$7 per scout.
Please contact rlincoln@brit.org with any questions or concerns.
Spring is a beautiful time at BRIT and the Fort Worth Botanic Garden. Students have the opportunity to investigate our native prairie, become scientists in our herbarium of over 1.5 million plant species, explore the many areas of the gardens, and learn about plants in TEKS based, nature-inspired field study trips!
To book, contact Rachel at rlincoln@brit.org. Please provide number and grade level of students as well as preferred date, time and experience(s) for your trip.
GROW is excited to offer this multi-week course that will serve as an introduction to transparent watercolor techniques appropriate to both beginner and intermediate artists, with a focus on learning how to control the water. Techniques include washes, glazing, dry brushing, and color theory. This course lays the foundation for creating beautiful botanical watercolor portraits. Students can expect some homework each week.
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.
Materials list to follow.
This class will meet:
April 23, 2019
April 30, 2019
May 7, 2019
Please note: This class will be held at BRIT.
$110 members/$135 non-members
Required Materials:
The following supplies will be helpful, but are optional. If you’ve taken a drawing class before, you probably have all of these:
Enjoy a sparkling wine during an evening in the Fort Worth Botanic Garden's beautiful Japanese Garden. Learn how sparkling wines are produced and sample five from different areas of the world, including Champagne, France. Please refrain from wearing perfume or cologne. You must be 21 or older to register for this course.
Please note: This class is coordinated by TCU. For more information, or to register, please click the registration button to the left.
The inaugural, Texas Sustainable Winegrowing Competition has begun with its 2020 Call for Entries.
The competition will award medals to both grape growers and winemakers recognizing that while some Texas wineries grow their own grapes, others buy grapes from farmers. Both sides of the process are critical to the environmental, social, and economic impact of the final product.
Texas wineries and their grape growers that follow the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) 75% rule that says at least 75% of the grapes came from Texas are encouraged to apply.
Applying is easy. Fill out the application and include four bottles of wine, plus the $50 entry fee.
Fees may be paid online at www.brit.org/texaswinecompetition
Application submission deadline is September 30, 2019 with winners announced in November.
Hypertufa was developed in the 1930’s to replicate the stone troughs used by English gardeners in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Using basic molds and 4 ingredients you can create a rustic, textured pot as easy as making mud pies! This fun process results in containers that are lighter than cement, yet porous and practical in the garden.
Instructor Nancy Curl has been a Tarrant County Master Gardener since 2007. She has served on the board of the TCMGA for 4 years and as president for 2 years. She was named Tarrant County Master Gardener of the Year and State Master Gardener of the Year, large counties in 2012.
As a Greenhouse, Oak Wilt, Propagation, and Rain Water Harvesting Advanced Trainer, she teaches gardening and garden- related topics at the Botanic Garden, TCC, Home & Garden shows, the Union Gospel Mission and garden clubs. She is the Education Coordinator for the TCMGA and the Water Works Learning Center at the Resource Connection of Tarrant County and she volunteers as a docent at the Botanic Garden Japanese Garden, Butterflies in the Garden, and with the BG/BRIT GROW Education Series.
Please note: This class will be held at the FWBG.
$40 members/$45 non-members
Photo from https://www.mein-schoener-garten.de/.
Save money and enjoy the process of growing your own cut flowers. Learn which varieties to start with, how to grow them, proper harvesting techniques and holding techniques to get the most out of your flowers.
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.
$20 members/$25 non-members
Join the team from Barking Cat Farm and learn about growing herbs for your home usage. You’ll learn what to plant when, best care practices, harvesting tips and storage ideas.
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.
$20 members/$25 non-members
This class will use hands-on activities and lecture to investigate foundational concepts in botany including morphology, naming and classification, and basic identification skills to be practiced with both plants collected in the field and preserved scientific specimens from the BRIT Herbarium.
Instructor Tiana Franklin Rehman, Herbarium Collections Manager at BRIT, facilitates the care, usage and growth of the plant collection housed at BRIT as provides interpretation for the public. Tiana’s interests in collections management include the task of keeping the myriad physical and virtual data elements that contribute to project-based research both current and accessible. Tiana’s M.S. in Environmental Science from Texas Christian University was earned while working at BRIT, and her thesis addressed the diversity and small-scale distribution of members of the Myristicaceae (nutmeg family of plants) at the Los Amigos Biological Station in Madre de Dios, Peru. She continues to be an active field botanist and has contributed specimens to local (Texas) and international (Peru, Costa Rica, Jamaica) floristics projects.
Please note: This class will be held at BRIT.
$20 members/$25 non-members
The BRIT Lecture Series is designed to create community wide conversation about a diverse range of important and rapidly developing topics. This series gives scientists and speakers a forum for sharing the most current information about their areas of expertise and allows the public to interact with leading members of the local, national, and international scientific community.
Our Lecture Series is made up of Brown Bag Lunchtime Lectures and BRIT Research Seminars. Brown Bags take place the first Tuesday of each month, February – July and September – November, from noon - 1pm in the BRIT Commons. Research Seminars take place periodically throughout the year and are scheduled based on the availability of our in-house and visiting researchers.
All events are free and open to the public, please watch this page and our Facebook page for announcements of upcoming Brown Bags and BRIT Researcher Seminars.
Join Agnes Knasiak for this delightful class and learn the joy and care of beautiful plants for the home. Dr. Knasiak will discuss the types of plants suitable for inside your home, their light and water needs, and how to propagate plants in order to expand your collection or to grow for gifts. She will also share solutions for problems like pests and diseases. Students will take home a suitable plant for their home.
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 Fort Worth Botanic Garden.
Please note: This class will be held at the FWBG.
$20 members/$25 non-members
Think outside the herbal box! Join Rita Hottel to discusses some of the best local herbs in oils, vinegars, and salad dressings and how they can be used on more than just salads. Come to see how to expand your culinary skills and go beyond the repetition of red wine vinegar and olive oil. Don’t miss out on this chance to taste and take home some new ideas and easy recipes that provide a big range of flavors for everyday cooking.
After becoming a Master Gardener in 2000, instructor Rita Hottel quickly found her niche in herbs. She is currently the Lead Gardener of the Herb Garden at the Tarrant County Master Gardener Community/Education Garden. Even though she was trained in all aspects of gardening, herb gardening was the perfect compliment to her other hobby of cooking.
Please note: This class will be held at BRIT.
$30 members/$35 non-members
K-2nd: Buzz the braided pathway and learn about the sweet relationships between flowers and pollinators while using simple scientific tools.
3rd-5th: Engage in an adventure where learners use their senses to search for and identify seasonal plants in our restored pocket prairie and then deconstruct flowers in a laboratory setting.
6th-10th: Hike with GROW Girl as she guides you on an adventure to discover how humans impact the environment. We will use scientific tools and methods to determine what we can do to conserve our natural resources.
Times:
K-5th:10:00—11:30, meet in the BRIT Atrium (1700 University Drive, Fort Worth,TX 76107)
6th-10th: 9:45—Noon, meet/park at the Japanese Garden Parking Lot
Cost: $5 per person (includes adults and children)
From Amazon.com: "Bringing to life the science and adventure of eighteenth-century plant collecting, The Brother Gardenersis the story of how six men created the modern garden and changed the horticultural world in the process. It is a story of a garden revolution that began in America."
Join us for this special hands-on workshop that will cover the basics of hand-lettering and introduce a variety of delightful botanical borders, flourishes, and embellishments. We’ll use both medieval sources, such as the Book of Kells and some Books of Hours, as well as modern sources for inspiration. Tuition includes one hand lettering pen and pre-cut hot-press water color paper to complete in-class projects.
Instructor Mary DeChellis is a professional calligrapher and hand letterer in the D/FW area. A creative writer at heart, she received a B.A. in English Literature from the University of Tennessee and post-graduate Teaching Certificate from the State of Texas. In 2008 she discovered a different kind of writing, calligraphy, and since then has studied under some of today’s best calligraphers as a part of the vibrant Fort Worth Calligraphers Guild. In 2018, she was named a winner in the Graceful Envelope Contest for which her entry is currently on display in the National Association of Letter Carriers headquarters building in Washington, D.C. Mary combines her experience in teaching with her knowledge of calligraphy and her enthusiasm for creative expression through artistic hand lettering to create a one-of-a-kind classroom experience..
Please note: This class will be held at BRIT.
$40 members/$45 non-members
Create a lovely piece of art on prepared fabric using the natural pigments from flowers and leaves that you'll harvest from the BRIT campus. Gardeners can preserve the colors of summer or a special flower while reliving some stress!
Instructor Nancy Curl has been a Tarrant County Master Gardener since 2007. She has served on the board of the TCMGA for 4 years and as president for 2 years. She was named Tarrant County Master Gardener of the Year and State Master Gardener of the Year, large counties in 2012.
As a Greenhouse, Oak Wilt, Propagation, and Rain Water Harvesting Advanced Trainer, she teaches gardening and garden- related topics at the Botanic Garden, TCC, Home & Garden shows, the Union Gospel Mission and garden clubs. She is the Education Coordinator for the TCMGA and the Water Works Learning Center at the Resource Connection of Tarrant County and she volunteers as a docent at the Botanic Garden Japanese Garden, Butterflies in the Garden, and with the BG/BRIT GROW Education Series.
Please note: This class will be held at BRIT.
$30 members/$35 non-members
Join us for this day long workshop and you’ll learn how to identify common garden pests, diseases and nutrient deficiencies. Learn how to identify the root causes of common problems and the best steps to take to fix these problems. With the help of a microscope, students will examine their own garden soil under a microscope. They'll learn how to test plant material with a refractometer and how to use different sprayers.
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.
$75 members/$85 non-members
$7 per scout
Please contact rlincoln@brit.org with any questions or concerns.
What makes the BRIT Researchers tick? How did they develop an interest in botany, and how did they end up here? Find out at this very special presentation! Members of the BRIT Research staff will give a series of five-minute "lightning talks" about how they got started in science and what their current job entails. There will be time for questions and answers after.
Join us in strengthening your environmental awareness while flexing your Project-Based-Learning (PBL) muscle. Gain a greater understanding of natural systems and the human connections associated with them by considering all aspects of sustainability (environmental, economic, and social).
Click here to register.
This Boot Camp experience will provide participants with the opportunity to:
• Work with BRIT researchers and staff to gain a greater understanding of biological systems and how they are affected by ever-changing conditions.
• Connect with local partners and educators who focus on critical environmental issues to grow your professional learning network.
• Scaffold E- STEM lessons to promote PBL with rigor, innovation, and curiosity.
• Explore real-world applications while connecting learners with their community in order to create future leaders and pathways to STEM careers.
Date: June 10-13, 2019
Time: 8:30 a.m.—4:00 p.m.
Cost: $300 for individuals OR $250 per person for teams of three (3) or more from the same school
Includes: Breakfast, lunch, resources, AND CPE credits plus 6 updated G/T hours
Bella Goes to Camp
Campers will explore the role of plants as a food source - both their role in the food chain and how people use plants for food.
Age: Pre-K or K children; ages 4-5
Dates: June 10-13 or June 17-20
Times: Monday - Thursday from 9:00AM - 11:30AM
Cost: $90 per child/members, $110 per child/non-members
Little B.I.T.s - Little Botanists in Training
Campers will explore native plants on the BRIT Prairie - tall grasses & wildflowers, and their unique properties and
importance in nature.
Age: Students entering 1st or 2nd grades; ages 6-7
Dates: June 24-27 or July 8-11
Time: Monday-Thursday from 9:00AM - 3:30PM
Cost: $200 per child/members. $250 per child/non-members
My Plants, My Place
Campers will explore the native prairie ecosystem, its history, and the impact a prairie still has on our day to day lives.
Age: Students entering 3rd - 5th; ages 8-10
Dates: June 24-27 or July 8-11
Time: Monday-Thursday 9:00AM - 3:30PM
Cost: $200 per child/members, $250 per child/non-members
Join Agnes Slociak Knasiak for a hands-on class which will explore the unusual way in which ferns propagate, as they bear no flowers or seed pods. You will probe into this very primitive process of plant sexual reproduction. You will take home pots ready to bring the mystery of spore reproduction into its full glory and will have several new ferns to add to your plant collection.
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
From Amazon.com: "In six compelling essays, Wes Jackson lays the foundation for a new farming economy grounded in nature’s principles. Exploding the tenets of industrial agriculture, Jackson, a respected advocate for sustainable practices and the founder of The Land Institute, seeks to integrate food production with nature in a way that sustains both."
From Amazon.com: "The acclaimed author of Motoring with Mohammed brings us a compelling adventure into the remarkable world of the orchid and the impossibly bizarre array of international characters who dedicate their lives to it."
K-2nd: Enjoy story time with Carlos the Cactus as he teaches us about the importance of pollinators in the Backyard Veggie Garden. Then explore the garden as we work together to solve the Case of the Fallen Pollen and discover why pollinators are disappearing.
3rd-5th: Saddle up as we head out for a Texas Ecoregion Roundup! The flora and fauna from each ecoregion need your help to find their way home. Work together to determine which animals and plants belong where.
6th-10th: Think like a scientific engineer while examining two distinct sets of soils to determine which type is used on BRIT’s very own living roof. Texas Instruments Nspires and probes will be in used outdoors, and drop-ins experts will help establish career pathways.
Times:
K-5th:10:00—11:30, meet at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden
6th-10th: 9:45—Noon, meet in the BRIT Atrium (1700 University Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76107)
Cost: $5 per person (includes adults and children)
$7 per scout
Please contact rlincoln@brit.org with any questions or concerns.
From Amazon.com: "The universal appeal of Laura Ingalls Wilder springs from a life lived in partnership with the land, on farms she and her family settled across the Northeast and Midwest. In this revealing exploration of Wilder’s deep connection with the natural world, Marta McDowell follows the wagon trail of the beloved Little House series. You’ll learn details about Wilder’s life and inspirations, pinpoint the Ingalls and Wilder homestead claims on authentic archival maps, and learn to grow the plants and vegetables featured in the series. Excerpts from Wilder’s books, letters, and diaries bring to light her profound appreciation for the landscapes at the heart of her world. Featuring the beloved illustrations by Helen Sewell and Garth Williams, plus hundreds of historic and contemporary photographs, The World of Laura Ingalls Wilder is a treasure that honors Laura’s wild and beautiful life."
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."
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?
Times:
K-5th: 10:00—11:30, meet in the BRIT Atrium (1700 University Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76107)
6th-10th: 9:45—Noon, meet at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden
Cost: $5 per person (includes adults and children)
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."
