Express yourself and share all the ways you care for the earth by registering for Fernwood’s Earth Month Youth Chalk Art Contest! Each participant will be entered in a raffle for the chance to win a Fernwood Family Membership!

This year’s theme: “Pollinator Power!”

 Age group: Grades K-12

What we’ll provide: Participants will be assigned a 4x4’ area to create their design along Fernwood’s paved garden paths. They may choose from a selection of chalk colors, sponges, and paint brushes from our materials table (please, no outside materials).

Prize:

One lucky winner will receive a year-long Fernwood Family Membership. This membership admits four people to Fernwood, and two people at more than 450 participating botanical gardens and natural areas, plus a 20% discount Fernwood classes and programs.

The winner will be randomly selected and announced at 4:30 pm (winner is not required to be present).

Cost: Free with garden admission

In the event of rain, the contest will take place inside the Sims Education Center, where participants will be offered floor space to create their designs.

Registration is encouraged. Walk-ins may be accepted, if space is available.

Planting and protecting native species is one of the most important actions you can take to ensure the health of our local ecosystem. Fernwood is a wonderland of native ephemeral wildflowers! Discover their beauty and bounty in this tour, where you’ll learn how to locate and identify numerous species, where to acquire native plants and seeds, and tips on how to incorporate them into your own home landscape.

Audience: All ages

Location: Meet at the Visitors Center front desk 

Cost: Free with admission

Registration is encouraged. Walk-ins may be accepted, only if space is available. 

Celebrate Earth Month by making a difference in the health and beauty of our local waterways and roadsides. Volunteers will meet at the Visitors Center and be assigned cleanup locations across Fernwood’s 105-acre property. Gloves, nets, trash grabbers, and recycling/trash bags will be provided. Please dress appropriately and be prepared to get a little dirty/wet. If you have them, rubber boots and waders are recommended.

Audience: All ages

Location: Meet at the Visitors Center front desk 

Cost: Volunteers receive free admission plus free drinks and snacks!

Walk-ins are welcome, but please let us know you’re planning to join us by registering.

Earn 12 community service hours through conservation education, invasive species removal, and wildlife stewardship. Register soon for this limited-space, two-day program.

Ideal for high school students aged 16 and older, college students, and young adults, this Service Learning program benefits those interested in Biology and anyone who loves the outdoors.

Session 2: April 3 - 4, 10 am - 4 pm. Register by March 25.

Earn 12 community service hours through conservation education, invasive species removal, and wildlife stewardship. Register soon for this limited-space, two-day program.

Ideal for high school students aged 16 and older, college students, and young adults, this Service Learning program benefits those interested in Biology and anyone who loves the outdoors.

Session 2: April 3 - 4, 10 am - 4 pm. Register by March 25.

Earn 12 community service hours through conservation education, invasive species removal, and wildlife stewardship. Register soon for this limited-space, two-day program.

Ideal for high school students aged 16 and older, college students, and young adults, this Service Learning program benefits those interested in Biology and anyone who loves the outdoors.

Session 1: April 1 - 2, 10 am - 4 pm. Register by March 25.

Earn 12 community service hours through conservation education, invasive species removal, and wildlife stewardship. Register soon for this limited-space, two-day program.

Ideal for high school students aged 16 and older, college students, and young adults, this Service Learning program benefits those interested in Biology and anyone who loves the outdoors.

Session 1: April 1 - 2, 10 am - 4 pm. Register by March 25.

From mulch volcanoes and mosquito lawn sprays, to overwatering and cutting back spent stems in fall, in this combined lecture and garden tour we’ll dish up the dirt on common garden faux pas and old cultural methods that no longer should be practiced. We’ll introduce updated and ecologically sound gardening techniques that are showing greater promise for our communities and environment. With Southwest Michigan’s changing climate, the more gardeners can educate themselves on newer gardening procedures, the more adaptable and resilient our beautiful landscapes will become!

Audience: Teens-Adults

Location: Chase Classroom

Cost: $15/person ($12 Fernwood members)

*To receive your member discount, please be sure to sign in by clicking the button in the upper right-hand corner of the registration screen.

Join our Volunteer Manager for a guided tour to explore volunteer opportunities and learn about the history of Fernwood. Enjoy the gardens and complimentary refreshments.

The sound of spring storms is nothing to fear. Play a noise-making game and listen to a story to learn about seasonal weather changes and how they support our gardens.

About the presenter:

Sue, affectionately known as Grandma Sue, is a retired teacher who has always loved nature and has worked with preschoolers through adults in the course of her career. You may have met her during a school field trip or at the Visitors Center front desk, as she currently works as an education assistant and visitor services representative at Fernwood.

Suggested audience: Preschoolers - 2nd graders

Location: Fauna Wing of the Sims Education Center

Cost: Free with admission

Walk-ins are welcome, but please let us know you’re planning to join us by registering.

Skies are gray, but spring is right around the corner. Enjoy some early color with this floral design workshop where you'll experiment and play with a spectrum of brilliant blooms. Beth Barnett of Larkspur Farm will guide you in the creation of your own hand-tied bouquet and decode the symbolism, mood, and aesthetic of various color combinations.

About the instructor

Beth Barnett is the owner of Larkspur Studio & Flower Farm located in Chicago and Buchanan, Michigan. Larkspur has been providing seasonal, nature-inspired designs since 1994. Beth shares her love of local and unique varieties of flowers by growing on her no-till farm while using and teaching sustainable flower design techniques.

 Audience: Teens-Adults

Location: Flora Wing of the Sims Education Center

Cost: $75/person ($60 Fernwood members) - Please register by March 10

*To receive your member discount, please be sure to sign in by clicking the button in the upper right-hand corner of the registration screen.

For kids who love to explore, investigate, reflect, and play in nature, there’s no better place than Fernwood! Our summer day camps offer a beautiful and safe environment for children to enhance their connection to the natural world, while broadening their understanding of the role they play within it. 

There’s always something new blooming at Fernwood! While many of our flowers can’t be missed, others require a deeper understanding and trained eye to locate. During these guided walks, a member of our horticulture/naturalist team will introduce you to our incredible array of common, and not-so-common, seasonal blossoms and delve into their historical and ecological significance. It’s a fun way to explore our grounds and meet fellow nature enthusiasts!

Suggested audience: All ages

Location: Meet at the Visitors Center front desk

Cost: This event is completely free!

Walk-ins are welcome, but please let us know you’re planning to join us by registering.

There’s always something new blooming at Fernwood! While many of our flowers can’t be missed, others require a deeper understanding and trained eye to locate. During these guided walks, a member of our horticulture/naturalist team will introduce you to our incredible array of common, and not-so-common, seasonal blossoms and delve into their historical and ecological significance. It’s a fun way to explore our grounds and meet fellow nature enthusiasts!

Suggested audience: All ages

Location: Meet at the Visitors Center front desk

Cost: This event is completely free!

Walk-ins are welcome, but please let us know you’re planning to join us by registering.

Fernwood Botanical Garden is excited to announce its partnership with The Grateful Pie Company. Previously located inside The Commerce Center on Colfax in South Bend, the eatery now operates from the Fernwood Cafe. The Grateful Pie Company is open to the public during Fernwood’s operating hours, offering both dine-in and take-out options. It also sells homemade baked goods in the garden’s gift shop, including pies, breads, granola, lemon lavender bars, and Fernwood's famous carrot cake. More information, including the cafe and catering menus, can be found online at fernwoodbotanical.org/dining. 

“The Fernwood Cafe is a fantastic spot for visitors to come together, dine, and appreciate nature. We are excited to team up with The Grateful Pie Company to bring delicious food back to Fernwood,” said Mary Krinock, Fernwood's Executive Director.

In collaboration with the Buchanan Area Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Niles Chamber of Commerce, the garden will be hosting a ribbon cutting in the cafe beginning at noon on Wednesday, February 26. All are welcome to attend.

Fernwood invites you to enliven your garden, along with your taste buds, at our Edible Horticulture event! Hear from local chefs, farmers, and gardeners influenced and inspired by the community and crops growing in our region. Enjoy a complimentary lunch provided by The Grateful Pie Company and visit our exhibitors hall featuring a handpicked selection of local green businesses showcasing their knowledge, products, and services.

SCHEDULE:

9:30AM ---------------------------------------

Doors open! - Please enter through Fernwood’s Visitors Center

10AM -----------------------------------------

Brittney Rigterink - Owner of Terra Queen Farm & Loafing with Brittney - Saint Joseph, MI

Hear how a lifelong obsession with farming, food, and creating community grew into a regenerative organic farm and micro-bakery focusing on sourdough and local, organic grains.

11AM ------------------------------------------

Thrijani Kantareddy - Owner and Chef at KT’s Rasoi Indian Cuisine - Saint Joseph, MI

Learn how KT's Rasoi was brought to life and how it serves the community by offering a one-of-a-kind experience featuring fresh ingredients and authentic Indian flavors.

12PM  -----------------------------------------

Lunch - Provided by The Grateful Pie Company

1PM  ------------------------------------------

Michael Pound - Chair of Michiana Vegfest - South Bend, IN

Discover Michael Pound’s journey to veganism and how Michiana Vegfest aims to educate and inspire everyone about the benefits of a plant-based lifestyle—protecting the planet, promoting health, and showing compassion for animals.

Audience: Teens-adults

Cost: $60 ($48 members) - Please register by February 19

EVENT PARTNERS

PLEASE CALL FERNWOOD AT (269)695-6491 ON THE DAY OF THIS EVENT FOR UPDATES ON CLOSURE/CANCELATION DUE TO WEATHER.

What seems like waste to some, is a useful resource to many organisms and naturalists. Enjoy a story and a game of BINGO to learn more. 

About the presenter:

Sue, affectionately known as Grandma Sue, is a retired teacher who has always loved nature and has worked with preschoolers through adults in the course of her career. You may have met her during a school field trip or at the Visitors Center front desk, as she currently works as an education assistant and visitor services representative at Fernwood.

Suggested audience: Preschoolers - 2nd graders

Location: Fauna Wing of the Sims Education Center

Cost: Free with admission

Walk-ins are welcome, but please let us know you’re planning to join us by registering.

DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE BIRD COUNT WILL TAKE PLACE FROM 11AM - 12PM ONLY.

IF YOU REGISTERED FOR AN EARLIER TIME, WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO JOIN US AT 11AM.

Organized by the National Audubon Society and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the Great Backyard Bird Count is an annual worldwide event to engage bird watchers of all ages in community science to create a real-time snapshot of bird populations. Sign up for one or more of our hourly hikes to learn about and assist in identifying birds along one of our nature preserve routes. All participants are invited to meet back up at Fernwood’s Cafe at noon to share and tally our findings for the day.

Suggested audience: All ages and skill levels welcome

Location: Meet at the Visitors Center front desk

Cost: This event is completely free!

Please register for one or more specific time slots between 8 and 11am.

Click here to learn more about the Great Bird Count

Join Fernwood as we celebrate incredible women scientists of the past, present, and future with a special interpretive nature hike, interactive displays by Lake Michigan College’s Science Department, make-and-take crafts, nature BINGO, free hot cocoa, prizes, and more! All are welcome!

Guided nature hike will take place from 1:00 - 1:30 pm

Audience: All ages welcome

Location: Fauna Wing of the Sims Education Center

Cost: Free with admission

Walk-ins are welcome, but please let us know you’re planning to join us by registering.

Is the winter chill bringing you down? Fernwood is here to help! Experience an afternoon indulging in the Danish practice of “hygge,” meaning cozy or comfort. Enjoy a guided hike through our nature trails, where we’ll forage for evergreen needles to make a soothing tea. Find a soft seat in Fernwood’s candlelit library to enjoy your brew, or grab some herbed broth from our outdoor fire. Glendora Bookshop will have an array of cozy-themed tales for sale, or feel free to borrow a book from Fernwood’s shelves or bring one from home. You may also wish to bring along a knit, crochet, embroidery, or mending project to work on, or start something new. Instructors will be on hand to guide you and provide additional supplies to beginners and accomplished hand workers alike. Hygge is all about connecting with the present moment and taking time to appreciate being with others. So invite a friend or family member, or plan to meet someone new!

Audience: All ages

Location: Meet at the Sims Education Center 

Cost: $15 ($12 members)

*To receive your member discount, please be sure to sign in by clicking the button in the upper right-hand corner of the registration screen.

Class details:

Join us for an herbal make-and-take class all about using herbs as medicine for cold care! You’ll learn how to skillfully choose herbs that can support various symptoms of these maladies, as well as how to transform them into effective remedies using three extraction methods. You’ll leave with three sample-sizes and recipes of each remedy made.

About the instructor:

Carly is a holistic nutritionist, herbalist, and community educator. She is a committed life-long learner. She holds a master’s degree in holistic nutrition from a naturopathic university and has continued education in traditional western herbalism, functional medicine, and other traditional medical systems.

Audience: Teens-Adults

Location: Flora Wing of the Sims Education Center

Cost: $65 ($52 Fernwood members) - Please register by January 24

*To receive your member discount, please be sure to sign in by clicking the button in the upper right-hand corner of the registration screen.

After a story and looking at pictures of different tracks, participants will join in a nature walk to look for tracks and other signs of winter wildlife, weather permitting.

About the presenter:

Sue, affectionately known as Grandma Sue, is a retired teacher who has always loved nature and has worked with preschoolers through adults in the course of her career. You may have met her during a school field trip or at the Visitors Center front desk, as she currently works as an Education Department Assistant and Visitor Services Representative at Fernwood.

Suggested audience: Preschoolers - 2nd graders

Location: Fauna Wing of the Sims Education Center

Cost: Free with admission

Walk-ins are welcome, but please let us know that you’re planning to join us by registering.

One of eight annual contemplative programs that reflects a seasonal theme around “Reclaiming Our Nature,” the Fall and Winter Retreats draw from the falling leaves, changing colors, and frosty gardens to awaken our senses! Weather permitting, we will begin with an hour-long Mindful Movement session outside with your Instructor, Deirdre Guthrie, Wellbeing Coach and Scientist. After some brief instruction in Mindfulness and the benefits of Nature Therapy, we will begin a slow, mindful walk through the forest where you may find a "Sit Spot" to journal, take a leaf or bark rubbing, and savor the beauty of your natural surroundings. We will then return inside the Sims Education Center to share out in Circle and then enjoy a guided meditation inspired by Nature's elements (Fire, Water, Earth, and Air). 

What to Bring: Please bring warm, comfortable clothes, a yoga mat, thermos of tea/water, journal, pencil, and open heart. 

Audience: Ages 12 and up

Location: Fernwood Grounds & the Flora Wing of the Sims Education Center

Cost: $50 ($40 Fernwood members) - Please register by January 15

*To receive your member discount, please be sure to sign in by clicking the button in the upper right-hand corner of the registration screen.

Fernwood Botanical Garden is closed Sunday, January 5 from 12 pm - 5 pm. We will reopen Tuesday, January 7 at 12 pm. We apologize for the inconvenience and we hope to see you in the garden soon!

LIGHTS will return to the garden for 28 magical nights, November 29 –January 4. Tickets will be on sale for Fernwood members only, October 1 –31, and to the general public beginning November 1.

Our team could not offer this fun and festive multi-night community event without volunteers’ time and sponsors’ support.

Want to help? Learn more at www.fernwoodbotanical.org/lights

LIGHTS will return to the garden for 28 magical nights, November 29 –January 4. Tickets will be on sale for Fernwood members only, October 1 –31, and to the general public beginning November 1.

Our team could not offer this fun and festive multi-night community event without volunteers’ time and sponsors’ support.

Want to help? Learn more at www.fernwoodbotanical.org/lights

LIGHTS will return to the garden for 28 magical nights, November 29 –January 4. Tickets will be on sale for Fernwood members only, October 1 –31, and to the general public beginning November 1.

Our team could not offer this fun and festive multi-night community event without volunteers’ time and sponsors’ support.

Want to help? Learn more at www.fernwoodbotanical.org/lights

Fernwood is closed Wednesday, January 1, 2024.

Fernwood is closed Tuesday, December 31, 2024.