Budding Naturalist: Wild Edibles of the Fall (Ages 8-14)

Does your child love nature and want to expand their identification skills? In this program geared toward students ages 8-14, participants can join our specialists for weekly, small-group outdoor sessions.

Fall is a great time to forage for wild edibles as plants mature and offer us a tasty bounty of seeds, berries, mushrooms and more. Local forager and restaurateur, Nikaline Iacano, will lead participants through the Gardens and surrounding woodlands in search of wild edibles to enjoy and identify. Bring your taste buds and a sense of adventure! We will end the session by making a tea with some of our finds.

Please note: In an effort to keep the group size small, this is a drop-off program. If your child would be more comfortable with you nearby, please contact Erika Huber at ehuber@mainegardens.org before the session to discuss options.

Please bring a face covering to be worn while indoors at the Gardens.

Cost includes admission for child and adult chaperone.

Location: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens 105 Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Nikaline Iacano
Price: $10

The Art of Forest Bathing: Shinrin Yoku

Deepening your connection to nature through moving meditation offers enormous benefits for personal well-being. Follow Susan Bickford, forest therapy guide for the ancient Japanese practice, Shinrin Yoku, or forest bathing, as she gives you the tools to begin your own meditation practice. In this gentle class, experience how the simple practice of walking mindfully through a forest can provide deep serenity. By engaging with the forest with all five senses, we enhance awareness and presence. Despite a busy lifestyle, taking time for ourselves is enormously important—what luck that we can do so by walking in the forest! 

Location: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens 105 Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Susan Bickford
Price: $20 / $26

Budding Naturalist: Mosses and Mushrooms (Ages 8-14)

Does your child love nature and want to expand their identification skills? In this program geared toward students ages 8-14, participants can join our specialists for weekly, small-group outdoor sessions.

They might be small, but mosses and mushrooms play a pig part in keeping our forests healthy. They also love the fall weather, so join us on our search to identify them in our Maine woods. Participants will learn what makes them so special and all about their similarities and differences.

Please note: In an effort to keep the group size small, this is a drop-off program. If your child would be more comfortable with you nearby, please contact Erika Huber at ehuber@mainegardens.org before the session to discuss options.

Please bring a face covering to be worn while indoors at the Gardens.

Cost includes admission for child and adult chaperone.

Location: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens 105 Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Bridget VerVaet
Price: $10

Tree ID: Forest Species of Maine

Our Northeastern forest genera consists of a wide assortment of deciduous and coniferous species that vary throughout the macro- and micro-climatic regions of Maine. Understanding these species helps inform landowners about management, the local ecology, soils, and successional development. Join us and learn how to identify many of Maine's forest trees and about concepts like silvaculture and climate adaptive species. Autumn is the perfect time for this exploration—beyond the natural spectacle, the range of fall colors provides Allysa Gregory, Maine District Forester, the perfect palette by which to explain trees and their color choices. Leave feeling more connected to our forests and confident in identifying trees in your area.

Location: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens 105 Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Allysa Gregory
Price: $25 / $32

Budding Naturalist: Fall Foliage (Ages 8-14)

Does your child love nature and want to expand their identification skills? In this program geared toward students ages 8-14, participants can join our specialists for weekly, small-group outdoor sessions.

For trees, fall is a time of beautiful and dramatic changes. During this session, participants will learn handy tricks for remembering both the coniferous and deciduous trees of the Maine woods, gain an understanding of the science behind fall foliage, and learn an experiment they can perform at home.

Please note: In an effort to keep the group size small, this is a drop-off program. If your child would be more comfortable with you nearby, please contact Erika Huber at ehuber@mainegardens.org before the session to discuss options.

Please bring a face covering to be worn while indoors at the Gardens.

Cost includes admission for child and adult chaperone.

Location: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens 105 Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Erika Huber
Price: $10

Spring Migration Birding Walk

Join Director of Horticulture, Andy Brand, and Youth Programs Educator, Bridget VerVaet, for a morning tour before the Gardens opens to the public. Explore our wonderful bird population at the height of the spring migration season. Bring a sharp eye, but binoculars are recommended. All skill levels welcome.

Location: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens 105 Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Andy Brand

Mother’s Day at the Gardens

Treat your mother to flowers at the Gardens! We’re offering free admission for all mothers. No need to purchase a ticket for her—just purchase your own and bring Mom along.

Location: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens 105 Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay

Photography Club

The Photography Club meets every other Thursday morning at the Gardens, 7-9 a.m. Enjoy having the whole of our campus to yourself for two hours before we open to the public. Come and capture the stunning morning light, May-October. You must be a member of the Gardens to enjoy this amazing perk. The first meeting of the year is Thursday, May 12.

Location: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens 105 Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Price: $25

Spring Blooms and Buds

Spring is such a wonderful time to enjoy the Gardens! Come join Horticulturist Courtney Locke on a tour of our early spring blooms and bulbs in the crisp spring air. Courtney will share her extensive knowledge and help get your gardens looking great for next spring!

Location: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens 105 Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Courtney Locke

Plein Air Days

Set up your easel and paint or sketch at the Gardens for free! Enjoy glorious spring weather and capture some brilliant color. The event is a bit earlier this year, and thinner crowds mean artists can spread out and enjoy the tulips and daffodils. There is no charge for entry, but you must pre-register for this event. You may attend one or all of our plein air days.

Location: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens 105 Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay

Family Lady Slipper and Spring Wildflower Walk

Bring the family and join us as we walk the trails of the Gardens in search of the unique and mysterious pink lady slipper. We’ll discuss the fascinating biology and ecology of this delicate flower and talk about why the Gardens is lucky to be one of its protected homes. Participants will view these flowers’ complicated pollination process and stop to identify other wildflowers along the way.

Location: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens 105 Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Andy Brand

Fantastic Floral Arragements

We have been so lucky to have such beautiful flower arrangements over the years here at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. Largely behind these works of art? Diane Walden-Rapalyea—and she’s ready to take us through the gardens, gather flowers, and share her tips and tricks. A live arrangement demo follows.

Location: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens 105 Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Diane Walden

Father’s Day at the Gardens

Celebrate Dad with a day out! On Father's Day, we’re offering free admission for all fathers throughout the day. No need to purchase a ticket for him—just purchase your own and bring Dad along.

Location: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens 105 Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay

Exploring the Ecosystems of the Trolls

Have you discovered the trolls' hidden treasure yet? This tour’s journey will take us through several different forest ecosystems, giving us the opportunity to get to know each one as we travel toward discovering just what the trolls have been protecting. Learn what keeps these ecosystems healthy and how you can help protect them so that everyone may enjoy the natural world for years to come! Expect a moderate hike along some of our trails and wear the appropriate footwear.

Location: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens 105 Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Sarah Callan

Vertical Garden Creations

Come join Irene Barber, Adult Education Program Manager, as she puts together one of the wonderful vertical gardens on display in the Lerner Garden of Five Senses. Each garden is designed using locally sourced materials. After learning some of Irene’s favorite tricks, you’ll be ready to start your own vertical gardens by the end of the tour!

Location: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens 105 Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Irene Barber

Pollinators & Honey

We have a special love of honeybees at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. Sarah Callan, Interpretation & Exhibits Educator, and Emily Baisden, Entomologist Educator, will take us on a behind-the-scenes tour of our apiary to learn about the life of our bees and what it takes to care for them. After this look inside the hive, we'll take some time to enjoy the fruits--or honey--of their labor and sample some delicious honey both from our hives and around the world! Bring your sweet tooth and get ready to learn all about the types of honey and what factors influence color and flavor.

Location: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens 105 Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Sarah Callan

Art at the Garden

Art is essential in life! At the Gardens, we love to show off artists, both local and from afar. Join Vanessa Nesvig, Interpretation & Exhibits Program Manager, and Caroline Davis, Art & Exhibits Coordinator, to learn the stories behind the collections at the Gardens. We hear a troll or two might even be sighted!

Location: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens 105 Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Vanessa Nesvig

Moth Lighting Night

Join us and get mothing! The Gardens has teamed up with The Caterpillar Lab for an after-hours mothing extravaganza. Lightsheeting, or “mothing,” is the practice of providing an irresistible surface for insects to land on by illuminating a large white sheet. This favorite pastime of biologists has quickly become a popular hobby for nature lovers, gardeners, and the naturally curious worldwide. Popular events like National Moth Week and Mothapalooza have been attracting more and more attention—and now you, too, can be an explorer at this exclusive, after-hours event.

The Caterpillar Lab Director, Sam Jaffe, will arrange his ultra-moth-attracting setup and be on hand to help identify the hundreds of species we’ll likely attract. Come ready to be amazed by the diversity, size, and beauty of Maine’s nocturnal insect inhabitants. Before long, you too will be hooked on this popular pastime.

For the best experience, avoid bright clothing, wear long sleeves and pants, and bring a flashlight and insect repellant. This program is designed for anyone ages 10 and up, adults and families alike.

Location: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens 105 Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Sam Jaffe
Price: $15 / $18

The Caterpillar Walk

The Caterpillar Lab is moving in, and while the exhibit is filled with munching critters offering lots to explore, the real story is the one happening outdoors. In our many gardens (as well as your own backyard), these creatures are living out their strange lives in the wild. Join The Caterpillar Lab Director, Sam Jaffe, on an exploration of the Gardens in search of native caterpillars and other insects. Learn how The Lab finds its caterpillars, all about host plants and parasitoids, and discover caterpillar-finding secrets from one of the world’s foremost caterpillar hunters! This walk is appropriate for naturalists, gardeners, and explorers of all ages. It may not, however, be appropriate for more casually interested younger children.

Location: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens 105 Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Sam Jaffe

Member Evening

Ever wonder what it would be like to have the whole of the Gardens to yourself? Members can come find out! From May through August, join us for any of our several Member Evenings at the Gardens, open 5-7:30 p.m., exclusively for our members. Enjoy these quiet, tranquil hours and relax with us here at the Gardens. Register early--space is limited!

Location: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens 105 Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay

Dazzling Dahlias

Explore the wide array of the season’s blooming dahlias! Join Courtney Locke on a tour of the Dahlia Garden. We’ll learn about the different groups and characteristics that make up this beautiful display. Courtney will also share some great tips and tricks for caring for your own dahlias at home.

Location: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens 105 Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Courtney Locke

Outdoor Family Fun Days

Thanks to generous support from L.L.Bean, kids 17 and under are free every Wednesday in July and August, 2022. No need to reserve tickets for your young guests – just bring them along and we’ll check them in at the door.

Location: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens 105 Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay

Native Plant Tour

Our Native Plant Tour begins with a stroll down the Haney Hillside, moving from cultivated native plantings to the natural landscape of the Shoreland Trail. From there, we walk along the Maine Woods Trail, past fern glens and wetlands, then to the upland spruce-fir forest off the Birch Allée. Please note: this tour lasts about an hour and a half and moves swiftly over hiking trails. Registration is strongly suggested. To join the tour, please meet outside the Market building by the Great Lawn.

Location: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens 105 Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Vanessa Nesvig
Price: Free / $10

Wetlands Tour

Join us for a staff-led walk through our many wetlands down to the Back River. On this tour, learn how important wetlands are to our ecosystem, how they provide vital habitat for wildlife, and what we can do to preserve them. From ponds to vernal pools to small rivers, we’ll see how water affects each natural community. Please note: this tour lasts about an hour and a half and moves swiftly over our steeper hiking trails. Registration is strongly suggested. To join, please meet outside the Lyn and Daniel Lerner Visitor Center by the Heafitz Wetland Bridge.

Location: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens 105 Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Vanessa Nesvig
Price: Free / $10

Become a Guardian: Trees of the Trolls Tour

Dive into forest ecology and discover how to become a better steward of our ecosystem, just like the Guardians of the Seeds. These trolls have emerged at the Gardens to save the seeds of Maine’s most important tree species—help them protect the trees by deepening your connection to the forest around you. In this guided tour, learn not only how you, too, can become a guardian of the forest like our giant trolls, but all about these important trees, their significance in our landscape, and some of the many threats our forests face. Note that the emphasis of this excursion will be on the Maine forest, and we will only see three trolls on this tour.

Location: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens 105 Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Sarah Callan
Price: Free / $10

Highlights Tour

Join us for this hour-long tour through our central gardens. Meet by the Café building and walk through the gardens surrounding the Great Lawn. Learn the origin stories and people who made each garden possible, highlights of the Gardens’ history, design elements, and botanical details.

Location: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens 105 Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay

Resilient Landscapes in Built Environments | Section II

Mondays, November 28, December 5, 12, & 19th | Continuing the focus on resilient landscapes in built environments, Section II examines New England native plants for function, beauty, and biodiversity in the landscape and achieving high performance with minimal input. Additionally, the final two courses will provide step-by-step information on seasonal implementation and land-management practices relating to strategic planning, plant succession, erosion control, installation of green infrastructure, and contractor-to-client communication essential for establishing and supporting sustainable and resilient landscapes. These virtual courses are designed to be interactive, supporting those students with a working knowledge of native plants to plan for the next level of design and management.

Learn More
Location: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens 105 Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Price: $250 / $295

Member Insider – Spring Birding Migration Walk

Join us for a morning tour before the Gardens opens to the public. Explore our fascinating bird population at the the peak of the spring migration season. Binoculars are recommended; all skill levels welcome.

Location: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens 105 Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Multiple Instructors
Price: Free

Mother’s Day at the Gardens

Treat your mother to flowers at the Gardens! We’re offering free admission for all mothers. No need to purchase a ticket for her—just purchase your own and bring Mom along.

Location: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens 105 Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay

Member Photography Club

Every other Thursday, May 18-October 5, 7-9 a.m.

The Photography Club meets every other Thursday morning from 7-9 a.m., beginning May 18 and ending October 5. Club dues are $25.00 for the entire season, as long as you're a member of the Gardens. Enjoy having the whole of our campus to yourself for two hours before we open to the public, and capture the morning light and mingle with your fellow photographers.

Location: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens 105 Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Caroline Davis
Price: $25

Maine Days

Friday, June 2–Sunday, June 4 | FREE for Maine Residents

Each year during Maine Days, we invite our fellow Maine residents to experience their gardens at no cost—simply get your tickets ahead of time, and bring your Maine State ID or driver's license. Long a family tradition for many, this year’s event takes place Friday, June 2 through Sunday, June 4. We can’t wait to see you at the Gardens.

Please note that, while it is free for all Mainers, advance registration is required for this event.

Location: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens 105 Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay

Plein Air Days

Friday-Monday, June 9-12, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Attention artists! Come join us for the annual Plein Air Days long weekend. Bring your art supplies and easels, and admission is free! You must make reservations, but you’re welcome to come any or all of the four days.

Location: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens 105 Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Price: Free

Make a Container Water Garden

Water gardens are growing in popularity for a number of reasons: to attract wildlife like birds and butterflies, to add a melodic sound feature, to contribute light reflection, to offer a place for personal respite, and to cool down a garden space. Water gardens that incorporate unique and lush plants add bold shapes, forms, colors, defined lines, and textures to a garden space. In class, students will make and take home a small water garden container filled with personally selected plants supplied by the Gardens. We'll talk about the wide variety of plant options, materials, and different kinds of water garden designs. While this class is a part of our adult education offerings, it is open to advanced younger students, ages 14 and older.

Location: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens 105 Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Instructor: Courtney Locke
Price: $68 / $85

Member Evenings

Thursday, May 11; Thursday, May 25; Thursday, June 1; Thursday, June 8; Saturday, June 17; Thursday, July 6; Saturday, July 15; Thursday, July 27; Thursday, August 3; Saturday August 12; Thursday, August 24; from 5 p.m.-7:30 p.m.

Join us for a relaxing evening at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens! Our member evenings offer you a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the beauty and serenity of the Gardens in a tranquil setting, surrounded by the natural world. Whether you're looking for a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life or simply want to bask in the beautiful sunset, our member evenings are the perfect way to do just that. So gather your friends and family and come escape to the breathtaking beauty of our botanical gardens.

Location: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens 105 Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Price: Free

L.L.Bean Outdoor Family Fun Days

Thanks to generous support from L.L.Bean, kids 17 and under are free every Wednesday in July and August. No need to reserve tickets for your young guests – just bring them along and we’ll check them in at the door.

Location: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens 105 Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay

Accessible Cart Tour

May 1-October 20, Monday-Friday, 9-10:30 a.m., 10-11:30 a.m. & 3-4:30 p.m.
Our one and a half hour accessible cart tours are led by trained Gardens' docents, rain or shine, on our quiet electric cart. The cart can accommodate up to five people. Seating preference is decided on a first-come, first-served basis. These tours are a wonderful opportunity for those who may not otherwise be able to walk the Gardens. Accessible Cart Tours are $12 for members and $15 for nonmembers, except for Wednesdays when tours are free.

Registration is required ahead of time. Admission to the Gardens is not included and must be purchased separately.

Location: Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens 105 Botanical Gardens Drive, Boothbay
Price: $12 / $15