Connect with nature and deepen your appreciation for the environment through Gardening, Nature & Conservation classes at 577. From rain barrels and seed collecting to foraging, beekeeping, and citizen science, these classes offer hands-on opportunities to explore the natural world.
Learn how to create a thriving home garden using organic and sustainable methods—just like 577! Monthly classes cover topics such as growing a garden, planting for pollinators, tree care, and permaculture, all taught by passionate community instructors, local partners, and 577 horticulture staff.
With topics changing each month, classes take place in the Geodesic Dome, Virginia’s House, the Cottage, and throughout 577’s beautiful gardens and grounds, where learning is inspired by the landscape itself.
Upcoming Classes
August classes open for registration on Wednesday, June 24, at 9am. Click HERE to view a full list of upcoming classes.
All About Flower Essences
Saturday, June 6 ~ 11am to 1pm
Learn all about flower essences and how they may help you with stress, anxiety, or personal growth. Participants will be led through a quiz process narrowing what essences might be best for their issues, and we will make an essence together. Everyone will take home one 1/2 oz bottle of the essence we make in class, plus their quiz and an informational booklet.
Flower Essences are a form of energetic therapy started by Dr. Edward Bach in the 1930s. They have no scent, are extremely gentle, and are used to promote emotional well-being and mind-body health. Many are familiar with Wirth Rescue Remedy- this is a flower essence.
Community Instructor: Lily Kunning
Identifying Medicinal Herbs
Saturday, June 6 ~ 2:30pm to 4:30pm
Join us for an engaging, hands-on exploration of the local landscape as we take a stroll on the 577 grounds to learn how to identify the powerful plants growing right beneath our feet.
Blending botanical science with traditional herbal lore, we’ll move beyond basic recognition to discuss the historical and modern medicinal uses of various native and naturalized species. We’ll also cover the key features used to distinguish medicinal plants from their look-alikes, along with ethical foraging practices that ensure a safe and sustainable interaction with nature. Everyone will take home a plant identification booklet.
Whether you are a curious beginner or a seasoned gardener, you’ll walk away with a deeper appreciation for the natural pharmacy surrounding us.
Class Notes: We prioritize a relaxed learning environment. Please plan ahead for your comfort: wear comfortable shoes, and bring water, a notebook, clear packing tape, & a camera/phone. If you prefer not to stand during our group discussions, please bring a lightweight portable chair to use at our various stopping points. Our walk will take us over mostly even, gentle terrain in a low-impact “saunter” designed for observation, not a high-intensity workout.
Community Instructor: Lily Kunning
Summer Soap Making: Gardener’s Soap
Saturday, June 27 ~ 10am to 12pm *Just added!
Saturday, June 27 ~ 2pm to 4pm
Create your own custom soaps in this beginner-friendly class using the Melt & Pour method—a safe, simple, and quick way to craft soaps with no lye and no long curing times required.
In this class, you’ll learn the basic equipment and techniques needed to get started, along with an introduction to different soap bases, scents, colors, and additives. You’ll then put your new skills into practice by creating three (3) bars of layered gardener’s soap. Each participant will take home their finished soaps, soap molds, and instructions to continue creating custom soaps at home.
577 Staff Instructor: Lindsay Grider
Safe Haven: Eliminating Toxins at Home
Saturday, July 18 ~ 11am to 1pm
Did you know that the air inside the average American home is often more polluted than the air outside? From “fresh” laundry scents to coatings on cookware, we are often surrounded by hidden carcinogens and endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Participants in this class will leave empowered to investigate their living space with a keen eye.
We’ll go room-by-room to uncover the common culprits in home cleaners, body care, and building supplies, and we’ll learn how to swap out high-toxin items for safer, greener alternatives without sacrificing effectiveness.
Whether participants are looking for Information on “DIY” green cleaning or just want to know which brands to trust, everyone will leave with a comprehensive resource kit and recipes.
Community Instructor: Lily Kunning
Making Your Own Herbal Tinctures
Saturday, July 18 ~ 2:30pm to 4:30pm
Learn how to make and use tinctures, the most potent form of herbal medicine, using alcohol extracts of fresh and dried plants. We will demonstrate and discuss several ways to make them: the folk method, the weight-to-volume method, and the percolation method. We’ll also discuss the double extraction method and when it is necessary.
Participants will also learn how to read a tincture label, why tinctures are amazing medicine, and the difference between simples and formulas. Everyone will take home a pint jar of their own folk method-prepared blend, as well as the knowledge of the methods mentioned.
Community Instructor: Lily Kunning
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.