Shinrin Yoku: Guided Forest Therapy Walks | Martha O’Grady and Charlie Yuill

Tuesday, Sept. 28 | 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (Rain Date: Oct. 5, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.)

$30 members | $35 non-members

Meet at Phipps Garden Center in Mellon Park

Level: Beginner

Come join Forest Awakenings for a relaxing nature retreat shaped by the Japanese practice of Shinrin Yoku. Over the course of three mindful hours, we’ll slow down and connect with the More Than Human World in a deeper, more intimate way. Following a research-based process, we’ll get in touch with our bodies and our place in the living fabric of the life. Our walk will conclude with a gratitude offering and open-hearted sharing over tea brewed from local plants. For more information, visit www.ForestAwakening.com.

Instructor Bios:

Martha O’Grady became certified by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy as a forest therapy guide to share her deep connection to our living, breathing planet. By helping people fall in love with the more than human world, she strives to inspire conservation while easing stress and anxiety.  Martha has a long-standing meditation practice which has taken her to sacred sites around the world.  When not out exploring, she works as a writer and producer.  

Charlie Yuill’s pathway to becoming a certified forest guide began with his youth as part of a family that was often in the wilds on travels.  His educational background includes geology, landscape architecture, and environmental planning and design. As a faculty member of the Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design at West Virginia University, Charlie’s work has focused on education and tending to aspects of the natural world.  His current professional activities focus primarily on the landscapes of the Appalachian Mountains. 

COVID note: Class sizes will be limited to allow for adequate social distancing during class. Masks are required for all guests attending in-person classes. Phipps closely monitors changing guidelines and may need to make adjustments to this class or our requirements to ensure a safe student experience.

Healthy Soil for the Vegetable Garden | Dan Dalton, PASA

Tues., Oct. 12 | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Eastern

$25 members | $30 non-members

Presented as a live webinar through Zoom

Healthy, fertile soil is the key to growing vigorous plants and improving yield in your home vegetable garden, and fall is the perfect time to invest in your garden’s soil. Come learn effective organic fertility management techniques, as well as how to read soil tests and translate them for the home garden. The practical use of various soil amendments, including cover crops will be discussed.

Shinrin Yoku: Guided Forest Therapy Walks | Martha O’Grady and Charlie Yuill

Sunday, Oct. 17 | 12:30 – 3:30 p.m. (Rain Date: Oct. 24, 12:30 – 3:30 p.m.)

$30 members | $35 non-members

Meet at Phipps Garden Center in Mellon Park

Level: Beginner

Come join Forest Awakenings for a relaxing nature retreat shaped by the Japanese practice of Shinrin Yoku. Over the course of three mindful hours, we’ll slow down and connect with the More Than Human World in a deeper, more intimate way. Following a research-based process, we’ll get in touch with our bodies and our place in the living fabric of the life. Our walk will conclude with a gratitude offering and open-hearted sharing over tea brewed from local plants. For more information, visit www.ForestAwakening.com.

Instructor Bios:

Martha O’Grady became certified by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy as a forest therapy guide to share her deep connection to our living, breathing planet. By helping people fall in love with the more than human world, she strives to inspire conservation while easing stress and anxiety.  Martha has a long-standing meditation practice which has taken her to sacred sites around the world.  When not out exploring, she works as a writer and producer.  

Charlie Yuill’s pathway to becoming a certified forest guide began with his youth as part of a family that was often in the wilds on travels. His educational background includes geology, landscape architecture, and environmental planning and design. As a faculty member of the Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design at West Virginia University, Charlie’s work has focused on education and tending to aspects of the natural world. His current professional activities focus primarily on the landscapes of the Appalachian Mountains. 

COVID note: Class sizes will be limited to allow for adequate social distancing during class. Masks are required for all guests attending in-person classes. Phipps closely monitors changing guidelines and may need to make adjustments to this class or our requirements to ensure a safe student experience.

Introduction to Smartphone Photography | Don Orkoskey

Wed., December 1 | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Eastern

$25 members | $30 nonmembers

Presented as a live webinar through Zoom

Level: Beginner to intermediate

Learn how to make better photos with your phone. Discover how to get the most out of your smartphone’s camera and learn what to do with your photos once you’ve taken them. Learn about exposure, composition, your phone's limitations and advantages, and more. All are welcome.

Western Pennsylvania Gardener Series | Phipps Staff: Gabe Tilove and Juliette Olshock

Wednesdays: Sept 22, 29, Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27 | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.  Eastern

Full Series: $150 members | $170 non-members 

Presented as a live webinar through Zoom

Fall is for gardeners! This series is designed for home gardeners in western Pennsylvania looking to upgrade their expertise and grow gardens that are beautiful and well adapted to the ecology of our region. Learn the essential skills needed to create a thriving garden, connect to local resources, and get all your garden questions answered. 

Topics include: 

Sept 22 - Native Plants for Beautiful, Biodiverse Yards 

Sept 29 - Weed and Invasive Plant Management 

Oct 6 - Fall Garden Care

Oct 13 - Creating and Managing Healthy Soil 

Oct 20 - Managing Water in your Landscape 

Oct 27 - Deer, Shade and Hillsides: Addressing Western PA Garden Challenges

Class is taught by Phipps staff, Gabe Tilove and Juliette Olshock

Gabe Tilove is the director of adult education and community outreach for Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, where he works to connect people more closely to the beauty of the natural world through education and outreach. Gabe oversees Phipps Master Gardener program, and is a passionate home gardener. 

Juliette Olshock is the sustainable landcare program coordinator for Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, where she organizes trainings and educational opportunities for local landcare professionals and homeowners. Juliette enjoys playing in the soil, growing a variety of plants, and creating a backyard oasis at her home in Hazelwood.