SLO Botanical Garden

The Magic of Plants - Family Free Day
2024-09-08 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Event Overview:
Dive into the delightful world of plants at our enchanting Family Day! Experience the captivating power of nature and uncover the secrets of herbs and plants through a day packed with magical activities for the whole family.

Master Food Preserver Hands-on Acitivities: Discover the spellbinding process of turning fresh herbs and veggies into delicious pickles and jams. Learn the art of preservation and take home tips to continue the magic in your own kitchen.
Magic Wand Crafting: Let your kids’ imaginations run wild as they create their own magic wands with natural materials and colorful ribbons. A fun and whimsical craft to inspire their creativity!
Magical Herb Bags: Engage your senses with aromatic herb bags you create yourself. Combine different herbs to explore their unique scents and discover the magic they can bring to everyday life.
Treats & Treasures: Enjoy tasty popcorn and cotton candy as you explore a range of fun crafts and activities designed to engage and entertain every age.
Storytelling in the Garden: Nestle into the garden’s lush greenery and let captivating tales whisk you away on adventures filled with the magic of plants.

Gather your family and join us for a day of enchantment and discovery at the San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden. Come experience the wonders of nature and the magic it brings to life!

Nature Sssunday: Spying on Rattlesnakes!
2024-08-25 10:00 - 12:00
This Nature Sunday is all about rattlesnakes and what we can learn from spying on them. This interesting and free program will be led by Owen Bachhuber from Cal Poly.
When we encounter rattlesnakes in nature, they might rattle or slither away in fear. But what do they do when we’re not watching? Introducing Project RattleCam!
🐍 RattleCam uses live stream cameras to investigate the social dynamics of rookeries where rattlesnakes gather to court mates, give birth, and tend to their young. This allows us to learn and share information about the endearing and dramatic lives of snakes.
🐍 Watching rattlesnakes behave calmly as they do without human disturbance is a powerful tool in changing people’s perceptions of these misunderstood reptiles.
🐍 Owen will share what Project RattleCam has learned about the snakes so far and will bring some slithery friends to assist. Come and meet them in person!

About your instructor: Owen Bachhuber is a master’s student studying Biological Sciences at Cal Poly. His research investigates the social behaviors of mother rattlesnakes as well as human perceptions of snakes. Before coming to Cal Poly, Owen was a reptile keeper at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo and received his Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Biology from the University of Minnesota.

Fused Glass Creatures Class
2024-08-04 10:00 - 12:00
About the class: Create these whimsical 3-D Critters and Creatures in this fun class lead by glass artist, and our Executive Director, Janine Stillman.
Using special wire designed to withstand the firing process we will cut and shape glass pieces that will then be linked together and bent to produce these articulated dimensional pieces.
Who should sign up? Everyone! Everything is supplied and no experience is necessary to create adorable creatures!
Bonus: Registration for this class includes your admission to the Botanical Garden for the day! Come early and enjoy the Garden.
Please note: There will be an additional $25 materials fee that can be paid to the instructor on the day of the class. Please pay by cash, check or Venmo – thanks.
FYI – there’s a $3 admission charge per car to El Chorro park during the summer months, so bring your friends and carpool.
For our Members, please enter the code “Member10off” for $10 off the registration fee.

Pieces created in class will be transported to the Designs by Ja9 Glass Studio and will be ready for pick-up at the Garden in 7 to 10 days. Pieces left unclaimed after 6 weeks will become the property of the Garden.

Nature Nights Opening Night - save the date!
2024-08-01 08:00 - 17:00

Nature Sunday: Taking a Likin' to the Lichens of SLO County
2024-07-28 13:00 - 15:00
🌿Welcome to Nature Sunday at SLO Botanical Garden!🌿
Please note: this class is FULL. If you’d like to be on the waiting list, please email Jen at jen@slobg.org – thanks!
Join us every 4th Sunday of the month for a thrilling journey into the wonders of nature, completely free thanks to our amazing donors. Prepare to be amazed, intrigued, and delighted by nature’s quirks and marvels!
🗓️ What’s Happening This Month?
Topic: Lichens – Nature’s Living Tapestries
They hang from trees and branches, cling to rocks, and come in a kaleidoscope of colors, shapes, and sizes found all over the world. Meet the incredible lichen, a fascinating symbiotic relationship between algae and fungi. The fungi provide shelter, while the algae feed them through photosynthesis. Our featured star is the Lace Lichen (pictured here), California’s State Lichen and one of 1,900 species in our state!
🔍 What to Expect:

Discover Local Lichens: Learn about the diverse lichen species in our region and their crucial roles in habitats and ecosystems.
Hands-On Fun: Check out our demonstration table brimming with locally collected lichen species.
Nature Walk: Join us for a walk to see these amazing organisms in their natural habitat.

📝 Registration Information:

Reserve Your Spot: Be sure to register in advance and check in at the Gift Shop upon arrival.
Can’t Make It? If you need to cancel, please email jen@slobg.org ASAP so we can offer your spot to someone else.

🌟 Meet Your Instructor: Michael Mulroy
Michael Mulroy is an expert in all things lichen! He moved to San Luis Obispo County in 2019 to pursue an M.S. in Biological Sciences at Cal Poly, completing it in February 2023 under the guidance of Professor Nishi Rajakaruna in the Geoecology Lab. Michael’s M.S. research focused on lichen communities of serpentine rocks and soils.
Prior to this life in SLO, Michael spent six years working as a biologist in the San Francisco Bay Area and more recently served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Panamá for two years. Now, he works locally as a Biologist for Althouse and Meade, Inc., continuing to plug away at lichen identification and community ecology research. When he’s not studying lichens, Michael enjoys reading, birding, and being in the ocean.
Come join us and delve into the captivating world of lichens with Michael Mulroy!
This event is perfect for adults and older kids who can stay engaged throughout the class. Don’t forget to bring your binoculars and hand lenses for a closer look at the lichens! Dress appropriately – bring water, a sun hat, and sunscreen if needed.
We can’t wait to see you there! 🌿

Free Family Day - Garden Railroads
2024-07-14 10:00 - 14:00
All aboard for Free Family Day featuring trains from the Central California Coast Garden Model Railroad Society!
We’ll have lots of outdoor model railroads on display and even a few that you can “drive!” In addition, we’ll have some great crafts and nature activities as well as new slack lines in our Children’s Garde
See you in the Garden!

Sea Glass and Wire Wrapped Jewelry
2024-06-30 13:00 - 14:30
In this class, your instructor Joan Fee will teach you how to take sea glass and create a beautiful necklace and pierced earrings using a wire wrapping technique. You’ll start by selecting three pieces of genuine, local sea glass then learn easy, basic jewelry making techniques to wrap the sea glass, create a fun spiral, and then add the wrapped pieces to a necklace and pierced earring . Class includes use of tools and a take-home instruction sheet. The class is perfect for all skill levels, and you’ll come away with beautiful self-made jewelry.
Members can enter the code: “Member5” for $5 off the regular price
About the Instructor: Joan Martin Fee loves being creative and has made it her career choice for over 30 years. Ms. Fee appeared on over 500 segments of Aleene’s Creative Living television show where she demonstrated projects she designed and those of craft industry manufacturers. She was the Editor of Aleene’s Creative Living Magazine, Aleene’s Craft Club and “The Magic of Christmas” hardbound book.
Joan is currently sharing her love of creativity on the road with mobile crafting classes at wineries, private homes, parks and rec facilities, schools, gardens, and art groups. For more information about more crafts that Joan teaches, please see her website at: Creative Me Time – Workshops, Craft Retreats
Additional Info: Your registration fee also includes a day of exploring and enjoying the Botanical Garden!
There is a $3 fee at the kiosk to enter El Chorro Park which is in effect through the summer months.

Nature Sundays at the Garden: Insect Discovery for Adults
2024-06-23 13:00
Welcome to our first Nature Sunday – offered the 4th Sunday of each month at the SLO Botanical Garden. This series is free thanks to generous donors! Come be awed, surprised and excited about nature, its surprises and oddities!
This month, we’ll explore the outer reaches of the garden with specialists Dennis Sheridan and Jeff Reifel. We’ll investigate plants and insects living in the Children’s Garden, the newly planted Chumash Garden, up the new section of the Discovery Trail, and into the serpentine hillside. We’ll cross onto sandy soils and see who lives there and how they’ve adapted to our Mediterranean climate.
Wear sturdy shoes and bring a hand lens or other magnifier if you have one. We’ll walk and make observations over a moderately strenuous walk of 1 to 1.5 miles.
Please be sure to register to reserve our spot and check in at the Gift Shop when you arrive. This class is geared towards adults and older kids that can listen and focus on the topic for the duration of the class.
About our instructors: Dennis Sheridan is a professional photographer and entomologist. He has traveled worldwide and is published in many journals and textbooks. He moved to Morro Bay in 1974 and began a career in photography — concentrating on native wildlife, as well as fungi, lichens, insects, wildflowers and California scenery. Dennis shares his enthusiasm for nature with students of all ages, and regularly teaches about nature and biology.
Jeff Reifel loves to work outside leading nature walks, maintaining trails, and solving problems for the botanical garden. Jeff moved to the Central Coast after retiring from his position as a science teacher in Riverside. Since then, he’s worked with the Black Hill Gang in the State Parks, served as a State Park Docent and as an Elfin Forest worker and docent.

Little Acorns Summer Session - FULL
2024-06-19 09:30 - 11:30 | San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden, 3450 Dairy Creek Road, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93405, United States
Summer Session:
Wednesdays (only): June 19 to August 14th, 2024
9:30 AM to 11:30 AM
Cost: $55 for this 9-week session
*Current Garden Membership required
Program:
Play, learn, and grow with our morning playgroup, Little Acorns! We play games, sing songs, make crafts, take care of our garden, and have snacks together. Most of all, we have the opportunity to make connections with nature and with other families at the SLO Botanical Garden. This program is geared toward children 0 – 3 and their parents, and older siblings are welcome!
Instructions for registration:
This program is for members of SLOBG with an additional cost of $55 per 9-week session.
If you need to purchase or renew a membership, you can do so here and then follow the instructions below to register.
If you’d like to apply for a scholarship, please complete this form by June 1st: Little Acorns Scholarship Application
We look forward to seeing you in the Garden!

Soul & Soil: Prenatal and Postnatal Gatherings / Summer Session
2024-06-18 10:00 - 11:30
Program: The Soul & Soil program is designed to support and nurture the spirit of those experiencing their pre-birth and post-birth journey. This is a place for inclusivity, peace, and connection during what can be a challenging time of life. The SLO Botanical Garden offers a safe space to help us connect to our bodies, our littles, the natural world, and each other. The program includes tea, snacks, activities, and care for older children (under five). Join us for grounding in your pregnancy and lifelong postpartum journey. This program is facilitated by Victoria Carranza, an experienced doula and garden educator.
Summer Session: Every Tuesday from 10am to 11:30am in the Children’s Garden. Dates are: June 18th and 25th, July 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, and 30th, and August 6th, 13th, and 20th.
Instructions for registration:
This program is for members of SLOBG with an additional cost of $50 per 9-week session.
If you need to purchase or renew a membership, you can do so here and then follow the instructions below to register.
We strive to be inclusive and can offer some partial and full scholarships. To apply, please complete this form and you’ll be notified as soon as possible: Soul & Soil Scholarship Application – SLO Botanical Garden (slobg.org)
We look forward to seeing you in the Garden!
Please note: You may try one free class to ensure it’s a good match for you. Please contact Jen at jen@slobg.org to make arrangements.

Free Family Day - Honey Bees & Butterflies
2024-06-09 10:00 - 14:00
Please join us to learn about Monarch butterflies and honey bees in the Children’s Garden during Free Family Day!
Meet local honey bees close up in a special observation hive and taste some honey! Learn the difference between a worker bee, a drone and the Queen. Did you know that a honey bee comes from an egg?
Monarch butterflies are very special to the Central Coast! Learn from some experts about what makes them so unique. And walk our Monarch butterfly trail to learn about Mallory the Monarch!
There will be crafts and activities and seeds you can plant to grow flowers for the pollinators. As a bonus we’ll be featuring some amazing outdoor model railroad displays from the Central California Coast Garden Railroad Society.
Did you know? We have a Free Family Day every second Sunday of the month with crafts and educational activities for kids and families in our beautiful Children’s Garden, so mark your calendar.
See you in the Garden!

Faerie Festival!
2024-05-12 10:00 - 15:00
Faerie Festival is a family FREE day event here at the SLO Botanical Garden – on Mother’s Day, May 12th, from 10am to 3pm.
Please join us to celebrate the moms in our life and the magic in all of us! Costumes are encouraged – and wings, wands, and crowns will be available to purchase and make.
Join the fun in our nature activities and crafts, a faerie marketplace, food and celebratory beverages for sale, storytelling, facepainting and music!
Please note that while the event is free, there is a $3 per car fee to El Chorro Park. We encourage carpooling – and bringing $3 in cash will help you get through the line more quickly. There will be free parking and a shuttle leaving from Cuesta college, just across the street, as well to help with parking challenges.
We look forward to a joyful day in the Garden with you!
Please see our Faerie Fest page for more information: Faerie Festival 2024 – SLO Botanical Garden (slobg.org)

Qi Gong for Less Stress & More Energy
2024-04-28 13:00 - 14:00 | San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden, 3450 Dairy Creek Road, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93405, United States
In this class, Holly will guide you through gentle movements and breathing exercises in a standing position (no mat needed). Qi Gong is for all ability levels – from athletes to seniors. It can help lower your stress, boost your energy, increase your flexibility, help with anxiety, and improve chronic pain. You’ll feel relaxed and rejuvenated at the end of the class! Chairs are available if you prefer to sit to do the movements. Experience why millions of people worldwide practice Qi Gong.
The weather is looking perfect (sunny and 71 degrees in SLO) on Sunday so we’ll likely be outside. Dress appropriately – bring water and sunscreen and wear comfortable clothing. Meet at the Gift Shop and we’ll walk to the outdoor location together. If things change and it’s wet or cold, we’ll go inside the Oak Glen Pavilion.

We are delighted to have Holly Padove here to teach this class. Holly has a rich background and many years of experience as a certified instructor in yoga, meditation, nutrition, health, fitness, body-mind connection, massage therapy, life coaching, Ayurveda, Yoga Nidra and Qi Gong.
Holly lives here on the beautiful Central Coast of California. She currently teaches many weekly Qi Gong and Yoga classes, offers Ayurvedic workshops including Yoga Teacher trainings, provides personal Ayurvedic consultations and leads deeply relaxing Yoga Nidra sessions. Learn more about Holly here: Home – Balanced Living Ayurveda

For SLOBG Member pricing of $5 off this class, please enter coupon code: “member5”

Sound Healing and Nature Meditation - to Celebrate Earth Day!
2024-04-22 18:00 - 19:30
In this beautiful celebration of Earth Day, you’ll be “bathed” with sounds from alchemy crystal bowls, Koshi chimes, and other sacred instruments. Sound healing helps us embody happiness and peace. Sharing space in community in a garden setting is also a great way to celebrate nature. Come join us for this unique experience. After sound healing, you’ll be led on a walking meditation through the Garden amongst the trees, flowers, and creatures.
Instructor Bio: Jamie is a full-time sound healing practitioner, specializing in trauma-informed stress reduction practices. With a passion for everything meditation-related, she believes everyone can meditate in their own unique way when given guidance, patience, and reassurance. When she isn’t sharing wellness activities, she is hiking, cuddling with her dog, or expressing herself through dance.
SLOBG Members – Please enter “Member4off” for $4 off admission.

Oaktopia - Oaks & our Changing Climate - CANCELLED
2024-04-14 14:00 - 16:00
CANCELLED (We’re expecting heavy rains on Saturday and Sunday!)
The Oaktopia program, featuring Dave Muffly, will focus on oak trees for planting in California gardens and along our streets. We’ll talk about the adaptation of native oaks for our changing climate, the critical role played by oaks in supporting biodiversity, and then have a look at other oaks from around the world that may play a larger part in California’s horticultural future. We will start with a lively indoor presentation to cover key topics, then move into the Botanical Garden itself to see some of these future-adapted trees in the landscape. www.oaktopia.org
Dave Muffly is a tree researcher, educator, consultant, manager, and entrepreneur. Dave specializes in oaks, street trees, climate change adaptation, urban-wildland interface plantings, and strategic tree planting. After receiving a Mechanical Engineering degree from Stanford University, Dave started his tree career establishing oaks by the thousand on Stanford wildlands. Dave then branched into fruit trees, helping distribute 60,000 fruit trees over 15 years to school kids all over California. Traveling by bike with no car for 15 years, Dave became a keen observer of urban trees in the Bay Area, gaining his Certified Arborist credential in 1998, and his Board Certified Master Arborist credential in 2008. In 2010, Dave came to the attention of Steve Jobs and was hired to spend 7 years as Senior Arborist at Apple, Inc., directing the growing and planting of 9,000 trees of more than 100 types at Apple’s massive new Cupertino campus., Apple Park.
We’re excited to have Dave here at the SLO Botanical Garden. I hope you’ll join us to share in his passion and knowledge of our oaks!
Members and students – please enter ‘Member4off’ for $4 off during checkout

Family Free Day - Celebrate our Beautiful Oak Trees!
2024-04-14 10:00 - 14:00
It’s Family Free Day – and you’re invited! In the Children’s Garden, we’ll be celebrating our amazing Oak Trees! There will be crafts and activities, child friendly learning opportunities and fun for the whole family.
It’s Sunday morning and the rain has stopped. We’re here and hope you’ll join us! If the rain starts up again, we’ll have our activities inside.
We’ll have two Tree Walk & Talks with our SLOBG Docent Faylla at 11am and 1pm: ‘Trees in the Garden: A walk through the garden, looking at and hearing about the various trees of the Mediterranean Climate’. Come to the gift shop area to start your tour.
We hope you’ll join us! We have Free Family Days every month – so please keep on eye on our website for more information. Next is Faerie Fest on May 12th!

Forage for Botanical Dyes & Create a One-of-a-Kind Silk Scarf
2024-04-07 13:00 - 16:00 | San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden, 3450 Dairy Creek Road, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93405, United States
This class is a dive into the creative process of botanical dyeing. You’ll be introduced to the art form, see some examples, and venture into the garden to forage a variety of plants. Then, we’ll turn found treasures into a physical memory imprinted on a beautiful 12 x 56-inch silk crepe scarf. You’ll be amazed at the results of your creative collaboration with nature that surrounds us on this very special land!
This class is for adults – and children 10+ can sign up with a parent that is also registered for the class.
Join Kathleen Adams Olsen, from Water’s Edge Fiber & Dye for an afternoon of discovery and creativity. Kathleen is a traveler, textile designer, mythologist, and fiber explorer. She brings her love for textiles and nature combined in this plein air botanical dye workshop.
Please note: There is an $85 materials fee payable on the day of the class for the instructor, in addition to the registration fee.
Members: Enter “Member10off” in the coupon code for $10 off your registration fee

Forage & Dye a Bandana - A Class for Kids
2024-04-07 10:30 - 12:30 | San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden, 3450 Dairy Creek Road, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93405, United States
We’ll forage for local flora while learning about the environment and the garden. Then, we’ll turn our plant treasures into a physical memory imprinted on an organic cotton bandana that you can take home. You’ll be amazed at the results of your creative collaboration with nature!
Join Kathleen Adams Olsen, from Water’s Edge Fiber & Dye for an afternoon of discovery and creativity.
Please note: This program is for children 8 and above. Children 7 and under can sign up with an adult to help them with this crafty project.
Members only: Get $5 off the regular price – enter “Member5” in the coupon code box at checkout

CANCELED- Art in the Garden
2024-03-30 10:00 - 2024-04-01 16:00 | San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden, 3450 Dairy Creek Road, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93405, United States
CANCELED!
DUE TO THE PREDICTED STORM CONDITIONS WE
HAVE MADE THE DIFFICULT DECISION TO CANCEL
ALL EVENTS RELATED TO ART IN THE GARDEN
THIS WEEKEND 3/29-/3/31

CANCELED- Art in the Garden Opening Reception & Plant Sale Members Preview
2024-03-29 17:00 - 19:00 | San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden, 3450 Dairy Creek Road, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93405, United States
Members of the SLO Botanical Garden are invited to a champagne reception opening the spring Art in the Garden Event as well as the first look at the plants in our plant sale. Members will receive a 15% discount on plants all weekend.

Garden Groove Drum Circle
2024-03-23 12:00 - 13:30 | San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden, 3450 Dairy Creek Road, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93405, United States
“Garden Groove” is a monthly connection-building drum circle which focuses on gathering to play drum for the sheer joy and FUN of it, while creating meaningful connections with each other. Absolutely NO previous musical/drumming experience is necessary, even if you think you have no rhythm! If you have been curious about drumming or a drum circle but were afraid to try, now is your chance to explore in an accepting and non-judgmental atmosphere!

Our circles are a great way to meet new people and find out that we have more in common than we realize! The name of the African djembe drum roughly translates to “Everyone gather together in peace”. We’ll explore rhythms in a playful way through guided activities, along with opportunities to be creative! I will be your facilitator, but everyone contributes to the whole experience. Our circles remind us of the primal, rhythmic beat that exists within each of us – a heartbeat that knows no discrimination and seeks only harmony.

Caution – exposure to drumming may cause sudden outbursts of laughter, joy, creativity, and positive energy so attend at your own risk! Seriously, drum circles are a fun way to reduce stress and boost your mood. Research findings show that the group drumming experience has a wealth of holistic benefits encompassing physical, cognitive, emotional, and social dimensions of well-being. With group drumming and nature combined, the positive benefits and healing effects are exponential.

Join us on the 4th Saturday of the month from noon to 1:30. We will play in the memorial garden in the shade of the garden trees so dress accordingly to be comfortable. If the weather is unfavorable, we’ll still meet but will play inside the Oak Glen Pavilion.
· This event is for adults only. Visitors to SLO County are welcome!
· Bring a drum if you have one (*Please note instruments with TONES, such as handpan drums, are NOT suggested for this event.)
· No drum? No worries! Extra drums available!

Come play with us!
Feel free to contact me with questions ~ Dee DiGioia at mindfulkindfulyou@gmail.com
Dee DiGioia is founder of “Mindful Kindful YOUniversity” in Baywood-Los Osos. She is a Sound Healing Practitioner, Drum Circle Facilitator, and Mindfulness & Life Skills Guide for Well-being through Nature Connectedness. Dee has offered mindfulness, sound healing, and well-being programs since 2017. She offers skills and practices to help others navigate and flow through life moment to moment in a healthy, balanced, and positive way for mental and physical health and well-being. Following a heart’s calling to take up drumming in the summer of 2023, Dee began offering drum circles and has had drum facilitation training through “Rhythm 2 Recovery”, Jim Donovan’s Leadership Training, and Remo HealthRHYTHMS. She is currently expanding her circles to other organizations across SLO County who are interested. MindfulKindfulYOUniversity.com
Pre-registration is encouraged
Member price is $17. Enter ‘Member5’ during checkout for your discount!

Ladybug Festival
2024-03-10 10:00 - 14:00
Free Family Day! Join us for our Ladybug Festival!
Learn about the importance of ladybugs to the conservation of plants as well as some fun facts about this that you are unlikely to forget.
Plus we’ll have games, crafts, and a ladybug release in the Children’s Garden. El programa será en inglés y español.
The weather looks perfect and everyone is welcome!

Soul & Soil: Prenatal and Postnatal Gatherings / Spring Session
2024-03-05 10:00 - 11:30 | San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden, 3450 Dairy Creek Road, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93405, United States
Program: The Soul & Soil program is designed to support and nurture the spirit of those experiencing their pre-birth and post-birth journey. This is a place for inclusivity, peace, and connection during what can be a challenging time of life. The SLO Botanical Garden offers a safe space to help us connect to our bodies, our littles, the natural world, and each other. The program includes tea, snacks, activities, and care for older children (under five). Join us for grounding in your pregnancy and lifelong postpartum journey. This program is facilitated by Victoria Carranza, an experienced doula and garden educator.
Spring Session: Every Tuesday from 10am to 11:30am in the Children’s Garden. Dates are: March 5, 12, 19, and 26th; April 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30th; and May 7, 14, and 21st.
Cost: $50 per 12-week session with Garden Membership required.
Instruction for registration: This program is for members of SLO Botanical Garden, with an additional cost of $50 per session. Purchase a ‘ticket’ here with registration information. If you’re not yet a member, you can join on our website here: www.slobg.org/membership/
Please note: You may try one free class to ensure it’s a good match for you. Scholarships are available – please contact Jen at jen@slobg.org for more information.

Rockin' in the Garden Mosaics
2024-02-25 13:00 - 15:00 | San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden, 3450 Dairy Creek Road, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93405, United States
Use your creativity to make a one-of-a-kind mosaic rock for your garden! You’ll learn about cutting, glueing and grouting tile pieces and everything is provided. Once you’ve learned the basics, this art form can be applied to a multitude of projects at home and in the garden.
About the instructor: Joan Martin Fee loves being creative and has made it her career choice for over 30 years. Ms. Fee appeared on over 500 segments of Aleene’s Creative Living television show where she demonstrated projects she designed and those of craft industry manufacturers. She was the Editor of Aleene’s Creative Living Magazine, Aleene’s Craft Club and “The Magic of Christmas” hardbound book. Joan is currently sharing her love of creativity on the road with ‘mobile crafting’ classes at wineries, private homes, parks and recreation, schools, garden and art groups. Her classes include mosaics, succulent projects, sea glass and wire wrapped jewelry, and glass. Joan loves all things creative so she’s sure to be dreaming up something new and exciting to offer her students.
Learn more about Joan and her classes here: www.creativemetime.com/home-1
Members: Please enter ‘member5’ in the coupon code to get $5 off this class!

Garden Groove Drum Circle
2024-02-24 12:00 - 13:30 | San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden, 3450 Dairy Creek Road, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93405, United States
“Garden Groove” is a community-building drum circle which focuses on fun, friendship, and sharing good vibrations together through rhythm and guided activities. Drum circles are a way to reduce stress and boost your mood. The physical stimulation of drumming and the sound vibrations that resonate through every cell in the body stimulate the release of negative emotions. Come experience this for yourself!
Drumming can also be a wonderful way to explore, discover, wake-up your creative side, and express yourself without fear of judgment. We’ll explore rhythms in a playful way!
All levels of experience are welcome. NO previous musical/drumming experience is necessary. If you have always wanted to try it out but were afraid to try, now is your chance to explore!
Please note: This event will likely be held inside, but if the weather is fantastic, we could be outdoors. Also:

Bring a drum if you have one (a djembe, frame drum, conga, bongo, cajon, etc.). Instruments with TONES, such as pan drums or hang drums, are NOT suggested for this type of event.
Some drums and percussive instruments will be available for sharing.
Bring a water bottle – you’ll get thirsty having so much fun!
This event is for adults

Dee DiGioia is founder of “Mindful Kindful YOUniversity”. She is a Sound Healing Practitioner, Drum Circle Facilitator, and Mindfulness & Life Skills Guide for Well-being through Nature Connectedness. Dee has offered mindfulness, sound healing, and well-being programs in schools and in various communities since 2017. She offers skills and practices to help others navigate and flow through life moment to moment in a healthy, balanced, and positive way for mental and physical health and well-being.
Member price is $17: Enter “member5” during checkout for your discount!

Monday Field Trip to Extend your Mushroom Discovery
2024-02-19 09:00 - 14:00
As part of our Mushroom Discovery series, this Monday Field Trip is an opportunity ONLY for individuals who participated in the Saturday and Sunday workshops. You may also sign up if you’re an alumni of a previous Mushroom Discovery program at the SLO Botanical Garden.
On Monday, Christian will lead us at offsite location to search for and identify mushrooms in their natural habitat. The location will be local and revealed closer to the day of the event, as our instructor needs to find the ideal spot for a good variety of mushrooms. This will be a rain or shine event, a fabulous experience, and a great way to learn even more about fungi.
Please dress for the weather and bring your own lunch and water bottle.
Sign up for the Mushroom Discovery Two-Day Workshop and the Friday night lecture separately.
Instructor Christian Schwarz studied Ecology and Evolution at UC Santa Cruz, where his interest in the world of fungi became irrevocable. Although he is passionate about ecology and biodiversity in general, Christian is most well-known as a field mycologist. He has co-authored two field guides — Mushrooms of the Redwood Coast and the upcoming Mushrooms of Cascadia, both with Noah Siegel. He primarily spends his time seeking, photographing, collecting, teaching about, and publishing research on North American macrofungi, and has served on the IUCN Red List Working Group for North American Fungi. He is a research associate of the Ken Norris Center for Natural History at UC Santa Cruz, where he teaches undergraduate courses in mycology and community science.

Mushroom Exploration and Identification Basics: Mushroom Discovery Two-Day Workshop
2024-02-17 - 2024-02-18 | San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden, 3450 Dairy Creek Road, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93405, United States
ONLY ONE SPACE REMAINING!
As part of our Mushroom Discovery series, this hands-on and experiential learning program will happen overf two days:
Saturday, February 17th from 10am to 4pm and Sunday, February 18th, from 10am to 4pm.
Doors open at 9:30 – please plan to arrive on-time for these two full days of learning.
The course will begin in the classroom with Christian teaching the basics of mushrooms and mushroom identification. Then the class will move outside through a portion of the SLO Botanical Garden. Tips and instructions on collecting mushrooms will be given. Participants will gather specimens for closer examination and discuss identification techniques and citizen science tools. This workshop will emphasize a dynamic sensory awareness of the mushrooms via close observation, touching, and smelling.
The Sunday hands-on workshop will be a deep dive into mushroom identification. We’ll organize into small groups and under Christian’s guidance, we’ll practice systematically identifying mushrooms. Midday, there will be a fun break introducing students to edible mushrooms. This will include an optional tasting of multiple species prepared in a variety of ways by local mushroom enthusiasts, Lindsay Best, Michelle Torres-Grant, and Leonard Grant. The mushroom identification workshop will continue after the lunch break. Finally, the course will end with time to ask questions.
The class size of this workshop is limited to a small size of 22 participants in order to ensure a high quality learning experience.
Register today to ensure your place as it will fill up!
Note: There is a separate sign-up for the Monday Mushrooming Field trip and it’s only open to participants of this Two-Day Workshop.
Dress for the weather and bring your own lunch.
Please enter code: Member40 for your SLOBG member’s discount / membership will be verified
Instructor Christian Schwarz studied Ecology and Evolution at UC Santa Cruz, where his interest in the world of fungi became irrevocable. Although he is passionate about ecology and biodiversity in general, Christian is most well-known as a field mycologist. He has co-authored two field guides — Mushrooms of the Redwood Coast and the upcoming Mushrooms of Cascadia, both with Noah Siegel. He primarily spends his time seeking, photographing, collecting, teaching about, and publishing research on North American macrofungi, and has served on the IUCN Red List Working Group for North American Fungi. He is a research associate of the Ken Norris Center for Natural History at UC Santa Cruz, where he teaches undergraduate courses in mycology and community science.

Tales from the Cryptograms - Alternative Lifestyles in Kingdom Fungi: Mushroom Discovery Friday Lecture
2024-02-16 18:30 - 20:30 | San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden, 3450 Dairy Creek Road, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93405, United States
The San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden is excited to welcome Christian Schwarz back to the Garden. Christian is a well-known expert in the field and author of ‘Mushrooms of the Redwood Coast’ and the upcoming ‘Mushrooms of Cascadia’.
We’ll explore the vast range of bizarre lifestyles found in Kingdom Fungi in this two-hour lecture. From psychedelic cicada-assassins through body-snatching mushrooms, and on to radiation-eating molds (or are they?).
6:00 Doors Open
6:30 Lecture Begins
8:00 Book signing
Member’s please Enter: Member10Off for $10 off / membership will be verified
Instructor Christian Schwarz studied Ecology and Evolution at UC Santa Cruz, where his interest in the world of fungi became irrevocable. Although he is passionate about ecology and biodiversity in general, Christian is most well-known as a field mycologist. He has co-authored two field guides — Mushrooms of the Redwood Coast and the upcoming Mushrooms of Cascadia, both with Noah Siegel. He primarily spends his time seeking, photographing, collecting, teaching about, and publishing research on North American macrofungi, and has served on the IUCN Red List Working Group for North American Fungi. He is a research associate of the Ken Norris Center for Natural History at UC Santa Cruz, where he teaches undergraduate courses in mycology and community science.

Little Acorns 2024 Thursday Winter Session
2024-02-15 09:30 - 11:30 | San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden, 3450 Dairy Creek Road, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93405, United States
Winter Session:
Thursdays, February 15 – April 18
9:30 AM to 11:30 AM
Cost: $60 per 10-week session
*Garden Membership required
Program:
Play, learn, and grow with our morning playgroup, Little Acorns! We play games, sing songs, take care of our garden, and have snacks together. Most of all, we have the opportunity to make connections with nature and with other families at the SLO Botanical Garden. This program is geared toward children 0 – 3 and their parents.
Instructions for registration:
This program is for members of SLOBG with an additional cost of $60 per 10-week session. If you would like to purchase a membership, you can do so here and then follow the instructions below to register.
We look forward to seeing you in the Garden!

Free Day at the Garden
2024-02-11 10:00 - 14:00
It’s Free Family Day! Bring your family to the Garden to explore, enjoy, and be out in nature. In the Children’s Garden, we’ll be celebrating Valentine’s Day with a hidden heart hunt, painting rocks, and haikus. The weather looks perfect and everyone is welcome!
