SLO Botanical Garden

Family Free Day: Faerie Festival!
2026-05-09 10:00 - 14:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Join us for our 4th annual Faerie Festival!!
This magical Family Free Day is for faeries of all ages! There will be crafts and activities, and the garden will be filled with music, storytelling, and face-painting. Faerie attire is encouraged.
Concessions will be available for purchase.
Entry and activities are free for all; your donations help our children’s programs grow, and our garden thrive.
Please note: there’s a $5 fee to enter El Chorro Park. Having cash will speed up your entry! You can avoid the $5 entry fee by taking the FREE shuttle provided by SLO Safe Ride from the Cuesta College lot.
For more information about this special day, please email: education@slobg.org or call: 805-541-1400.

Special THANKS to our sponsors!!!!

Birds and Bloom with Morro Coast Audubon Society
2026-05-23 10:00 - 12:00
Free for Members!
The SLO Botanical Garden in collaboration with the Morro Coast Audubon Society presents a bird walk exploring the unique relationship between birds and botany. Plant lovers and bird watchers will learn about this delicate and interconnected relationship, from pollination to seed distribution to nesting and shelter. Susie Reddy and Faylla Chapman will lead the two-hour exploration, on mostly flat terrain. We expect to see and hear a wide variety of avian species as they feed, hide, nest, and defend territory in the garden’s lush habitat.
Members, please use code “FREEBIRD” to receive your complimentary ticket. Membership will be verified. Become a member today!
Enrollment special: On the day of the class, the $15 fee can be applied toward SLOBG membership.
Please note: El Chorro Regional Park charges a $5 day use fee on Friday thru Sunday and holidays from March thru October. Consider purchasing an annual pass or brining cash to expedite the entry process.

Painting Pollinators~Watercolor Workshop with Beth Ostapiuk
2026-05-25 10:00 - 13:00
Join Beth Ostapiuk at the SLO Botanical Garden for a 3 hour watercolor workshop on the step-by-step process of creating an 8×10 ready to mat/frame watercolor painting. This class is part of an ongoing series that will highlight local pollinators (birds, bees, butterflies) as the focal point.
Participants will learn basic watercolor techniques while they paint the beautiful “Rufous Hummingbird.” This class is designed for adults 18+ of all artistic abilities. No previous experience is required.
Attendees are encouraged to bring their own materials (brushes, paint, water bin, paint pallet) if you have them. A limited amount of materials will be available for use or purchase.
About the Instructor Beth Ostapiuk:
Beth is an award-winning California artist with Minnesota roots. She has experience with fiber arts, ceramics, and painting/creating Ukrainian eggs. Beth teaches watercolor and botanical illustration at Allan Hancock College and has taught younger children in public schools. She is a “Signature Member” of the Central Coast Watercolor Society and a returning Art Instructor at La Romita Art school in Italy as well as a member of the Morro Bay Art Association. She has received accolades as “Best of Show” at the Santa Barbara County Fair and other exhibits throughout the country. To learn more about Beth and her artwork, please visit here.
Please Note: Rancho El Chorro Regional Park charges at $5 day use fee on Fridays-Sundays and Holidays.
Class enrollment includes SLOBG admission for the day so feel free to pack a picnic and enjoy a garden stroll before or after the class.
SLOBG Members save $5. Enter discount code “Member5” at checkout.

Family Garden Journaling at the SLO Botanical Garden
2026-05-31 10:00 - 11:30
Content is protected.

Nature Sunday: Plants that Eat!
2026-05-31 10:00 - 12:00
Join Burke Gehrung as he gives general information about multiple different carnivorous plant species and their trapping mechanisms. Various fun facts about different plants with a focus on nepenthes pitcher plants. He will have several specimens to show and possibly sell.
From Burke:
Hi, my name is Burke Gehrung, I’m a Templeton native, I got into growing Carnivorous plants 3 years ago and have been deeply enamored by them every day since! The reason I got into them was because my grandmother was away on vacation I took care of her plants. After taking care of them, I decided to get plants of my own. When thinking about what plants to get I recalled the nature documentary seeing carnivorous plants specifically pitcher plants, and I looked up if you could buy them. Lo and behold you could! I bought some and got a right onto learning how to take care of them after they were already on their way. I still have all three of those initial plants that I got and hope to keep them forever. I look forward to talking with you all and teaching you about these wonderful plants.

Free registration applies to participation with Nature Sunday topic and covers garden admission for the day.
Please Note: El Chorro Regional Park charges a $5 day use fee from March thru October on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays.

Little Acorns - Summer 2026
2026-06-03 09:30 - 2026-07-08 11:30
