest as a window onto the entire natural world. Visiting it almost daily for one year to trace nature's path through the seasons, he brings the forest and its inhabitants to vivid life."

Self-Guided Explorations provide the freedom for to explore the Fort Worth Botanic Garden at your own pace. GROW Educators will not be present during this experience. 

Available:  Monday-Tuesday 9 am - 3 pm and Wednesday-Friday 1 - 3 pm 

$6 /participants (students & registered adult chaperones)

Minimum of 20 participants to qualify. 

Any unregistered adult joining on the day of a Self-Guided Exploration will pay the regular garden admission of $12.

Self-Guided Exploration pricing is available for schools, homeschool groups, and after-school programs for children Pre-K-12th grade only. If you want to register a college class or an adult group to visit the garden, please contact Stephanie Sellers for group rates: stephanie.sellers@fortworthtexas.gov

Fill out our quick inquiry form to request a date for your exploration!

Please contact Michelle Schmidlkofer at mschmidlkofer@brit.org with any questions or concerns about self-Guided Explorations. 

Why are plants important? 

Join us for this educational event where Girl Scouts can design and create live floral arrangements, learn about sustainability, and complete badge work! (This program will take place indoors.)

 Click here to learn more about the series. 

**Please note, petals or badges are not available on site; they can be purchased at the GS store or online.** 

Event Details: 

• Location: BRIT (1700 University Drive Fort Worth, TX 76107)
• Parking: BRIT (Free)
• Cost: $10/Scout
• Age: Brownies - Ambassadors

Badges Scouts can earn: 

• Brownies Journey: It's Your World - Change It!
• Brownie Badges: Eco Friend & Outdoor Art Creator Part 1
• Juniors Journey: It's Your World - Change It!
• Juniors Badges: Gardener, Flowers, and Outdoor Art Explorer part 1
• Cadettes Badges: Science of Happiness, Trailblazing, and Outdoor Art Apprentice part 1
• Ambassador Badges: Outdoor Art Master part 1 & Eco Advocate part 1

Click here to register! 

Contact rlincoln@brit.org with any questions or concerns. 

Click here to register!

K-2nd: Enjoy story time, hosted by Bella the Begonia, that transforms the landscape through literary wonder and then wiggle your way through the dirt and embrace swirls in nature's design.

3rd-5th: Peek into the earth’s past through geological landforms that helped create our local Texas soil. Gain a deeper understanding of fossils and our relationship with the soil we use today.

6th-10th: Explore the physics behind a pumpkin in order to answer the questions: How much pressure can a pumpkin withstand? Does a pumpkin sink or float? 

Grades: 
K-5th:

• Time: 10:00 AM —11:30 AM
• Meet in the BRIT Atrium (1700 University Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76107)  

6th-10th: 

• Time: 9:45 AM — 12:00 PM
• Park: Garden Center (#9s on FWBG Map)
• Check-In: Garden Center
• Tram Drop-Off: Japanese Garden 

Cost: $5 per person (includes adults and children)

This is a one day workshop designed as an intermediate course focusing on creating artwork from direct observation of the landscape. We will discuss the work of well-known artist’s plein air paintings throughout art history. Before beginning the painting exercise, discuss how to prepare a palette in preparation for the fast-paced nature of plein air paintings. This is a course designed for those with some experience with drawing and using watercolor paints, and for those who enjoy an active painting experience. Plein air painting is a fun and freeing challenge to paint the changing light and colors of a particular outdoor scene. Please bring a brown bag lunch, and be prepared to complete several pieces on paper during this exciting workshop! 

Please note: This class will be held on the grounds of BRIT and the FWBG.

$85 members/$95 non-members

Materials list to follow soon!

Join Debbie Garrett, Curator of the nationally recognized Begonia Species Bank and Collection and Bobbie Price, a 20-plus year volunteer in the nationally recognized Begonia Species Bank along with Don Miller who has spent his life searching for new species and conserving rare begonias to create a lovely terrarium using Rex Begonias You will learn the method of creating and caring for a miniature tropical habitat for rare and exotic species and hybrid begonias.  You will take home your glass terrarium for instant color.

Instructor Bobbie Price is a 20 year volunteer in the nationally recognized Begonia Species Bank along with Don Miller who has spent his life searching for new species and conserving rare begonias. Debbie Garrett, the staff curator for the collection, studied horticulture at the University of North Texas.  Her love for begonias centers on the conservation of the species. 

Please note: This class will be held in the Begonia Greenhouse at the FWBG.

$30 members/$35 non-members

Ring in the holidays with this two hour make and take wreath workshop. Working with a grapevine base, greens trimmed from the Garden and various other natural and decorative elements you will craft a special and unique wreath for the door or mantle for the upcoming holidays. Find inspiration, learn techniques, and get your hands dirty as you start on your perfect holiday wreath.

Instructor Stephanie Bergmann, the effervescent, always talking, always laughing, founder of The Fox and Flower, is an innovative floral designer, gardener, and bed digging dynamo, whose nightly dreams are filled with thoughts of worm castings, mushroom matter and soil prep. She enjoys reading the latest scintillating issue of Compost Daily over an Italian espresso before hitting the garden to plant three hundred bulbs while most of us are still drooling away on our pillow. Her ability to make others feel at ease and her wicked sense of humor (with just a touch of snark) allowed Stephanie to charm her way into designing for a number of Fort Worth’s hottest eateries and retailers who delighted in displaying her unique and unusual floral designs. It wasn’t long before others began to take notice of her playful designs and requests began to pour in from individuals and venues around town. Stephanie’s innate sense of style and modern aesthetic are built on a decades long foundation of textile and garden design and creation. Her unexpected color combinations and use of uniquely textured materials make her designs stand apart from the sea of ‘the usual’. Follow her on Instagram at Thefoxandflowerfw.

Please note: This class will be held at BRIT.

$60 members/$65 non-members.

In this hands-on class, you will learn many handy uses for paracord in the garden including how to create colorful and comfortable tool handle wraps. We'll also cover how to make charming paracord insects and animals for your gardening friends. You’ll go home with at least one finished project and guidelines for others.  

Instructors Kim Martin and Laurie Bostic, owners of Barking Cat Farm, focus on growing high quality crops in an organic and sustainable manner. Brix testing is done regularly to monitor the nutritional quality of the produce and compost and compost teas are applied to the soil to ensure that soil biology is constantly improving. Both Laurie & Kim have their Permaculture Design Certificate from Geoff Lawton’s Permaculture Design Course. Both have studied under Dr. Elaine Ingham and are working towards becoming Certified Soil Life Consultants. They offer permaculture design and soil biology consulting services to other growers and gardeners.

Please note: This class will be held at BRIT.

$30 members/$35 non-members

Join Dr. Agnes Knasiak in the Fort Worth Botanic Garden Conservation Greenhouse as she shares the history of poinsettias including their introduction into commercial production and how they have become the default Christmas flower. Dr. Agnes will take you through a typical production cycle using the crop that is currently in production as the visual aid. You will look at culture in the greenhouse and also in the home or hobby greenhouse and discuss best practices to maintain them through the Holiday season and into the New Year!

Instructor Agnieszka Slociak Knasiak, has degrees from two universities in Europe including a PhD in Horticulture. During her doctoral study in Wroclaw, Poland she took special classes for “The Art of Floral Design.” She creates the flower designs each year for the Japanese Garden Festivals. She also designs arrangements for special events in Botanic Garden such as birthday parties, anniversaries, funerals, holidays tables, etc. She is currently a Greenhouse Attendant at the Botanic Garden.

Please note: This class will be held at the FWBG.

$20 members/$25 non-members

Want to start your own transplants but are unsure how to approach it?  This hands-on seed starting workshop will step you through the "art" of starting transplants, including potting soil considerations, seed depth, watering and food needs, lighting requirements, environmental control, and more.  You’ll go home with an understanding of seed starting and seeded pots that can become the foundation for your home garden.  Seeds and planting materials will be provided.

Instructors Kim Martin and Laurie Bostic, owners of Barking Cat Farm, focus on growing high quality crops in an organic and sustainable manner. Brix testing is done regularly to monitor the nutritional quality of the produce and compost and compost teas are applied to the soil to ensure that soil biology is constantly improving. Both Laurie & Kim have their Permaculture Design Certificate from Geoff Lawton’s Permaculture Design Course. Both have studied under Dr. Elaine Ingham and are working tow

Please note: This class will be held at BRIT.

$30 members/$35 non-members

Meeting the first Saturday of each month, our Mindfulness Meditation in Nature classes invite you to slow down, release the stresses of everyday life, and tune in to the serenity of the natural world. With plants all around, explore the grounds of BRIT and the Fort Worth Botanic Garden as you learn mindfulness practices and techniques from meditation instructor Lisa November, M.A. Ed. Lisa leads her students in unique, hour-long mindfulness meditations, always attuned to the surrounding natural world. Classes often take place outdoors, weather permitting. 

Lisa November is a meditation teacher based in Fort Worth. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in history and communication from the University of Northern Iowa in 1982 and her Master of Arts in Special Education-Moderate Needs from the University of Northern Colorado in 1992. She is a life-long teacher and learner and has been practicing mindfulness based meditation since 1996. Most recently, she has received the 14 Mindfulness Trainings in the Order of Interbeing, Tiep Hien, Ordained Students of Zen Master, Thich Nhat Hanh in August of 2019. She is also a student of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), a proven heath and wellness program from the Oasis Center at the University of Massachusetts.

Please note: This class will meet at BRIT.

$10 members/$12 non-members

Introducing a native landscape at the National Ranching Heritage Center

Jason and Julie Hodges will describe the process of implementing a native landscape at the National Ranching Heritage Center. During the presentation presenters will describe the process, successes, and challenges faced. The native grass landscape is still in process at the NRHC, which will give presenters an opportunity to discuss future plans for expansion and maintenance. Julie will discuss connections between the NRHC’s educational mission (To preserve and interpret the history of ranching in North America and address contemporary ranching issues) and the project. Jason will discuss the finer points of planning, implementation, and maintenance.

Julie Hodges is the Helen DeVitt Jones Endowed Director of Education at the National Ranching Heritage Center at Texas Tech University.

Jason Hodges, principal of Prairie Workshop LLC, specializes in sustainable site planning & design. His knowledge of native plants and low impact development strategies make him a valuable landscape consultant. His working experience in the West Texas region includes ten years as Campus Landscape Architect for Texas Tech University System.

This 9 hour course, which builds on skills acquired in Introduction to Watercolors, will allow students to delve into advanced color theory and color harmonies in their paintings. Students will also learn how to troubleshoot their paintings, and will learn specific techniques for painting white flowers, textures, and patterns. 

Instructor Samantha Peters is a science illustrator based in Dallas, Texas. She received her B.S. in Biology with an emphasis in Neurobiology from the University of Texas at Austin and attended the School of Medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, leaving once she realized illustrating her study guides was more fun than actually studying them. Afterwards, while living in New York City, she discovered a love of botanical art through classes at the New York Botanical Garden, and decided to pursue science illustration full time, attending the graduate program in Science Illustration at California State University, Monterey Bay. Samantha currently works in the graphics department at the Dallas Zoo and is the President of the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators Texas Group. Member of the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators and the American Society of Botanical Artists. 

This class will meet from 9am - noon on the following days:
11/9/2019
11/16/2019
11/23/2019

Please note: This class will be held at BRIT.

$150 members/$160 non-members

Materials list following soon!

Tired of the usual holiday decoration?  Then join us and learn how to create a unique winter arrangement using waxed Amaryllis bulbs that will last and provide enjoyment throughout the season. Participants will learn the easy to follow steps to wax and decorate an amaryllis bulb, which will then be used as the centerpiece in a winter arrangement. Make one for yourself or make one for a friend as a thoughtful holiday present. 

Instructor Melinda Burt is a long time resident of Fort Worth and a member of the Fort Worth Garden Club.

Please note: This class will be held at BRIT.

$40 members/$45 non-members

Join us for this exciting hands-on class in the principles and basics of floral design including color, balance, proportion, scale, and rhythm with Fort Worth Botanic Garden employee, Agnes Slociak Knasiak.  Dr. Slociak Knasiak will share the history of floral arrangements along with the containers, tools and mechanics of designs. Each student will take home the design on which they work along with a 4” potted fern that Agnes propagated to use in future flower designs.

Instructor Agnieszka Slociak Knasiak, has degrees from two universities in Europe including a PhD in Horticulture. During her doctoral study in Wroclaw, Poland she took special classes for “The Art of Floral Design.” She creates the flower designs each year for the Japanese Garden Festivals. She also designs arrangements for special events in Botanic Garden such as birthday parties, anniversaries, funerals, holidays tables, etc. She is currently a Greenhouse Attendant at the Botanic Garden.

Please note: This class will be held at the FWBG.

$40 members/$45 non-members

Click here to learn more about the series. 

November 16: 1:30 - 3:30 PM 

How do you clip flowers and why? 

Go on a greenhouse tour at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden and gather your flowers along the way! 

December 14: 1:30 - 3:30 PM 

What do you do with dried flowers? What do they look like up close? 

Investigate pressed flowers with our Scanning Electron Microscope and take home your floral arrangement! 

**Please note, petals or badges are not available on site; they can be purchased at the GS store or online.** 

Event Details: 

• Location: BRIT (1700 University Drive Fort Worth, TX 76107)
• Parking: BRIT (Free)
• Cost: $10/Scout
• Age: Brownies - Ambassadors

Click here to register! 

Contact rlincoln@brit.org with any questions or concerns. 

From Amazon.com:

"New York Times Bestseller
Shortlisted for the 2018 Man Booker Prize
One of the Washington Post‘s 10 Best Books of 2018 and Time's 10 Best Fiction Books of 2018
A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of 2018

A monumental novel about trees and people by one of our most "prodigiously talented" (The New York Times Book Review) novelists."

• Time: 10 AM- 12 PM
• Location: BRIT (all grades)
• Parking: BRIT - free (1700 University Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76107)
• $7/ all participating students and adults
• Non-participating siblings younger than kindergarten do not need to register.

Register here! 

K-2nd: Enjoy story time with Bella the Begonia and Carlos the Cactus as we learn about where plants and animals go during the winter. We will create our very own prairie scene and explore factors that effect a plant’s growth and behavior. Join us as we discover a plant’s basic needs for survival and plant veggies that are strong enough to thrive in the winter.

3rd-5th: Ever wonder where the green goes during the winter? Join us as we reveal the differences between dormancy and evergreens and their effect on a prairie during winter. Dissect a pine cone and discover fun facts about how plants adapt to survive the winter along with what happens to a food chain, even when all the food is gone.

6th-10th: Winter is coming so join us as we explore what life would be like if the world was winter all year long. How would this effect our food supply? How would this effect an ecosystem and all living things? We will use high-tech scientific tools to explore the plants in our prairie and investigate how our LEED Platinum building gives back to the planet.

Meeting the first Saturday of each month, our Mindfulness Meditation in Nature classes invite you to slow down, release the stresses of everyday life, and tune in to the serenity of the natural world. With plants all around, explore the grounds of BRIT and the Fort Worth Botanic Garden as you learn mindfulness practices and techniques from meditation instructor Lisa November, M.A. Ed. Lisa leads her students in unique, hour-long mindfulness meditations, always attuned to the surrounding natural world. Classes often take place outdoors, weather permitting. 

Lisa November is a meditation teacher based in Fort Worth. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in history and communication from the University of Northern Iowa in 1982 and her Master of Arts in Special Education-Moderate Needs from the University of Northern Colorado in 1992. She is a life-long teacher and learner and has been practicing mindfulness based meditation since 1996. Most recently, she has received the 14 Mindfulness Trainings in the Order of Interbeing, Tiep Hien, Ordained Students of Zen Master, Thich Nhat Hanh in August of 2019. She is also a student of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), a proven heath and wellness program from the Oasis Center at the University of Massachusetts.

Please note: This class will meet at BRIT.

$10 members/$12 non-members

Forcing bulbs indoors is easy to do and involves a minimum of muss and fuss.  Join the Tarrant County Master Gardeners for this hands on class and learn how growing bulbs indoors lets you enjoy the colors and fragrance of spring when it is still months away!

Please note: This class will be held at the FWBG.

$30 members/$35 non-members

Go beyond holly and ivy in this hands-on workshop with Fort Worth Botanic Garden employee, Dr. Agnes Slociak Knasiak. Take a quick look at the history of floral arrangements and learn the basics of floral design including color, balance, proportion, scale, and rhythm.  Dr. Slociak Knasiak will share information about the containers, tools and mechanics of design and then each student will work on and take home a beautiful holiday floral arrangement.

Instructor Agnieszka Slociak Knasiak, has degrees from two universities in Europe including a PhD in Horticulture. During her doctoral study in Wroclaw, Poland she took special classes for “The Art of Floral Design.” She creates the flower designs each year for the Japanese Garden Festivals and designs arrangements for special events in the Botanic Garden such as birthday parties, anniversaries, funerals, holidays tables, etc. She is currently a Greenhouse Attendant for the Fort Worth Botanic Garden.

Please note: This class will be held at the FWBG.

$40 members/$45 non-members

Click here to learn more about the series. 

What are medicinal plants?

• January 11: 1:30 - 3:30 PM
• February 8: 1:30 - 3:30 PM

Complete Girl Scout badge work while discovering a variety of purposes for plants and how you can grow them at home. Learners will take home a garden starter at both sessions! (Program takes place both indoors and outdoors)

**Please note, petals or badges are not available on site; they can be purchased at the GS store or online.** 

Event Details: 

• Location: BRIT (1700 University Drive Fort Worth, TX 76107)
• Parking: BRIT (Free)
• Cost: $10/Scout
• Age: Brownies - Ambassadors

Click here to register! 

Contact rlincoln@brit.org with any questions or concerns. 

What's happening around me? 

Click here to learn more about the series. 

Girl Scouts earn badge work while exploring natural systems and their needs. Scouts also get to investigate and create their very own take-home terrariums! Discounted Butterflies at the Garden tickets will be available at this event. 

**Please note, petals or badges are not available on site; they can be purchased at the GS store or online.** 

Event Details: 

• Location: BRIT (1700 University Drive Fort Worth, TX 76107)
• Parking: BRIT (Free)
• Cost: $10/Scout
• Age: Brownies - Ambassadors

Click here to register! 

Contact rlincoln@brit.org with any questions or concerns. 

Click here to learn more about the series.

• March 21: 1:30 - 3:30 PM
• April 11: 1:30 - 3:30 PM

Girl Scouts earn badge work at these sessions while preparing for the Fort Worth Garden Show together!

**Please note, petals or badges are not available on site; they can be purchased at the GS store or online.** 

Event Details: 

• Location: BRIT (1700 University Drive Fort Worth, TX 76107)
• Parking: BRIT (Free)
• Cost: FREE

Click here to register! 

Contact rlincoln@brit.org with any questions or concerns.