Adult Education

History Walk, Amphibians, Trees, and more...

Adult Education

* The adult programs listed below are scheduled to begin in the Spring of 2023.

History Walk

Join Allen Riddick, Aiken’s own local historian, for a walk back in time to Aiken in the age of the Winter Colony. Learn about Hopelands Gardens and Rye Patch, the historic properties, and the people who owned them.

Trees are our Friends

Walk through Hopelands Gardens with Aaron Campbell, City of Aiken Horticulturist and Arborist. View and learn about the extensive collection of trees, many planted by Hope Iselin in the early l900s.

Native Amphibians

South Carolina is home to dozens of frog, toad and salamander species. You’ll learn about their unique adaptations, calls and what you can do to help them in the wild. After the talk, take a short walk in Hopelands to see if you can find a few amphibians that call the gardens home (offered by UGa Savannah River Ecology Laboratory).

Be Kind to Snakes

Snakes are the most misunderstood species in the animal world. See many of the native snakes found in South Carolina. Learn how you can help snakes in the wild. Then take a short walk in the Gardens to see if you can find a snake or reptiles that make the Gardens their home (offered by the UGa Savannah River Ecology Laboratory).

Raptors in the Sky

Raptors, or birds of prey, are distinguished by grasping feet with sharp talons, a hooked upper beak and keen vision. In South Carolina, we often see the soaring hawks, falcons and eagles or hear the nightly calls of owls. Learn about these magnificent birds (offered by UGa Savannah River Ecology Laboratory).

Bringing More Color to Your Yard

Jay Keck from South Carolina Wildlife Federation (SCWF) lectures on how to provide native plants to attract caterpillars, moths, butterflies and birds to your yard.

Who’s Singing in my Garden?

A fun presentation by Jay Keck (SCWF) describes birds and their songs. Learn mnemonics to identify them. Discussion includes where to find certain birds (e.g., owls, woodpeckers and hawks) and how to attract them to your yard.

Saving the Planet One Garden at a Time

Jay Keck, South Carolina Wildlife Federation, presents ways to garden with native plants, to provide habitats (brush piles, leaf litter), and to create habitat corridors to benefit wildlife.

The Bluebird of Happiness

Bluebird nest boxes are part of the Bluebird Trail across South Carolina. All activity is recorded weekly and given to the Cornell University School of Ornithology as part of a national research database. This little bird symbolizes joy, hope and promises good news will arrive soon. May is the season to view nests, eggs, and fledglings in Hopelands Gardens.