Houston Arboretum & Nature Center

2024 Alfresco Gala
2024-04-19 19:00 - 22:00 (America/Chicago)
underwriting levels

Prairie | $25,000

Includes two tables of ten (10) guests each, an elevated wine experience

Savanna | $15,000

Includes one table of twelve (12) guests, an elevated wine experience

Wetland | $10,000

Includes one table of ten (10) guests

SOLD OUT – Ravine | $6,000

Includes one table of eight (8) guests

SOLD OUT – Woodland | $1,000

Includes one (1) individual ticket

underwriter pdf

Purchase a ticket or table

make a donation

If you are making a donation, please select Alfresco Gala in the Type of Gift dropdown.

Thank you to our generous underwriters

prairie | $25,000

Bracewell LLPMarilyn & Harry Kirk

Savanna | $15,000

AnonymousJohn P. McGovern FoundationKirkland & Ellis LLPMoonshot CompostJohanna and Will Rider, Melanie and Danny SavitzService Wire Co.SIP IndustriesWalter & Shirley Wang Foundation (in honor of Marilyn and Harry Kirk)

wetland | $10,000

ACT Pipe & Supply, Inc.AkinLiz and David Anders, Nicole and Evan Katz, Michel and Philip Mullett, Brooke and Billy O’Neil, Whitney and Robert RussellLauren and Max Barrett, Brittany and Brad Dinerstein, Leigh and Chris Joseph, Allie and HD Pappas, Mona and Andrew SarofimBrown Foundation / Andrew AbendsheinCarnelian Energy CapitalDeloitte / Sandy and Katy ShurinFirst Horizon BankHicks ThomasHolland & Knight / Donna and Greg MeeceAllyson and Jason KinzelLatham & Watkins LLPLocke Lord LLP and the Kayser FoundationMain Street CapitalMary Sommers & Sam PyneVinson & Elkins LLP

ravine | $6,000

Lauren and Adam AllenKatherine and David AndrewArnold & PorterBaker Botts LLPBartlett Tree ExpertsCentral BankRuth and Dan Flournoy (in honor of Marilyn and Harry Kirk)Forney Construction (in honor of Jason Burt)Melinda and Jeff HildebrandHunton Andrews KurthAnnie and Spencer Kerr, Amy and Robert UrquhartMayer Brown LLPDallas McNamara (in honor of Ann Wier Jones)Betty and Steve NewtonGigi & Ernie PekmezarisGeorgia and Michael Piazza, Lindsay and Mark Schmulen, Brittany and Daniel ZeplainPorter Hedges LLPJanna and David WebberWillkie Farr & Gallagher LLPAmy & Leyton Woolf

woodland | $1,000

Grow and CompanyNancy JaphetMeg MaloneKatharine and Mosby PerrowSuzanne M. Potter-Padilla and Humberto Padilla

Generous Donors

Jay AlicandriAnonymousMeredith and Patrick ChastangSami and Justin GreféEthel and Chap Hutcheson (in honor of Marilyn and Harry Kirk)Isla and Joseph JornayvazKristie and Kyle KafkaAllison and Tucker KnightKim and Scott MartinHarry PangasBeth Robertson (in honor of Debbie Markey)Lillie Robertson (in honor of Cullen Geiselman Muse)Laura SheffieldSidley Austin LLP (in honor of Annie and Spencer Kerr)Daniel Hu and Susan Yang

Mythical Creatures
2024-05-04 10:00 - 12:00
$20 member / $30 nonmemberInstructor: Patti BonninAges 7-12

Bigfoot, Griffins, Jackalope, Unicorns…who is your favorite cryptid? Join fellow Cryptozoologists as we study real fantastical creatures that dwell here at the Arboretum and compare them to the mythical beasts lurking just beyond the shadows. We will learn about folklore, adaptations, and even create our own Mythical Creature!

Please come dressed for the out of doors, including closed-toe shoes. This is a drop-off class. Parents and siblings are welcome to explore the Arboretum’s grounds on their own.

Registration for Arboretum Members opens Tuesday, December 5. Nonmember registration opens Tuesday, December 12.

register online

Meadow Happy Hour Hike
2024-05-09 18:30 - 20:30
Free for Evergreen Members / $20 all other registrantsInstructor: Kelsey Low & Christine MansfieldAges 21+

Unwind after a long day in the beautiful Meadow! Join us for this come-and-go event to enjoy a Saint Arnold Brewing Company beer and fun activities that you can do at your own pace, including sweep netting for insects, making seed balls, and more.

Class will be held rain or shine. Please dress for the weather.

register online

about evergreen

Evergreen is a membership group for young professionals and Arboretum supporters ages 21 and up. As an Evergreen Member, you will be part of a group that supports conservation and education while socializing in the Arboretum’s beautiful outdoor setting. Evergreen events will allow you to meet like-minded Houstonians as you participate in fun and educational activities that will introduce you to the Arboretum’s local flora and fauna.

Second Saturday Bird Survey
2024-05-11 08:00 - 10:00, 2024-06-08 08:00 - 10:00, 2024-08-10 08:00 - 10:00, 2024-09-14 08:00 - 10:00, 2024-10-12 08:00 - 10:00, 2024-11-09 08:00 - 10:00, 2024-12-14 08:00 - 10:00, 2025-01-11 08:00 - 10:00 and 3 more dates
Work on your bird watching skills while helping the Arboretum monitor bird populations on a fun, relaxed morning walk. Join us on the second Saturday of each month in the courtyard behind the building for a two-hour bird survey led by Arboretum staff members, Kelsey Low and Theo Ostler. We welcome all levels of bird watching skill and all ages (as long as you’re quiet) – but no dogs, please! If you have binoculars of your own, please bring them. We have a limited number of binoculars available to borrow.

2nd Saturday of the month8:00 – 10:00 amFree, but donations appreciatedInstructors: Kelsey Low & Theo OstlerMeet in front of the Nature Center building

Outdoor Wellness Day
2024-05-18 10:00 - 12:00
FREEAll ages

this event has been cancelled due to storm damage.

Connecting to nature can help relieve stress and boost your overall mental and physical health. In celebration of Mental Health Awareness Month, the Arboretum invites you to explore the benefits of spending time in natural spaces.

Scales & Cocktails
2024-07-20 19:00 - 21:00
$35 member / $50 nonmemberInstructor: Kelsey LowAges 16+

Mix and mingle with a wild crowd – our reptile ambassadors! Enjoy a tasty cocktail as you meet some scaly, cold-blooded friends up close and personal. You’ll learn why there’s no need to be afraid of snakes, lizards, and turtles, and discover the important roles they play in the ecosystem. Finally, we’ll go on a hike to enjoy our nighttime trails.

Please dress for the weather and wear walking shoes. We will offer you the chance to pet some of our reptile ambassadors, but don’t worry – it’s not mandatory! You can admire them from a distance if you prefer.

Due to continued power outages from Hurricane Beryl, this class has been cancelled. Registrants, please check your email for more information.

this event has been cancelled

Gardening for Butterflies
2024-07-27 10:00 - 12:00
$20 member / $35 nonmemberInstructor: Kelsey LowAges 12+

Set the table for butterflies (and moths) in your backyard! In this class you’ll discover the best ways to support butterflies in your space from nectar plants for adults to host plants for caterpillars. You’ll get a list of native butterfly plants and, weather permitting, we’ll explore the Butterfly Bungalow for inspiration.

Please dress for the weather and wear walking shoes.

register online

Evergreen Scavenger Hunt
2024-07-27 17:00 - 19:00
Free for Evergreen Members / $20 all other registrantsInstructor: Kelsey Low and Christine MansfieldAges 21+

Challenge yourself with a fun night out in nature! Work alone or with a team to complete an Arboretum scavenger hunt that will test your powers of observation. Along the way, you’ll learn how to use the iNaturalist app to turn your scavenger hunt into useful scientific data – it’s as easy as taking pictures! You’ll also enjoy beer and other refreshments from Saint Arnold Brewing Company.

Register Online

Please dress for the weather and wear walking shoes. Use of the iNaturalist app is encouraged but not required. We recommend downloading it ahead of time: https://www.inaturalist.org/.

Volunteer Open House Weekend
2024-08-17 10:00 - 2024-08-18 14:30
Saturday & Sunday, August 17 & 1810:00 am–2:30 pmFree, no registration requiredAges 16+

Join us for an open house at the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center to meet Staff and learn more about how you can get involved as an Arboretum Volunteer.

As a non-profit, we rely not only on our members and class participants but also our wonderful group of dedicated Volunteers. We have room for you to join the team this fall to help us succeed in our mission to provide nature education and maintain our 155 acres of native Houston habitat.

Opportunities are 16+ and include both indoor and outdoor activities, seven days a week. All Volunteers receive an orientation, training, and continued education from our amazing staff.

Learn more about these volunteer opportunities

School Tour Docent – Lead school children on curriculum-based hikes on our nature trails to teach about and show off the natural world around them.

Discovery Room Assistant – Help us to maintain our displays and interact with visitors in our wonderful indoor learning space, The Discovery Room!

Garden & Ecological Landscaping – The spaces around our education campus and parking loops are filled with native gardens. Help our team to keep our grounds beautiful and full of pollinators and resources for our insects and animals.

Trail Crew – Head outdoors and help our Conservation team to maintain our 5 miles of trails and keep our space safe for visitors and healthy for our wildlife.

Special Events – Fall festivals, Sip & Strolls, Pup Crawls, and more! We have many events and fundraisers throughout the year that are both fun and important volunteer opportunities for all Volunteers.

This is a come and go event. If you are interested in helping us teach our visitors about nature and all it has to offer, we encourage you to attend!

Storytelling Night
2024-08-24 19:00 - 21:00
$20 member / $35 nonmemberInstructor: Justin Clay and Kelsey LowAges 16+

Everyone has a story to share – so come and share yours! Join us for a friendly night of storytelling in nature. Come prepared to tell your own nature-related story, or just admire the fascinating insects visiting our light trap. Stories should be 5 minutes max and focus on wildlife, plants, being outdoors, the weather, etc. We’ll also discuss storytelling tips as we enjoy Saint Arnold Brewing Company beer.

Please dress for the weather and wear walking shoes.

This event has been cancelled. Registrants, please check your email for more information.

Intro to Native Plants
2024-09-14 10:30 - 12:30
$20 member / $35 nonmemberInstructor: Nova MoralesAges 12+

Native plants are the best – join us to find out why! In this hands-on class we’ll learn why native plants are important, some good species to start with, and how to begin the exciting journey of gardening with natives.

Please wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty and wear walking shoes.

register online

Instructor bio: Nova Morales is a native landscaper on our conservation team. She is passionate about ecological gardening and teaching others about the importance of native ecosystems and conservation.

Fall Bird Outing
2024-09-26 09:30 - 11:30
Free / $5 donation for coffeeInstructor: Kelsey LowAges 12+

Join us to celebrate Bird Week in Houston with some fall birding! Wake up with some bird-friendly coffee and borrow a pair of binoculars before heading out to look and listen for birds. Birders of all skill levels are welcome – but please, no dogs.

Please dress for the weather and wear walking shoes.

register online

Beginner Bird Photography
2024-10-05 09:30 - 12:30
$35 member / $50 nonmemberInstructor: Rosemary BrooksAges 12+

Join author and photographer Rosemary Brooks for an introduction to bird photography! Learn tips for getting out in nature and capturing those special moments. Please bring your camera.

register online

Please dress for the weather and wear walking shoes.

Instructor bio: Rosemary Brooks, a devoted Arboretum volunteer and the published author of “Texas Birds and Inspirational Quotes,” brings a wealth of knowledge and a decade of experience in wildlife photography.

Sip & Stroll
2024-11-01 17:30 - 19:30
$40 members / $45 nonmembersAges 21+

Enjoy a quiet evening out on the Arboretum trails. Your sunset walk will include a curated nature hike, two glasses of wine or Saint Arnold beer, and delicious cheese and charcuterie offerings from GRAZE HTX.

register online

Please dress for the weather and wear walking shoes.

dietary options

Charcuterie cups may include allergens such as dairy, gluten, and nuts. A limited number of vegetarian cups will be offered upon request. Please email us before the event to request vegetarian or vegan options.

parking

Parking is free for all Arboretum Members, but you must enter your Member parking code in the kiosks or on the Park Mobile or Park Houston apps. Nonmembers must pay a $6.00 parking fee which directly supports the Arboretum’s mission of nature education and conservation. All guests are subject to ticketing if they do not enter their Member parking code or pay the parking fee. Please do not leave valuables in your car. Outside restrooms are located at the Nature Center building.

rain & cancellations

This event is rain or shine. If the event is cancelled, the ticket price is non-refundable and considered as a donation to the organization.

sponsors

Photo credit Anthony Rathbun

Starry Night
2024-12-21 18:00 - 20:00
$35 member / $50 nonmember / $20 child (ages 5-12)Instructor: Houston Public LibraryAges 5+

On the longest night of the year, let’s celebrate the stars! Join us for a night of wintry family come-and-go fun under the night sky: hot chocolate, coffee, beer for the adults, star-themed crafts, a self-guided hike, and a peek through a real astronomical telescope brought by our friends at the Houston Public Library.

Please dress for the weather and wear walking shoes. We will reach out to participants if we need to switch to the rain date of Saturday, December 28.

sold out

Tree Planting Workshop
2025-01-18 10:00 - 12:00
$20 member / $35 nonmemberAges 12+, all minors must be accompanied by an adult

Winter is the best time to plant trees in Houston. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn best practices for tree planting: how to pick the right location, prepping the site, digging the right hole, and post-planting care to give the trees you plant the best chance at survival. Weather permitting, you’ll even get to hone your skills by planting a tree at the Arboretum!

Please dress for the weather and wear walking shoes.

register online

Instructor bio: Rafael Renteria is a Certified Arborist who has worked with trees since graduating from Texas A&M in 2019. He has worked as a park ranger, tree climber, and tree farm manager with Trees for Houston, and now works as the Arboretum’s Forest Ecologist.

The Language of Birds
2025-03-01 09:30 - 11:30
$20 member / $35 nonmemberAges 12+, all minors must be accompanied by an adult

From the sweet whistle of a cardinal to the harsh caw of a crow, birds sure make a lot of noise – but what does it all mean? In this class we’ll explore the difference between songs and calls, general call types and their meanings, and examples of Houston bird “lingo.” You’ll learn how to eavesdrop on bird conversations and gain a new perspective on your local natural community.

Please dress for the weather and wear walking shoes.

Register Online

Birds, Bees, and Butterflies
2025-03-16 11:00 - 12:00
$8 per personAll Ages

Join us for ‘Birds, Bees, and Butterflies,’ as Megan Conley, former Principal Harpist of the Houston Symphony and founder of Ocean Music Action, presents a program of music that takes flight! This event begins with an interactive musical performance, featuring music for harp and violin inspired by these wonderful, winged creatures. The concert will be followed by family-friendly activities designed to promote pollinator-friendly home and garden practices. Every Ocean Music Action concert includes the popular ‘instrument petting zoo’, where children are invited to try out the harp for themselves!

sold out

Please come dressed for the outdoors, including closed-toe shoes. This is a family program; parents are required to attend.

Drink Your Garden
2025-03-22 15:00 - 17:00
$30 member / $45 nonmemberAges 12+, all minors must be accompanied by an adult

Let’s say “cheers” to spring with a delicious drink from the garden! Join us to learn how to use herbs, flowers, and even veggies to make refreshing botanical beverages like a color-changing Butterfly Pea Lemonade, a Cucumber Mint Cooler, and a Hibiscus Agua Fresca.

Please dress for the weather and wear walking shoes.

Register Online

Earth Day Celebration
2025-04-19 10:00 - 14:00
FREEAll ages

This Earth Day we’re celebrating our amazing planet through art! Join us for a day of creativity as we explore nature through poetry, drawing, photography, and more. Make your own nature journal, learn from our community partners, go on nature hikes, and enjoy all kinds of Earth-friendly crafts and activities.

Program will be held rain or shine – please dress for the weather. Crafts and other activities will run while supplies last.

Earth Day Activities

Food Trucks

Berry’s Ices

Homies HTX

Parking

Free parking will be available at the Arboretum’s 610 and Woodway Entrances until 2 pm. Parking is limited and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

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