A note about our programs
We hold most programs rain, snow, or shine, unless we notify you otherwise. If you cancel your registration seven days or more prior to the program date, we’ll refund your fee in full. If you cancel within seven days of the program date, we are unable to refund your fee. If the Foundation of the State Arboretum cancels a program for any reason, we will refund your fee in full. Programs open to children/youth require an adult to attend with them and the adult is responsible for their supervision for the duration of the program. Advance registration is required for all programs. Space is limited.
God's Acre: the cemetery for enslaved families at the Tuleyries
Free, virtual program (Zoom)
7:00-8:00 PM Thursday, November 7th
Join Dr. Lynn Rainville on an illustrated tour of the African American community at the Tuleyries, highlighting the lives and deaths of the enslaved men, women, and children at the site.
Speaker: After earning her PhD in Anthropology (University of Michigan, 2001), Lynn Rainville has spent the last two decades as a Public Historian, Academic Leader, and Digital Humanist. She applies innovative ethnographic, historical, and digital methods to the study of everyday Virginians doing extraordinary things. Her grant-funded research has produced numerous articles and books, including Hidden History: African American Cemeteries in Central Virginia (2014); Sweet Briar College (2015); Virginia and the Great War (2018); Invisible Founders: How Two Centuries of African American Families Transformed a Plantation into a College (2019).
How to “tune in”: Expect to receive a link to the Zoom meeting through the email used in Eventbrite at registration. Can’t find it? Check your spam folder, or email public programs coordinator Ariel Firebaugh (alf7f@virginia.edu) to request a new link. Still having trouble? Don't worry. We hope to livestream the program on Blandy’s Facebook page at 7:00 PM Thursday, November 7th, and a recording will be available after the program.
Right Tree, Right Place
6:00-7:30 Monday, November 11th
Fall is a great time to plant trees and shrubs on your property, but accidentally choosing the "wrong" tree species—one that will grow too big for the space you have in mind, or one that is ill-suited for the environmental conditions of your yard—can lead to maintenance headaches and compromise the long-term health of the tree. Arborist Jamie Wood (Arborist Representative/Local Manager at Bartlett Tree) shares practical tips to choose the best tree species that will support native wildlife based on your home landscape.
What to expect: A lecture-style talk.
Who can come: The program is designed for adult audiences.
Where to meet: Meet in the library at the Quarters building.
Registration required. Register on Eventbrite.
SNOW BIRD WALK
8:00-10:00 AM Friday, November 15
Our winter residents have come home to roost! Join Blandy director and birding enthusiast Dr. Dave Carr in search of Purple Finches, Pine Siskins, Northern Harriers, and others.
What to expect: We will walk about a mile over gently rolling terrain.
Who can come: Adults and children aged 12 and up. No pets, please!
What to bring: Dress for the weather. Wear comfortable walking shoes that can withstand early morning dew on the grass. Bring your own binoculars or borrow a pair from Blandy.
Where to meet: Meet at the flagpole at the front parking lot close to the “Arboretum Information” kiosk.
Registration required. Register on Eventbrite.
December Bird Walk
8:00-10:00 AM Friday, December 13th
Our winter residents have come home to roost! Join Blandy director and birding enthusiast Dr. Dave Carr in search of Purple Finches, Pine Siskins, Northern Harriers, and others.
What to expect: We will walk about a mile over gently rolling terrain.
Who can come: Adults and children aged 12 and up. No pets, please!
What to bring: Dress for the weather. Wear comfortable walking shoes that can withstand early morning dew on the grass. Bring your own binoculars or borrow a pair from Blandy.
Where to meet: Meet at the flagpole at the front parking lot close to the “Arboretum Information” kiosk.
Registration required. Register here.
Hot Chocolate Hike: Cozy Conifer Mysteries
10:30-11:30 Sunday, December 15th OR 2:00-3:00 PM Tuesday, December 17th (same program offered twice)
Enjoy a mug of hot chocolate (or tea!) as you work together to solve a conifer-themed mystery. Along the way, you’ll find out all about conifer identification and ecology.
What to expect: An outdoor nature walk (less than 1 mile) with clues to unravel along the way.
Who can come: All ages!
What to bring: Wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather. Hot chocolate/tea provided!
Registration required. Register on Eventbrite.
Winter Tree ID and Holiday Potluck with Sustainability Matters
1:00-4:00 PM Sunday, December 15th
Join us for an approximately 90-minute guided walk and tree ID primer by Virginia State Forester Connor Goolsby and Blandy Director of Scientific Engagement Ariel Firebaugh. You'll never again mistake an oak for a walnut, or a spruce for a fir! A potluck and social hour with fellow nature nerds will follow the walk. Please bring a snack or dessert to share!
Registration required. Register through Sustainability Matters.
Conifers: Junior Naturalist Series
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Wednesday, December 18th
They're not all pine trees, you know! Find out all about different kinds of conifer trees with crafts, stories, and activities. Explore the arboretum's cool conifer collection with a Blandy naturalist.
Junior Naturalist Series: Join us at Blandy for a morning of fun and learning this fall with our new Junior Naturalist series! These programs are designed to help caregivers and kiddoes ages 1-6 explore the natural world together.
We're hosting "drop in"-style programs from 10:00 AM-12:00 PM on the third Wednesday of every month September-December. Come when you like, stay for as long as you like, and work through activity stations at your own pace.
For individual families only. Organized preschool and homeschool groups should contact Blandy's pre-K-12 Education Department to learn more about their excellent school program offerings.
Free program, RSVPs appreciated. Donations happily accepted onsite or online.
What to expect: Self-paced stations, complete as many or as few as you like.
Who can come: This program is designed for children 6 and under with their caregiver/s. Maximum of 3 children per adult. Minors must be accompanied by a caregiver for the duration of the program. No pets, please.
What to bring: Wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather. If you like, bring a snack or lunch and enjoy a picnic on Blandy’s grounds during or after the program.
Where to meet: Meet in the outdoor amphitheater by the Quarters building. Signs will direct you from the front parking lot near the flagpole and information kiosk to the amphitheater.
Free program, RSVPs appreciated. Donations happily accepted onsite or online. Register here.
Starting a Wildflower Patch from Seed: How to Seed and Maintain Meadows Large and Small
6:30-8:00 PM Thursday, January 16th
Join our Native Plant Trail assistant curator for a step-by-step presentation on how to start a native wildflower patch from seed. Site preparation, seed mix creation, seeding methods, and continued maintenance will all be discussed, with ample time for questions.
What to expect: A lecture-style talk.
Who can come: The program is designed for adult audiences.
Where to meet: Meet in the library at the Quarters building.
Registration required. Registration link coming soon!