A Glimpse at What You’ll See!

2013 EDUCATION & EVENTS CALENDAR

Upcoming Classes & Events at the SOUTH TEXAS BOTANICAL GARDENS & NATURE CENTER

8545 S. Staples St., Corpus Christi TX  78413        361.852.2100      (Please Phone in your Reservations)

Orchid Chat & Learn
1st Thursday of the month, 7 pm

On-going Orchid chat-and-learn monthly class series, for novice to experienced growers, with Orchid Curator Sam Jones, in the Education Station classroom. Monthly topics range from different orchid genera to specific orchid culture techniques.  FREE!  Orchids for sale at most meetings. For information, call 361-854-7624.   

BIG BLOOM ! Plant Sale

Gardens & Nature Center turns into one

BIG BLOOM!

Mega Plant Sale, with day full of eco-activities,

is April 13 . . .  DOLLAR DAY at the Gardens!

CORPUS CHRISTI--The BIG BLOOM!, South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center’s mega Plant Sale and garden festival, will be

9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, April 13, on Gardens & Nature Center grounds, 8545 S. Staples St.  It’s also DOLLAR DAY—visitors may both shop and tour the Botanical Gardens for $1 per person—a great opportunity for truly affordable family fun.  Parking is free; and entrance to the BIG BLOOM is through the Rose Garden Pavilion.  Members, who may begin shopping at 8 a.m., are admitted free and can enjoy their 10 percent discount on both Botanical Gardens plants and Nature’s Boutique gift shop merchandise.  BIG BLOOM activities and Dollar Day are made possible by corporate sponsors Cheniere Energy, CITGO, FLINT HILLS Resources, H-E-B, NuStar Energy,

Port Corpus Christi, Jason’s Deli and City of Corpus Christi Solid Waste Services.

An Eye on Water Conservation

Traditional BIG BLOOM activities include the orchid sale, plumeria, lots of bougainvillea and hibiscus, tropicals, perennials and specialty vendors selling lawn, patio, garden décor and nature-related products.   But this year, plant shoppers will appreciate seeing a variety of landscape possibilities, with emphasis on Xeriscape and native plants due to our drought-induced water conservation requirements.  Nueces Master Gardeners, who help with BIG BLOOM staging, will be on site to answer shoppers’ horticulture questions.  

And to give first-time orchid buyers a ‘comfort level,’ Orchid Curator Sam Jones holds ongoing Orchidology classes, at 7 p.m. the first Thursday of each month, as well as the Keeping your Orchid Alive seminar, from 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, April 20—just a week after BIG BLOOM.

Flora, Fauna, Eco-Fun!

The popular and educational interactive Butterfly Release is scheduled for noon in the Butterfly House!  Beneficial ladybug releases happen in three different gardens.  Resident Reptiles shows will be at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.in the Eco-Fun Tent.  The Companion Bird Club & Rescue Mission’s personally-owned, trained, talkative parrots take over the Bromeliad Conservatory from 1 to 3 p.m. Spark in the Dark plays classic rock, reggae, folk and blues from noon to 3 p.m., also in the Eco-Fun Tent.  

New In the children’s play area is the delightful Tree House which opened in January.  The storybook-themed playhouse sits atop an eight-foot-in diameter 400-year-old oak tree trunk, shipped here from San Luis Obispo, California.  The Tree House includes a stairway to a high railed deck and tubular slide.  At ground-level, kids actually can walk through the trunk, play on a creatively-built set of monkey bars, or try their luck on a ground-level balance beam.  Inflatables also will be on site for kids.

For their convenience, shoppers should bring their own plant wagons.  Memberships, which include reciprocal privileges at more than 200 other botanical gardens, may be purchased at the event.  For vendor, membership, volunteer or other information,

call 361-852-2100.  

South Botanical Gardens & Nature Center BIG BLOOM

BIG BLOOM SCHEDULE:

8  Membership Table Opens                

8-9  Members-Only Shopping

9-5  Big Bloom, Orchid Sale, Vendors, Nature’s Boutique, Tree House, Bounce House,  Nueces Master Gardeners for Plant Questions              

10:30     Lady Bug Release—Sensory Garden

11  Reptile Show—Eco-Fun Tent       

12  Butterfly Release—Butterfly House

12-3    Music by Spark in the Dark—Eco-Fun Tent

1-3  Parrots Galor / Companion Bird Club—Bromeliad House

1:30    Lady Bug Release—Hummingbird Garden

3     Reptile Show—Eco-Fun Tent

3:45     Lady Bug Release, Rose Garden

5  BIG BLOOM Closes—go home & plant!

KEEPING YOUR ORCHID ALIVE!

Saturday, April 20, 10 - noon.

CORPUS CHRISTI--We’re inviting all those orchid admirers who made the leap and purchased an orchid at Big Bloom, but are afraid they’re going to kill it, to discover the simple tips for orchid success. Keeping Your Orchid Alive seminar will be from 10 am to noon, Saturday, April 20, at the South Texas Botanical Gardens, 8545 S. Staples St.   Learn the essentials directly from STBGNC Orchid House curator Sam Jones, who believes anyone can grow an orchid, as long as they don’t love it too much!  MEMBERS FREE!  Non-members free with General Admission. Check in at Visitors Center.  Call 361.852.2100 for reservations.

Orchidology Class

Thursday, May 2, 7pm

CORPUS CHRISTI--The Orchidology Class meets at 7 p.m., Thursday, May 2, at the South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center, 8545 S. Staples. Meeting the first Thursday of each month on a continuing basis, the orchid class series—taught by Orchid Curator Sam Jones—is an on-going Orchid chat-and-learn, for novice to experienced growers, in the Education Station classroom.

Monthly topics range from different orchid genera, climate and acquisition to specific orchid culture techniques.  FREE class!  Orchids for sale at most meetings.  For information, call 361-854-7624. No reservations necessary.  

CULINARY HERBS

Saturday, May 4, 10-noon.

CORPUS CHRISTI:   Easy Culinary Herbs—Garden to Kitchen seminar will be offered from 10 am to noon, Saturday, May 4, at the South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center, 8545 S. Staples St.   Local horticulturist and herb expert Carol Bush will tell you which culinary herbs she’s had success growing, and whip up some tasty recipes for sampling.  MEMBERS FREE!  Non-members free with General Admission.  Check in at Visitors Center.  Call 361.852.2100 for reservations.

NATIONAL PUBLIC GARDENS DAY  /  MOTHERS DAY FREE WEEKEND

CORPUS CHRISTI—Instead of giving flowers for Mothers’ Day, bring Mom to the flowers!  The South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center celebrates Mothers’ Day weekend, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, May 10 through 12, with two free admission opportunities!   

First, Friday, May 10, STBGNC and many other member gardens of the American Public Gardens Association (APGA) begin Mothers’ Day Weekend with National Public Gardens Day, which is not limited to mothers!  Visitors to NationalPublicGardensDay.org will be directed to download a voucher from BHG.com for free admission to any participating public garden on National Public Gardens Day.  STBGNC is a National Public Gardens Day participant.

Second, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, May 10 through 12, at Visitors Center check-in, all a mother needs to say is “Moms Love Flowers!”, and she gets in free!  Sorry, the rest of the family pays general admission.  But families can remedy that with this SPECIAL MOMS DAY DEAL.  Buy Mom a Single, Couple, Family or Grandparent membership that weekend, at 20% off-- for a year’s worth of free admission for the family, the 200-garden reciprocal admission program, Nature’s Boutique gift shop discount, and 10 percent discount on non-sale merchandise at Turner’s Gardenland!   

KIDS SUMMER NATURE STUDIES

Botanical  Gardens &

Nature Center offers six

kids Summer Nature Camp sessions

Underwritten by NavyArmy COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION

CORPUS CHRISTI— The Botanical Gardens encompasses a unique mix of flower gardens, floral exhibits and plant collections; plus vast acreage of native habitat and natural wetlands, which children love to learn about and explore.  This summer, let the South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center Kids Summer Nature Camps gift your child with a visual love of nature; understanding of our natural resources; conservation of our fragile environment; plus positive insights into stewardship of native habitats, bird and wildlife, and natural wetlands of this unique South Texas ecosystem.  

Approximately half the daily sessions are held outside, with interactive class time and projects in new, air-conditioned Education Station on Botanical Gardens grounds at 8545 S. Staples St.  Besides their ‘walk on the wild side,’ campers take home hands-on projects and Nature Camp t-shirt.  Campers will need comfortable, cool clothing and shoes; hats, sunglasses and sunscreen each day. Maximum class size is 20.

DATES  AGE  HOURS  MEMBER FEE NON-MEMBER FEE

June 3-7  5-6  9-Noon $ 75   $ 90

June 17-21  5-6  9-Noon $ 75   $ 90

July 15-19  5-6  9-Noon $ 75   $ 90

June 10-14  7-9  9-Noon $ 75   $ 90

July 8-12  7-9  9-Noon $ 75   $ 90

July 22-26  7-9  9-Noon $ 75   $ 90  

Full payment and parent/guardian signature is required when registering.   Visitors Center hours are

9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.  Nature Studies and Membership applications may be downloaded at www.stxbot.org. For more information, call the Gardens & Nature Center, 361/852-2100.  

FLAMINGO FANDANGO

Exhibit runs Monday, July 1 – Thursday, August 1  

Exhibit is included in regular general admission.

A fun-tastic exhibit of innovatively-costumed pink plastic yard flamingos, returns to the South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center this summer! These multiple flamingo personas will be joined by a large flock of plus-or-minus 200 “naked” birds on site for visitor photo opportunities. Flamingo “bodies” will be available for check-out about April 20 at the Gardens & Nature Center, 8545 S. Staples Street. A returnable bird deposit will be charged.  Birds must be returned “dressed,” weather-proofed for outdoor display, and named, no later than June 20 for judging and installation. (Design categories will be available when flamingos are checked-out for designing.) Flamingo Fandango best-dressed bird competition is open to the public.  Professional and amateur artists of all ages are encouraged to stretch their artistic wings, creating a work of flamingo foolery with imagination the only boundary.  Call 361-852-2100 for more information.

NEW PLUMERIA PASSIONS

Saturday, July 13, 10-noon

Plumeria Society president Frank Eicholz will discuss tips on purchasing and raising these exotic, tropical beauties, lead a tour of the Gardens & Nature Center 100-plant Plumeria Garden & Willoughby Viewing Platform.  Winter hibernation also is covered.  Limited plants may be for sale. This seminar will give newer plumeria growers basic knowledge before the Plumeria Society’s annual sale 10 am to 2 pm, Saturday, July 20, at the Garden Senior Center, 5325 Greely.  MEMBERS FREE!  Non-members free with General Admission.  

MOONLIGHT IN THE GARDENS 2013      

Friday evening, October 25.  Botanical Gardens signature fundraiser. Appetizers, dinner, dessert with entertainment including Piano Bar, Starlight Silent Auction, Sports Bar with blackboard auction, interactive Butterfly Release, illuminated gardens, music and dancing.  

Please call for information on underwriting and sponsorship opportunities, tickets.  361.852.2100.

2013

INTRODUCTION TO THE FASCINATING WORLD OF BIRDS: BASIC BLACKLOCK ONE-DAY SHORT COURSE

Class Session: Saturday, June 1, 9:15 am - noon; Fieldtrip: 1- 4:30 pm.

A short course and basic introduction designed especially for beginning birders.  Study some of the more than 450 known bird species in South Texas, with acclaimed birder and naturalist Gene Blacklock. The Botanical Gardens & Nature Center is a Texas Coastal Birding Trail site. Class session held in Botanical Gardens new Education Station.  $36 members; $40 non-members including Gardens general admission. Class maximum 30, minimum 12.  Prepaid registration fee required by May 25.

BEGINNING BIRD ID 101 SERIES—10 CLASSES & 3 FIELD TRIPS

Begins Monday, September 23, running through December 7

Classes:  Mondays, 6-9 pm; Sept 23, 30; Oct 7, 14, 21, 28; Nov 4, 11, 18; Dec 2.

All-Day Field Trips:  Saturdays, Oct 19, Nov 2, Dec 7.

With award-winning & entertaining birder/naturalist, Gene Blacklock, co-author of Birds of Texas-a Field Guide & Birds of the Texas Coastal Bend; former environmental educator for Welder Wildlife Foundation; Coastal Bend Bays & Estuaries Program; and Texas Parks & Wildlife field biologist in colonial water bird management. This series is designed for people who wish to know more about bird identification but have little or no experience in the sport of field identification.  Class sessions held in Botanical Gardens new Education Station.  The Botanical Gardens & Nature Center is a Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail site.  Class maximum is 18, minimum 12. $165 members, $200 non-members, including all Botanical Gardens general admissions. (Non-member fee includes one-year Botanical Gardens individual membership.) Prepaid registration required by September 18.  For curriculum questions, call Blacklock, 361-558-1829.

2014

WINTER FINCH / SPARROW IDENTIFICATION CLASS & FIELD TRIP

Class--Monday, January 20, 6:30-9:15 pm; and Field Trip--Saturday, January 25, 7:15 am-1pm.

With award-winning & entertaining birder/naturalist, Gene Blacklock. Winter Finch / Sparrow Identification & Natural History Class is designed for participants with a special interest in the skill of field identification and natural history of winter finches and sparrows, including several FLAT HEADS.  Class session held at new Education Station at South Texas Botanical Garden & Nature Center.  Prepaid registration fees, required by January 15, are $45 members, and $80 non-members including Gardens general admission. Class maximum is 20 students, minimum 12.

BLACKLOCK’S ADVANCED BIRD ID ‘GRAD’ SCHOOL—10 CLASSES & 3 FIELD TRIPS

Begins Monday, February 10, running through May 5.

Classes: Mondays, 6:30-9:15 pm; Feb 10, 17, 24; Mar 3, 10, 17, 24; Apr 7, 21; May 5.

All-Day Field Trips: Saturdays, March 29, April 19, May 3.

With entertaining birder/naturalist, Gene Blacklock, co-author of Birds of Texas-a Field Guide & Birds of the Texas Coastal Bend; former environmental educator for Welder Wildlife Foundation; Coastal Bend Bays & Estuaries Program; and Texas Parks & Wildlife field biologist in colonial water bird management. Completion of Blacklock’s Beginning Bird ID 101 series, or the equivalent prior birding education classes, is recommended to enroll in ‘Grad School’. The Botanical Gardens & Nature Center is a Great Texas Coastal Bend Birding Trail site.  Class sessions held at new Education Station at South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center.  Series tuition is $165 members, $200 non-members, including all Gardens general admissions. (Non-member fee includes a one-year Botanical Gardens individual membership.) Prepaid registration required by February 5.  Class maximum is 18, minimum 12.

(For curriculum questions, call Blacklock, 361.547.0855.)