Home gardening workshops, nature art classes, and more!
We offer many learning opportunities for adults, including native plant gardening workshops, conservation studies programs, botanical art classes, health and well-being classes, nature walks, programs focusing on people-plant connections, and Lunchbox Talks, just to name a few. Offerings range from one-hour lectures, to short classes, to longer, multi-day courses and certificate programs. We have something for everyone!
- Advance registration is required for all programs.
- All classes are held at the Allen Education Center, off of Old Mason Farm Road in Chapel Hill, unless otherwise indicated.
- Members receive a 10% discount on class fees. Not a member? Join here!
- Need to cancel or request a refund? Cancellation and refund policy [PDF]
Special Focus
For those looking to delve deeper into a topic, we offer certificate programs and series in several areas. Explore our offerings below!
Botanical Art & Illustration
Conservation Gardening 101
Native Plants
Therapeutic Horticulture
Annual Lectures
Each year the Garden hosts three annual lectures that are free and open to the general public. The Sims lecture focused on conservation is held each year in April. The Fitch Lecture focused on horticulture is held each year in November. And, the Darwin Day lecture, held each year on February 12th in honor of Charles Darwin's Birthday.
Evelyn McNeill Sims Lecture
Jenny Elder Fitch Lecture
Darwin Day Lecture
Darwin Day Lecture
Monday, February 12, 2024
Using science-fiction depictions to learn real-world evolution concepts
with Mohamed Noor, Ph.D., Professor of Biology, Interim Vice Provost, Duke University
While some people choose to learn about evolution through coursework, a large number of people could be interested in the subject if brought to them wrapped in another subject in which they are already engaged. In this talk, Professor Noor introduces evolutionary concepts, thinking, and approaches framed using depictions from the Star Trek television franchise.
Evelyn McNeill Sims Native Plant Lecture
Sunday, April 7, 2024
Finding our future in longleaf diversity: What longleaf teaches us about diversity, and why that’s critical to the future of our forests with Bill Finch
The longleaf pine ecosystem has often been described as North America’s most diverse forest ecosystem, and longleaf, like few other ecosystems, fostered diversity within and outside its canopy. But understanding the diversity of that diversity will be critical not only to maintaining longleaf pine but also to restoring forest ecosystems that can survive the dramatic changes of the next century, while more equitably serving the people who live there.