classes classes
E d u c at i o n
adult&family
To register visit www.bbgardens.org/classes or call 205.414.3950.
Yoga In The Gardens Instructor: Suzanne Graham Every Wednesday | 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Location: Birmingham Botanical Gardens $72 Yoga Six Class Series $15 Single Class Aflutter with Monarchs: Garden Expedition For children K - 3rd grade Instructor: Sharon Pollard Saturday, November 9| 10 - noon Location: Birmingham Botanical Gardens $12 Members | $15 Non-Members Handmade Soap with the Burks Instructor: Winfield & Elinor D. Burks November 12| 1:30 -3 pm Location: Birmingham Botanical Gardens – Adventure Classroom $15 Individual| $25 Family Holiday Wreaths Instructor: Casey Thomas November 15 | 4 – 5:30 pm Location: Birmingham Botanical Gardens – Exploration Classroom $25 Members| $35 Non-Members Photography Class: Memorable Images Instructor: Hank Siegel November 16 & 23 | 9 – noon Location: Birmingham Botanical Gardens – Exploration Classroom $100 members | $120 Non-Members Photography Class: Seasonal Series Instructor: Hank Siegel December 7 | 9 – noon Location: Birmingham Botanical Gardens – Exploration Classroom $65 members | $75 Non-Members
8
ANOTHER RECORD YEAR FOR EDUCATION
Henry Hughes, Director of Education
The education staff has posted a record-setting year in 2012/13, demonstrating its on-going commitment to The Gardens’ mission of delivering excellent programs appreciated by Birmingham’s diverse community. Classes, field trips, lectures, films, exhibits and hands-on displays emphasize plants, gardening and the natural environment and the interactions of people with them. Universal access to programs – the inclusion of all who wish to participate - is the intent of the education staff and has much to do with the record setting numbers. Overall participation in all education programs in 2012/13 trended upward to a record high of 26,182 individuals, 4% over 2011/12, itself a record high, 8% over 2010/11. Participation of 15,314 children in 2012/13 was approximately equivalent to those participating in 2011/12 following a 12% increase over 2010/11. Participation of adults in 2012/13 was 10,868, 12% over 2011/12 following a 13% increase over 2010/11. Participation in Plant Adventures, headed by Jennifer Sanders, was up to a record high of 1,208 in 2012/13 from 937 participants in 2011/12 and 365 in 2010/11. Children’s Discovery Field Trips, headed by Ellen Hardy, exceeded 10,000 participants for the second year in a row, posting an increase of 9% in 2012/13 following a 4% increase in 2011/12. Children’s Summer Workshop increased to a record high of 280 participants. On-Site Adult Programs, headed by Dawn Coleman, increased to a record high of 7,231 participants. This included 625 participants in the Certificate of Native Plant Studies program, headed by John Manion, 15% up in its second year. The number of participating education volunteers increased 20% over 2011/12 with an increase of 2% in contributed hours, indicating more volunteers working fewer hours (19 hours/year/ volunteer). Volunteer Coordinator, Taylor Steele, also contributed considerably to education, organizing seminars, outreach activities and weekend programs. New education programs included “Get Into the Gardens” and “Sunday Scenes,” free for those visiting The Gardens on weekends. “Hikes for Tykes” with Fresh Air Family entered its fifth year of nature hikes for parents and children. Development of new programs included a new middle school Discovery Field Trip, “Plants Inside-Out,” on photosynthesis and respiration, to be launched in late 2013 and a seventh elementary field trip on pollinators to be launched in the fall of 2014. Partnership development with several new key organizations included the Birmingham Audubon Society, The Community Garden Coalition for Birmingham and the Environmental Initiative of Alabama. The 2012/13 Education Summary and Report may be accessed at www.bbgardens.org/education.