Workshops
The Discovery Center's Fall Workshop Series is here! This series is designed to teach people how to live in greater harmony with nature and equips them with tools to achieve this goal. Follow this link to register for one of twelve workshops described below. (Must email Amy Kirwin - akirwin@sanmarcostx.gov - to register for Master composter)
Have questions? Email them to: discoverycenter@sanmarcostx.gov
Korean Natural Farming
Microorganisms are the invisible superheroes of your garden. Learn the many beneficial roles they play, how you can cultivate and nurture them, and watch your garden be transformed!
Age: Any
Date(s): Sept 14
Day(s): Sat
Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: Discovery Center
Fee: Free
Veggie/Herb Garden
Join Alex at the Discovery Center to learn the ins and outs of growing vegetables and herbs in the fall. Gain valuable insight, tricks, and tips on protecting your garden from the cold and when to harvest for cold tolerant vegetables and herbs. Also learn the basics of organic pest control.
Age: Any
Date(s): Sept 18
Day(s): Wed
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Discovery Center
Fee: Free
Plant Propagation
Interested in growing your own plants? Come learn the process of plant propagation with methods ranging from starting seeds and cuttings to root division and air layering. Workshop includes lecture and hands on activities.
Age: Any
Date(s): Sept 25
Day(s): Wed
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Discovery Center
Fee: Free
Compost 101
Tired of bagging up leaves every fall? Come learn how to turn leaves and kitchen scraps into valuable compost. Composting is an important tool for any gardener and can even help you save money! Workshop includes lecture and hands-on activities.
Age: Any
Date(s): Sept 28
Day(s): Sat
Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: Discovery Center
Fee: Free
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Tree Walk & Talk
Join our City Arborist, Kelly Eby, on a walk around the Discovery Arboretum Trail to learn about over 70 native and adapted woody shrubs and trees. Learn about how to care for trees and the many benefits they provide.
Age: Any
Date(s): Oct 2
Day(s): Wed
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Discovery Center
Fee: Free
Ferment, Pickle & Preserve
Have you ever been curious about the fermenting process? Learn how with Alex as she shows you the ropes on how to best ferment, pickle, and preserve your vegetables! Learn how to make kombucha, pickles, kimchi and other fermenting delights!
Age: Any
Date(s): Oct 9
Day(s): Wed
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Discovery Center
Fee: Free
Monarchs & Milkweed
Are you interested in creating your own monarch waystation? Conrad and Eric will teach us about the importance of monarch conservation, including ways you can improve monarch and other pollinator habitat. Participants go home with a free packet of milkweed seeds!
Age: Any
Date(s): Oct 16
Day(s): Wed
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Discovery Center
Fee: Free
Green Roofs/Rain Gardens
Come learn about sustainable landscape design methods, such as green roof systems and rain gardens, that can provide numerous environmental benefits to help mitigate the effects of climate change. These benefits include air purification, the creation of diverse wildlife habitat, the retention and re-use of stormwater and runoff reduction. This course will be taught by Discovery Center staff member Alex von Rosenburg and Shannon Brown of Ecosystem Regeneration Artisans.
Age: Any
Date(s): Oct 23
Day(s): Wed
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Discovery Center
Fee: Free
Master Composter
Come learn the ins and outs of composting as part of Texas’ Master Composter certification. Class includes 20 hours of lecture and field exercises. Walk away with a deeper understanding of the mysteries of compost production. $20 fee gets participants three great compost resources. Must email Amy Kirwin at akirwin@sanmarcostx.gov to register.
Age: Any
Date(s): Oct 28 (L), 30 (L); Nov 2 (F),4 (L),6 (L),9 (F)
Day(s): Mon, Wed, Sat
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM (Lecture); 9:00 AM – 11.00 AM (Field Day)
Location: Discovery Center
Fee: $20
Recycling 1.0
Where does your trash go? Learn about the environmental impact your trash has on the planet and see what small changes you can make every day to lead a sustainable lifestyle. Amy Kirwin, the City’s Community Enhancement Initiative Manager, and the Resource Recovery Division team will show people how they can minimize landfill waste and enhance their environment. You don’t want to miss your chance to win great prizes at this interactive workshop!
Age: Any
Date(s): Nov 13
Day(s): Wed
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Discovery Center
Fee: Free
Habitat Conservation Plan River Walk Tour
Join HCP staff along a river walk tour to learn about riparian buffer zones, designated access points, and how to get involved with restoration projects along the San Marcos river and watershed. Wear comfortable walking shoes. Tour is approximately 1-mile round trip.
Age: Any
Date(s): Nov 15
Day(s): Fri
Time: 5:15 PM – 6:00 PM
Location: Rio Vista Park next to Park Ranger Station
Fee: Free
Invasive Species
Join us for a workshop with Eric Weeks as he discusses invasive species and why they are such a nuisance to the native ecology in Central Texas. Learn which plants may be considered invasive and why, and which native plant could be used in the landscape as a substitute. Do you have questions about native vs. invasive species? Now’s your chance to ask a specialist, so save the date!
Age: Any
Date(s): Nov 20
Day(s): Wed
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Discovery Center
Fee: Free