WL006: Megan Lankford: From Black to Green Thumb

 

Botanical Gardens of the Ozarks

https://bgozarks.org/

Mission and History

 

Learn. Play. Grow.

The Botanical Garden of the Ozarks is a unique destination in Northwest Arkansas that draws more than 80,000 visitors a year. The Garden is a collection of twelve themed gardens and includes the region’s only butterfly house. Our mission is to provide educational, entertainment, and recreational opportunities for students, residents, and Garden visitors to increase their appreciation of the native and natural ecosystem of the Ozarks.

Our education programs include workshops, classes, and lectures for adults in horticulture, conservation, and other topics of interest to gardeners of all skill levels and others who admire the beauty and science of the natural world. The majority of our education programs are for children of all ages. We work with area school districts to provide hands-on nature and science learning experiences. Our programs such as Little Sprouts, Earth Day, Butterfly Days, and Firefly Fling offer unique outdoor experiences to thousands of children each year.

 

eARTh Theatre Festival

Saturday, April 28 from 4:00-7:00 pm • Symptoms can include twitching, cramping, or stiffness of muscles – muscle weakness affecting an arm or a leg, slurred and nasal speech, or difficulty chewing or swallowing.

 

Classic children’s tales come to life in the garden!  Bring the kids and come enjoy this fun family festival at the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks!

The eARTh Theatre Festival will feature four family-friendly plays, performed by Arts Live Theatre actors and actresses throughout the garden. Each twenty minute show will run four times, with a fifteen minute break in between. Guests will be able to visit each stage to see all four plays and participate in Earth Day crafts throughout the evening.

Enjoy performances of the following stories:

Peter Pan

Wizard of Oz

Jungle Book

The Secret Garden

 

Greening of the Garden

Save the date for the 2018 Greening of the Garden Gala:  Friday, May 18 from 6:00-10:00 pm

The Greening of the Garden Gala is the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks‘ signature event and fundraiser. We strive to create a place for the community to celebrate and enjoy the natural beauty of the Ozarks.

Our mission is simple. Learn. Play. Grow.

The Garden provides over 16,000 children and adults with education each year. Classes and programs at the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks explore a broad array of garden-related topics including wild plants, animals in the garden, health and wellness, sustainability, and garden and floral design.

Guests at Greening can enjoy strolling through the Garden while enjoying wine, craft beer and hors d’oeuvres along with live music.

Watch the sun set while indulging in an elegant dinner on the Great Lawn and participate in the excitement of silent and live auctions throughout the evening.

 

Free Summer Concert Series

The Botanical Garden of the Ozarks’ popular Free Summer Concert Series returns with a jam-packed lineup for 2018!  There’s nothing better than summer nights in the garden, enjoying these unique open-air performances. 

All concerts are family-friendly and open to the public.  Each show will take place from 7:00-9:00 pm.  Lawn chairs and picnics are welcome or enjoy food & drink from local food trucks!  Consider riding your bike with b-parking on the Tyson Terrace.  Please leave pets at home.

2018 Summer Concert Lineup:

June 5 – Cinderella, performed by Opera in the Ozarks at Inspiration Point artists

 

June 26 – “Red, White & Bloom” patriotic concert featuring the Arkansas Winds Community Concert Band and vocalist Tonya Jackson

 

July 31 – Funk Factory, a high energy band covering everything from Motown soul, to rock ‘n roll and modern pop!

 

August 21 – National Park Radio – this popular group hails from Harrison, AR and plays Americana, folk and bluegrass  

 

Art in the Garden

Art in the Garden is a great opportunity to see the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks in full-bloom! Enjoy the Garden’s art installations, along with an art show featuring local artists! As you stroll through the Garden, you’ll be able to enjoy delicious drinks and hors d’oeuvres. This is definitely an event you won’t want to miss!

Save the date:  Friday, June 15 at 6:30 pm

 

Firefly Fling

Save the date:  July 21, 2018 from 6:00-10:00 pm

One of Northwest Arkansas’ most anticipated midsummer events is back July 21, 2018!

Before dark, community groups will offer engaging and fun activities like fairy house building, a photo booth, obstacle course, giant bubbles, nature stations, crafts, and more!  Garden and woodland fairies will be granting wishes to children throughout the garden.

After dark, families may participate in glowing games and then gather on the lawn for glow-in-the-dark performances and fire dancing, followed by a special Community Wishes Finale. Guests may bring blankets and picnics, but food trucks will be selling food as well. The Firefly Shoppe will have fairy wings, wands, glow sticks, and other festival items for sale!

 

Chefs in the Garden

Thank you to everyone who attended Chefs in the Garden!

Save the date:  September 11, 2018

Everyone’s favorite foodie event returns to the garden for its 11th year on Tuesday, September 11, 2018 from 6:00 – 8:30 PM!  Chefs in the Garden captures the excitement of the harvest season by bringing the area’s finest chefs into one location – the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks.  Guests can stroll through the garden watching cooking demonstrations and indulging in sweet and savory culinary creations. 

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