DESERT BOTANICAL GARDENS - Gourds Galore! Festival

FALL 2006 TOURS

Daily and Weekly Activities / Included with Membership or Admission

Garden Tours

Daily / October 1‑May 13

Can you drink water from a cactus? Do “century plants” really live 100 years? Get your burning questions answered on this docent‑led tour and see why our desert plant collection is world‑renowned. You will discover how plants survive, and even thrive, under the extreme conditions of the Sonoran Desert. Bring your camera and water, and wear a hat, sunscreen, and comfortable walking shoes.

“Taste of the Desert” Tours

Saturdays / October‑November / 12 and 3 p.m.

Join a Docent for a “Taste of the Desert” tour and walk “back through time” to when desert dwellers lived off the land utilizing native plants for food, tools, and building materials.

Birds in the Garden

Mondays / September / 7 a.m.

Mondays / October‑November / 8 a.m.

Saturdays / October 7 and November 11 / 8 a.m.

Join expert birders for a morning bird walk along the Garden trails. Everyone, including first‑time birders, is welcome. Wear a hat, sunscreen, and comfortable walking shoes, and bring binoculars if available.

TARGET Kids’ Corner

Sats and Suns / October‑May / 10 a.m.‑3 p.m.

Learn about desert plants and animals, have your face painted, and make a take‑home craft. Be on the lookout for “Sammy Saguaro!”

SEPTEMBER WORKSHOPS (REQUIRES ADVANCE REGISTRATION)

Yardscape – Walls, Walkways and Gravel – #FA06‑10

Fridays / September 1 and 8 / 6‑9 p.m.

Member: $36 / Non‑Member: $45

The built elements of your landscape are as important as plants in creating a landscape that will last. Learn basic properties, construction techniques, and appropriateness of building materials for your home, such as concrete, stone, brick, adobe, tile, wood, metal and more, as well as the pros and cons of each material. This beginner’s class will help you make informed choices – possibly saving you time and money when working with a contractor or doing it yourself. Taught by guest architect, Peter Nimmer and Carrie Nimmer, landscape designer.

Southwest Landscape Design

– Intermediate 1 ‑ #FA06‑82

Tuesdays / September 5, 19 and 26/ 6‑9 p.m.

Member: $120 / Non‑Member: $150

Begin working on specific design challenges presented in front‑yard design; create curb appeal, privacy, types and positioning of water features, the courtyard garden or small‑ space garden, and more. Refine your design ideas and expand your skills with award‑winning landscape designer, Carrie Nimmer. Previous design experience necessary, such as the Garden’s Desert Landscaper School or Southwest Planting Design for Beginners. Course includes a private critique of your work to be scheduled individually. Limit 15.

Household “Catch All” Basket with the Basket Artisans of Arizona ‑ #FA06‑25

Saturday / September 9 / 9:30 a.m.‑2:30 p.m.

Member: $32 / Non‑Member: $40

Basket Artisans of Arizona member and Garden staff Margaret Kleinschmidt leads this creative, yet functional weaving project to create an all‑purpose household “catch all” basket. Use it in the bathroom to hold hand towels, soaps, or toiletries, or just about anywhere you need to contain frequently used items. Size of basket is approximately 5" x 13" x 3". Limit 12.

Taking Better Pictures: Fall Basic Photography Series ‑ #FA06‑26

Thurs and Sats / September 14, 16, 21, 23, 28, 30, October 5

Thurs 6:30‑8:30 p.m. and Sat photo shoots 8 a.m.‑12 p.m.

Member: $120 / Non‑Member: $150

Photographer Steve Ehre helps you understand your camera's capabilities and principles of composition for higher quality and more rewarding photography. No photography experience is necessary. This series includes Thursday evening classroom discussions, slide presentations, and critique sessions, along with Saturday photo sessions at beautiful locations around the Valley and the Garden. Limit 12.

Beginning Desert Photography ‑ #FA06‑27

Fridays / September 15 and 22 / 8 a.m.‑12 p.m.

Member: $40 / Non‑Member: $50

Instructed by professional photographer and artist Wilson W. Wyatt, this workshop is for amateur photographers who want to discover or enhance their own personal photographic style. Objectives focus on learning basic functions of your camera and expanding your ability to see and create photographs in new and exciting ways. If you are seeking to enjoy and improve your own landscape photography, this is a great way to help build a solid foundation. Bring your camera, camera manual, and a notepad. This is a great opportunity for beginning and intermediate students to develop and refine their personal skills through hands‑on instruction. Both digital and film cameras are welcome. Limit 8.

Desert Fiber Paper Making:

3‑Panel Paper Tapestry ‑ #FA06‑28

Friday and Saturday / September 15‑16 / Friday 1‑4 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m.‑12 p.m.

Member: $60 / Non‑Member: $75 

Led by artist Lydia Miszuk, you will create 3 large panels, each approximately 2’ x 3’ in size, using natural fibers, materials, and desert fiber papers.  Once the panels are created and dried, connect them in any style you would like using natural materials such as agave, jute, or hemp fibers.  While waiting for the panels to dry, you will be treated to a Garden tour including identification and fun facts about the plants you have used in the workshop to create your decorative artwork.  Limit 8.

Desert Botanical Garden

1201 North Galvin Parkway in Phoenix’s Papago

Free with regular Garden admission or Garden membership (unless otherwise noted). Admission Rates: $10.00 for adults, $9.00 for seniors, $5.00 for students

(13‑18 years‑of‑age and college with proper ID), $4.00 for children 3‑12 years‑of‑age.  Children 2 and under and Garden members are admitted FREE.

Visiting the Garden’s website at www.dbg.org or by calling (480) 941‑1225.