Friends of the Garden

Caterpillar Care Workshop
2025-06-07 09:00 - 11:00 (America/Chicago) | 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
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
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
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.
