Classes and Workshops

Nothing inspires the love of gardening like a freshly dug plant from a friend or family member. Perennial division is a simple and effective way to rejuvenate plants, control their size, and make more plants, of course! Join Mallory Smyth, Senior Gardener, as she goes over the ins and outs of perennial division while she works in the garden. Learn which tools are best for the job and how to re-plant and care for your newly divided plants. Participants can take a divided plant home too! Mallory, a gardener at Tyler for over eight years, loves helping people discover the

SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN AGES 3-6 Are you looking for ways to increase your child’s awareness of the natural world? Join us as we begin a new storytime called A Chest Full of Stories with Miss Karen at Tyler! Exposing children to the wonders of nature has been shown to spark creativity and imagination, so we’d love to help families encourage a lifetime of learning about the world in which we live. We will walk to Imagination Station and see how many different colored leaves we can find. Then, Miss Karen will read Fletcher and the Falling Leaves by Julia Rawlinson. Fletcher,

FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN AGES 8-17 Meet the Bats! Join Pennsylvania Bat Rescue to learn more about bats, their habits, and how they are important to the health of our ecosystem. We will also learn how to protect bats in our area, meet some ambassador bats, and hear about the role of Pennsylvania Bat Rescue in helping bats in our area. After the presentation, we will meet outside the Barn for a bat release. Bat release is weather permitting. About the presenter: Pennsylvania Bat Rescue is a non-profit organization that rehabilitates injured bats and provides public outreach on the important roles bats play

FOR ALL AGES Meet the animals! Bring the whole family for our daytime version of our popular Nature at Night program. You don’t have to go to another country or a zoo to see exciting animals; we have them right here in our backyards! In this program, you’ll meet animals from Pennsylvania and learn why they are worthy of some hometown pride. Live animals and taxidermy mounts highlight this exciting experience. Participants learn what behaviors and adaptations are unique to each species and then see the critters up close. About the presenter: Briar Bush Nature Center’s mission is to inspire people of all ages

FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN AGES 8-17 Meet the hunters of the skies. What makes birds of prey unique among birds? Join Briar Bush Nature Center’s Animal Curator as we explore the incredible adaptations hawks and owls possess to be efficient hunters, including lightweight skeletons, sharp beaks and talons, and silent feathers. You’ll get to touch some real bird artifacts and see some live birds of prey up close! About the presenter: Briar Bush Nature Center’s mission is to inspire people of all ages and backgrounds to explore and protect nature by encouraging curiosity and scientific inquiry. PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED Please check in at the Visitor

FOR ADULTS AND TEENS AGES 15-17 Learn from the experts! Discover the benefits of native plants for our local pollinators in this interactive workshop led by Tyler’s Pollinator Preserve Coordinator, Nancy Heinbaugh. You will learn which native plants are most appealing to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds and which ones serve as ideal host plants for butterflies. With hands-on guidance, you will transform a gallon container into a native seed planter to take home. Additionally, you’ll receive instructions on how to care for your seeds and when to transplant the seedlings to your garden in the spring. Bring a clean, transparent or

FOR ADULTS AND TEENS AGES 15-17 Download our Herbal Container Guide Here. Create your own herbal planter! It’s easy to add fresh herbs to your meals when you have a pot of culinary herbs growing near your kitchen. Learn about growing herbs in this interactive workshop led by Tyler Senior Gardener Bess Trout. Experts guide you in selecting and planting herbs in a container to take home and enjoy. Once home, these pots can thrive on their own or be placed into a larger container. Bring a clean, quart-sized planter with drainage holes. Instructions, soil, and seeds will be provided. Check-in

Join Tyler Arboretum’s Introduction to Beekeeping Program for a hands-on deep dive into managing honeybee colonies throughout the entire beekeeping season. Gain real-world experience as part of a small, supportive cohort of students under the guidance of Tyler’s lead volunteer beekeeper, Paul Strommer. Colonies are collaboratively managed by the class, enabling the entire group to learn from the challenges faced by some colonies and share in the success of others. This class will include honey extraction if beekeeping activities are successful enough, and a portion of the honey will be shared with participants. Veil, gloves, hive tools, and all other equipment and safety supplies

Capture the essence of nature while learning the beginning steps of 3-dimensional needle felting. Local textile artist Sara Setzer shows you how to create beautiful floral designs using wool and other natural fibers in this relaxed session of crafting. Leave with your own hoop-framed piece of original art, ready to hang and admire. No experience needed! Bring your lunch. This program takes place in person at Mt. Cuba Center on Sunday, March 24, 2024 (Rain Date: Sunday, April 7). About the Instructor: Sara Setzer is a fiber artist who specializes in the art of felt work. Inspired by nature, she

FOR ADULTS AND YOUTH AGES 12-17 Discover the mysteries of the night sky! Join us for a night of stargazing with members of the Chester County Astronomical Society. Telescopes will be available for public viewing, but feel free to bring your equipment. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned stargazer, this event promises to expand your knowledge of the cosmos. All youth must be accompanied by an adult. Dress for the weather and bring a flashlight. Feel free to bring a lawn chair for added comfort. Binoculars and telescopes are welcome. This program starts after Tyler’s closing hours. Gates will open

Create your own beautiful wood-burned artwork in this one-of-a-kind workshop. Discover different woodburning techniques, compare how different types of wood burn, and explore your artistic side by creating various textures, shapes, and designs with a simple-to-use wood-burning pen. All supplies are provided; just bring your creative spirit! This program takes place in-person at Mt. Cuba Center Friday, April 12, 2024. About the Instructors: Nicole DeLizzio is the Arborist Assistant at the Mt. Cuba Center. She holds a BS in Agriculture and Natural Resources with a minor in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation from the University of Delaware. Nicole is an ISA