Friends of the Garden

2025 Butterfly House Docent Training
2025-04-12 09:00 - 22:30, 2025-04-16 17:30 - 19:00 (America/Chicago) | Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center, 2400 S Scenic, Springfield, MO, 65807, United States
Join us for an enchanting experience working with butterflies! We’re excited to offer a *free training session* designed for those eager to volunteer at the Roston Native Butterfly House this season.
Under the expert guidance of Dr. Chris Barnhart and Tammy Trantham, you’ll dive into the fascinating world of Lepidoptera, gaining the knowledge and skills you need to help in our butterfly haven. This opportunity is open to anyone aged 12 and up!
Don’t miss out—click HERE to secure your spot in one of our classes! If you have any questions, feel free to give us a call at 871-2952. To ensure we provide enough handouts and snacks, we kindly ask for your registration in advance. Come spread your wings with us! 🦋

Yoga in the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden
2025-05-10 19:00 - 20:00 | Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden, 2400 S. Scenic Ave., Springfield, MO, 65807, United States
Enjoy the serenity of the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden while being led through an intermediate-level yoga session with Yogi Angie Snyder of Blue Pants Yoga. This one-hour session will take place on the moon deck lawn once the garden closes for the evening. $20 registration fee covers admission fee to the garden. Register HERE.
Only 20 spots available. Call 891-1515, ext. 4 for more information.
BYOM

Growing Mushrooms at Home
2025-05-15 18:00 - 20:00 | Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center, 2400 S Scenic, Springfield, MO, 65807, United States
Join us as we will learn to collaborate with fungi to grow beautiful, unique, and delicious gourmet mushrooms! Mike Snyder of Wildwise Botanicals will be giving a presentation about how to successfully grow mushrooms at home, focusing on outdoor and low-tech methods. Mike will share a slideshow of his successes and experiences with a variety of methods he and his wife Cara have tried out on their homestead in South-Central Missouri. The basics of outdoor mushroom cultivation will be covered, as well as details about growing several species, including Oyster mushrooms, Shiitake, Lion’s Mane, and Wine Caps. Each participant will get to assemble their own oyster mushroom grow kit to take home, which will grow gourmet mushrooms in just a few weeks!
Registration required, $35/person. Register HERE!
Call 891-1515, ext. 4 for more information.

Caterpillar Care Workshop
2025-06-07 09:00 - 11:00 | Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center, 2400 S Scenic, Springfield, MO, 65807, United States
Learn the tried and true methods of rearing butterflies and moths in your own home from Dr. Chris and Deb Barnhart, curators of the Roston Native Butterfly House. Workshop participants will have an opportunity to take caterpillars and/or eggs home to rear!
Register HERE!

Backpack Buddy Adventure: Ladybugs!
2025-07-19 11:00 - 11:45 | Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center, 2400 S Scenic, Springfield, MO, 65807, United States
Did you know a ladybug can eat up to 75 aphids a day? They are nature’s pest control on plants but their populations are in decline. This month, we will learn about native varieties of ladybugs, study their lifecycle, and search for them in the garden. We will also learn about ‘Lost Ladybug Project’ where students can be citizen scientists and submit their ladybug finds for Cornell University.
Class begins in the botanical center atrium before moving outdoors. Designed for children 5-12. For more information, call 891-1515, ext. 4.

Pursuing Mindfulness Water Color Class
2025-09-11 18:00 - 20:00 | Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center, 2400 S Scenic, Springfield, MO, 65807, United States
Practice the art of watercolor in a creative, relaxing way. Ryan McClain leads this simple watercolor activity to engage your mind and remove distractions. $35/person registration includes all materials, with a limit of 15 people. Registration online only. Call 891-1515, ext. 4 for more information.

Roston Native Butterfly House Docent Training
2026-04-22 17:00 - 19:00, 2026-04-25 10:00 - 12:00 | Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center, 2400 S Scenic, Springfield, MO, 65807, United States
Volunteer at the Roston Native Butterfly House and help bring the beauty of the Ozarks to life! Located within the Springfield Botanical Gardens, the Butterfly House is a seasonal attraction open early-May through September that showcases the full life cycle of native butterflies and moths in a vibrant, ever-changing environment.
Volunteers play an important role by welcoming guests, answering questions, and helping visitors understand the connection between native plants, pollinators, and local wildlife. Opportunities also include assisting with the care and raising of native butterflies and moths, supporting educational experiences, and helping maintain a welcoming space for families, schools, and nature lovers.
Whether you enjoy working with people, have a passion for gardening or conservation, or simply love butterflies, this is a rewarding way to give back while supporting an important mission of environmental education and community engagement.
If you’re interested in becoming a Docent, sign up for one of the training sessions HERE.
