Bees & Beekeepers at Work

Tuesdays, June 4 – September 24, 10:30 am – Noon

Wednesdays, June 5 – September 25, 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm

Sundays, June 9 – September 29, 11:00 am – 12:30 pm

Where: Sensory Garden Bee Hives

Cost: Free

Throughout the summer, our volunteer beekeepers will be stationed at the Conservatory hives and ready to share, with you, what our busy bees are doing. We’ll have fun, educational materials, real beekeeping tools, and a lot of information about our urban pollinator friends, plus the bees and beekeepers at work! (Hives will be opened only if weather and hive status permits.)

Beginning Beekeeping Class

Sunday, September 15

Hours: 9:00 am – 2:30 pm

Where: Jensen Room

Cost: $70 / $50 for GPCA Members and Volunteers

Spend the day with us learning the basics of beekeeping: equipment, hive design and construction, bee biology and behavior, bee management and bee products. This comprehensive one-day class, taught by the Garfield Park Conservatory’s head beekeeper and supported by our volunteer beekeeping crew, is a pre-requisite for becoming a GPCA volunteer beekeeper. These classes tend to fill up quickly, so be sure to register early. Pre-registration is required. Click "Register" below to purchase your spot in the class.
 
If you have questions about this class, please contact Naaman Gambill at (773) 638-1766 ext. 20 or ngambill@garfieldpark.org. Please note that we have a 2-week cancellation policy. Refunds will not be issued after Sunday, September 1. If you purchase a spot in this workshop after 5pm on Friday, September 13th, please either bring a printed copy of your email receipt, or show it on your smart phone at the door of the workshop.

Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance Beekeeper
The Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance Beekeeper, Naaman Gambill, was interviewed for "The Chicagoans," an ongoing video project that captures the stories of everyday people who live in and around the Windy City. It is based on "Chicagoans," a series of print interviews by Anne Ford that has appeared in the Chicago Reader since 2010. The Chicagoans is a collaboration between Charlie Simokaitis, Jason Creps and Anne Ford. Watch his story here: vimeo.com/53901111

Garfield Park Seasonal Foraging Series (Saturdays)

April 27 - Spring Foraging Talk and Walk

August 3 -  Summer Foraging Talk and Walk

October 5 - Fall Foraging Talk and Walk

Hours: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm

Where: Jensen Room

Cost Per Class: $55 / $45 for GPCA Members and Volunteers

Cost for Whole Series: $140 / $125 for GPCA Members and Volunteers

Nance Klehm leads this seasonal series, by showcasing the foraging abundance of medians, boulevards, and tracts of land that are often hidden in our cultural blind spot. Learn that St. John’s Wort (pictured) is found in ditches and atop hills. Part radical urban historian and seasoned horticulturist, Nance Klehm leads this series on open air foraging and the importance of knowing where you are by the plants around you. Part of this walk and talk examines place-based eating, with a special focus on urban foraging possibilities, sensibilities, and politics. Photo by Nance Klehm.

Goats at Work

First week of each month, June through September

Hours: All Conservatory Hours

Where: Prairie Hill in City Garden

Cost: Free

The Garfield Goats are back! People and goats have lived side-by-side for over 10,000 years, and today’s city dwellers are starting to realize the benefits. The goats that reside part-time at Garfield Park Conservatory belong to a Westside Chicago resident who is experimenting with how small farm animals benefit the urban landscape and our lives in the city. Come visit and see them at work mowing our big backyard! (Goats will browse during open Conservatory hours, depending on weather and goat health.)

Composters at Work

Saturdays, June 8 – September 28

Hours: 10:30 am – Noon

Where: Urban Demonstration Garden

Cost: Free

Drop in any time during the program hours for free tips, techniques, and useful information about composting at home. Our trained volunteer composters will be on hand to answer your questions about getting started, troubleshooting, maintenance, harvesting compost, and a lot more. In case of bad weather, a composting information cart will be stationed inside the Conservatory.

Composting information

Composting Information Booklet

The University of Illinois Extension Master Composters
Cost: Free PDF Download

Interested in composting at home?  The University of Illinois Extension Master Composters are the experts. Find their composting information booklet in PDF format here:

*Please note: the Compositing Information Booklet PDF is 9MB in size. Right click the above link and select save to download to your computer for printing. Load time for opening the PDF in a browser window will vary according to the speed of your Internet connection, not recommended for dial-up connections.

Chicago Bonsai Club Meeting

Third Wednesday of the Month, March through October

Hours: 6:30 pm - 8 pm

Where: Classroom

Cost: Free

Come join us to learn about the ancient art of growing bonsai from the Chicago Bonsai Club, a chapter of the Midwest Bonsai Society. Bring your bonsai trees to work on or just come to watch. Potting soil and wire will be provided, and some plant materials and pots will be available at a nominal cost. There is no fee to attend.

For more information, please contact Susan Babyk at 773-235-9479 or suekazoo@hotmail.com. 
 

Tree ID Walks

Fridays, February 15, May 17, July 19, October 18

Hours: 10 am – Noon

Where: Meet in the Conservatory’s front lobby

Cost: Free

Spring, summer and fall - learn to identify city trees throughout the seasons with TreeKeeper Jim DeHorn of the Openlands Project. Jim will explore the trees of beautiful and historic Garfield Park. Interested children are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult. Please dress appropriately for the weather – walks take place rain or shine!