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All upcoming Science & Nature programs

All upcoming Science & Nature programs

Programs 1 to 10 of 31
Sunday, February 16, 2025 - 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET

Indulge in a colorful midwinter escape as naturalist and botanical horticulturist Keith Tomlinson leads a series of virtual visits that highlight the beauty of notable botanical gardens on the East and West Coasts of the United States, Morocco, and Germany. Vibrant visuals illustrate how each site takes a unique approach to design and interpretation as they all celebrate plant collections, conservation, education, and the distinctive environments and landscapes in which they bloom. This program highlights South Carolina’s Brookgreen Gardens and Anima Garden in Morocco.


Sunday, February 23, 2025 - 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET

Indulge in a colorful midwinter escape as naturalist and botanical horticulturist Keith Tomlinson leads a series of virtual visits that highlight the beauty of notable botanical gardens on the East and West Coasts of the United States, Morocco, and Germany. Vibrant visuals illustrate how each site takes a unique approach to design and interpretation as they all celebrate plant collections, conservation, education, and the distinctive environments and landscapes in which they bloom. This program highlights the Huntington Botanical Gardens in San Marino, California, and the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Gardens.


Tuesday, February 25, 2025 - 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET

How can you best care for the plants that enhance your daily life? Staff members of the Interiors team of Smithsonian Gardens are ready to take on the topic. The pros help sift through the overwhelming amount of available houseplant care information to determine what is right for you and your plants by covering everything from plant selection to design, ongoing care, and the newest varieties on the scene. The program also includes a horticulturist-lead tour of the Smithsonian Gardens exhibit “Human/Nature: Why People Are Drawn to Living Things.”


Thursday, February 27, 2025 - 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET

How can you best care for the plants that enhance your daily life? Staff members of the Interiors team of Smithsonian Gardens are ready to take on the topic. The pros help sift through the overwhelming amount of available houseplant care information to determine what is right for you and your plants by covering everything from plant selection to design, ongoing care, and the newest varieties on the scene. The program also includes a horticulturist-lead tour of the Smithsonian Gardens exhibit “Human/Nature: Why People Are Drawn to Living Things.”


Sunday, March 2, 2025 - 8:00 a.m., to Monday, March 3, 2025 - 6:00 p.m. ET
In-Person Overnight Tour

There’s no better way to sweep away winter than with an overnight escape to the horticultural paradise that’s the annual Philadelphia Flower Show. And with a theme of “Gardens of Tomorrow,” the 2025 edition is sure to provide a world of imaginative designs and boundless inspiration. Horticulturist Chelsea Mahaffey leads the tour, which also includes a visit to nearby Winterthur.


Monday, March 3, 2025 - 6:45 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. ET

What do people living near or in several towns in California, Greece, Japan, Costa Rica, and Sardinia have in common? The people who reside in these “Blue Zones” live longer than the average person. Find out what you can do to better align your lifestyle with those of Blue Zone inhabitants without having to relocate. John Whyte, WebMD’s chief medical officer, shares practical tips for longer lives—in your zone and beyond.


Thursday, March 6, 2025 - 6:45 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. ET

What do an annoying house fly, the nearly endangered Mexican long-tongued bat, and a poop-eating butterfly have in common? Each creature, respectively, is the reason we can enjoy a bite of chocolate, a nip of a tequila, or the calming scent of lavender. Naturalist and educator Liana Vitali of Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary in Maryland offers an entertaining glimpse into the lives of pollinating winged marvels—and how our lives depend largely on their unique and wild ways.


Monday, March 10, 2025 - 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. ET

Karl Gercens, Longwood Gardens’ conservatory manager, explores the world of container garden design, showcasing its wide range of opportunities for decorative container use and displays. He surveys container materials; the wealth of plants that thrive in varied conditions; and offers tips on watering, fertilization, and pest and disease prevention. Photos of displays at Longwood Gardens provide inspiration for your own container gardening adventure.


Tuesday, March 11, 2025 - 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. ET

Over the past five years, the world has struggled to grapple with the realities of living with a global pandemic and its aftermath. COVID-19 has an historical precedent in the Black Death, the hemispheric pandemic that ravaged the 14th-century world. Medievalist Paul B. Sturtevant explores the people and societies who faced it, drawing parallels between the individual and collective experiences of people seven centuries apart.


Wednesday, March 12, 2025 - 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. ET

Join naturalist Keith Tomlinson on a virtual Great Western adventure that extends from the Badlands of South Dakota to the mighty heights of Yellowstone National Park. He highlights geology, wildlife, biogeography, conservation initiatives, native peoples, and recreational opportunities along the way.