November Events At The SC Botanical Gardens

These are the November events planned in the S.C. Botanical Garden at Clemson University. For more information or to register, visit www.clemson.edu/scbg.

Friday, Nov. 2
FIRST FRIDAY GARDEN WALK
Meet naturalist David Bradshaw for an unforgettable tour of the garden. Walks are offered the first Friday of every month, and no two outings are the same.
Fee: Free
Time: 9 a.m. October to March
Location: Meet in caboose parking lot

Saturday, Nov. 3
HUNT CABIN OPEN HOUSE
Learn about fall gourds and pumpkins with Garden educator Sue Watts. Explore how people have used them for food and as decorative and functional objects through history. Hear the folklore and superstitions surrounding gourds and pumpkins as you sit by a warming fire in the Hunt Cabin.
Fee: Donations to the Hunt Cabin Fund
Time: 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 5
GARDEN SPROUTS
Preschool children discover the wonders of the Botanical Garden alongside a caregiver with guidance of Garden naturalist and educator Sue Watts. This nature-based enrichment program offers new discoveries and engaging activities to captivate young minds, including music, stories, arts and crafts, nature walks, movement, touch and observation to explore each week’s theme. Register in advance.
Fee: $5
Time: 10–11 a.m.
Location: Hanson Nature Learning Center

Tuesday, Nov. 6
HOME LANDSCAPE FUNDAMENTALS: UNDERSTANDING PLANTS
Understanding plants and their needs is key to creating a rewarding landscape that’s a joy, not a chore. Garden education director Lisa Wagner will help you better understand the language of your garden from her perspective as a plant ecologist and keen gardener in this introduction to plant biology for gardeners. Register in advance.
Fee: $15 ($12 for members)
Time: 10 a.m.–noon
Location: Hanson Nature Learning Center

Friday, Nov. 9
TREESURE HUNT
Join Garden educators Allison Jones and Kendra Vincent for a walk in the woods and learn fun facts about the forest. Riddle clues will help find the way on a tree scavenger hunt. Afterward, make beautiful art out of autumn leaves and enjoy a story by the campfire. Register at least three days in advance.
Fee: $7 ($6 for members and volunteers)
Time: 3:30–5:30 p.m.
Location: Hanson Nature Learning Center

Monday, Nov. 12
GARDEN SPROUTS
Preschool children discover the wonders of the Botanical Garden alongside a caregiver with guidance of Garden naturalist and educator Sue Watts. This nature-based enrichment program offers new discoveries and engaging activities to captivate young minds, including music, stories, arts and crafts, nature walks, movement, touch and observation to explore each week’s theme. Register in advance.
Fee: $5
Time: 10–11 a.m.
Location: Hanson Nature Learning Center

Tuesday, Nov. 13
GARDEN NATURALIST: FOREST ECOLOGY
Spend the morning exploring the forest habitats of Upstate South Carolina with Master Naturalist Sue Watts. The day-long trip a single morning begins with the rich beauty and species diversity of the Jocassee Valley, travels through the rare basic mesic forest to the Piedmont forest and finally into the beautiful Hopkins Beech Grove. Explore the geology, flora and fauna of each area and how these factors interact to make the Southern Blue Ridge an ecological treasure. Bring a sack lunch. Register in advance.
Fee: $50 ($45 for members and volunteers)
Time: 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
Location: Hanson Nature Learning Center

Wednesday, Nov. 14
HOME LANDSCAPE FUNDAMENTALS: CHOOSING PLANTS
Selecting plants that thrive is key to creating an attractive landscape. Choosing the right plant for the right place means understanding the size and shape of a plant and matching plant needs with sun, soil and moisture conditions in your landscape. Join education director Lisa Wagner for a fresh look at choosing plants for your landscape based on their “garden habitats.” Register in advance.
Fee: $15 ($12 for members)
Time: 10 a.m.-noon
Location: Hanson Nature Learning Center

Friday, Nov. 16
BROTHER EAGLE, SISTER SKY
Join Allison Jones and Kendra Vincent to explore our connection to and reliance on the natural world through various games and activities. Learn about the interesting ways that various Native American tribes relied on plants and animals in the past. They'll read the book “Brother Eagles, Sister Sky” and teach how to make a web-of-life dream catcher to take home. Register at least three days in advance.   
Fee: $7 ($6 for members and volunteers)
Time: 3–5 p.m.
Location: Hanson Nature Learning Center

Tuesday, Nov. 27
GARDEN NATURALIST: PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES OF INTERPRETATION
Master Naturalist Sue Watts will teach other nature interpreters to create a connection with an audience and develop teachable moments. This class uses Botanical Garden program content to develop the principles and practice of interpretation. It provides an introduction to interpretation for Master Naturalists, Master Gardeners and other individuals who would like to volunteer at the Garden or other interpretive site in the state. Register in advance.
Fee: $20
Time: 9 a.m.–noon
Hanson Nature Learning Center

Wednesday, Nov. 28
HOME LANDSCAPE FUNDAMENTALS: DESIGNING WITH PLANTS
A pleasing landscape depends on combining trees, shrubs and perennials in ways that work over the seasons and years. Education director Lisa Wagner teaches how to keep in mind growing space over time when designing with plants. Other topics include design elements such as shape, size, foliage texture and color to maximize garden appeal throughout the year. Register in advance.
Fee: $15 ($12 for members)
Time: 10 a.m.-noon
Location: Hanson Nature Learning Center

ART GALLERY
Visit the Fuller Galleries to see a rotating collection of artwork by artisans inspired by the materials, nature and beauty of the Upstate. A portion of sales benefits the S.C. Botanical Garden. There is also a permanent display of Elizabeth Belser Fuller’s extensive collection of wildflower and nature paintings.
Gallery Hours: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday–Saturday and 1–5 p.m. Sunday.
Admission: Free
Location: Fran Hanson Discovery Center

GEOLOGY MUSEUM    
The Bob Campbell Geology Museum houses an impressive collection of over 10,000 rocks, minerals, fossils, lapidary objects (carvings, gemstones), and artifacts (mining equipment, Native American tools). Educational tours are available Tuesday-Friday. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, 1-5 pm.. Sunday. Museum admission: $3 for adults and $2 for children 12 and under. Admission is free on the third weekend of every month. For more information, call 864-656-4600 or visit www.clemson.edu/public/geomuseum.

GENERAL INFORMATION
The South Carolina Botanical Garden is located on the Clemson University campus at the intersection of Highway 76 and Perimeter Road. The Garden encompasses 295 acres of display gardens, nature trails, woodlands and streams, and is open year-round from dawn to dusk, free of charge. Discovery Center and Garden Gift Shop hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday.

The Garden is partially supported by the state of South Carolina via Clemson University, but relies on private funding, memberships and proceeds from educational events to support operations. Contact the Visitors Center for more information at 864-656-3405 or scbg@clemson.edu, or visit www.clemson.edu/scbg.