Lisle's Morton Arboretum isn't only about the fall foliage
The Morton Arboretum stages the gold standard in fall color.
Visitors flock to the 1,700-acre outdoor museum to see its 4,117 kinds of trees, shrubs and other plants whisper farewell to summer greenery as each prepares for winter's wonders.
The Fall Color Festival is in progress until Oct. 26. But the outdoor museum in Lisle delivers much more than stunning autumn colors and fun activities.
The arboretum is where natural exploration flourishes and learning grows in its roughly 500 classes each year. Classes take place as a single enriching experience, an ongoing series or an in-depth study leading to one of the arboretum's certificate programs. The key subjects are: natural history, ornithology (birds), nature photography, botanical art and, new this fall, the woodland stewardship training.
Founder Joy Morton established the education program in the arboretum's charter in 1922. Its first director was naturalist, teacher, author and artist May Watts, who set the bar high. Today, the education program is one of the oldest and largest in the U.S., says Gina Tedesco public relations manager.
For the youngest arboretum visitors, learning takes the amazing Children's Garden to the next level. Classes for tots ages 2 and 3 fill quickly, said Angelique Dunning, manager of youth and family programs.
Artist Anne Strutz will help children ages 7 to 9 learn composition and color while drawing pumpkins in a class titled "Pastel Pumpkins" on Oct. 25. The fee is $17 for members or $21 for others. The same price applies to a seasonal offering, "Spooky Spiders," for ages 4 and 5 with an adult. Insect anxiety may fade with the fascination of how spiders weave silky webs.
"Prowling for Owls" is a program for children ages 10 an up. Participants hike into the woods to look and listen for signs of owls. If found or not, an owl will make an appearance at the class scheduled at 5 p.m. Nov. 15. The cost is $29, or $25 for members.
Popular overnight programs for girls and for boys are offered during all seasons except summer when outdoor camps take over, Dunning said.
For Scout troops, special programs meet merit badge and patch requirements. The arboretum offers both guided and self-guided classes as well as Scout overnights.
"The arboretum is an ideal resource for lifelong learning," said Karla Lynch, manager of horticulture education. "We like to offer adults both indoor and outdoor classes that are small so there is a lot of interaction with our instructor and other students for personal enrichment."
Because of the resources of the arboretum's library and art collection, it offers adults a strong Botanical Art and Illustration program, Lynch said. Using a variety of media, new artists learn skills and experienced artists master techniques. The popular nature photography classes fill quickly.
Library administrator and reference librarian Michael Stieber will lead adult learners around the world through the eyes of two legendary naturalists in a program at 7 p.m. Nov. 5. It is an enriching experience to visit South America and the Galápagos Islands for a $9 fee, or $7 for members.
People who enjoy their yards in all seasons should plan to attend "Plantings Designed for Winter Interests" at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30. The fee is $24, or $18 for members. The two-session "Eco-Friendly Choices for the Well-Designed Garden" begins at 10 a.m. Nov. 5 and 12 at $55, or $50 for members.
"In our new woodland stewardship program, we are training folks as stewards and supervisors to help conserve and preserve woodlands and prairies," said Megan Dunning, manager of natural history education. The initial program has 17 students.
"To try something out, Lisa Wojnarowski is part of the Governor's Council on the Great Lakes and one of the brains behind the recent new Great Lake policies. (She) will tell us about that and the efforts for conservation," Dunning said. "It is an exciting program."
"Water Conservation and Efficiency in the Great Lakes Region" is at 7 p.m. Nov. 13 for $9, $7 for members.
Guy Sternberg, director of the Starhill Forest Arboretum in Central Illinois, will speak on how to maintain irreplaceable historic trees in communities at 7 p.m. Nov. 20. "Managing Ancient and Historic Trees" is $16, $12 for members. The next day, he speaks on the "Oaks of Illinois" at 10 a.m. Nov. 21 for $30, or $25 for members.
An adult and child over the age of 10 will experience a trek into the arboretum's Geographic Collections for hands-on research on Columbus Day, Oct. 13 at 10 a.m. "Searching for Seeds: Plant Explorer for a Day" costs $30, $25 for members, for each participant.
Attention crafters: the "Dazzling Holiday Table Tops" class led by artist Sally Hewlett includes all decorating materials and lunch. It runs 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 11 for $65, $55 for members.
Seven teachers offer a total of 10 workshops to make gourd ornaments, adorn a gourd vessel, carve a gourd birdhouse or transform one into a musical instrument. The possibilities seem endless. Gourd classes meet at various times on Oct. 18 and 19 at a cost from $50 to $65.
In addition to classes, the arboretum offers special seminars, workshops, symposiums and weekend conferences for in-depth study throughout the year.
"An International Conference on Tree Root Development in Urban Soils" is Oct. 6 to 8 and open to the public. Speakers and participants come from around the world. An urban forestry bus tour includes studying the green transformation of Chicago and features sites where trees are planted on structures such as at Millennium Park.
For a complete listing of all the arboretum classes, pick up the 12-page program guide available at the Visitors Center or go online at mortonarb.org. Register by calling (630) 719-2468. A perk for taking a class is your admission into the arboretum and parking that day is included in the class fee.
Located just north of the intersection of Route 53 and I-88 in Lisle, the arboretum is where knowledge blooms.
• Joan Broz writes about Lisle. E-mail her at jgbroz@yahoo.com.