LEARN
DESERT BOTANICAL GARDEN EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES
JUNE – AUGUST 2026
LIFELONG LEARNING STARTS HERE
GARDENING & LANDSCAPE
Summer Survival for Vegetable Gardens | Emily Heller
June 3, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Members: $24.95 | General Public: $34.95
Cactus in Containers | Angelica Elliott
June 5, 9-11:30 a.m.
Members: $51.95 | General Public: $64.95
Build a Desert Terrarium | Jennifer Balcom
June 6, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1-3 p.m.
Members: $119.95 | General Public: $144.95 (Per class)
This hands-on experience will allow you to build a miniature garden inside a glass container. Learn layering techniques and choose from succulents, mini plants and dried elements to create a low maintenance eco-system to take home. Specialty tools will be yours to keep.
Orchid 101: Hands-On Potting and Intro to Orchid Care | Desert Valley Orchid Society
June 20, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Members: $39.95 | General Public: $49.95
Monsoon Gardening | Melissa Kruse-Peeples
June 24, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Members: $24.95 | General Public: $34.95
The Arizona monsoon is considered our second spring season which can be redemption for a failed spring garden or perhaps another chance to grow all of your favorite warmseason crops like tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, beans, corn and more. We will discuss the weather patterns expected during the monsoon season, how to protect your garden from late summer sun to monsoon winds and what is appropriate to plant during this season. Take home some seeds to get your monsoon garden started.
How to Successfully Grow Grocery Store Orchids | Desert Valley Orchid Society
July 23, August 13, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Members: $39.95 | General Public: $49.95
Learn practical, easy-to-apply techniques for long-term success growing Phalaenopsis orchids and other specialty orchids available at grocery stores or local retailers. Class topics include proper light, watering, repotting, reblooming and general plant health. Bring in your own orchid for informal diagnosis and discussion.
Flower Gardening in the Low Desert | Angela Judd
August 19, 6-7:30 p.m.
Members: $24.95 | General Public: $34.95
Designing and Planning a Fall Native Plant Garden | Danielle Carlock
August 26, 6-8 p.m.
Members: $24.95 | General Public: $34.95
All art supplies included unless otherwise specified.
Desert Inspired Printmaking | Kenna
Connelly
June 2, July 9, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Members: $44.95 | General Public: $54.95 (Per class)
June 2: Gelli Plate Nature Printing.
July 9: Desert Inspired Relief Print Card Making Workshop.
Mosaic Flower Planter | David Jarvinen
June 10, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Members: $99.95 | General Public: $129.95
Join this interactive workshop using broken dishes, referred to as Pique Assiette in the mosaic world. Dishes are pre-broken, allowing for manipulation much like tiles. Mix and match patterns on your new 10 inch cactus planter.
Nature Journaling Indoors |
Dakota Drake
June 12, 9-11 a.m.
Members: $24.95 | General Public: $34.95
Still-Life Watercolor: Paint Desert Plants |
Christin Quissell
June 26; July 24; August 28, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Members: $44.95 | General Public: $54.95 (Per class)
Beat the heat and pamper your creative side: Paint cactus and other desert plants still-life indoors at the Garden. Explore watercolor and paint spines, pleats and the back-lit glow of a barrel cactus; the roundness and pleats of a saguaro; negative space and the jaunty prickly pear.
Mosaic Hummingbird | David Jarvinen
July 15, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Members: $99.95 | General Public: $129.95
The Art of Calligraphy | Devon Meyer
August 4, 5:30-8 p.m.
Members: $44.95 | General Public: $54.95
Handwritten decorative lettering is an ancient art that has many modern uses. Learn how to use your handwriting to craft your own modern script. Explore the right tools and practice step-by-step calligraphy techniques such as basic letter formations and brushstrokes.
Hummingbirds in Colored Pencil | Devon Meyer
August 18, 5:30-8 p.m.
Members: $44.95 | General Public: $54.95
COOKING COOKING
Summer Herbal Iced Teas Desert Hydration | Jennifer Ribaudo
June 13, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Members: $44.95 | General Public: $54.95
Cool down in the desert heat with refreshing herbal drinks that truly support hydration. Learn about key cooling and mineral-rich herbs. We will demonstrate simple methods for making iced herbal infusions and share practical tips for staying well in our hot, dry climate. Enjoy a tasting of several recipes to create at home with your own custom iced herbal blends.
FORAGING
Summer Foraging in the Sonoran Desert: Cactus Fruit, Mushrooms and Nutritious Greens | John Slattery
Jul 17, 1-3 p.m.
Members: $44.95 | General Public: $54.95
The annual arrival of the summer monsoon rains can generate an abundance of wild foods from low to high elevations in the Sonoran desert region from wild greens to cactus fruit to nuts, berries, roots and mushrooms.
Join John Slattery for a detailed exploration of a variety of wild plant foods that you can forage from low to high elevations this summer with key points on plant identification, gathering and processing techniques and how to consume these wildly delicious foods.
La Bellota: The Exceptional Emory Oak and its Acorns | John Slattery
July 18, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Members: $64.95 | General Public: $74.95
This enigmatic oak and acorn may very well be the namesake for Arizona. Today, they are still the spiritual food of the Apache and are a main commercial wild food crop of northern Sonora. Explore all aspects of this tree and acorn and sample some treats made from the Emory oak acorns.
PHOTOGRAPHY
DSLR PHOTOGRAPHY
Low-Light Photography | Rick White-Pickett
June 2, 6-8:30 p.m.
Members: $24.95 | General Public: $34.95
Explore the art of low-light photography using your DSLR, learning how to shape light, shadow, and atmosphere through intentional camera control. This workshop focuses on creating expressive, well-crafted images after dark by mastering exposure, stability, and the nuances of available light.
Sunset and Night Photography | Ryan Parra
June 23, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Members: $24.95 | General Public: $34.95
Light Painting Photography, | Rick White-Pickett
July 16, 6-8:30 p.m.
Members: $24.95 | General Public: $34.95
SMARTPHONE PHOTOGRAPHY
Low Light Photography (Smartphone) | Rick White-Pickett
June 16, 6-8:30 p.m.
Members: $24.95 | General Public: $34.95
Sunset and Night Photography (iPhone®) | Ryan Parra
June 25, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Members: $24.95 | General Public: $34.95
Learn how to capture golden hour, sunset and nighttime at the Garden on your iPhone®. We will focus on camera settings and composition to capture stunning images of the Garden in unique lighting conditions.
Photo by Rick White-Pickett
NATURE & ECOLOGY
Southeast Arizona Specialty Birds | Kathe Anderson
June 18, 7:30-9:30 a.m.
Members: $24.95 | General Public: $34.95
Southeast Arizona is a hotspot to find unusual birds. Find out why this area attracts such rare birds, where to go, and what species you might see. Get tips on planning a trip to this birding area and learn about the Arizona Woodpecker, Elegant Trogon, Sulfurbellied Flycatcher, Violet-crowned Hummingbird and several sparrows found only in Arizona.
Owls | Kathe Anderson
July 21, 6-7:30 p.m.
Members: $24.95 | General Public: $34.95
Is an owl a raptor? What kinds of nests do they build? What do they eat? In addition to a few cultural references to owls, explore the unique and wondrous anatomical features of an owl and describe five common owls found in Arizona.
Vultures and Condors | Kathe Anderson
August 20, 7:30-9:30 a.m.
Members: $24.95 | General Public: $34.95
Many folks dismiss vultures as ugly birds with a bad reputation, but they figure prominently in mythology all around the world for reasons that may not be immediately obvious. Find out what’s unusual about these amazing birds and why they are critical to our ecosystem.
Wellness
Wednesdays
A Desert Oasis: Summer at the Garden Experience
Sunrise Yoga
June 3, 10, 17, 24; July 8, 15, 22, 29; August 5, 12, 19, 26; September 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 7-8 a.m.
Members: $14.95 | General Public: $19.95 (Per class)
Sunset Sound Meditation (Indoors)
June 3, 10, 17, 24; July 8, 15, 22, 29; August 5, 12, 19, 26; September 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 6-7 p.m.
Members: $14.95 | General Public: $19.95 (Per class)
Build Your Home Herbal Apothecary
July 11, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Members: $39.95 | General Public: $49.95
Create a simple, practical home apothecary with herbs you’ll actually use. Explore top herbs for wellness and their key medicinal properties. Learn basic preparations like teas and oils, plus storage and safety tips for everyday use. Leave with a handout and clear ideas for stocking your own herbal medicine cabinet at home.
Medicinal Plants of the Desert Southwest
August 8, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Members: $39.95 | General Public: $49.95
Step into the world of the Sonoran Desert’s medicinal plants and uncover their incredible survival strategies and healing properties. Identify key Southwest medicinal plants and their practical applications in herbal remedies and everyday health. Participants receive a comprehensive handout featuring detailed plant profiles and recipes.
Create an Herbal Mini Spa
August 15, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Members: $39.95 | General Public: $49.95
The Sonoran Desert is abundant with plants that are fragrant, edible and filled with medicinal properties. Learn how herbs can help de-stress and promote self-care. Unwind in this hands-on class and create an eye serum, sugar scrub, lip balm, steam facial and salve.
DESERT DISCOVERY
CAMPs
DESERT DISCOVERY CAMPS
Join us for Desert Discovery Camps, where campers explore nature and learn about the beauty of the desert. This year’s camps feature science, outdoor skills, nature-inspired art, nature play and exploration. All summer camps include hands-on activities, guest speakers and exploration of the Garden trails.
Ages 6-8 and 9-12 | 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. | $295 Members | $345 General Admission
Registration closes the Thursday before camp.
Wild Art Studio | June
1-5
Unleash your imagination in the great outdoors! Enjoy hands-on art and science projects that spark discovery and encourage exploration of the desert. Learn how Garden researchers use art in their work, create crafts inspired by Indigenous traditions, and see the desert in a whole new way through nature-inspired activities. Designed for all skill levels.
Get Outdoors | June
8-12
Embark on an adventure of outdoor exploration and desert survival in the Garden. Enjoy wilderness activities like building shelters and campfire construction and an immersive exploration of the Garden.
Desert Laboratory |
June 15-19
Discover the science of nature with hands-on experiments and exploration. Activities blend desert adventures and fun scientific discovery with engineering challenges, microscope investigations and labs focused on desert plants and animals.
Nature Rangers |
June 22-26
Embark on a mission to become a hero for desert life! Explore and protect the natural world through hands-on experiments and outdoor activities, including planting and gardening, engineering challenges and up-close animal encounters.
DESERT
Dog Days of Summer
Saturdays, May 16 – Sept. 26
6-10 a.m.
Included in Membership or General Admission
Beat the heat with your four-legged best friend. Early mornings are made for wagging tails and cool trails, and the Garden opens its paths for pups and their people to explore the desert together.
Garden After Dark
June 1 – Sept. 20 5:30–10 p.m.
Included in Membership or General Admission Summer Garden After Dark is now extended. New immersive experiences. An indoor interactive space. A refreshing theme.
Sonoran Sippin’
Fridays, June 5-26 6-9 p.m.
Included in Membership or General Admission Celebrate Fri-YAY at the Garden. Kick start your weekend with themed Friday nights with a welcome drink and an evening in nature. Plus, enjoy live music and pop-up activities. 21+
Flashlight Nights
Saturdays, June 6 – Sept. 26
7-9:30 p.m.
Included in Membership or General Admission
Whether you’re planning a date night or a family adventure, discover the magic of Flashlight Nights
June 20: Father’s Day Celebration
Don’t forget, every class purchase includes admission to the Garden before or after your classes.
REFUND & CANCELATION POLICY
Refunds
Refunds can be issued for classes or cancelations with more than five business days’ notice. Please send your request to registrar@dbg.org or call 480.941.1225.
Cancelations
Desert Botanical Garden reserves the right to cancel programs at its discretion. Programs will run as scheduled, regardless of weather, unless participants are contacted directly by Garden staff either by phone or email. We reserve the right to substitute any instructors in the event of unforeseen circumstances.
