November 16, 2020
Joe Stinebaker
Communications Director
(O) 832-927-4479
(C) 713-503-2610
NEWS RELEASE
Mercer Botanic Gardens
November 2020 Calendar
Morning Family Hike,Yoga in the Gardens,
Seed Ball Craft, and More!
Music in the Gardens
Wednesday, Dec. 2, at 10:30 a.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 16, at 10:30 a.m.
Join Mercer Botanic Gardens for Music in the Gardens, in which children from 2 to 5 partner with their parents and experience rhythm and music principles in a natural outdoor setting throughout the garden. Classes use Kindermusik curriculum’s songs, instruments, and movement to inspire creativity, confidence, and music appreciation in children while building unique bonds with their parents. This free, family-friendly event is outdoors, so participants should dress for the weather. Wear closed-toe shoes and bring your own water bottle. Meet at Mercer’s East Side Main Garden. Registration is required, as space is limited. To register or for more information, call 713-274-4160.
It’s Yoga Time: Family Yoga in the Gardens
Saturday, Dec. 5, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Gather the family and head to Mercer Botanic Gardens for some healthy yoga fun! This energetic, beginner yoga class led by registered yoga teacher Delyla Ovalle-Bowyer features individual poses and family-partner poses. Participants should bring a yoga mat or beach towel, and a water bottle. Yoga blocks and straps are optional. All ages are welcome. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. This is an outdoor event, so participants should dress for the weather. Registration is required, as space is limited. Consult your physician before starting any exercise program. To register or for more information, call 713-274-4160.
Women’s Restorative Hike
Tuesday, Dec. 8, from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 22, from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Be a part of the newest volunteer-supported hike at Mercer Botanic Gardens. This beginner friendly, one-hour hike through Mercer’s gardens and forest is for those who believe in the restorative power that nature has on the mind, body, and spirit. For women 18 and older. Consult your physician before starting any exercise program. Meet in front of the Visitor Center located at Mercer’s East Side Main Gardens on the second and fourth Tuesdays. Registration is required, as space is limited. To register or for more information, call 713-274-4160.
Virtual Lunch Bunch: Native Trees for Your Backyard
Wednesday, Dec. 9, at noon
Have you ever wanted to plant a Texas native tree but just weren’t sure whether it would do well? Watch Harris County Precinct 4 Arborist Laura Medick during her virtual presentation as she shares how to select native trees, properly plant them, and how to care for them. This month’s Lunch Bunch is a recorded, online presentation. A link for Native Trees for Your Backyard will be posted on Mercer’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/MercerBotanicGardens/events/ on the day of the event. No registration required. For more information, call 713-274-4160.
Seed Ball Take-Home Craft
Friday, Dec. 11, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Sunday, Dec. 13, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
It’s the perfect time of the year to make and launch a butterfly-friendly wildflower seed ball! Mercer Botanic Gardens is offering this free take-home craft that includes soil, clay, and the seeds of butterfly-friendly wildflowers such as lanceleaf coreopsis, Maximillian sunflower, winecup, showy milkweed, butterfly weed, prairie goldenrod, lemon mint, and Texas bluebonnet. Take a craft kit home and follow the instructions to have your own seed ball to launch in a sunny field, a meadow, or your own backyard! Each seed ball craft kit contains materials to make one seed ball. Limit one craft kit per person. Registration for a pick-up time is required, as quantities are limited. Call 713-274-4160 to reserve your seed ball craft.
Christmas Bird Count
Saturday, Dec. 19, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Meet up for an early morning bird count along the Spring and Cypress Creek Greenways. Participants should meet in the Cypress Parking Lot of Mercer’s West Side Arboretum at 8 a.m. The count continues as participants drive north to experience Pundt Park and a variety of other parks along the Spring Creek Greenway. Feeder watchers are also encouraged to participate. Collected data will be reported to the Audubon Society. Bring your binoculars, field guide, and bird identification book. For more information, contact compiler Claire Moore at cdmoore3i@gmail.com.
Keep Calm and Yoga in the Gardens
Saturday, Dec. 19, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Enjoy a unique opportunity to practice yoga in the natural outdoor setting of Mercer Botanic Gardens. Through gentle and purposeful movements, you’ll gain flexibility and strength while releasing body tension. This slower-paced yoga program is ideal for beginners to intermediate participants, and is led by registered yoga teacher Delyla Ovalle-Bowyer. Participants should bring a yoga mat or beach towel, and a water bottle. Yoga blocks and straps are optional. This is an outdoor event, so participants should dress for the weather. Registration is required, as space is limited. For adults 18 and older. Consult your physician before starting any exercise program. To register or for more information, call 713-274-4160.
Family Adventure Series: Morning Family Hike
Tuesday, Dec. 29, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Did you know that Mercer has more than five miles of beginner-friendly riparian trails? Come out to explore old and new hiking spots and take the Family Hiking Pledge for healthy hiking in 2021. Staff will be on hand with maps and to answer questions about specific trails to be found on Mercer’s east and west sides. Receive a bamboo hiking stick, one per person while supplies last. Registration is required. For more information or to register, call 713-274-4160.
Ongoing Events
Northside Horticultural Propagation Center
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon
Join a plant committee and grow plants year-round for events and sales or help with various projects from propagation to irrigation. Contact Mercer’s volunteer coordinator at 713-274-4160 for more information.
Gardening in the Tropical Garden
Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Join a Mercer horticulturist in the Tropical Garden to work with palms, plumerias, bamboo, and special collections. Wear closed-toe shoes and bring a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen, and water. Tools and gloves will be provided. Volunteers must be 16 or older or 12-15 if volunteering with a parent or guardian. Please contact Mercer’s volunteer coordinator at 713-274-4160 to schedule a visit.
Gardening in the Native Garden
Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Join a Mercer horticulturalist for planting, grooming, pruning, weeding, and mulching in the Native Garden. Wear closed-toe shoes and bring a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen, and water. Tools and gloves will be provided. Volunteers must be 16 or older or 12-15 if volunteering with a parent or guardian. Please contact Mercer’s volunteer coordinator at 713-274-4160 to schedule a visit.
Gardening in the Children’s and Vegetable Gardens
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Join a Mercer staff member to plant new plants, sow seeds, thin and harvest vegetables, and weed garden beds in the Children’s Garden and Vegetable Garden. Wear closed-toe shoes and bring a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen, and water. Tools and gloves will be provided. Volunteers must be 16 or older or 12-15 if volunteering with a parent or guardian. Please contact Mercer’s volunteer coordinator at 713-274-4160 to schedule a visit.
Tai Chi
Saturdays at 9 a.m.
Join volunteer John Spencer for this one-hour beginner class offered at Mercer’s East Side Gardens. Tai Chi class location may vary each week. Call 713-274-4160 for more information or to check for cancellations due to weather or holidays.
Story Time in the Gardens
First and Third Mondays at 10:30 a.m.
Mercer Botanic Gardens invites parents and children to enjoy story time in the natural setting of the garden. Story time garden locations may vary each week. Registration is required, as space is limited. Recommended for children 2 to 5. Call 713-274-4160 to find out the location or to check for cancellations due to weather or holidays. Volunteer opportunities are available.
Mercer Ambassadors
Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to noon and noon to 2 p.m.
Ambassadors welcome visitors to Mercer and provide information about the gardens, upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, and more. Those who enjoy visiting with guests are encouraged to apply. Ambassador training is online, with a slide presentation and copy of the Ambassador handbook. Must be 16 or older or 12-15 if volunteering with a parent or guardian. Contact Mercer’s volunteer coordinator at 713-274-4160 for more information.
With leadership from Commissioner R. Jack Cagle, Mercer Botanic Gardens is a Harris County Precinct 4 Parks facility one mile north of FM 1960 at 22306 Aldine Westfield Road in Humble, 77338. To register, seek additional information or request special assistance in any of the following programs, contact Mercer at 713-274-4160 or mercerbotanicgardens@hcp4.net. Visit Mercer online at www.hcp4.net/parks/mercer. All Precinct 4 events and programming are subject to change or cancellation because of COVID-19.
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