UW Botanic Gardens

Tremendous Trees Virtual Story Time

01 Mar 2026 08:00:00 GMT

Online
Ongoing through Tuesday, March 31, 2026

Trees make everything better, and these stories celebrate their beauty and power. Stop by the library during March or April 2026 to pick up a neighborhood tree tour map.

SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT TREES by Toni Yuly
SQUIRREL’S FAMILY TREE by Beth Ferry and A.N. Kang
LOG LIFE by Amy Hevron

Check in each month for new stories and activities that celebrate gardens, plants, and nature.

Event interval: Ongoing event
Accessibility Contact: Nick at nickjpw@uw.edu
Event Types: Not Specified
Age Range: Children, Families
More info: depts.washington.edu…

Marian Wachter: A Botanical Sampler

03 Mar 2026 08:00:00 GMT

Ongoing through Monday, March 30, 2026

A Botanical Sampler: Prints of Washington’s rare wildflowers

Marian Wachter is a Seattle-based printmaker working in several print mediums. She is also an avid hiker of the backcountry trails in Washington. These two passions come together in a recent series of prints depicting rare wildflowers in the state. These beautiful plants, including Wenatchee Mountains Checker-mallow and Quinault Fawn Lily are rendered in woodcut and other forms of printmaking. The prints are richly layered, passing through an etching press numerous times, resulting in the vibrant colors which are a hallmark of these prints.

Marian’s work has often included common plants in her work too. Some of these prints will be on display as well.

“A Botanical Sampler” will be on display during Miller Library open hours March 3-30. The library will host a Meet the Artist event on Saturday, March 21^st from 1-3pm, featuring a Conversation and Q&A with fellow artist Abbie Birmingham at 2pm.

Campus location: Elisabeth C. Miller Library (EMLB)
Accessibility Contact: Nick at nickjpw@uw.edu
Event Types: Exhibits
More info: depts.washington.edu…

Local Plants for Natural Dyes and Pigments (in-person)

08 Mar 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Sunday, March 8, 2026, 10am – 1pm

Cost: $80, Advance registration required
Financial aid slots available on a first-come, first-served basis
REGISTER ONLINE

This one-day workshop will provide an introduction to the world of natural dyes with a focus on the use of common garden plants, local ornamental trees and flowers, and even weeds! Students will learn how to prepare dye baths, how different fibers react to natural dyes, and be introduced to the use of mordants. Each student will leave with a swatch book and a silk scarf and cotton bandana that they dye themselves. Class cost includes all necessary supplies.

Anneke Wilder is an artist and illustrator based in Seattle, WA. Anneke received degrees in Biology and Studio Art, as well as a certificate in Natural Science Illustration from UW. She’s participated in numerous artist residencies at the nexus of art and science and is a contributor to Hyldyr, a publication company that combines art, ecology, and folklore. She draws on her background in the sciences to create detailed watercolors that deal with themes of growth and decay—of our bodies, our culture, and our landscapes. Her work often incorporates natural pigments extracted from foraged organic matter such as plants and fungi, and this exploration allows her to connect deeply with the environments she lives and creates her work in. Check out her work at www.annekewilder.com

Event interval: Single day event
Campus location: Center for Urban Horticulture Complex (CUH)
Campus room: Douglas Classroom
Accessibility Contact: urbhort@uw.edu
Presenter: Anneke Wilder
Contact Information: urbhort@uw.edu
Ticket Link: apps.ideal-logic.com…
More info: apps.ideal-logic.com…

Family Nature Class

11 Mar 2026 16:30:00 GMT

Washington Park Arboretum
2300 Arboretum Drive E.
Seattle WA 98112
Wednesday, March 11, 2026, 9:30 – 11:30am

Cost: $20 for 1 adult and 1 child
REGISTER ONLINE

Through science-based exploration and outdoor play children aged 2-4 years old and their caregivers will experience the UW Botanic Gardens using their senses. Each class begins with an opportunity to explore several learning stations based on the week’s theme where children can practice fine motor skills, sensory investigation, creativity, and pre-math and literacy skills. Station time is followed by an opening circle and hike where the group will play games, listen to a story and further explore the weekly theme. Family Nature Class is a great way to get outside with your little explorer, foster curiosity, and explore the natural world.

Event interval: Single day event
Accessibility Contact: uwbgeduc@uw.edu
Age Range: Children
Ticket Link: botanicgardens.uw.edu…
More info: botanicgardens.uw.edu…

Native Plants 101: Creating a Micro-Meadow (Online)

12 Mar 2026 01:00:00 GMT

Online via Zoom
Wednesday, March 11, 2026, 6 – 8pm

Cost: $30 - Advance registration required
Financial aid slots available on a first-come, first-served basis
REGISTER ONLINE

Bring the beauty and ecology of Washington’s native meadows into your own garden! This class explores the ecological importance of meadows, highlights key native species, and provides step-by-step guidance on creating a thriving urban micro-meadow. From site preparation to planting and ongoing care, you’ll gain the know-how to transform your space into a pocket of native meadow habitat.

This class will be taught by Lea Dyga, Oxbow Farm’s Native Plant Nursery Manager, formerly the SER-UW Native Plant Nursery Manager.

New to Zoom or need more information? Get Started Here.

All times are Pacific Time.

Accessibility: Closed captioning (through Zoom) is available for all of our online classes. This class will be recorded and available for registrants to view for 2 weeks after the class date.

Event interval: Single day event
Accessibility Contact: urbhort@uw.edu
Presenter: Lea Dyga, Oxbow Farm Native Plant Nursery Manager
Contact Information: urbhort@uw.edu
Ticket Link: apps.ideal-logic.com…
More info: apps.ideal-logic.com…

Taking the Edge Off: Pruning for Natural Areas Workshop (in-person)

12 Mar 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Thursday, March 12, 2026, 9am – 3pm

Cost: $80, pre-registration required
REGISTER ONLINE
Limited financial aid slots offered on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Natural area landscapes hold an important place and functions in the urban environment. Managing vegetation along trails, roads, and other edges can pose a variety of challenges for the available stewardship resources. This lecture and hands-on workshop will cover how to manage and prune native vegetation adjacent to trails, drives, and streets for optimal environmental functions, appearance, safety, & visibility. The lecture will include current best pruning practices and how they translate for the specific goals and functions of natural area plantings. Considerations for reducing long-term labor needs and how to lengthen the time between pruning cycles will be covered, along with common pruning techniques that are ineffective and why. After the lunch break, the class will meet at a field site in NE Seattle for hands-on field instruction. Students will get practice using the best pruning techniques for the most effective results, working on a variety of native plants.

This class is open to everyone, but geared towards public works, maintenance, and landscape crew members; community stewardship volunteers; supervisors, field staff.

Professional credits pending.

Event interval: Single day event
Campus location: Center for Urban Horticulture Complex (CUH)
Accessibility Contact: urbhort@uw.edu
Presenter: Christina Pfeiffer
Contact Information: urbhort@uw.edu
Ticket Link: apps.ideal-logic.com…
More info: apps.ideal-logic.com…

Family Nature Class

12 Mar 2026 16:30:00 GMT

Washington Park Arboretum
2300 Arboretum Drive E.
Seattle WA 98112
Thursday, March 12, 2026, 9:30 – 11:30am

Cost: $20 for 1 adult and 1 child
REGISTER ONLINE

Through science-based exploration and outdoor play children aged 2-4 years old and their caregivers will experience the UW Botanic Gardens using their senses. Each class begins with an opportunity to explore several learning stations based on the week’s theme where children can practice fine motor skills, sensory investigation, creativity, and pre-math and literacy skills. Station time is followed by an opening circle and hike where the group will play games, listen to a story and further explore the weekly theme. Family Nature Class is a great way to get outside with your little explorer, foster curiosity, and explore the natural world.

Event interval: Single day event
Accessibility Contact: uwbgeduc@uw.edu
Age Range: Children
Ticket Link: botanicgardens.uw.edu…
More info: botanicgardens.uw.edu…

Watercolors from Natural Pigments (in-person)

15 Mar 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Sunday, March 15, 2026, 10am – 1pm

Price: $72, preregistration required
Financial aid slots available on a first-come, first-served basis
REGISTER ONLINE

This workshop will introduce the process of lake pigmentation, the creation of pigments from organic materials. Students will learn about common plants used for pigments as well as the process of creating watercolor paint from dried pigments. Each student will leave with two watercolor paints created during class. Class fee covers all necessary supplies.

Gardening with the Seasons: Spring (online)

20 Mar 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Online via Zoom
Thursday, March 19, 2026, 7 – 8:30pm

Cost: $25
Financial aid slots available on a first-come, first-served basis
REGISTER ONLINE

As spring approaches and things start moving fast in the garden, it can be hard to keep up or decide what to do first. With a focus on seasonal growth patterns, and best tools and techniques, this session will help home gardeners determine what tasks will have the most effect for the progress over the next months. Key topics will include planting, seasonal care for shrubs, vines, and perennial plants, lawn care, mulching and preparing for summer irrigation.

About this series:
Plants and gardens don't live by the written calendar, but by the seasonal cycles and cues of changes in daylight, temperature, and moisture. When gardeners become acquainted with the seasonal rhythms and life cycles in the garden, and learn to work in sync with nature, caring for the garden becomes more of a process and less of a battle with potential garden enemies. This series will help beginning and seasoned gardeners learn how to capitalize on optimal timing and sustainable practices to have a great garden all year long.

Instructor Christina Pfeiffer is a horticulture consultant and educator with over 40 years’ experience in landscape horticulture. She brings an emphasis on sustainable garden practices that work in sync with nature to her classes. She holds degrees in horticulture from Michigan State and the University of Washington, and is an ISA Certified Arborist ®. For Christina, the next best thing to being in the garden is teaching and writing about gardening.

This online class will be delivered using Zoom. New to Zoom? Get started here.

Event interval: Single day event
Accessibility Contact: urbhort@uw.edu
Presenter: Christina Pfeiffer
Contact Information: urbhort@uw.edu
Ticket Link: apps.ideal-logic.com…
More info: apps.ideal-logic.com…

Forest Bathing (in-person)

21 Mar 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Saturday, March 21, 2026, 10 – 11:30am

Cost: $25 for first registration, $15 for each additional ticket
Advance registration required.
REGISTER ONLINE

Join UW Botanic Gardens and Cascadia Forest Therapy for a unique forest bathing opportunity in the Washington Park Arboretum. Forest bathing (or shinrin-yoku) has been popular in Japan for decades and is gaining momentum in the US. The practice encourages you to move in nature at a slower pace and take in the atmosphere around you. Multiple scientific studies have shown that the practice lowers stress and blood pressure levels, while increasing immune system functioning, making you more resilient to diseases and illness.

During this class the guide, in partnership with the forest, will offer an evolving series of invitations crafted to help participants slow down and open their senses. The opening of one’s senses encourages mindfulness, which readies the heart and mind to be fully present in the natural world. Come discover the medicine of being in the forest.

Accessibility: These sessions are slow-paced and generally cover less than a mile of trail. Trails are not paved and may be uneven.

Event interval: Single day event
Campus location: Washington Park Arboretum (LNDMK-8)
Accessibility Contact: urbhort@uw.edu
Presenter: Cascadia Forest Therapy
Ticket Link: apps.ideal-logic.com…
More info: apps.ideal-logic.com…

Botanical Fiber Art Workshop: Upcycle Your Tote Bag (in-person)

26 Mar 2026 01:00:00 GMT

Wednesday, March 25, 2026, 6 – 8pm

Class Cost: $50, pre-registration required
REGISTER ONLINE
Limited financial aid slots offered on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Learn how to hand embroider your tote bag with vegetable designs perfect for summer farmers market trips. Join fiber artist and author Melissa Galbraith of MCreativeJ for a 2-hour hands on embroidery workshop. This class will help you get started with hand embroidery and cover beginner-friendly embroidery stitches like the long and short satin stitch, reverse chain stitch, stem stitch, and French knot. You'll be able to choose from a wide variety of thread colors and vegetable patterns to rework your tote bag. Attendees will need to bring their own tote bag to embroider for class.

Melissa Galbraith is the fiber artist behind MCreativeJ. She was born and raised in the desert of Washington state where her mother instilled a love of making things by hand at an early age. Melissa shares her love of nature through whimsical and modern hand embroidery kits, workshops, and her books: 3D Botanical Embroidery & Stumpwork, DIY Embroidered Shoes, and How to Embroider Texture and Pattern. Melissa enjoys seeing makers fall in love with the needle arts, especially that magical ah-ha moment of learning something new.

Event interval: Single day event
Campus location: Center for Urban Horticulture Complex (CUH)
Accessibility Contact: urbhort@uw.edu
Presenter: Melissa Galbraith
Contact Information: urbhort@uw.edu
Ticket Link: apps.ideal-logic.com…
More info: apps.ideal-logic.com…

Gardening with the Seasons: Spring (in-person)

28 Mar 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Saturday, March 28, 2026, 10am – 12:15pm

Cost: $35
Financial aid slots available on a first-come, first-served basis
REGISTER ONLINE

Join us in-person at the Center for Urban Horticulture! As spring approaches and things start moving fast in the garden, it can be hard to keep up or decide what to do first. With a focus on seasonal growth patterns, and best tools and techniques, this session will help home gardeners determine what tasks will have the most effect for the progress over the next months. Key topics will include planting, seasonal care for shrubs, vines, and perennial plants, lawn care, mulching and preparing for summer irrigation. In addition to hands-on demonstrations, we will end the class by taking a stroll through the Center for Urban Horticulture’s gardens.

About this series:
Plants and gardens don't live by the written calendar, but by the seasonal cycles and cues of changes in daylight, temperature, and moisture. When gardeners become acquainted with the seasonal rhythms and life cycles in the garden, and learn to work in sync with nature, caring for the garden becomes more of a process and less of a battle with potential garden enemies. This series will help beginning and seasoned gardeners learn how to capitalize on optimal timing and sustainable practices to have a great garden all year long.

Instructor Christina Pfeiffer is a horticulture consultant and educator with over 40 years’ experience in landscape horticulture. She brings an emphasis on sustainable garden practices that work in sync with nature to her classes. She holds degrees in horticulture from Michigan State and the University of Washington, and is an ISA Certified Arborist ®. For Christina, the next best thing to being in the garden is teaching and writing about gardening.

Event interval: Single day event
Campus location: Center for Urban Horticulture Complex (CUH)
Campus room: Douglas Research Conservatory - Classroom
Accessibility Contact: urbhort@uw.edu
Presenter: Christina Pfeiffer
Contact Information: urbhort@uw.edu
Ticket Link: apps.ideal-logic.com…
More info: apps.ideal-logic.com…

Earth Day, Every Day Virtual Story Time

01 Apr 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Online
Wednesday, April 1 – Thursday, April 30, 2026

Get inspired to make your world a little greener with these stories.

CACTUS QUEEN: MINERVA HOYT ESTABLISHES JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK by Lori Alexander and Jenn Ely
MARA PLANTS A SEED by Robert Furrow, Donna Jo Napoli, and Melissa Bailey
OUR GREEN CITY by Tanya Lloyd Kyi & Colleen Larmour

Check in each month for new stories and activities that celebrate gardens, plants, and nature.

Event interval: Ongoing event
Accessibility Contact: Nick at nickjpw@uw.edu
Event Types: Not Specified
Age Range: Children, Families
More info: depts.washington.edu…

Mary Mann: Roots + Bones

02 Apr 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Thursday, April 2 – Wednesday, April 29, 2026

In Roots + Bones, Mary Mann explores the intimate relationship between human and plant life. Roots mirror our own lineage with ancestry, memory, and the invisible networks that sustain us. As a child, she saw bodies in trees: torsos rising from the soil, limbs reaching skyward, trunks entwined in struggle and embrace. Mann paints from the living forest, still lifes with animal bones, and imagined landscapes. Together, these elements form a vision of the forest as a living archive, where generations intertwine and hold stories of growth, conflict, resilience, and shared survival beneath the surface.

Mary Mann is a Tacoma-based public mural artist and studio painter. Roots + Bones will be on display at the Miller Library April 2-29. You can meet the artist during the 2026 Garden Lovers’ Book Sale April 10-11.

Campus location: Elisabeth C. Miller Library (EMLB)
Accessibility Contact: Nick at nickjpw@uw.edu
Event Types: Exhibits
More info: depts.washington.edu…

Free 1st Thursday Public Tour

02 Apr 2026 18:30:00 GMT

Thursday, April 2, 2026, 11:30am – 1pm

TOUR CAPACITY: To ensure a positive tour experience and the safety of our visitors, our tours are now capped at 50 attendees. Attendees must register in advance to claim their spot on the tour.

Our 1st Thursday public tours are casual walks through various areas of the 230 acre Washington Park Arboretum. Walks feature seasonal themes, collections plants, explorations of botany, and the history of our organization.

Blooming plants in our collection will be featured. In April we will feature Rhododendron cultivars and other early spring bloomers.

To join the walk, meet us at the Graham Visitors Center: 2300 Arboretum Drive East. Docents will be there to greet and gather tour attendees

We make every effort to tailor our tours to our audience. If you have any specific requirements or mobility limitations we will do our best to accommodate them.

UW Botanic Gardens is committed to enriching the lives of all community members with free public tours.

Event interval: Single day event
Accessibility Contact: cmn23@uw.edu
Event Types: Not Specified
Age Range: Adults
Presenter: UW Botanic Garden Tour Docents
Contact Information: cmn23@uw.edu

The Art of Botanical Watercolor (in-person)

04 Apr 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Saturday, April 4, 2026, 10am – 12:30pm

Class Cost: $200 for 4-class series, advanced registration required
Financial aid slots available on a first-come, first-served basis
REGISTER ONLINE

Class series is all four Saturdays in April: April 4th, 11th, 18th, & 25th, each session running from 10:00am-12:30pm

Come to this beginner to intermediate class to watercolor portraits of plants. In this class you’ll capture the different moments from the lifecycle of a plant (bulbs, seed heads, flowers, leaves, fruit). Students will learn: how to create a harmonious color palette, techniques that produce realistic and accurate paintings, an understanding how light reveals form, and how to improve their observational and visual interpretation skills. Students will work from both photographs and live specimens. Upon completion of class, students will leave with finished watercolor pieces and the confidence to paint other subject matter! Students will receive a required supply list upon registration.

Instructor Robin Bundi is a teacher, artist, and designer living in Seattle, Washington. She loves to explore the natural world and primarily creates work to celebrate the natural world and our connection to it. Robin’s studio practice includes watercolor painting, drawing, and making her own watercolors from foraged materials. She has a BFA in Graphic Design and Art History from Ohio University and certificate in Natural Science Illustration from The University of Washington. You can find her work at www.robinbundi.com and @robinbundiart.

Event interval: Single day event
Campus location: Center for Urban Horticulture Complex (CUH)
Accessibility Contact: urbhort@uw.edu
Presenter: Robin Bundi
Contact Information: urbhort@uw.edu
Ticket Link: apps.ideal-logic.com…
More info: apps.ideal-logic.com…

Windowsill Carnivorous Bogs

04 Apr 2026 20:00:00 GMT

Saturday, April 4, 2026, 1 – 2pm

Class Cost: $55
Financial aid slots available on a first-come, first-served basis
REGISTER ONLINE

Come learn how to make a miniature bog where carnivorous plants can thrive in this wet environment. We will be getting muddy and messy while we make some swampy plant arrangements. This class is for all levels of plant experience! Carnivorous plants are relatively easy to care for with the right light and lots of water. The class will also include instruction on care of bogs over time so you can watch your bogs grow and thrive! All ages.

Class fee includes all necessary supplies:
Thrifted glass vessel/bowl
Variety of carnivorous plants (ex. Sundews, sarracenias, utricularia, Stylidium)
Carnivorous soil
LECA, rocks, wood, and decorations

Adelaide Nitroy, founder and owner of Fancy Plants, opened her business in 2022 with the hope of creating a safe and inclusive environment for people to learn plants and begin their plant journey. Her background in biology and plant science gives a unique perspective to provide scientific understanding of how plants have evolved, how plants work at a biological level, and how plants can be grown successfully.

Event interval: Single day event
Campus location: Douglas Research Conservatory (DRC)
Accessibility Contact: urbhort@uw.edu
Presenter: Adelaide Nitroy, Founder & Owner of Fancy Plants Seattle
Ticket Link: apps.ideal-logic.com…
More info: apps.ideal-logic.com…

2026 Ecological Restoration Symposium: Human Health Dimensions

07 Apr 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Tuesday, April 7, 2026, 9am – 4pm

Cost: $110 for in-person registration, $45 for virtual registration
Financial aid rates available for students and CORPS members
General financial aid slots available on a first-come, first-served basis
REGISTER ONLINE

The Society for Ecological Restoration’s core values underscore the importance of ecological restoration as a tool for biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation and adaptation, ecosystem services, sustainable socioeconomic development, and improved human health and well-being. From grant writing to project execution and evaluation, this year’s symposium will focus on tangible ways to better center human health and cultural dynamics across all levels of our work.

This symposium is co-hosted by the University of Washington Botanic Gardens and the Northwest Chapter of the Society for Ecological Restoration to provide continuing education for restoration ecology practitioners.

Speaker list & agenda will be updated on the symposium website as and when details are available.

Event interval: Single day event
Campus location: Northwest Horticultural Society Hall (NHS)
Accessibility Contact: urbhort@uw.edu
Contact Information: urbhort@uw.edu
Ticket Link: botanicgardens.uw.edu…
More info: botanicgardens.uw.edu…

Garden Lovers' Book Sale Opening Night

11 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT

UW Botanic Gardens - Center for Urban Horticulture, Elisabeth C. Miller Library, 3501 NE 41st St., Seattle, WA, 98105
Friday, April 10, 2026, 5 – 8pm

Opening Night: Friday, April 10, 5 - 8 pm (tickets available now)

Public Sale: Saturday, April 11, 9 am - 3 pm

Thousands of gently used books for sale on gardening, plants, ecology and related topics. Enjoy the company of fellow plant lovers while shopping for unique horticultural books.

Remaining book sale inventory will be available at discounted prices in the Library Program Room during Library open hours April 13-30.

Accessibility Contact: nickjpw@uw.edu
Event Types: Special Events
More info: depts.washington.edu…

Garden Lovers' Book Sale

11 Apr 2026 16:00:00 GMT

UW Botanic Gardens - Center for Urban Horticulture, Elisabeth C. Miller Library, 3501 NE 41st St., Seattle, WA, 98105
Saturday, April 11, 2026, 9am – 3pm

Opening Night Friday, April 10, 5 - 8 pm (tickets available now!)
Public Sale Saturday, April 11, 9 am - 3 pm

Thousands of gently used books for sale on gardening, plants, ecology and related topics. Enjoy the company of fellow plant lovers while shopping for unique horticultural books.

Remaining book sale inventory will be available at discounted prices in the Library Program Room during Library open hours April 13 - 30.

Accessibility Contact: nickjpw@uw.edu
Event Types: Special Events
More info: depts.washington.edu…

Clearance Rack Plant Rehab

11 Apr 2026 20:00:00 GMT

Saturday, April 11, 2026, 1 – 2pm

Class Cost: $40
Financial aid slots available on a first-come, first-served basis
REGISTER ONLINE

Have you ever been tempted by a good deal at a big box store, only for your clearance rack plant to die as soon as you bring it home? In this class, we’ll learn about which plants are worth rehabbing, and how to bring a struggling plant back to life. No experience necessary. All ages. Class fee covers all necessary supplies.

Adelaide Nitroy, founder and owner of Fancy Plants, opened her business in 2022 with the hope of creating a safe and inclusive environment for people to learn plants and begin their plant journey. Her background in biology and plant science gives a unique perspective to provide scientific understanding of how plants have evolved, how plants work at a biological level, and how plants can be grown successfully.

Event interval: Single day event
Campus location: Douglas Research Conservatory (DRC)
Accessibility Contact: urbhort@uw.edu
Presenter: Adelaide Nitroy, Founder & Owner of Fancy Plants Seattle
Ticket Link: apps.ideal-logic.com…
More info: apps.ideal-logic.com…

Garden Lovers' Book Sale

13 Apr 2026 19:00:00 GMT

UW Botanic Gardens - Center for Urban Horticulture, Elisabeth C. Miller Library, 3501 NE 41st St., Seattle, WA, 98105
Monday, April 13, 12pm – Thursday, April 30, 2026, 5pm

Gently used books for sale on gardening, plants, ecology and related topics. Public Sale was Saturday, April 11, 9 am - 3 pm

Remaining book sale inventory will be available at discounted prices in the Library Program Room during Library open hours April 13 - 30.

Accessibility Contact: nickjpw@uw.edu
Event Types: Special Events
More info: depts.washington.edu…

Organic Integrated Pest Management for Native Gardens (online)

16 Apr 2026 02:00:00 GMT

online via Zoom
Wednesday, April 15, 2026, 7 – 8:30pm

Cost: $25
REGISTER ONLINE
Limited financial aid slots offered on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Garden pests are inevitable, but they don’t have to be harmful to manage. This class introduces the principles of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) with a focus on organic and ecologically friendly practices. We’ll cover common pests of the Pacific Northwest, how to identify and prevent them, and strategies that work with nature—including beneficial insects, mechanical and cultural controls, and safe organic alternatives to pesticides.

This class will be taught by Lea Dyga, Oxbow Farm’s Native Plant Nursery Manager, formerly the SER-UW Native Plant Nursery Manager.

Professional credits pending

Event interval: Single day event
Accessibility Contact: urbhort@uw.edu
Presenter: Lea Dyga, Oxbow Farm Native Plant Nursery Manager
Contact Information: urbhort@uw.edu
Ticket Link: apps.ideal-logic.com…
More info: apps.ideal-logic.com…

Right Plant Right Place: Choosing the Best Plants for Your Site

16 Apr 2026 23:30:00 GMT

Thursday, April 16, 2026, 4:30 – 6:30pm

Cost: $30
Financial aid slots available on a first-come, first-served basis
REGISTER ONLINE

“Right plant, right place” means that plants do best when they’re in the right setting. Aspects of your location (sun, water, space, and soil makeup) all factor into whether a plant survives or thrives. Too much of one, not enough of another, and plants will struggle. Gardeners can find themselves fighting nature. Successful gardeners understand what we can control and what we can’t, and how to work with the characteristics of a site to get the most out of a landscape.

In this class, we’ll learn how to read your landscape, including on-site practice. What is your sun exposure? Does your soil retain moisture? Is this plant going to ultimately get larger than the space can handle? And if you already have the wrong plant, are there ways to work around past siting mistakes? In addition, we’ll talk about shopping! How to read plant tags, assess the plants in a pot, and what resources you can use to get realistic information about what a plant needs.

This class will focus on ornamentals (trees, shrubs, perennials) but the basic principles can be applied to vegetable and annual plantings. This class is open to everyone but is geared towards home gardeners (experienced and novice are welcome!)

Cynthia Welte has been working in horticulture for over 25 years, in nurseries, gardening in private and public gardens and campuses, and in administration at botanical gardens in the Seattle area. She teaches horticulture at Edmonds College, leads tours at the Arboretum, and gardens at home in Beacon Hill, Seattle.

Event interval: Single day event
Campus location: Douglas Research Conservatory (DRC)
Accessibility Contact: urbhort@uw.edu
Presenter: Cynthia Welte
Ticket Link: apps.ideal-logic.com…
More info: apps.ideal-logic.com…

Botanical Fiber Art Workshop: Upcycle Your Clothing with Hand Embroidery (in-person)

23 Apr 2026 01:00:00 GMT

Wednesday, April 22, 2026, 6 – 8pm

Class Cost: $50, pre-registration required
REGISTER ONLINE
Limited financial aid slots offered on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Cover up stains and small holes in your clothing with hand embroidery! Join fiber artist and author Melissa Galbraith of MCreativeJ for a hands-on workshop. Simply bring a garment to embroider and we’ll provide you with playful nature-inspired sample designs to stitch. This class will cover helpful dos and don’ts of embroidering garments as well as stitches best suited for your individual garment and pattern. Each attendee will also receive an embroidery hoop, thread, needle, and stabilizer to get started. This workshop is beginner-friendly and no prior embroidery experience is required.

Forest Bathing (in-person)

25 Apr 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Saturday, April 25, 2026, 10 – 11:30am

Cost: $25 for first registration, $15 for each additional ticket
Advance registration required.
REGISTER ONLINE

Join UW Botanic Gardens and Cascadia Forest Therapy for a unique forest bathing opportunity in the Washington Park Arboretum. Forest bathing (or shinrin-yoku) has been popular in Japan for decades and is gaining momentum in the US. The practice encourages you to move in nature at a slower pace and take in the atmosphere around you. Multiple scientific studies have shown that the practice lowers stress and blood pressure levels, while increasing immune system functioning, making you more resilient to diseases and illness.

During this class the guide, in partnership with the forest, will offer an evolving series of invitations crafted to help participants slow down and open their senses. The opening of one’s senses encourages mindfulness, which readies the heart and mind to be fully present in the natural world. Come discover the medicine of being in the forest.

Accessibility: These sessions are slow-paced and generally cover less than a mile of trail. Trails are not paved and may be uneven.

Event interval: Single day event
Campus location: Washington Park Arboretum (LNDMK-8)
Accessibility Contact: urbhort@uw.edu
Presenter: Cascadia Forest Therapy
Ticket Link: apps.ideal-logic.com…
More info: apps.ideal-logic.com…

Fruit Basket Virtual Story Time

01 May 2026 07:00:00 GMT

Online
Friday, May 1 – Sunday, May 31, 2026

What’s your favorite fruit? You never know, it could be one you haven’t tried yet! Visit the Miller Library in November or December to make a collage portrait featuring fruits.

FARAH LOVES MANGOS by Sarthak Sinha
SPRING IS FOR STRAWBERRIES by Katherine Pryor and Polina Gortman
WHEN GRANDMA GIVES YOU A LEMON TREE by Jamie L.B. Deenihan and Lorraine Rocha

Check in each month for new stories and activities that celebrate gardens, plants, and nature.

Event interval: Ongoing event
Accessibility Contact: Nick at nickjpw@uw.edu
Event Types: Not Specified
Age Range: Children, Families
More info: depts.washington.edu…

Polaroid Landscapes (in-person)

03 May 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Sunday, May 3, 2026, 10am – 1pm

Class Cost: $60, advanced registration required
Financial aid slots available on a first-come, first-served basis
REGISTER ONLINE

Join us for a fun and creative watercolor class, where you'll paint charming mini Polaroid landscapes! Let your imagination run wild as you dream up serene scenes and bring them to life with watercolor. You'll learn essential techniques in watercolor and composition. By the end of the class, you'll have two mini paintings to show off! Whether you're a beginner or just looking for a creative escape, this class is the perfect way to dive into the world of watercolor art.

Instructor Robin Bundi is a teacher, artist, and designer living in Seattle, Washington. She loves to explore the natural world and primarily creates work to celebrate the natural world and our connection to it. Robin’s studio practice includes watercolor painting, drawing, and making her own watercolors from foraged materials. She has a BFA in Graphic Design and Art History from Ohio University and certificate in Natural Science Illustration from The University of Washington. You can find her work at www.robinbundi.com and @robinbundiart.

Free 1st Thursday Public Tour

07 May 2026 18:30:00 GMT

Thursday, May 7, 2026, 11:30am – 1pm

TOUR CAPACITY: To ensure a positive tour experience and the safety of our visitors, our tours are now capped at 50 attendees. Attendees must register in advance to claim their spot on the tour.

Our 1st Thursday public tours are casual walks through various areas of the 230 acre Washington Park Arboretum. Walks feature seasonal themes, collections plants, explorations of botany, and the history of our organization.

Blooming plants in our collection will be featured. In May we will feature Dogwoods, Magnolias and and other late spring bloomers.

To join the walk, meet us at the Graham Visitors Center: 2300 Arboretum Drive East. Docents will be there to greet and gather tour attendees

We make every effort to tailor our tours to our audience. If you have any specific requirements or mobility limitations we will do our best to accommodate them.

UW Botanic Gardens is committed to enriching the lives of all community members with free public tours.

Event interval: Single day event
Accessibility Contact: cmn23@uw.edu
Event Types: Not Specified
Age Range: Adults
Presenter: UW Botanic Garden Tour Docents
Contact Information: cmn23@uw.edu

Botanical Print-Making Workshop

09 May 2026 20:00:00 GMT

Saturday, May 9, 2026, 1 – 3pm

Total class cost: $45
Limited financial aid slots offered on a first-come, first-serve basis.
REGISTER ONLINE

Come make your own unique Mother’s Day cards through an exploration of mixed media print-making! Explore the patterns and textures of plants through print-making processes. This class will invite you to use natural materials, like spring flowers & conifer needles, to create one-of-a-kind cards with/for a mother figure.

Instructor Dillyn Adamo is a print-maker and arts educator in Skagit County, WA. Currently she works as the Learning & Engagement Coordinator at the Museum of Northwest Art, where she creates arts experiences for visitors of all ages. She has a passion for both biology and fine arts, and uses print-making as a way to explore both of these interests.

Event interval: Single day event
Campus location: Center for Urban Horticulture Complex (CUH)
Accessibility Contact: urbhort@uw.edu
Presenter: Dillyn Adamo
Contact Information: urbhort@uw.edu
Ticket Link: apps.ideal-logic.com…
More info: apps.ideal-logic.com…

Forest Bathing (in-person)

16 May 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Saturday, May 16, 2026, 10 – 11:30am

Cost: $25 for first registration, $15 for each additional ticket
Advance registration required.
REGISTER ONLINE

Join UW Botanic Gardens and Cascadia Forest Therapy for a unique forest bathing opportunity in the Washington Park Arboretum. Forest bathing (or shinrin-yoku) has been popular in Japan for decades and is gaining momentum in the US. The practice encourages you to move in nature at a slower pace and take in the atmosphere around you. Multiple scientific studies have shown that the practice lowers stress and blood pressure levels, while increasing immune system functioning, making you more resilient to diseases and illness.

During this class the guide, in partnership with the forest, will offer an evolving series of invitations crafted to help participants slow down and open their senses. The opening of one’s senses encourages mindfulness, which readies the heart and mind to be fully present in the natural world. Come discover the medicine of being in the forest.

Accessibility: These sessions are slow-paced and generally cover less than a mile of trail. Trails are not paved and may be uneven.

Event interval: Single day event
Campus location: Washington Park Arboretum (LNDMK-8)
Accessibility Contact: urbhort@uw.edu
Presenter: Cascadia Forest Therapy
Ticket Link: apps.ideal-logic.com…
More info: apps.ideal-logic.com…

Gardening with Edible & Medicinal Native Plants (in-person)

21 May 2026 01:00:00 GMT

Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 6 – 8pm

Cost: $30, advanced registration required
Financial aid available on a first-come, first-served basis
REGISTER ONLINE
Join us for an exploration of the edible and medicinal plants native to the PNW. In this interactive class, you'll learn how to identify, grow, harvest, and utilize 10+ local plants with nourishing and healing properties. Throughout the session, you'll gain practical knowledge on how to incorporate these plants into your daily life and learn how to cultivate them in your own garden. Plus, you'll have the chance to sample a variety of edible plants and create a custom tea blend to take home.

This class will be taught by Lea Dyga, Oxbow Farm’s Native Plant Nursery Manager, formerly the SER-UW Native Plant Nursery Manager.

Event interval: Single day event
Campus location: Center for Urban Horticulture Complex (CUH)
Accessibility Contact: urbhort@uw.edu
Presenter: Lea Dyga, Oxbow Farm Native Plant Nursery Manager
Contact Information: urbhort@uw.edu
Ticket Link: apps.ideal-logic.com…
More info: apps.ideal-logic.com…

Botanical Fiber Art Workshop: Embroidered Photo Frame (in-person)

28 May 2026 01:00:00 GMT

Wednesday, May 27, 2026, 6 – 8pm

Class Cost: $50, pre-registration required
REGISTER ONLINE
Limited financial aid slots offered on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Want to create an embroidered photo frame keepsake? Create a personalized hand stitched frame to remember a special memory, location, event, and more. This two-hour hands-on class with Melissa Galbraith of MCreativeJ will get you started with hand embroidering a photo frame. Each person will be able to choose from a variety of nature inspired patterns and thread colors to create a personalized project. Class will cover hand embroidery stitches such as the satin stitch, split back stitch, stem stitch, and French knot.