Little Sprouts

Explore the outdoors with your children ages 18 months to 3 years at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden. Spend your morning in the garden for story time and activities with Carlos the Cactus! This month we will be reading the book, Bird Builds a Nest by Martin Jenkins. Discover with us as we learn all about our flying friends and why they can be very important part of a garden. See you there! (Sign in upon arrival)

Location: Backyard Veggie Garden (#25 on FWBG Map)

Age: Catered to 18 months to 3 years old, all ages welcome

Free to the public!

The Botanical Research Institute of Texas would like to thank you, our Vine to Table Sponsors for your support through stormy weather! 

Presenting Sponsor

Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo

Epicurean                                                    Connoisseur

Paul Dorman                                               Amegy Bank

Healthy America                                         Sasha C. & Edward P. Bass

Hiley Buick GMC                                         Ann Marie & Douglas Bratton/

Jetta Operating Company Inc.                    Kim & Glenn Darden

Gina & Bob Ravnaas                                  Annette & Mike McColm

                                                                   Vista Bank

Gourmet Table                                           Underwriters

Blue Ostrich Winey & Vineyard                Jobe & Helen Richards Foundation

Jeddy & Forrest Bowen/                           Trustees: Chicotsky

Martha & Paxton Motheral                       Gruene Anolyte

Meta Alice Keith Bratten                           Beth & Randall Gideon

Foundation                                           

Stephanie & William Brentlinger               In-Kind Sponsors

Diesslin Group, Inc.                                   360West

Marilyn Gilbert                                           J.O. Design

Janie & Jim Harper/                                   Standard Meat

Karen & Thomas Williams                         Ben E. Keith

Human Source Foundation                       Vino del Sol

J.P. Morgan Private Bank                          Flowers To Go

Dana & Dee Kelly                                       Business Press

Kathy & Jon Kelly                                       TX Whiskey

Luther King Capital Management             Hampton Inn & Suites

Eunice and Kelly McColm                         

Laura-Ashton & John Moncrief/              

Therese & Tom Moncrief                          Event Committee

Debbie & Charlie Morrison                       Rhonda Davidson, Auction Chair

Capt. Robert J. O’Kennon                        Judy Graves, Volunteer Co-Chair

Peloton Land Solutions, Inc.                    Marcee James, Rentals Chair

Ally & Davis Ravnaas                               Eunice McColm, Volunteer Co-Chai

Cynthia & Terry Siegel                              Lindy Penny, Floral Chair

Sproles Woodard LLP                               Karen Williams, Chef Liaison Chair

SWBC                                                         

Host Committee                                         Marketing Committee      

Charles Amato                                            Forrest Bowen

Kaydee & Bill Bailey                                   James Day

Jil & Bradford Barnes                                 Marilyn Gilbert

Sasha C. & Edward P. Bass                       Aric Head

Laura & Greg Bird                                      Matt Hedges

Erica & Brad Bourland                               Richard Henderson

Jeddy & Forrest Bowen                             Charles Hess

Ann Marie & Doug Bratton                        Grant James

Stephanie & William Brentlinger                Lauren-Ashton Moncrief

Kim & Glenn Darden                                 Mary Palko

Rhonda & Steve Davidson                        Hugo Del Pozzo

Katie & James Day                                    Mark Presswood

Marinda & David Diesslin                          Cynthia Sadler

Mary Jane & Crawford Edwards

Josephine Garrett

Tera & Richard Garvey

Beth & Randall Gideon

Marilyn Gilbert

Judy & Lee Graves

Janie & Jim Harper

Monica & Aric Head

Victoria Prescott & Richard Henderson

Dr. Marie Holliday

Marcee & Grant James

Pat & Matt Johnson

Dana & Dee Kelly

Kathy & Jon Kelly

Adelaide B. Leavens

Mary & Daniel Matranga

Michelle & Scott McAfee

Eunice & Kelly McColm

Annette & Mike McColm

Lauren-Ashton & John Moncrief

Therese & Tom Moncrief

Debbie & Charlie Morrison

Martha & Paxton Motheral

Robert J. O’Kennon

Mary Palko

Lindy & Bill Penny

Paige & Ross Perez

Mary Perry

Pam & Mark Presswood

Ally & Davis Ravnaas

Hillary & Rand Ravnaas

Gail Rawl

Sandy & Edward Schneider

Jane & Mark Schoomaker

Cynthia &Terry Siegel

Mimi and Chad Stephens

Janice & Mark Thomas

Jana & Lewis Wall

Karen & Thomas Williams

Kimbell & Mitch Wynne

Come join in on the fun!

Spring is a beautiful time at BRIT and the Fort Worth Botanic Garden. Students have the opportunity to investigate our native prairie, become scientists in our herbarium of over 1.5 million plant species, explore the many areas of the gardens, and learn about plants in TEKS based, nature-inspired field study trips! 

Click here to view our Field Study Trip Guide with details and pricing. 

To book, contact Rachel at rlincoln@brit.org. Please provide number and grade level of students as well as preferred date, time and experience(s) for your trip. 

Join us for this special hands-on workshop that will cover the basics of hand-lettering and introduce a variety of delightful botanical borders, flourishes, and embellishments. We’ll use both medieval sources, such as the Book of Kells and some Books of Hours, as well as modern sources for inspiration. Tuition includes one hand lettering pen and pre-cut hot-press water color paper to complete in-class projects.

Instructor Mary DeChellis is a professional calligrapher and hand letterer in the D/FW area. A creative writer at heart, she received a B.A. in English Literature from the University of Tennessee and post-graduate Teaching Certificate from the State of Texas. In 2008 she discovered a different kind of writing, calligraphy, and since then has studied under some of today’s best calligraphers as a part of the vibrant Fort Worth Calligraphers Guild. In 2018, she was named a winner in the Graceful Envelope Contest for which her entry is currently on display in the National Association of Letter Carriers headquarters building in Washington, D.C. Mary combines her experience in teaching with her knowledge of calligraphy and her enthusiasm for creative expression through artistic hand lettering to create a one-of-a-kind classroom experience.. 

Please note: This class will be held at BRIT.

This class is SOLD OUT.

$40 members/$45 non-members

Create a lovely piece of art on prepared fabric using the natural pigments from flowers and leaves that you'll harvest from the BRIT campus.  Gardeners can preserve the colors of summer or a special flower while reliving some stress!

Instructor Nancy Curl has been a Tarrant County Master Gardener since 2007. She has served on the board of the TCMGA for 4 years and as president for 2 years. She was named Tarrant County Master Gardener of the Year and State Master Gardener of the Year, large counties in 2012.

As a Greenhouse, Oak Wilt, Propagation, and Rain Water Harvesting Advanced Trainer, she teaches gardening and garden- related topics at the Botanic Garden, TCC, Home & Garden shows, the Union Gospel Mission and garden clubs. She is the Education Coordinator for the TCMGA and the Water Works Learning Center at the Resource Connection of Tarrant County and she volunteers as a docent at the Botanic Garden Japanese Garden, Butterflies in the Garden, and with the BG/BRIT GROW Education Series.

Please note: This class will be held at BRIT.

$30 members/$35 non-members

Join us for this day long workshop and you’ll learn how to identify common garden pests, diseases and nutrient deficiencies. Learn how to identify the root causes of common problems and the best steps to take to fix these problems. With the help of a microscope, students will examine their own garden soil under a microscope. They'll learn how to test plant material with a refractometer and how to use different sprayers. 

Instructors Kim Martin and Laurie Bostic, owners of Barking Cat Farm, focus on growing high quality crops in an organic and sustainable manner. Brix testing is done regularly to monitor the nutritional quality of the produce and compost and compost teas are applied to the soil to ensure that soil biology is constantly improving. Both Laurie & Kim have their Permaculture Design Certificate from Geoff Lawton’s Permaculture Design Course. Both have studied under Dr. Elaine Ingham and are working towards becoming Certified Soil Life Consultants. They offer permaculture design and soil biology consulting services to other growers and gardeners.

Please note: This class will be held at BRIT.

$75 members/$85 non-members

Children ages 18 months to 5 years and their families join Bella the Begonia for story time and self-guided activities on BRIT’s First Saturday events. After story time, join Bella in the Tree House for nature explorations!

Location: BRIT (1700 University Drive Fort Worth, TX 76107)

Age: Catered to ages 18 months to 5 years, all ages welcome

Free to the public!

$7 per scout

Click here to register!

Please contact rlincoln@brit.org with any questions or concerns. 

What makes the BRIT Researchers tick? How did they develop an interest in botany, and how did they end up here? Find out at this very special presentation! Members of the BRIT Research staff will give a series of five-minute "lightning talks" about how they got started in science and what their current job entails. There will be time for questions and answers after.

Join us in strengthening your environmental awareness while flexing your Project-Based-Learning (PBL) muscle. Gain a greater understanding of natural systems and the human connections associated with them by considering all aspects of sustainability (environmental, economic, and social).

Click here to register. 

This Boot Camp experience will provide participants with the opportunity to:

• Work with BRIT researchers and staff to gain a greater understanding of biological systems and how they are affected by ever-changing conditions.

• Connect with local partners and educators who focus on critical environmental issues to grow your professional learning network.

• Scaffold E- STEM lessons to promote PBL with rigor, innovation, and curiosity.

• Explore real-world applications while connecting learners with their community in order to create future leaders and pathways to STEM careers.

Date:   June 10-13, 2019

Time:   8:30 a.m.—4:00 p.m.

Cost:    $300 for individuals OR $250 per person for teams of three (3) or more from the same school

Includes: Breakfast, lunch, resources, AND CPE credits plus 6 updated G/T hours

Camp BRIT offers a variety of experiences for children in preschool through fifth grade. Each week long camp session encourages children to connect with the wonders of nature and their local environment through science explorations, artistic activities, and special opportunities available only at BRIT and the Fort Worth Botanic Garden campus.

Click here to register!

Sessions: 

Bella Goes to Camp

Campers will explore the role of plants as a food source - both their role in the food chain and how people use plants for food.

Age: Pre-K or K children; ages 4-5

Dates: June 10-13 or June 17-20

Times: Monday - Thursday from 9:00AM - 11:30AM

Cost: $90 per child/members, $110 per child/non-members

Little B.I.T.s - Little Botanists in Training

Campers will explore native plants on the BRIT Prairie - tall grasses & wildflowers, and their unique properties and

importance in nature.

Age: Students entering 1st or 2nd grades; ages 6-7

Dates: June 24-27 or July 8-11

Time: Monday-Thursday from 9:00AM - 3:30PM

Cost: $200 per child/members. $250 per child/non-members

My Plants, My Place

Campers will explore the native prairie ecosystem, its history, and the impact a prairie still has on our day to day lives.

Age: Students entering 3rd - 5th; ages 8-10

Dates: June 24-27 or July 8-11

Time: Monday-Thursday 9:00AM - 3:30PM

Cost: $200 per child/members, $250 per child/non-members

Join Agnes Slociak Knasiak for a hands-on class which will explore the unusual way in which ferns propagate, as they bear no flowers or seed pods. You will probe into this very primitive process of plant sexual reproduction.  You will take home pots ready to bring the mystery of spore reproduction into its full glory and will have several new ferns to add to your plant collection.

Instructor Agnieszka Slociak Knasiak, has degrees from two universities in Europe including a PhD in Horticulture. During her doctoral study in Wroclaw, Poland she took special classes for “The Art of Floral Design.” She creates the flower designs each year for the Japanese Garden Festivals. She also designs arrangements for special events in Botanic Garden such as birthday parties, anniversaries, funerals, holidays tables, etc. She is currently a Greenhouse Attendant at the Botanic Garden.

Please note: This class will be held at the FWBG.

$20 members/$25 non-members

From Amazon.com: "In six compelling essays, Wes Jackson lays the foundation for a new farming economy grounded in nature’s principles. Exploding the tenets of industrial agriculture, Jackson, a respected advocate for sustainable practices and the founder of The Land Institute, seeks to integrate food production with nature in a way that sustains both."

This two-day workshop is designed as an introduction (or intermediate refresher) to painting in oils with an emphasis on color mixing. The BRIT Studio will offer botanical specimens and objects from the collection for still lifes, or participants can work from reference photographs or drawings. We will also discuss tips for working cleanly and safely with oil paint at home. This course is well suited for someone with no oil painting experience, but who has some experience with drawing or watercolor. If you have painted in oils before but would like a refresher and new inspiration from BRIT’s collection, this is also the class for you. Please bring a brown bag lunch and snack each day, and be prepared to complete one or two paintings in this immersive workshop experience!

Instructor Devon Nowlin is a Fort Worth native who holds a BFA from the University of North Texas (2004) and an MFA from Texas Christian University (2011). Her oil paintings often feature figures set in an abstracted, densely-patterned, or botanical-inspired settings and can be seen regularly around town at Artspace 111 and the Fort Worth Community Art Center. Nowlin has taught at TCU, The Modern, and the Rachofsky Warehouse and is currently the Assistant Registrar at the Amon Carter Museum. Her public art works include "Trailing the Trinity," commissioned by Fort Worth Public Art for the Clearfork Main Street Bridge and the "Look Book Fort Worth" photographic series for the Westbend development on University Drive.

Please Note: This class will be held at BRIT.

This class will meet on:
Saturday, June 29     10am - 3pm
Sunday, June 30        10am - 3pm 

$175 members/$185 non-members

Click HERE for a complete list of required materials

This one day, hands-on workshop will provide students with an introduction to the versatility of ink for botanical subjects. This class will cover basics like contour lines, stippling, hatching and cross hatching, and ink washes. 

Instructor Samantha Peters is a science illustrator based in Dallas, Texas. She received her B.S. in Biology with an emphasis in Neurobiology from the University of Texas at Austin and attended the School of Medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, leaving once she realized illustrating her study guides was more fun than actually studying them. Afterwards, while living in New York City, she discovered a love of botanical art through classes at the New York Botanical Garden, and decided to pursue science illustration full time, attending the graduate program in Science Illustration at California State University, Monterey Bay. Samantha currently works in the graphics department at the Dallas Zoo and is the President of the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators Texas Group. Member of the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators and the American Society of Botanical Artists. 

Please note: This class will be held at BRIT.

$85 members/$95 non-members

Click HERE  for a complete list of materials.

Lean how to plan your landscape with Texas-tough plants that do well during the heat and drought and how we can ensure they survive the long, hot days of summer.

Instructor Theresa Kay Thomas is a member of the Tarrant County Master Gardener Association, the North Central Native Plant Society of Texas and a Cross Timbers Master Naturalist. She is Co-lead at the Southwest Regional Library Native Plant Demonstration Gardens.

Please note: This class will be held at the FWBG.

$20 members/$25 non-members

Did you know that Fall is the best time to garden in North Central Texas? Join us for this five-hour workshop and learn how to take advantage of this time of year in your garden and learn how to battle the elements during the rest of the year. You’ll cover a variety of topics including site selection, irrigation, soil biology, specialty gardens like herb, salad and salsa gardens, and much more. 

Instructors Kim Martin and Laurie Bostic, owners of Barking Cat Farm, focus on growing high quality crops in an organic and sustainable manner. Brix testing is done regularly to monitor the nutritional quality of the produce and compost and compost teas are applied to the soil to ensure that soil biology is constantly improving. Both Laurie & Kim have their Permaculture Design Certificate from Geoff Lawton’s Permaculture Design Course. Both have studied under Dr. Elaine Ingham and are working towards becoming Certified Soil Life Consultants. They offer permaculture design and soil biology consulting services to other growers and gardeners.

Please note: This class will be held at BRIT.

$75 members/$85 non-members

Nothing tastes better than a nourishing salad with a zippy homemade salad dressing! Culinary Dietitian Dixya Bhattarai will teach the art of well-composed, nutritious salad inspired by seasonal and local ingredients. She will share her tips for adding pops of color, bursts of flavors and unexpected textures for every lifestyle. To dress the salad, you will whip up a punchy vinaigrette and a creamy dressing.

Instructor Dixya Bhattarai graduated with a major in dietetics and a minor in Biology from Idaho State University in 2010 before she received a Master of Science in Nutrition in 2016. She has 6+ years of experience in acute care clinical dietetics and food service management. She also collaborates with corporate wellness companies through nutrition education, cooking demonstration, and workshops. To learn more about Dixya, please visit: https://www.foodpleasureandhealth.com/.

Please note: This class will be held at BRIT.

$40 members/$45 non-members

Do you want an organic garden?  Have you heard about companion plants for your vegetables? Come learn about “insectary plants” and the beneficial insects they support.  Use Nature’s predator-and-prey relationships in insect control.

Instructor Gail Manning is an entomologist and has been at the Botanic Garden for 13 years. Her focus is conservation and citizen science, primarily on the monarch butterfly. 

Please note: this class will take place at the FWBG.

$20 members/$25 non-members

In this two hour, hands-on class floral designer Stephanie Bergmann will teach you how to take that grocery store bundle of flowers and make a unique arrangement for your home. This is the class for you if you've ever wondered how florists compose a perfect arrangement, where they get their inspiration, how they work with difficult vases and containers, and how they take common everyday items found in most gardens and turn them into something special. 

Please note: This class will be held at BRIT.

$40 member/$45 non-member

Using papers strewn with leaves and petals, students will construct an eye-catching, sewn binding, handmade book. We will discuss papers, peruse examples of similar book structures, and learn the step-by-step process for designing and assembling your book. Your handmade book can later be used for writing, drawing, or nature journaling. Craft a book as a gift for a friend, family member, or keep it for yourself!

Instructor Carol Parker Mittal is an energetic and creative teaching artist with experience in educational program development and implementation, writing, and working in arts settings with students and participants of all ages. She has a unique ability to communicate her love of art to her students, to  motivate them to accomplish projects that they might not otherwise attempt and to celebrate their successes. You can see examples of her book binding work at Attack Cat Studio.

Please note: This class will be held at BRIT.

$40 member/$45 non-member

From Amazon.com: "The acclaimed author of Motoring with Mohammed brings us a compelling adventure into the remarkable world of the orchid and the impossibly bizarre array of international characters who dedicate their lives to it."

Click here to register! 

K-2nd: Enjoy story time with Carlos the Cactus as he teaches us about the importance of pollinators in the Backyard Veggie Garden. Then explore the garden as we work together to solve the Case of the Fallen Pollen and discover why pollinators are disappearing.

3rd-5th: Saddle up as we head out for a Texas Ecoregion Roundup! The flora and fauna from each ecoregion need your help to find their way home. Work together to determine which animals and plants belong where.

6th-10th: Think like a scientific engineer while examining two distinct sets of soils to determine which type is used on BRIT’s very own living roof. Texas Instruments Nspires and probes will be in used outdoors, and drop-ins experts will help establish career pathways.

Times:
K-5th:10:00—11:30, meet/park/pick up at the Japanese Garden Parking Lot. We will have a sign in sheet for students there.

6th-10th: 9:45—Noon, meet in the BRIT Atrium (1700 University Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76107) ** Parking is available outside of BRIT**

Cost: $5 per person (includes adults and children)

All compost is not created equal so, if you've learned the basics of composting, come take a deeper dive and learn which type of composting is considered the gold standard and how to make aerated compost tea. Learn how to determine whether your soil needs fungal or bacterial compost, how to make these two types of compost and the best way to use both. Join us for this 5 hour hands-on workshop and harness the power of compost! 

Instructors Kim Martin and Laurie Bostic, owners of Barking Cat Farm, focus on growing high quality crops in an organic and sustainable manner. Brix testing is done regularly to monitor the nutritional quality of the produce and compost and compost teas are applied to the soil to ensure that soil biology is constantly improving. Both Laurie & Kim have their Permaculture Design Certificate from Geoff Lawton’s Permaculture Design Course. Both have studied under Dr. Elaine Ingham and are working towards becoming Certified Soil Life Consultants. They offer permaculture design and soil biology consulting services to other growers and gardeners.

Please note: This class will be held at BRIT.

$75 members/$85 non-members

Join Agrilife Horticulturalist Steve Chaney to learn how to work smarter not harder to have a luscious landscape by choosing more efficient methods of watering as you add plants that require less water.  Learn to maintain your yard even with the water restrictions that are necessary in our climate.  

Instructor Steve Chaney is originally from a small town in Southern Oklahoma where he learned to love the garden from a very young age.  After receiving two BS degrees from Oklahoma State University in Landscape Architecture and Marketing, he owned and operated a design/building firm for over ten years before joining the Extension family and acquiring his Master’s Degree in Agricultural Education.  He first served as a CEA in Wichita County and, after four years, continued his service to the community as a CEA in Tarrant County, where he still continues to make a significant impact.  His experience and expertise have helped the Tarrant County Home Horticulture programs to become recognized as ‘tops in the state’.

Please note: This class will be held at FWBG.

$20 members/$25 non-members

$10 per scout

Location: BRIT 1700 University Drive Fort Worth,TX 76107

Parking: You can park in BRIT's main parking lot. Kat, our program lead, will be there to greet you inside the main entrance!

Click here to register! 

Contact rlincoln@brit.org with any questions or concerns. 

The key to growing nutrient dense food and happy plants is having healthy, functioning soil in your garden. The organisms living in soil are crucial to soil health and in this five hour, hands-on class participants will work with microscopes to identify the different types of organisms that live in the soil and learn how to manage them for optimal soil health. This workshop will give you an understanding of how to use soil biology in your organic gardening to grow tasty, healthy, nutritious food. 

Instructors Kim Martin and Laurie Bostic, owners of Barking Cat Farm, focus on growing high quality crops in an organic and sustainable manner. Brix testing is done regularly to monitor the nutritional quality of the produce and compost and compost teas are applied to the soil to ensure that soil biology is constantly improving. Both Laurie & Kim have their Permaculture Design Certificate from Geoff Lawton’s Permaculture Design Course. Both have studied under Dr. Elaine Ingham and are working towards becoming Certified Soil Life Consultants. They offer permaculture design and soil biology consulting services to other growers and gardeners.

Please note: This class will be held at BRIT.

$75 members/$85 non-members

Not sure what to do with your bumper crop of basil? Are you swimming in sage? Overrun by mint? Learn how to use your late summer harvest of herbs to create several different types of pesto and bring fresh, new tastes to your dinner table.

Instructor Nancy Curl has been a Tarrant County Master Gardener since 2007. She has served on the board of the TCMGA for 4 years and as president for 2 years. She was named Tarrant County Master Gardener of the Year and State Master Gardener of the Year, large counties in 2012. As a Greenhouse, Oak Wilt, Propagation, and Rain Water Harvesting Advanced Trainer, she teaches gardening and garden- related topics at the Botanic Garden, TCC, Home & Garden shows, the Union Gospel Mission and garden clubs. She is the Education Coordinator for the TCMGA and the Water Works Learning Center at the Resource Connection of Tarrant County and she volunteers as a docent at the Botanic Garden Japanese Garden, Butterflies in the Garden, and with the BG/BRIT GROW Education Series.

Please note: This class will be held at BRIT.

$20 members/$25 non-members

Join us for this fast paced, fun, hands on workshop and paint a 20' x 16” portrait of your beloved plant and/or favorite plant specimen. Class will begin with the instructor demonstrating various painting techniques that can be achieved with acrylic paint. We will also talk about how to create compositional balance within the painting and how to correctly use color. For further inspiration, we will look at contemporary artists who have worked with similar subject matter. Students may choose to paint from life or from a photograph. 

Instructor Erika Duque is a painter who lives and works in Fort Worth, TX. She is originally from Flushing, Queens, NY. Duque received her BFA at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She is currently an MFA candidate at TCU in painting and graduates in May of 2018. http://www.erikaduque.com

Please note: This class will be held at BRIT.

$85 members/$95 non-members

August and September in most North Texas gardens is a time of transition. The spring and summer vegetables have finished up and their fall counterparts are just getting started. Peppers are one plant that shines in late summer all the way through to the first frost. Your plants may be producing much more than you know what to do with. Canning or pickling them is a great way to store extra garden produce or in season groceries when the prices are low. Participants will enjoy a hands-on class on pickling peppers (sweet or hot) with an experienced instructor before trying it themselves at home.

As a semi-retired CPA, instructor Teresa Day-Fickel enjoys gardening and volunteering her time as a Tarrant County Master Gardener and has completed advanced training in Vegetables, Propagation, and Greenhouse Management. She loves teaching people how to grow, harvest and preserve food at the Harvesting Hope Community Garden in Arlington. She is always ready to lend a hand at the Tarrant Area Food Bank Kindred Spirits Kitchen Garden and she developed and teaches the food preservation series of classes at the TAFB demonstration kitchen.

Please note: This class will be held at BRIT.

$30 members/$35 non-members