Duke Gardens: October classes and events

We’ve got lots of great activities in store for October. To register or for information, e-mail or call 668-5309 for adult programs, or e-mail or call 668-1708 for children’s programs.

Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29, 10 a.m.-noon.

NATURE RANGER CART

Look for the colorful cart near the foot of the Terrace Gardens; it's full of simple and fun activities for children. Play flower bingo or make pressed flower bookmarks, paper butterflies, pond life pictures and bark, insect or leaf rubbings. Or get some nutritious food for the Gardens' ducks. Free. No registration required.

Oct. 2, 8-11 a.m.

BIRD WALK

Enjoy an early morning stroll in the Gardens with fellow bird enthusiasts and Cynthia Fox, of Chapel Hill's Wild Bird Center. Cynthia will help you to spot, identify and learn more about the birds that call this region home, even temporarily. Don't miss this opportunity to experience that one remarkable bird sighting. Children are welcome if they are age 8 or older. Please bring binoculars. Free, but registration required.

Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

SUNDAY SCIENCE

Join us in the Gardens for simple drop-in science or craft projects for children and families, which include something to make and take home. Location noted each week at our information desk. Free. No registration required.

Oct. 5 & 12, 6-9 p.m. and Oct. 9, 8 a.m.-noon

INTRODUCTION TO NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY

In nature photography you may capture and communicate your delight in a season, an object, or a moment in time. Photographer Jennifer Weinberg will teach equipment basics, field strategies and techniques, exposure, lighting and compositional skills. The class includes hands-on practice sessions and classroom reviews. $150; $120 for members; 668-5309.

Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27, 6:30-9 p.m.
THE ECOLOGY OF CHANGE: Human Impact on the Environment

We have always influenced our environment, from Native Americans directing the prairie fires to Europeans slowly selecting grain for larger seeds and, as a result, creating modern wheat. Today the change we are creating is moving very rapidly, perhaps outpacing our understanding. Join Dan Richter, professor at Duke’s Nicholas School of the Environment, to review the environmental influence of humans across time and debate the future. $150; $120 for members.

Oct. 7, 9-11 a.m.

HISTORIC GARDENS COLOR WALK

There is an astounding range of plants displayed across our gardens, including perennial plants, annual flowers and foliage, and tropical plants. Join our expert staff to review the wonderful plant combinations and learn what is currently in bloom and which plants you may like to introduce in your own garden. $5; free for members. 668-5309.

Oct. 7, 11 a.m.-noon

WALK ON THE WILD SIDE

Explore wild North Carolina in these walks through our Blomquist Garden of Native Plants. Join curator Stefan Bloodworth on the first Thursday of every month to discover native flowers and design strategies, and discuss ecology and your role in protecting the health of our planet. $5; free for members.

Oct. 8, 15, 22 & 29, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
NATURE FOR SPROUTS

Join us for a month of Friday morning programs for explorers aged 3 to 5. Programs will incorporate stories, movement, music, outdoor explorations and creative projects to introduce young learners to garden ecology and plant science. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Please make other arrangements for younger siblings. $6 per child, per class. 668-1708.

Oct. 9, 10:45-noon
TRADITIONAL JAPANESE TEA

As a guest to Tea, you will experience the patterns and poetry of Chado, or the Japanese “way of tea,” while enjoying an enticing bowl of whisked tea and a seasonal treat. The practice of Tea is characterized by the phrase ichigo ichie, or “one moment – one meeting.” The small class group will meet at the Doris Duke Center to be escorted by instructor Nancy Hamilton to the Durham-Toyama Sister Cities Pavilion in Duke Gardens for this intimate gathering. $25; $20 for members; $25 for one adult and one child age 6 or older. All fall teas are fully booked. Please keep an eye out for our spring schedule.

Oct. 9, 10-11 a.m.
NATURE STORY TIME

Gather for nature stories and a take-home creative project with your 3- to 8-year-old child. Adults must accompany their children. Please make other arrangements for younger siblings. $3 per child. Registration required.

Oct. 9, 7-11 a.m.
BIRDING BONANZA

CANCELED - Birds are flying through our neighborhoods on their way south during this season of migration. Join Cynthia Fox, of Chapel Hill’s Wild Bird Center, for an exciting morning of spotting birds as they pass us on their migratory path. $45; $35 for members.

Oct. 11, 7-9 p.m.
TRIANGLE ORCHID SOCIETY

The Triangle Orchid Society conducts its monthly meetings at the Doris Duke Center. The public is invited. Free admission. For information: triangleorchidsociety.org.

Oct. 14 & 18, 7-9 p.m., and Oct. 16 & 30, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (4-class series)
FIELD STUDIES: Local Flora Autumn

North Carolina has one of the richest palettes of native plants anywhere in the world. Ken Moore, former assistant director of the N.C. Botanical Garden, will teach you to recognize plants in their autumn display and forecast their winter phase. Field trips include observations of a variety of habitats, use of a key to identify plants and identification of undesirable invasive plant species. Required text available in Terrace Shop: “Tree Finder: A Manual for Identification of Trees by their Leaves,” by May Theilgaard Watts. $85; $70 for members.

Oct. 19, 6:30-8 p.m.
DURHAM GARDEN FORUM

The Durham Garden Forum is an informal group that meets once a month to enrich the members’ gardening knowledge and skill. Local experts speak about topics of interest to the group. October topic: ornamental grasses. $10; free for forum members. Durhamgardenforum@gmail.com.

Oct. 22, 10 a.m.-noon
AUTUMN IN THE ARBORETUM

The Culberson Asiatic Arboretum holds many fascinating plants, displayed in beautiful and ever-changing combinations. Curator Paul Jones and horticulturist Michelle Stay Rawlins will guide you to little-known garden spaces and unique plants. Meet at the Doris Duke Center. $5; free for members.

Oct. 23 & 24, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
CURATOR BASICS

Discover the elements of a well-presented portfolio and work on building your portfolio for showing. Photographer Bruce Dickson will assist you with captioning, labeling, organizing, and filing your photography. We will also identify potential markets and discuss how to submit work for publication. $120; $95 for members.

Oct. 30, 11 a.m.
OPERA CAROLINA: THE BILLY GOATS GRUFF

Arts in the Garden presents Opera Express, Opera Carolina's educational touring company, with an operatic version of the classic tale, incorporating scenes from operas by Mozart, Donizetti and Rossini. The show uses the goats’ plight with the mean troll to explore how to contend with bullies. Opera Express engages children and families throughout the Carolinas with professional performances of opera for young people. These delightful productions help students understand and appreciate opera as an art form that integrates all of the fine arts and humanities. Performances are tailored to children in kindergarten through fifth grade. The show will be inside the Doris Duke Center. $10; $6 for children under age 16. Discount available for 4-show 2010-2011 series. 684-4444, http://tickets.duke.edu . See video previews.