Children and parents will have a blast getting inspired by nature and engaging the senses at Young Artists in the Garden! Each week, this drop-in program includes activities like coloring, reading books, making a craft and playing games – all relating to a new garden topic. Bring a friend and join the fun in the Weisbrod Learning Pavilion, located in the Garden of the Five Senses.

Young Artists in the Garden is included with regular daily admission. Don’t forget – members visit free!

For details or questions about Young Artists in the Garden, please email Gina Walter (Education & Volunteer Coordinator) at gwalter@pittsburghbotanicgarden.org.

One of the hottest trends in public horticulture is including attractive edible plants in annual plantings. Gone are the days when your fruits and vegetables were relegated to the back forty. Join us as Education & Exhibits Director, Dr. Mark Miller, examines best practices, pretty planting combinations, choosing beautiful edibles and companion planting, among other concepts.

Members $10 | Nonmembers $15  (Please sign in to receive member discount)

About the Instructor

Dr. Mark Miller is the Education & Exhibits Director at Pittsburgh Botanic Garden. He earned his Ph.D. in Environment & Natural Resources at The Ohio State University and has over 40 years experience working as a landscape designer, tree crop specialist, educator, and director at botanical institutions and associations around the country.

Untangling Our Roots is a collaborative exhibition featuring the work of Peggi Habets and Lauren Braun. Join the artists for a deep dive into their artistic practice, sources of inspiration, and concepts examined throughout the exhibition. Peggi Habets and Lauren Braun’s exhibition features paintings, mixed-media collages, mobiles, and handmade objects. Read more about Untangling Our Roots >

This is a free, member-only program. Not a member? Click here to join today and enjoy members-only programs, discounted registrations, free admission, member newsletters, discounts, and more!

About the Artists

Peggi Habets lives and works as an artist in her hometown of Pittsburgh, PA. Her deep love for the fluidity and spontaneity of watercolor has led her to paint and teach in the medium for over 15 years. Her figurative and cityscape paintings have been exhibited and collected internationally and she has received awards in many prestigious shows, including the National Watercolor Society and the American Watercolor Society International Juried Exhibitions. Read More

Lauren Braun is an artist, certified mindfulness facilitator and educator based in Pittsburgh, PA. She creates mixed media collages and mobiles that explore themes of play, meditation, and nature. Lauren is a teaching artist offering workshops in meditation and collage at Contemporary Craft and mobile art classes with Fine Art Miracles where she works with senior citizens and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Read More

Cover photo courtesy of Nathan Shaulis / Porter Loves Photography (@porterloves)

Join Doug Oster from Gardening with Doug, and Dr. Mark Miller, Education & Exhibits Director, for a walk through the gardens and woodlands of Pittsburgh Botanic Garden to view and learn about the wondrous plants found here! This program’s focus will be on plants that shine in spring. There will be copious amounts of witty banter and plant-nerdy conversations. The tour will be followed by a delicious lunch featuring fresh, seasonal produce.

Also – it’s almost time to plant annuals, tropicals and much of your edible plants. Doug will wax lyrical about his favorite seasonal plants and produce – and will have some seeds/seedlings of lesser-known gems.

Members $45  |  Nonmembers $55

About the Instructor

Doug Oster is a writer, radio and television host, and Emmy-winning producer. He currently hosts The Organic Gardener Radio Show every Sunday morning at 7am on KDKA Radio, and writes feature articles for Pittsburgh Earth Day’s Green Voice e-newsletter.

Dr. Mark Miller is the Education & Exhibits Director at Pittsburgh Botanic Garden. He earned his Ph.D. in Environment & Natural Resources at The Ohio State University and has over 40 years experience working as a landscape designer, tree crop specialist, educator, and director at botanical institutions and associations around the country.

Please be sure you have signed in to receive member registration discount.

Explore the ancient tool of walking a labyrinth for healing, wholeness and meditation. This practice dates back as early as 400 BCE. In this program, participants will learn to connect to the strength of your ancestors, one step at a time. You will also learn to release difficult fates and family trauma, then step into your power. Through this practice, you will embrace inner peace, harmony, clarity and love which comes to you through the generations, then let that love flow!

Members $25 | Nonmembers $30

About the Instructor

Dorit Brauer provides the education and the tools that you need to live your best life by optimizing your health and achieving an in-depth understanding between body, mind and spirit. She offers a comprehensive approach including Guided Imagery Meditation and Trans-Generational Healing, dedicated to unlocking your highest potential so that you can experience a life of equilibrium, fulfillment, and good health. Dorit started her career in the US at the UPMC’s Center for Integrative Medicine and she developed meditation and stress reduction programs for Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and many other corporate sites.

This program is suitable for adults, or children age 14-17 accompanied by adults. Please be sure you have signed in to receive member registration discount.

Join naturalist April Claus as she introduces you to things that creep and slither at the Garden. This hands-on interactive program introduces you to the more common reptiles and amphibians of Pennsylvania. Learn how to identify frogs and toads by their call, examine touchable models and learn how to identify venomous snakes living in the area. Participants will have the opportunity to interact with live snakes, toads, turtles and salamanders! Bring your boots and be ready to get dirty in search of different habitats for “herptiles.”

Members $20 | Nonmembers $25  (Please sign in to receive member discount)

About the Instructor

April Claus is an environmental educator and naturalist. After completing her degree at Allegheny College, she received a M.S. in Biology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where she was field director of the Pennsylvania Herpetological Atlas Project. In 2000, she founded Interactive Environmental Programs to introduce Pennsylvanians to their lesser-known flora and fauna. In 2006, April received the Outstanding Environmental Educator of the Year Award by the Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Educators (PAEE). She has been featured on WQED, received an award from the PA Environmental Council, and started several environmental science programs in schools around Pittsburgh. April currently serves as an adjunct faculty member in the Environmental Science and Sustainability Department at Allegheny College.

Program suitable for children ages 7 years and older. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Tai Chi and Qigong (“chee-kung”) are ancient Chinese wellness practices rooted in the Daoist philosophy of living in harmony with nature. Through movement and stillness you will explore how the patterns and rhythms of the universe resonate within you. Learn how mindful use of breath, grounding, and gentle, fluid movement can nourish your sense of wholeness, vitality and serenity. Let the beauty and calm of the garden move you! Feel the support of the earth below and the open sky above to replenish your energy, find balance, and joy. Classes are taught standing with some seating provided. No equipment is needed. Wear comfortable everyday clothes. Please wear flat, flexible shoes attached at the heel.

Members $20 | Nonmembers $25  (Please sign in to receive member discount)

About the Instructor

Gurney Bolster (she/her) has an MA in Dance/Movement Therapy and has been studying dance, tai chi and western approaches to mind-body integration since 1977. For 18 years she was an adjunct professor in the contemporary dance departments of Concordia University and the University of Quebec in Montreal, teaching dancers and dance teachers to understand and respect the body, to move safely and effectively, how to avoid injury, and how to heal more quickly after injury or illness. She has worked with people of all ages and abilities to help them enjoy their natural power, grace and expression in movement.

Gurney formed Tai Chi for Health Pittsburgh upon moving here in 2005. She has taught tai chi for Allegheny Health Network’s Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, Highmark, CCAC Life Enrichment and the Allegheny County Public Health Department. She teaches her own classes online and in-person at numerous locations in the area. For more information visit taichiforhealthpittsburgh.com.

No experience or equipment necessary. Please wear flat, comfortable shoes and dress appropriately for weather conditions. This program will be held outside, weather permitting, and may be moved indoors in the case of inclement weather.

Join us and experience nature’s power to soothe, refresh, and open your heart. The Japanese practice of Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing in English) is a slow, sensory-based walk in the woods, during which we focus on the sights, sounds, smells, feels and tastes of nature. This is neither a naturalist exploration nor a fitness trek; this walk is about soaking in the health benefits of spending relaxed time in nature. It’s also about tending and mending our relationships with nature, ourselves, and others. There are no requirements – just come as you are.

Members $35 | Nonmembers $45  (Please sign in to receive member discount)

About the Instructor

Doug Jones received his certification as a Forest Therapy Guide in 2020 from the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and Programs (ANFT). Prior to beginning his Forest Therapy practice, he worked as an independent psychologist in Sewickley, Pennsylvania and at Sewickley Academy for over 30 years. In retirement, his goal is to guide walks as a way of staying in service to others and nature. The encounters that occur during a Forest Therapy walk provide participants with the opportunity to recollect and embody their sense of being at home in nature and with themselves. The ANFT motto is: “The forest is the therapist, the guide opens the doors.”

Program suitable for adults (18+) and children age 16 years and older, if accompanied by an adult.

Take a look into the future of the Garden! Pittsburgh Botanic Garden has been developing a new site master plan to guide future projects as the Garden continues to grow for years to come. The next phase of this project involves gathering feedback from members about their needs and to ensure these plans reflect the visitor’s experience. If you are interested in learning about this developing site master plan project and offering feedback, this workshop is for you.

This is a free, member-only workshop. Not a member? Click here to join today and enjoy members-only programs, discounted registrations, free admission, member newsletters, discounts, and more!

Children and parents will have a blast getting inspired by nature and engaging the senses at Young Artists in the Garden! Each week, this drop-in program includes activities like coloring, reading books, making a craft and playing games – all relating to a new garden topic. Bring a friend and join the fun in the Weisbrod Learning Pavilion, located in the Garden of the Five Senses.

Young Artists in the Garden is included with regular daily admission. Don’t forget – members visit free!

For details or questions about Young Artists in the Garden, please email Gina Walter (Education & Volunteer Coordinator) at gwalter@pittsburghbotanicgarden.org.

Improve flexibility, strength, and mind-body connection with certified instructors from Yoga H’Om. Pittsburgh Botanic Garden’s peaceful garden and woodland spaces provide an excellent environment to focus and immerse yourself in this practice. Yoga is mostly held at the Lotus Pond, but may move to Weisbrod Learning Pavilion or Peirce Education Rooms based on weather conditions.

Members $15 | Nonmembers $20

About the Instructors

Yoga H’Om has been providing classic Hatha yoga to students of all abilities in the Western suburbs of Pittsburgh since 2002. In their classes, you will be respected and allowed to grow at your own pace. You will also be encouraged and challenged to go beyond your perceived limitations and discover your true inner self and potential.

Please bring your own yoga mat for this session. Yoga at the Garden is suitable for adults, or youth ages 16+ if accompanied by an adult. This class is open to beginners or participants of all levels of yoga experience.

Tai Chi and Qigong (“chee-kung”) are ancient Chinese wellness practices rooted in the Daoist philosophy of living in harmony with nature. Through movement and stillness you will explore how the patterns and rhythms of the universe resonate within you. Learn how mindful use of breath, grounding, and gentle, fluid movement can nourish your sense of wholeness, vitality and serenity. Let the beauty and calm of the garden move you! Feel the support of the earth below and the open sky above to replenish your energy, find balance, and joy. Classes are taught standing with some seating provided. No equipment is needed. Wear comfortable everyday clothes. Please wear flat, flexible shoes attached at the heel.

Members $20 | Nonmembers $25  (Please sign in to receive member discount)

About the Instructor

Gurney Bolster (she/her) has an MA in Dance/Movement Therapy and has been studying dance, tai chi and western approaches to mind-body integration since 1977. For 18 years she was an adjunct professor in the contemporary dance departments of Concordia University and the University of Quebec in Montreal, teaching dancers and dance teachers to understand and respect the body, to move safely and effectively, how to avoid injury, and how to heal more quickly after injury or illness. She has worked with people of all ages and abilities to help them enjoy their natural power, grace and expression in movement.

Gurney formed Tai Chi for Health Pittsburgh upon moving here in 2005. She has taught tai chi for Allegheny Health Network’s Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, Highmark, CCAC Life Enrichment and the Allegheny County Public Health Department. She teaches her own classes online and in-person at numerous locations in the area. For more information visit taichiforhealthpittsburgh.com.

No experience or equipment necessary. Please wear flat, comfortable shoes and dress appropriately for weather conditions. This program will be held outside, weather permitting, and may be moved indoors in the case of inclement weather.

Tickets

Pittsburgh Botanic Garden members may purchase member presale tickets starting Monday, April 22. Tickets will go on sale to the public on Wednesday, May 1.

Members: Please sign in to receive your member presale tickets. Pittsburgh Botanic Garden members receive a $20 discount. Quantities are limited by membership level: Individual (1), Dual (2), Family & Above (4)

Meet the Musicians:

Children and parents will have a blast getting inspired by nature and engaging the senses at Young Artists in the Garden! Each week, this drop-in program includes activities like coloring, reading books, making a craft and playing games – all relating to a new garden topic. Bring a friend and join the fun in the Weisbrod Learning Pavilion, located in the Garden of the Five Senses.

Young Artists in the Garden is included with regular daily admission. Don’t forget – members visit free!

For details or questions about Young Artists in the Garden, please email Gina Walter (Education & Volunteer Coordinator) at gwalter@pittsburghbotanicgarden.org.

Join us and experience nature’s power to soothe, refresh, and open your heart. The Japanese practice of Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing in English) is a slow, sensory-based walk in the woods, during which we focus on the sights, sounds, smells, feels and tastes of nature. This is neither a naturalist exploration nor a fitness trek; this walk is about soaking in the health benefits of spending relaxed time in nature. It’s also about tending and mending our relationships with nature, ourselves, and others. There are no requirements – just come as you are.

Members $35 | Nonmembers $45  (Please sign in to receive member discount)

About the Instructor

Doug Jones received his certification as a Forest Therapy Guide in 2020 from the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and Programs (ANFT). Prior to beginning his Forest Therapy practice, he worked as an independent psychologist in Sewickley, Pennsylvania and at Sewickley Academy for over 30 years. In retirement, his goal is to guide walks as a way of staying in service to others and nature. The encounters that occur during a Forest Therapy walk provide participants with the opportunity to recollect and embody their sense of being at home in nature and with themselves. The ANFT motto is: “The forest is the therapist, the guide opens the doors.”

Program suitable for adults (18+) and children age 16 years and older, if accompanied by an adult.

Improve flexibility, strength, and mind-body connection with certified instructors from Yoga H’Om. Pittsburgh Botanic Garden’s peaceful garden and woodland spaces provide an excellent environment to focus and immerse yourself in this practice. Yoga is mostly held at the Lotus Pond, but may move to Weisbrod Learning Pavilion or Peirce Education Rooms based on weather conditions.

Members $15 | Nonmembers $20

About the Instructors

Yoga H’Om has been providing classic Hatha yoga to students of all abilities in the Western suburbs of Pittsburgh since 2002. In their classes, you will be respected and allowed to grow at your own pace. You will also be encouraged and challenged to go beyond your perceived limitations and discover your true inner self and potential.

Please bring your own yoga mat for this session. Yoga at the Garden is suitable for adults, or youth ages 16+ if accompanied by an adult. This class is open to beginners or participants of all levels of yoga experience.

Tai Chi and Qigong (“chee-kung”) are ancient Chinese wellness practices rooted in the Daoist philosophy of living in harmony with nature. Through movement and stillness you will explore how the patterns and rhythms of the universe resonate within you. Learn how mindful use of breath, grounding, and gentle, fluid movement can nourish your sense of wholeness, vitality and serenity. Let the beauty and calm of the garden move you! Feel the support of the earth below and the open sky above to replenish your energy, find balance, and joy. Classes are taught standing with some seating provided. No equipment is needed. Wear comfortable everyday clothes. Please wear flat, flexible shoes attached at the heel.

Members $20 | Nonmembers $25  (Please sign in to receive member discount)

About the Instructor

Gurney Bolster (she/her) has an MA in Dance/Movement Therapy and has been studying dance, tai chi and western approaches to mind-body integration since 1977. For 18 years she was an adjunct professor in the contemporary dance departments of Concordia University and the University of Quebec in Montreal, teaching dancers and dance teachers to understand and respect the body, to move safely and effectively, how to avoid injury, and how to heal more quickly after injury or illness. She has worked with people of all ages and abilities to help them enjoy their natural power, grace and expression in movement.

Gurney formed Tai Chi for Health Pittsburgh upon moving here in 2005. She has taught tai chi for Allegheny Health Network’s Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, Highmark, CCAC Life Enrichment and the Allegheny County Public Health Department. She teaches her own classes online and in-person at numerous locations in the area. For more information visit taichiforhealthpittsburgh.com.

No experience or equipment necessary. Please wear flat, comfortable shoes and dress appropriately for weather conditions. This program will be held outside, weather permitting, and may be moved indoors in the case of inclement weather.

Current exhibiting artist, Lauren Braun, will lead a mindful walk at Pittsburgh Botanic Garden. Throughout the time together, you will be given invitations to enliven the senses as we walk, observe, and discuss what we discover, connecting with ourselves, each other and nature. The intention is for you to leave the workshop feeling a sense of grounding and relaxation. Please bring sturdy shoes to walk outside. Plan to arrive a few minutes early, allowing time to park in the lot and meet in the Welcome Center. Dogs on leashes are welcome to join.

Members $25 | Nonmembers $35

About the Instructor

Lauren Braun is a visual artist, educator and certified mindfulness facilitator based in Pittsburgh, PA. Her work explores themes of nature and materials in mixed media collage, drawing and painting, and ceramics.

Lauren offers creativity and mindfulness workshop experiences for a variety of individuals and groups and works as a mobile teaching artist with Fine Art Miracles providing art classes for senior citizens and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Originally from Buffalo, NY, Lauren earned a master’s degree in fine art from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University, Boston and a BFA in Art Photography from Syracuse University. She is a member of the Associated Artists of Pittsburgh, and her work is included in the collections of the PA Convention Center in Philadelphia and PNC Bank.

This program is suitable for adults 18 years or older. Please be sure you have signed in to receive member registration discount.

Create your very own magical fairy garden to take home! Take a look in the nooks and crannies of the Garden to try to spot some magical garden fairies. Enjoy stories about fairies, make your own wand and set of wings, and eat a fairy-themed snack as you create your own fairy garden.

Members $60 | Nonmembers $70  (Please sign in to receive member discount)

About the Instructors

Sarah Levinthal is a Pennsylvania Master Naturalist with an education background. She has been leading camps, field trips and preschool programs at the Garden for over a year. Outside of teaching, she loves hiking and spending time with her three children.

Colleen Mutschler is a Youth Educator at Pittsburgh Botanic Garden. Colleen taught elementary school for 33 years before joining the Garden’s Education team. When she’s not working or walking her dog, she loves to try new recipes for her husband and 2 children and exploring new areas around Pittsburgh.

Gina Walter is the Garden’s Education Coordinator and has a background in landscape architecture and horticultural therapy. Gina loves showing children the wonders of nature. In her free time, Gina enjoys caring for her indoor plants and exploring outside with her dog.

Camp Details

This is a 1-day, drop-off day camp. Please dress appropriately for the weather, participants will be outside exploring most of the time. Each participant will need to bring their own lunch.

Connecting with nature is essential to child development, sparking creativity and imagination – and Summer is a sizzlingly fun time for discovery in nature. Join Sarah Levinthal, Youth Educator, in talking about nature during the showy season and then heading outdoors in search of adventure. Examine the bounty of the Garden in bloom! Your visit will include time in the Garden’s different habitats, a story reading and time for free play.

Experience a bit of what it was like to live in 1790’s Western Pennsylvania! Learn about the indigenous people who lived in this area, how they survived and used plants in their everyday lives. A tour of the 1790’s Walker-Ewing-Glass Log House will inform you about daily life for early American settlers. After a few chores like weeding the garden, doing laundry and fetching water, we’ll enjoy a screen-free day by playing games and making crafts that were popular 230 years ago.

Members $60 | Nonmembers $70  (Please sign in to receive member discount)

About the Instructors

Sarah Levinthal is a Pennsylvania Master Naturalist with an education background. She has been leading camps, field trips and preschool programs at the Garden for over a year. Outside of teaching, she loves hiking and spending time with her three children.

Colleen Mutschler is a Youth Educator at Pittsburgh Botanic Garden. Colleen taught elementary school for 33 years before joining the Garden’s Education team. When she’s not working or walking her dog, she loves to try new recipes for her husband and 2 children and exploring new areas around Pittsburgh.

Gina Walter is the Garden’s Education Coordinator and has a background in landscape architecture and horticultural therapy. Gina loves showing children the wonders of nature. In her free time, Gina enjoys caring for her indoor plants and exploring outside with her dog.

Camp Details

This is a 1-day, drop-off day camp. Please dress appropriately for the weather, kids will be outside exploring most of the time. Each participant will need to bring their own lunch.

Connecting with nature is essential to child development, sparking creativity and imagination – and Summer is a sizzlingly fun time for discovery in nature. Join Sarah Levinthal, Youth Educator, in talking about nature during the showy season and then heading outdoors in search of adventure. Examine the bounty of the Garden in bloom! Your visit will include time in the Garden’s different habitats, a story reading and time for free play.

Children and parents will have a blast getting inspired by nature and engaging the senses at Young Artists in the Garden! Each week, this drop-in program includes activities like coloring, reading books, making a craft and playing games – all relating to a new garden topic. Bring a friend and join the fun in the Weisbrod Learning Pavilion, located in the Garden of the Five Senses.

Young Artists in the Garden is included with regular daily admission. Don’t forget – members visit free!

For details or questions about Young Artists in the Garden, please email Gina Walter (Education & Volunteer Coordinator) at gwalter@pittsburghbotanicgarden.org.

Join us and experience nature’s power to soothe, refresh, and open your heart. The Japanese practice of Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing in English) is a slow, sensory-based walk in the woods, during which we focus on the sights, sounds, smells, feels and tastes of nature. This is neither a naturalist exploration nor a fitness trek; this walk is about soaking in the health benefits of spending relaxed time in nature. It’s also about tending and mending our relationships with nature, ourselves, and others. There are no requirements – just come as you are.

Members $35 | Nonmembers $45  (Please sign in to receive member discount)

About the Instructor

Doug Jones received his certification as a Forest Therapy Guide in 2020 from the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and Programs (ANFT). Prior to beginning his Forest Therapy practice, he worked as an independent psychologist in Sewickley, Pennsylvania and at Sewickley Academy for over 30 years. In retirement, his goal is to guide walks as a way of staying in service to others and nature. The encounters that occur during a Forest Therapy walk provide participants with the opportunity to recollect and embody their sense of being at home in nature and with themselves. The ANFT motto is: “The forest is the therapist, the guide opens the doors.”

Program suitable for adults (18+) and children age 16 years and older, if accompanied by an adult.

Improve flexibility, strength, and mind-body connection with certified instructors from Yoga H’Om. Pittsburgh Botanic Garden’s peaceful garden and woodland spaces provide an excellent environment to focus and immerse yourself in this practice. Yoga is mostly held at the Lotus Pond, but may move to Weisbrod Learning Pavilion or Peirce Education Rooms based on weather conditions.

Members $15 | Nonmembers $20

About the Instructors

Yoga H’Om has been providing classic Hatha yoga to students of all abilities in the Western suburbs of Pittsburgh since 2002. In their classes, you will be respected and allowed to grow at your own pace. You will also be encouraged and challenged to go beyond your perceived limitations and discover your true inner self and potential.

Please bring your own yoga mat for this session. Yoga at the Garden is suitable for adults, or youth ages 16+ if accompanied by an adult. This class is open to beginners or participants of all levels of yoga experience.

Tai Chi and Qigong (“chee-kung”) are ancient Chinese wellness practices rooted in the Daoist philosophy of living in harmony with nature. Through movement and stillness you will explore how the patterns and rhythms of the universe resonate within you. Learn how mindful use of breath, grounding, and gentle, fluid movement can nourish your sense of wholeness, vitality and serenity. Let the beauty and calm of the garden move you! Feel the support of the earth below and the open sky above to replenish your energy, find balance, and joy. Classes are taught standing with some seating provided. No equipment is needed. Wear comfortable everyday clothes. Please wear flat, flexible shoes attached at the heel.

Members $20 | Nonmembers $25  (Please sign in to receive member discount)

About the Instructor

Gurney Bolster (she/her) has an MA in Dance/Movement Therapy and has been studying dance, tai chi and western approaches to mind-body integration since 1977. For 18 years she was an adjunct professor in the contemporary dance departments of Concordia University and the University of Quebec in Montreal, teaching dancers and dance teachers to understand and respect the body, to move safely and effectively, how to avoid injury, and how to heal more quickly after injury or illness. She has worked with people of all ages and abilities to help them enjoy their natural power, grace and expression in movement.

Gurney formed Tai Chi for Health Pittsburgh upon moving here in 2005. She has taught tai chi for Allegheny Health Network’s Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, Highmark, CCAC Life Enrichment and the Allegheny County Public Health Department. She teaches her own classes online and in-person at numerous locations in the area. For more information visit taichiforhealthpittsburgh.com.

No experience or equipment necessary. Please wear flat, comfortable shoes and dress appropriately for weather conditions. This program will be held outside, weather permitting, and may be moved indoors in the case of inclement weather.

Enjoy a 4-day camp of fun exploration of the various habitats at Pittsburgh Botanic Garden that support beneficial bugs. Campers will explore the Garden’s summer exhibit, David Rogers’ Big Bugs + Pollinators, featuring ten supersized sculptures of insects, spiders and birds and look for real life specimens. Through lessons, activities, crafts and explorations of habitats, children will learn the value of bugs, how they help humans and how humans can support them. Bring a bag lunch every day and dress for the weather as we will be outside exploring most of the time!

Members $165 | Nonmembers $185  (Please sign in to receive member discount)

About the Instructors

Sarah Levinthal is a Pennsylvania Master Naturalist with an education background. She has been leading camps, field trips and preschool programs at the Garden for over a year. Outside of teaching, she loves hiking and spending time with her three children.

Colleen Mutschler is a Youth Educator at Pittsburgh Botanic Garden. Colleen taught elementary school for 33 years before joining the Garden’s Education team. When she’s not working or walking her dog, she loves to try new recipes for her husband and 2 children and exploring new areas around Pittsburgh.

Gina Walter is the Garden’s Education Coordinator and has a background in landscape architecture and horticultural therapy. Gina loves showing children the wonders of nature. In her free time, Gina enjoys caring for her indoor plants and exploring outside with her dog.

Camp Details

This is a 4-day, drop-off day camp. Please dress appropriately for the weather, kids will be outside exploring most of the time. Each participant will need to bring their own lunch.

Children and parents will have a blast getting inspired by nature and engaging the senses at Young Artists in the Garden! Each week, this drop-in program includes activities like coloring, reading books, making a craft and playing games – all relating to a new garden topic. Bring a friend and join the fun in the Weisbrod Learning Pavilion, located in the Garden of the Five Senses.

Young Artists in the Garden is included with regular daily admission. Don’t forget – members visit free!

For details or questions about Young Artists in the Garden, please email Gina Walter (Education & Volunteer Coordinator) at gwalter@pittsburghbotanicgarden.org.

Join Dorit Brauer to learn tools for optimizing health and achieving an in-depth understanding of the mind/body connection. Guided meditation is accompanied by a ‘sound bath’ – the relaxing sound of quartz crystal singing bowls – which induce alpha wave-level activity in the brain, balance hemispheres of the brain, and promote health and harmony.

Members $25 | Nonmembers $30  (Please sign in to receive member discount)

About the Instructor

Dorit Brauer is an award-winning artist and author. She is the founder of the Brauer Institute for Holistic Medicine. In 2016, she received the Immigrant Entrepreneur Award by Global Pittsburgh in recognition of her achievements and enriching the Pittsburgh region with her talent and tenacity since arriving in 1998. Read more about the Brauer Institute: The Brauer Institute of Holistic Medicine

Program suitable for adults (18+) and children age 16 years and older, if accompanied by an adult.

Calling all adult Pittsburgh Botanic Garden members and volunteers! Join us at the Garden for a book club to discuss works on the wondrous and sometimes wacky world of plants, nature and the environment. Read the book ahead of time and come ready to share your point of view. Selections will vary and discussions are sure to be lively! Mingle with fellow members, discuss interesting ideas and form new friendships.

Become A Member

Free to members and volunteers, but pre-registration is required.

July 2024 Selection:

The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak

A moving, beautifully written, and delicately constructed story of love, division, transcendence, history, and eco-consciousness.

Read More & Purchase Book >

This unique 2-day camp encourages creativity, artistic expression, problem solving and critical thinking in a fun hands-on experience. Scientific experimentation with natural materials throughout the Garden and indoors will focus on design and engineering. Working as teams, campers will build their communication skills while employing their imaginations to solve intriguing challenges. Bring a bag lunch each day and dress for the weather as we will be outside exploring most of the time.

Members $85 | Nonmembers $95  (Please sign in to receive member discount)

About the Instructors

Sarah Levinthal is a Pennsylvania Master Naturalist with an education background. She has been leading camps, field trips and preschool programs at the Garden for over a year. Outside of teaching, she loves hiking and spending time with her three children.

Colleen Mutschler is a Youth Educator at Pittsburgh Botanic Garden. Colleen taught elementary school for 33 years before joining the Garden’s Education team. When she’s not working or walking her dog, she loves to try new recipes for her husband and 2 children and exploring new areas around Pittsburgh.

Gina Walter is the Garden’s Education Coordinator and has a background in landscape architecture and horticultural therapy. Gina loves showing children the wonders of nature. In her free time, Gina enjoys caring for her indoor plants and exploring outside with her dog.

Camp Details

This is a 2-day, drop-off day camp. Please dress appropriately for the weather, kids will be outside exploring most of the time. Each participant will need to bring their own lunch.

Children and parents will have a blast getting inspired by nature and engaging the senses at Young Artists in the Garden! Each week, this drop-in program includes activities like coloring, reading books, making a craft and playing games – all relating to a new garden topic. Bring a friend and join the fun in the Weisbrod Learning Pavilion, located in the Garden of the Five Senses.

Young Artists in the Garden is included with regular daily admission. Don’t forget – members visit free!

For details or questions about Young Artists in the Garden, please email Gina Walter (Education & Volunteer Coordinator) at gwalter@pittsburghbotanicgarden.org.

Improve flexibility, strength, and mind-body connection with certified instructors from Yoga H’Om. Pittsburgh Botanic Garden’s peaceful garden and woodland spaces provide an excellent environment to focus and immerse yourself in this practice. Yoga is mostly held at the Lotus Pond, but may move to Weisbrod Learning Pavilion or Peirce Education Rooms based on weather conditions.

Members $15 | Nonmembers $20

About the Instructors

Yoga H’Om has been providing classic Hatha yoga to students of all abilities in the Western suburbs of Pittsburgh since 2002. In their classes, you will be respected and allowed to grow at your own pace. You will also be encouraged and challenged to go beyond your perceived limitations and discover your true inner self and potential.

Please bring your own yoga mat for this session. Yoga at the Garden is suitable for adults, or youth ages 16+ if accompanied by an adult. This class is open to beginners or participants of all levels of yoga experience.

Tai Chi and Qigong (“chee-kung”) are ancient Chinese wellness practices rooted in the Daoist philosophy of living in harmony with nature. Through movement and stillness you will explore how the patterns and rhythms of the universe resonate within you. Learn how mindful use of breath, grounding, and gentle, fluid movement can nourish your sense of wholeness, vitality and serenity. Let the beauty and calm of the garden move you! Feel the support of the earth below and the open sky above to replenish your energy, find balance, and joy. Classes are taught standing with some seating provided. No equipment is needed. Wear comfortable everyday clothes. Please wear flat, flexible shoes attached at the heel.

Members $20 | Nonmembers $25  (Please sign in to receive member discount)

About the Instructor

Gurney Bolster (she/her) has an MA in Dance/Movement Therapy and has been studying dance, tai chi and western approaches to mind-body integration since 1977. For 18 years she was an adjunct professor in the contemporary dance departments of Concordia University and the University of Quebec in Montreal, teaching dancers and dance teachers to understand and respect the body, to move safely and effectively, how to avoid injury, and how to heal more quickly after injury or illness. She has worked with people of all ages and abilities to help them enjoy their natural power, grace and expression in movement.

Gurney formed Tai Chi for Health Pittsburgh upon moving here in 2005. She has taught tai chi for Allegheny Health Network’s Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, Highmark, CCAC Life Enrichment and the Allegheny County Public Health Department. She teaches her own classes online and in-person at numerous locations in the area. For more information visit taichiforhealthpittsburgh.com.

No experience or equipment necessary. Please wear flat, comfortable shoes and dress appropriately for weather conditions. This program will be held outside, weather permitting, and may be moved indoors in the case of inclement weather.

Enjoy a 4-day camp full of fun exploration of the various habitats at Pittsburgh Botanic Garden. Ecosystems that will be investigated include the Lotus Pond (aquatic), the Margaret Lawrence Simon Dogwood Meadow, Allegheny Plateau Woodlands and Carbon Cycle: An Earth Art Exhibit (an earth art exhibition in a formerly strip-mined area). Campers will try their hand in pond dipping, bird watching, insect collecting, tree identification, nature journaling and free play. Bring a bag lunch every day. Dress for the weather as we will be outside exploring most of the time! 

Members $165 | Nonmembers $185  (Please sign in to receive member discount)

About the Instructors

Sarah Levinthal is a Pennsylvania Master Naturalist with an education background. She has been leading camps, field trips and preschool programs at the Garden for over a year. Outside of teaching, she loves hiking and spending time with her three children.

Colleen Mutschler is a Youth Educator at Pittsburgh Botanic Garden. Colleen taught elementary school for 33 years before joining the Garden’s Education team. When she’s not working or walking her dog, she loves to try new recipes for her husband and 2 children and exploring new areas around Pittsburgh.

Gina Walter is the Garden’s Education Coordinator and has a background in landscape architecture and horticultural therapy. Gina loves showing children the wonders of nature. In her free time, Gina enjoys caring for her indoor plants and exploring outside with her dog.

Camp Details

This is a 4-day, drop-off day camp. Please dress appropriately for the weather, kids will be outside exploring most of the time. Each participant will need to bring their own lunch.

Children and parents will have a blast getting inspired by nature and engaging the senses at Young Artists in the Garden! Each week, this drop-in program includes activities like coloring, reading books, making a craft and playing games – all relating to a new garden topic. Bring a friend and join the fun in the Weisbrod Learning Pavilion, located in the Garden of the Five Senses.

Young Artists in the Garden is included with regular daily admission. Don’t forget – members visit free!

For details or questions about Young Artists in the Garden, please email Gina Walter (Education & Volunteer Coordinator) at gwalter@pittsburghbotanicgarden.org.

Join Dorit Brauer to learn tools for optimizing health and achieving an in-depth understanding of the mind/body connection. Guided meditation is accompanied by a ‘sound bath’ – the relaxing sound of quartz crystal singing bowls – which induce alpha wave-level activity in the brain, balance hemispheres of the brain, and promote health and harmony.

Members $25 | Nonmembers $30  (Please sign in to receive member discount)

About the Instructor

Dorit Brauer is an award-winning artist and author. She is the founder of the Brauer Institute for Holistic Medicine. In 2016, she received the Immigrant Entrepreneur Award by Global Pittsburgh in recognition of her achievements and enriching the Pittsburgh region with her talent and tenacity since arriving in 1998. Read more about the Brauer Institute: The Brauer Institute of Holistic Medicine

Program suitable for adults (18+) and children age 16 years and older, if accompanied by an adult.

Improve flexibility, strength, and mind-body connection with certified instructors from Yoga H’Om. Pittsburgh Botanic Garden’s peaceful garden and woodland spaces provide an excellent environment to focus and immerse yourself in this practice. Yoga is mostly held at the Lotus Pond, but may move to Weisbrod Learning Pavilion or Peirce Education Rooms based on weather conditions.

Members $15 | Nonmembers $20

About the Instructors

Yoga H’Om has been providing classic Hatha yoga to students of all abilities in the Western suburbs of Pittsburgh since 2002. In their classes, you will be respected and allowed to grow at your own pace. You will also be encouraged and challenged to go beyond your perceived limitations and discover your true inner self and potential.

Please bring your own yoga mat for this session. Yoga at the Garden is suitable for adults, or youth ages 16+ if accompanied by an adult. This class is open to beginners or participants of all levels of yoga experience.

Tai Chi and Qigong (“chee-kung”) are ancient Chinese wellness practices rooted in the Daoist philosophy of living in harmony with nature. Through movement and stillness you will explore how the patterns and rhythms of the universe resonate within you. Learn how mindful use of breath, grounding, and gentle, fluid movement can nourish your sense of wholeness, vitality and serenity. Let the beauty and calm of the garden move you! Feel the support of the earth below and the open sky above to replenish your energy, find balance, and joy. Classes are taught standing with some seating provided. No equipment is needed. Wear comfortable everyday clothes. Please wear flat, flexible shoes attached at the heel.

Members $20 | Nonmembers $25  (Please sign in to receive member discount)

About the Instructor

Gurney Bolster (she/her) has an MA in Dance/Movement Therapy and has been studying dance, tai chi and western approaches to mind-body integration since 1977. For 18 years she was an adjunct professor in the contemporary dance departments of Concordia University and the University of Quebec in Montreal, teaching dancers and dance teachers to understand and respect the body, to move safely and effectively, how to avoid injury, and how to heal more quickly after injury or illness. She has worked with people of all ages and abilities to help them enjoy their natural power, grace and expression in movement.

Gurney formed Tai Chi for Health Pittsburgh upon moving here in 2005. She has taught tai chi for Allegheny Health Network’s Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, Highmark, CCAC Life Enrichment and the Allegheny County Public Health Department. She teaches her own classes online and in-person at numerous locations in the area. For more information visit taichiforhealthpittsburgh.com.

No experience or equipment necessary. Please wear flat, comfortable shoes and dress appropriately for weather conditions. This program will be held outside, weather permitting, and may be moved indoors in the case of inclement weather.

Connecting with nature is essential to child development, sparking creativity and imagination – and Summer is a sizzlingly fun time for discovery in nature. Join Sarah Levinthal, Youth Educator, in talking about nature during the showy season and then heading outdoors in search of adventure. Examine the bounty of the Garden in bloom! Your visit will include time in the Garden’s different habitats, a story reading and time for free play.

Children and parents will have a blast getting inspired by nature and engaging the senses at Young Artists in the Garden! Each week, this drop-in program includes activities like coloring, reading books, making a craft and playing games – all relating to a new garden topic. Bring a friend and join the fun in the Weisbrod Learning Pavilion, located in the Garden of the Five Senses.

Young Artists in the Garden is included with regular daily admission. Don’t forget – members visit free!

For details or questions about Young Artists in the Garden, please email Gina Walter (Education & Volunteer Coordinator) at gwalter@pittsburghbotanicgarden.org.

Join Dorit Brauer to learn tools for optimizing health and achieving an in-depth understanding of the mind/body connection. Guided meditation is accompanied by a ‘sound bath’ – the relaxing sound of quartz crystal singing bowls – which induce alpha wave-level activity in the brain, balance hemispheres of the brain, and promote health and harmony.

Members $25 | Nonmembers $30  (Please sign in to receive member discount)

About the Instructor

Dorit Brauer is an award-winning artist and author. She is the founder of the Brauer Institute for Holistic Medicine. In 2016, she received the Immigrant Entrepreneur Award by Global Pittsburgh in recognition of her achievements and enriching the Pittsburgh region with her talent and tenacity since arriving in 1998. Read more about the Brauer Institute: The Brauer Institute of Holistic Medicine

Program suitable for adults (18+) and children age 16 years and older, if accompanied by an adult.

Improve flexibility, strength, and mind-body connection with certified instructors from Yoga H’Om. Pittsburgh Botanic Garden’s peaceful garden and woodland spaces provide an excellent environment to focus and immerse yourself in this practice. Yoga is mostly held at the Lotus Pond, but may move to Weisbrod Learning Pavilion or Peirce Education Rooms based on weather conditions.

Members $15 | Nonmembers $20

About the Instructors

Yoga H’Om has been providing classic Hatha yoga to students of all abilities in the Western suburbs of Pittsburgh since 2002. In their classes, you will be respected and allowed to grow at your own pace. You will also be encouraged and challenged to go beyond your perceived limitations and discover your true inner self and potential.

Please bring your own yoga mat for this session. Yoga at the Garden is suitable for adults, or youth ages 16+ if accompanied by an adult. This class is open to beginners or participants of all levels of yoga experience.

Join us and experience nature’s power to soothe, refresh, and open your heart. The Japanese practice of Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing in English) is a slow, sensory-based walk in the woods, during which we focus on the sights, sounds, smells, feels and tastes of nature. This is neither a naturalist exploration nor a fitness trek; this walk is about soaking in the health benefits of spending relaxed time in nature. It’s also about tending and mending our relationships with nature, ourselves, and others. There are no requirements – just come as you are.

Members $35 | Nonmembers $45  (Please sign in to receive member discount)

About the Instructor

Doug Jones received his certification as a Forest Therapy Guide in 2020 from the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and Programs (ANFT). Prior to beginning his Forest Therapy practice, he worked as an independent psychologist in Sewickley, Pennsylvania and at Sewickley Academy for over 30 years. In retirement, his goal is to guide walks as a way of staying in service to others and nature. The encounters that occur during a Forest Therapy walk provide participants with the opportunity to recollect and embody their sense of being at home in nature and with themselves. The ANFT motto is: “The forest is the therapist, the guide opens the doors.”

Program suitable for adults (18+) and children age 16 years and older, if accompanied by an adult.

Calling all adult Pittsburgh Botanic Garden members and volunteers! Join us at the Garden for a book club to discuss works on the wondrous and sometimes wacky world of plants, nature and the environment. Read the book ahead of time and come ready to share your point of view. Selections will vary and discussions are sure to be lively! Mingle with fellow members, discuss interesting ideas and form new friendships.

Become A Member

Free to members and volunteers, but pre-registration is required.

September 2024 Selection:

Rooted: Life at the Crossroads of Science, Nature and Spirit by Lyanda Lynn Haupt

Cutting-edge science supports a truth that poets, artists, mystics and earth-based cultures across the world have proclaimed over millennia: life on this planet is radically interconnected.

Read More & Purchase Book >

Improve flexibility, strength, and mind-body connection with certified instructors from Yoga H’Om. Pittsburgh Botanic Garden’s peaceful garden and woodland spaces provide an excellent environment to focus and immerse yourself in this practice. Yoga is mostly held at the Lotus Pond, but may move to Weisbrod Learning Pavilion or Peirce Education Rooms based on weather conditions.

Members $15 | Nonmembers $20

About the Instructors

Yoga H’Om has been providing classic Hatha yoga to students of all abilities in the Western suburbs of Pittsburgh since 2002. In their classes, you will be respected and allowed to grow at your own pace. You will also be encouraged and challenged to go beyond your perceived limitations and discover your true inner self and potential.

Please bring your own yoga mat for this session. Yoga at the Garden is suitable for adults, or youth ages 16+ if accompanied by an adult. This class is open to beginners or participants of all levels of yoga experience.

Children and parents will have a blast getting inspired by nature and engaging the senses at Young Artists in the Garden! Each week, this drop-in program includes activities like coloring, reading books, making a craft and playing games – all relating to a new garden topic. Bring a friend and join the fun in the Weisbrod Learning Pavilion, located in the Garden of the Five Senses.

Young Artists in the Garden is included with regular daily admission. Don’t forget – members visit free!

For details or questions about Young Artists in the Garden, please email Gina Walter (Education & Volunteer Coordinator) at gwalter@pittsburghbotanicgarden.org.

When the first Europeans arrived in western Pennsylvania during the 1700’s, they discovered a flourishing native culture. Living alongside peoples like the Lenni Lenape, Shawnee, and Seneca, pioneers learned how to identify native plants and transform them into powerful herbal medicine. Along with utilizing local species, Europeans brought many of their own specimens which subsequently colonized the native landscape.

Join local author and historian Brady Crytzer for a course on 18th century shared herbalism. Topics include traditional recipes, remedies, and history of these communal practices. Take home some common – and not-so-common – herbs.

Members $25 | Nonmembers $35  (Please sign in to receive member discount)

About the Instructor

Brady J. Crytzer teaches history at Robert Morris University. He is the recipient of the Donald S. Kelly and Donna J. McKee Awards for outstanding scholarship in the discipline of history. A specialist in imperialism in North America, he is the author of a number of books, including Fort Pitt: A Frontier History, Guyasata and the Fall of Indian America, and War in the Peaceable Kingdom: The Kittaning Raid of 1756. He is also the host of Dispatches: The Podcast of the Journal of the American Revolution. (Listen Here)

This program will take place rain or shine. Please dress appropriately for weather conditions.

Children and parents will have a blast getting inspired by nature and engaging the senses at Young Artists in the Garden! Each week, this drop-in program includes activities like coloring, reading books, making a craft and playing games – all relating to a new garden topic. Bring a friend and join the fun in the Weisbrod Learning Pavilion, located in the Garden of the Five Senses.

Young Artists in the Garden is included with regular daily admission. Don’t forget – members visit free!

For details or questions about Young Artists in the Garden, please email Gina Walter (Education & Volunteer Coordinator) at gwalter@pittsburghbotanicgarden.org.

Improve flexibility, strength, and mind-body connection with certified instructors from Yoga H’Om. Pittsburgh Botanic Garden’s peaceful garden and woodland spaces provide an excellent environment to focus and immerse yourself in this practice. Yoga is mostly held at the Lotus Pond, but may move to Weisbrod Learning Pavilion or Peirce Education Rooms based on weather conditions.

Members $15 | Nonmembers $20

About the Instructors

Yoga H’Om has been providing classic Hatha yoga to students of all abilities in the Western suburbs of Pittsburgh since 2002. In their classes, you will be respected and allowed to grow at your own pace. You will also be encouraged and challenged to go beyond your perceived limitations and discover your true inner self and potential.

Please bring your own yoga mat for this session. Yoga at the Garden is suitable for adults, or youth ages 16+ if accompanied by an adult. This class is open to beginners or participants of all levels of yoga experience.

Explore the ancient tool of walking a labyrinth for healing, wholeness and meditation. This practice dates back as early as 400 BCE. In this program, participants will learn to connect to the strength of your ancestors, one step at a time. You will also learn to release difficult fates and family trauma, then step into your power. Through this practice, you will embrace inner peace, harmony, clarity and love which comes to you through the generations, then let that love flow!

Members $25 | Nonmembers $30

About the Instructor

Dorit Brauer provides the education and the tools that you need to live your best life by optimizing your health and achieving an in-depth understanding between body, mind and spirit. She offers a comprehensive approach including Guided Imagery Meditation and Trans-Generational Healing, dedicated to unlocking your highest potential so that you can experience a life of equilibrium, fulfillment, and good health. Dorit started her career in the US at the UPMC’s Center for Integrative Medicine and she developed meditation and stress reduction programs for Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and many other corporate sites.

This program is suitable for adults, or children age 14-17 accompanied by adults. Please be sure you have signed in to receive member registration discount.

Join us and experience nature’s power to soothe, refresh, and open your heart. The Japanese practice of Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing in English) is a slow, sensory-based walk in the woods, during which we focus on the sights, sounds, smells, feels and tastes of nature. This is neither a naturalist exploration nor a fitness trek; this walk is about soaking in the health benefits of spending relaxed time in nature. It’s also about tending and mending our relationships with nature, ourselves, and others. There are no requirements – just come as you are.

Members $35 | Nonmembers $45  (Please sign in to receive member discount)

About the Instructor

Doug Jones received his certification as a Forest Therapy Guide in 2020 from the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and Programs (ANFT). Prior to beginning his Forest Therapy practice, he worked as an independent psychologist in Sewickley, Pennsylvania and at Sewickley Academy for over 30 years. In retirement, his goal is to guide walks as a way of staying in service to others and nature. The encounters that occur during a Forest Therapy walk provide participants with the opportunity to recollect and embody their sense of being at home in nature and with themselves. The ANFT motto is: “The forest is the therapist, the guide opens the doors.”

Program suitable for adults (18+) and children age 16 years and older, if accompanied by an adult.

Join us and experience nature’s power to soothe, refresh, and open your heart. The Japanese practice of Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing in English) is a slow, sensory-based walk in the woods, during which we focus on the sights, sounds, smells, feels and tastes of nature. This is neither a naturalist exploration nor a fitness trek; this walk is about soaking in the health benefits of spending relaxed time in nature. It’s also about tending and mending our relationships with nature, ourselves, and others. There are no requirements – just come as you are.

Members $35 | Nonmembers $45  (Please sign in to receive member discount)

About the Instructor

Doug Jones received his certification as a Forest Therapy Guide in 2020 from the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and Programs (ANFT). Prior to beginning his Forest Therapy practice, he worked as an independent psychologist in Sewickley, Pennsylvania and at Sewickley Academy for over 30 years. In retirement, his goal is to guide walks as a way of staying in service to others and nature. The encounters that occur during a Forest Therapy walk provide participants with the opportunity to recollect and embody their sense of being at home in nature and with themselves. The ANFT motto is: “The forest is the therapist, the guide opens the doors.”

Program suitable for adults (18+) and children age 16 years and older, if accompanied by an adult.

Join us and experience nature’s power to soothe, refresh, and open your heart. The Japanese practice of Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing in English) is a slow, sensory-based walk in the woods, during which we focus on the sights, sounds, smells, feels and tastes of nature. This is neither a naturalist exploration nor a fitness trek; this walk is about soaking in the health benefits of spending relaxed time in nature. It’s also about tending and mending our relationships with nature, ourselves, and others. There are no requirements – just come as you are.

Members $35 | Nonmembers $45  (Please sign in to receive member discount)

About the Instructor

Doug Jones received his certification as a Forest Therapy Guide in 2020 from the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and Programs (ANFT). Prior to beginning his Forest Therapy practice, he worked as an independent psychologist in Sewickley, Pennsylvania and at Sewickley Academy for over 30 years. In retirement, his goal is to guide walks as a way of staying in service to others and nature. The encounters that occur during a Forest Therapy walk provide participants with the opportunity to recollect and embody their sense of being at home in nature and with themselves. The ANFT motto is: “The forest is the therapist, the guide opens the doors.”

Program suitable for adults (18+) and children age 16 years and older, if accompanied by an adult.

Calling all adult Pittsburgh Botanic Garden members and volunteers! Join us at the Garden for a book club to discuss works on the wondrous and sometimes wacky world of plants, nature and the environment. Read the book ahead of time and come ready to share your point of view. Selections will vary and discussions are sure to be lively! Mingle with fellow members, discuss interesting ideas and form new friendships.

Become A Member

Free to members and volunteers, but pre-registration is required.

November 2024 Selection:

A Sand County Almanac: And Sketches Here and There by Aldo Leopold

A Sand County Almanac is a collection of essays written by conservationist Aldo Leopold. It explores the beauty and ecological importance of the natural world, while also addressing the need for conservation and environmental ethics.

Read More & Purchase Book >

Join us and experience nature’s power to soothe, refresh, and open your heart. The Japanese practice of Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing in English) is a slow, sensory-based walk in the woods, during which we focus on the sights, sounds, smells, feels and tastes of nature. This is neither a naturalist exploration nor a fitness trek; this walk is about soaking in the health benefits of spending relaxed time in nature. It’s also about tending and mending our relationships with nature, ourselves, and others. There are no requirements – just come as you are.

Members $35 | Nonmembers $45  (Please sign in to receive member discount)

About the Instructor

Doug Jones received his certification as a Forest Therapy Guide in 2020 from the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and Programs (ANFT). Prior to beginning his Forest Therapy practice, he worked as an independent psychologist in Sewickley, Pennsylvania and at Sewickley Academy for over 30 years. In retirement, his goal is to guide walks as a way of staying in service to others and nature. The encounters that occur during a Forest Therapy walk provide participants with the opportunity to recollect and embody their sense of being at home in nature and with themselves. The ANFT motto is: “The forest is the therapist, the guide opens the doors.”

Program suitable for adults (18+) and children age 16 years and older, if accompanied by an adult.