… the chief engineer of train exhibitions at the Chicago Botanic Garden—and he still plays with trains. “I hardly get to play with my railroad at home because I get to play with this one,” said Dave Rodelius, in the tone of a man who can’t believe his good fortune. Dave …
Type: Blog
… horticultural therapy outdoor garden program, and our excitement level is right there with them. I am frequently asked, “what kinds of activities do you do in the early spring to … engaging and therapeutic plant-based sessions this time of year. The possibilities are endless with the added perk of being very affordable and therapeutically significant. When gearing up for … and therapeutic purpose. For the educational component, focus on the life cycle of a seed with the group of participants. Visuals, such as a seed germination chart, help participants …
Type: Blog
… native bees are undergoing global declines, making them an important conservation concern. With the growth of urban areas, native bees may be faced with new challenges, yet we don’t know the extent that urban areas impact native bees. My … sites. To catch the bees, we use two methods. First, we set out fluorescent colored bowls with soapy water that attract and capture the bees. Secondly, we use a butterfly net to capture …
Type: Blog
… when it eventually reopens or are available now from online sellers, including smile.amazon.com (your purchases through this link support the Chicago Botanic Garden, if you designate us as … Bathing By Yoshifumi Miyazaki Forest bathing is the practice of seeking a deeper connection with nature by spending dedicated time surrounded by trees. The author explains the science and … . Nature Play Garden Nature Play at Home: Creating Outdoor Spaces That Connect Children with the Natural World By Nancy Striniste This inspirational guide is filled with ideas on how …
Type: Blog
… Of all the summer evening sights at the Chicago Botanic Garden, only one can compete with the flowers: the brides. Beautiful in their gowns, stepping delicately into the Krasberg … the years, the Garden has been the site of many a romantic story for both staff and visitors. With summer in full swing—and romance in the air—here are a few more of our favorites. 2013: It … summer evening, a seemingly random group of visitors slowly gathered at the lovely green field with the photo-perfect view of the Elizabeth Hubert Malott Japanese Garden. As a young couple …
Type: Blog
… the larvae consume the foliage, which is high in cardiac glycosides—a poison that interferes with the heart functioning of vertebrates (animals with a skeleton). Butterflies are insects with an exoskeleton, and so are not affected by the toxin. Within the Chicago region, the …
Type: Blog
… any better than this! A little background first. Mongolia is a large country in Central Asia with a population very close in size to the city of Chicago (Mongolia: 2.89 million; Chicago: … Ulaanbaatar (also spelled Ulan Bator, or “UB” for short). Most of the country is rural with very few people; it ranges from mountains and forests mainly in the north and west, to … and it is breathtakingly beautiful. The elevation is high, the climate is continental, and with Siberia to the north you can imagine what winters are like. Mongolia is a landlocked country …
Type: Blog
… preserve edges. Homeowners who put oranges and grape jelly in feeders are often rewarded with a look at the male with his black head and back contrasting with his brilliant orange breast as he eats a spring meal. A male Baltimore oriole sits amid the …
Type: Blog
… many seasons of Little Diggers. We have learned new things together and have had a lot of fun with the projects. One of our favorite projects was with insects. We got up close and personal with ants, butterflies, grasshoppers, and ladybugs. The instructor set up habitats in mesh …
Type: Blog
… The last two interpretations stem (so to speak) from the plant’s genus name, Narcissus , with its connection to Greek mythology. Most people are familiar with the story of handsome Narcissus, who spurned the affections of the wood nymph Echo and … irritated Nemesis, the goddess of revenge; Nemesis doomed Narcissus to becoming so obsessed with his looks that he faded away, reborn as a flower that sprang up beside the pool where he …
Type: Blog
