Let’s gather together to enjoy Autumn in the gardens and orchard. We will record our stories in a journal, build with sticks, stems, rocks and blocks, and exercise our imagination. This is a chance for littles and caregivers to dig into gentle gardening with soil, water, bulbs, roots, or seeds. We always end with gratitude for forest friends and a cup of warm tea. Dress for the weather and bring a snack. Registration required. Ages 18mo-4yr
Join us in this hands-on workshop where you will learn how to sustainably collect seeds from native plants, both in the wild and within our Seed Increase Plots! Participants will learn to properly identify species, examine plant populations, determine whether a population is suitable for collection, check seed for ripeness, perform a cut test, and fill out a data sheet to record important information for future collections.
Pre-registration is required for this workshop. All techniques are researched by scientists and implemented by the Bureau of Land Management’s National Seed Strategy.
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Did you know that you can make your own paper? We’ll be using native ecotype seeds from Hilltop’s Native Plants Program and recycled paper to create handmade seed paper you can take home and plant or turn into a greeting card! This workshop is open to all ages, but is recommended for 10+. Pre-registration is required.
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Join us at the Trailside Nature Museum and lean about some medicinal plants that likely grow in your own yard. Find out where these plants came from, their uses, and methods to prepare them.
We’re calling on volunteers to join us in weeding and maintaining our native seed increase plots. Hilltop Hanover Farm has over 30 plots planted in accordance with the Seeds of Success protocol developed by the Bureau of Land Management. Each plot contains at least three distinct genetic populations of a native species and plays an important role in supporting regional native seed production and ecological restoration work.
Volunteers will work alongside our Native Plant Team to help care for these important plantings.
What to expect:
Using short- and long-handled weeding tools
Kneeling and bending
Moving wheelbarrows and garden totes
What to bring:
Sturdy closed-toe shoes
A water bottle
A hat and sunglasses
Let’s gather together to enjoy early growth in the gardens, record our stories in a journal, and learn about tools. We will experiment with seeds and roots, build with sticks, stems, rocks and blocks, and exercise our imagination. We always end with gratitude for forest friends and a cup of warm tea. Dress for the weather and bring a snack. Ages 18 mo. – 4 years
register & pay
Gain a new appreciation for the plants all around us. Working with the dogbane plant, we will learn to hand-process its fibers into strong cordage. Ages 12 and up.
The sights and scents of the season flourish across the garden collections of Lasdon Public Gardens. Spend some time with Lasdon’s head gardener on a walking tour featuring highlights of the gardens and plant collections. The one hour tour is free and meets at the Memorial Garden Entrance.
Let’s gather together to enjoy early growth in the gardens, record our stories in a journal, and learn about tools. We will experiment with seeds and roots, build with sticks, stems, rocks and blocks, and exercise our imagination. We always end with gratitude for forest friends and a cup of warm tea. Dress for the weather and bring a snack. Ages 18 mo. – 4 years
register & pay
Celebrate 2026 Earthday! Turn off your electronics and spend the day outside giving back to Mother Earth! Help us plant native species and learn about the many ways you can nurture our shared environment.