Gardening, Nature, & Conservation

Gain a deeper understanding of and appreciation for plants and nature with a variety of classes covering topics such as rain barrels, seed collecting, foraging, beekeeping, citizen science, and more. Or learn how to beautify your own home garden using organic and sustainable methods – just like 577! Monthly classes on topics such as how to grow a garden, planting for pollinators, tree care, permaculture, and more are taught by passionate community instructors, local partners, and 577 horticulture staff. Class topics vary each month and are taught in the Geodesic Dome, Virginia’s House, Cottage, and around the beautiful gardens and grounds of 577.

Upcoming Classes

The Wisdom of Marshmallow Root
Thursday, April 11 ~ 6pm to 7:30pm

Explore the wisdom of nature by discovering the potential benefits of marshmallow root. Participants will learn the ancient wisdom of the marshmallow root, how it benefits the immune system, and how it supports our gut health. Enjoy sampling marshmallow root tea in class along with an herbal treat*. Take home an 8oz jar of marshmallow root plus a recipe to make your own marshmallow tincture.

This class is perfect for learning more about the plants around us and how nature’s bounty can support our bodies.

*Treats are gluten, dairy, and nut free. Treats contain eggs. 

Community Instructor: Lauren Johnson

Beekeeping 101
Saturday, April 13 ~ 10am to 1pm

Come curious and ready to get hands-on while learning the basics of beekeeping. Students will explore beekeeping best practices, including the equipment you’ll need, where to get your bees, hive anatomy and set up, and much more. Everyone will leave with a basic understanding of beekeeping and the confidence to pursue their beekeeping journey. During April’s class, students will observe the delivery and installation of a new queen and bees into the 577 hive. 

Come dressed for the weather. Older clothes and shoes are recommended.

**Please note: Students must have completed 577’s Honeybee 101 class to participate.**

Community Instructor: Sara Grunberg

Rain Barrel Make It and Take It Workshop – 4 Sessions Available
Wednesday, April 17 ~ 4pm to 4:30pm
Wednesday, April 17 ~ 5pm to 5:30pm
Wednesday, April 17 ~ 6pm to 6:30pm
Wednesday, April 17 ~ 7pm to 7:30pm

Harvesting rainwater improves water quality, helps reduce flooding, and collects free water. In this outdoor workshop, participants will learn about the benefits of rain barrels and will be guided step by step to make a rain barrel to take home.

All supplies and materials will be provided. Please bring a vehicle large enough to transport a 55-gallon drum rain barrel home.

Community Instructors:

Lauren Rush, stormwater program manager for the City of Perrysburg. Lauren’s work focuses on improving water quality in Northwest Ohio. She’s often quoted shouting “Only rain in the drain! Slow it down, spread it out, soak it in!”

Members from Toledo-Lucas County Rain Garden Initiative. TLC RGI is a partnership made up of government agencies, educational institutions, environmental organizations, businesses and private citizens, all working together to promote natural stormwater management and urban beautification in efforts to protect our local waterways and Lake Erie.

Reducing Food Waste: Tips & Tricks
Monday, April 22 ~ 6pm to 8pm

“Be the change” in honor of Earth Month! Learn about the impact food waste has on our world and our wallets and the simple solutions you can incorporate in your life to reduce its effects.

Through lively discussion of this timely issue, participants will come to understand that the facts are staggering but the solution is doable right in our homes. The instructors will offer a range of ideas to improve our role in the problem and will showcase the methods and tools they use. Everyone will complete a simple survey about their habits at the consumer level and will leave class with a new view, a plan of action, and additional resources to support their journey to curb food waste.

Community Instructor: Jan Szalkowski and Wendy Steusloff

The Wisdom of Calendula
Tuesday, April 30 ~ 6pm to 7:30pm

Explore the wisdom of nature by discovering the potential benefits of the calendula plant. Participants will learn the ancient wisdom of the calendula plant and how it can be used to support our general health and wellness. Everyone will make a calendula salve in class they can take to use at home.

Participants will enjoy an herbal treat* while they formulate and sample their own tea blend using calendula and other herbs. Each blend will have ten tea servings to enjoy and share at home.

This class is perfect for learning more about the plants around us and how nature’s bounty can support our bodies.

*Treats are gluten, dairy, and nut free. Treats contain eggs. 

Community Instructor: Lauren Johnson

The Wisdom of Aloe Vera
Tuesday, May 7 ~ 6pm to 7:30pm

Explore the wisdom of nature by discovering the potential benefits of the aloe vera plant. Participants will learn how aloe can support us internally and externally, and everyone will make a 2-ounce container of aloe infused salve to bring home. Children are welcome to attend with a registered adult and can help to make their family’s salve.

This class is perfect for learning more about the plants around us and how nature’s bounty can support our bodies.

Community Instructor: Lauren Johnson

Introduction to Flower Essences
Saturday, May 18 ~ 2pm to 3:30pm

Flower essences are a particularly magical branch of herbal medicine. They carry the energetic imprint of a plant rather than an extraction of physical constituents. They are often used for issues with a strong mental, emotional, or spiritual component.

In this class, we’ll discuss what flower essences are, how they’re used, and how to make your own.

Community Instructor: Sarah Williams

Small Woven Birdhouse
Tuesday, May 21 ~ 6pm to 8pm

Learn a basic twining technique to weave a small birdhouse! We will use wild willow tips, ivy, cordage, and twine to weave. This size of birdhouse is ideal for wrens, finches, and other small birds. It’s likely that you will complete your small birdhouse in class, but if not, you will take home the materials to finish. The twining technique is applicable to all sorts of materials, and you could try twined weaves on materials from your own garden at home.

Completed birdhouses will be approximately 8 inches tall by 4 inches wide.

577 Staff Instructor: Samantha Day

The Wisdom of Clove
Wednesday, May 22 ~ 6pm to 7:30pm

Explore the wisdom of nature and discover the potential benefits of clove while sampling medicinal teas and enjoying an herbal infused treat. Participants will learn how clove can support our general wellness and be used for pain relief and as an antseptic. Everyone will bring home a jelly sized mason jar of clove to make tincture at home!

This class is perfect for learning more about the plants around us and how nature’s bounty can support our bodies.

*Treats are gluten, dairy, and nut free. Treats contain eggs. 

Community Instructor: Lauren Johnson

Herb Walk
Wednesday, May 29 ~ 6pm to 7:30pm

Join us as we stroll the 577 gardens and grounds in search of wild and cultivated herbs. Learn the identification, folklore, and medicinal virtues of many of our common springtime plants. Many of our common “weeds” have a lot to offer once you get to know them.

Community Instructor: Sarah Williams

Class Locations & Parking Map

Signed up for a class and need help finding your classroom location and parking? Each class description lists its location. Click the button below to view a full map of the grounds and buildings with two lots available for easy and convenient parking. 

Cancellation & Refund Policy

Because space is limited, we rely on you to register for classes thoughtfully. Please help us continue to offer these wonderful classes as affordably as possible by adhering to the following registration, cancellation, and refund policies.

Photo & Video Release

Photos and videos may be taken during 577 classes and events for use on our website and other relevant media outlets and your attendance constitutes consent. View the full policy below including how you can opt-out of this release. 

Located at 577 East Front Street in Perrysburg, 577 is open daily, 9am to 5pm. Free admission to tour the gardens and grounds. The Welcome Center & Curiosity Shop is open Monday ~ Saturday, 10am to 5pm.

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