for immediate release

Explore the Garden After Hours & Discover Nature at Night!

Chicago Botanic Garden, May 7 through Sept. 17

Media Only:
Melissa Schuler
(847) 835-6829, direct
mschuler@chicagobotanic.org

GLENCOE, Ill. (May 2, 2011) — Bring a picnic dinner and spend an exciting evening with friends and family exploring different areas of the Chicago Botanic Garden during Nature Nights. Children ages 4-10 and their families will enjoy a variety of nature-based adventures from 5 to 7:30 p.m., rain or shine. Each Nature Nights includes a short tram ride, a planting project and s'mores around the campfire.

The schedule includes the following:

• May 7 or 21: Woodland Walk: Learn all about the wild animals and plants that call McDonald Woods their home. Children and their families will search for signs of woodland creatures, discover ephemeral spring plants, and spot animal dwellings.

• June 4 or 18: Blooms and Birds: Discover where different birds nest and how they feed, then plant a flower that will attract them to your garden to bring home.

• July 2 or 16: Aquatic Adventure: Find out how water makes all life possible. Using scientific tools, children and their families will observe animal that live in the water and make an aquatic garden to take home.

• August 6 or 20: Nature's Music: The chirping of crickets, honking of geese and a frog's song are all examples of nature's music. Children and their families will head over to Evening Island and learn how insects communicate, enjoy a private tour of the carillon and create a musical instrument out of natural materials.

• September 3 or 17: Prairie Prowl: Explore the Dixon Prairie to learn about how prairies grow and find the plants and animals that call it home. Children and their families will examine beneficial bugs, discuss the life cycle of a plant, and plant a prairie plant to take home.

Nature Nights is held on the first and third Saturday of each month. A minimum of one adult for every three children is required. Cost is $23 per child; Chicago Botanic Garden Plus members pay $20. Adults are free. For more information or to register, visit www.chicagobotanic.org/naturenights or call (847) 835-6801.

###

Editors, please note: The Chicago Botanic Garden's newsroom is online at www.chicagobotanic.org/pr. For digital images, contact Julie McCaffrey at (847) 835-8213 or at jmccaffrey@chicagobotanic.org.

Admission to the Chicago Botanic Garden is free. Select event fees apply. Parking is $20 per car; free for Garden members. For information about Garden programs and events, call (847) 835-5440, or visit www.chicagobotanic.org.

Interact with the Garden for this and other Garden events and programs:

###

The Chicago Botanic Garden, one of the treasures of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, is a 385-acre living plant museum featuring 24 distinct display gardens and four natural areas. With events, programs and activities for all ages, the Garden is open every day of the year. Admission is free; select event fees apply. Parking is $20 per car; free for Garden members. Located at 1000 Lake Cook Road in Glencoe, Ill., the Garden is smoke free. Visit www.chicagobotanic.org, or call (847) 835-5440 for seasonal hours, images of the Garden, and commuter transportation information.

The Chicago Botanic Garden is managed by the Chicago Horticultural Society. It opened to the public in 1972 and is home to the Joseph Regenstein, Jr. School of the Chicago Botanic Garden, offering a broad array of adult classes in plant science, landscape design and gardening arts. Through the Division of Plant Science and Conservation, Garden scientists work on plant conservation, research and environmental initiatives that have global impact. The Center for Teaching and Learning brings the wonder of nature and plants to children, teens and teachers. The Garden's Horticultural Therapy and Community Gardening programs provide nationally recognized community outreach and service programs. A program of the Chicago Botanic Garden, Windy City Harvest is an organic vegetable and plant production enterprise that provides instruction in sustainable horticulture and urban agriculture to residents of Chicago’s North Lawndale and West Side neighborhoods.

The Chicago Botanic Garden is accredited by the American Association of Museums and is a member of the American Public Gardens Association (APGA). The Chicago Botanic Garden is also host to Botanic Gardens Conservation International-U.S., and a member of the Center for Plant Conservation. In 2006, the Chicago Botanic Garden received the Award for Garden Excellence, given yearly by the APGA and Horticulture magazine to a public garden that exemplifies the highest standards of horticultural practices and has shown a commitment to supporting and demonstrating best gardening practices.