Programs are designed for ages 16+

Thursday, April 30, 6 to 7:30 p.m.  |  Spring Ephemerals Garden Tour
Join plant records curator, Trent Erickson, for a guided tour of the garden, as early spring emerges in the form of ephemerals like bloodroots, shooting stars, and bluebells. These short-lived beauties pop up to add color to the landscape before trees overhead block the light. The tram will drive through the garden, and we will make many walking stops along the way. Pre-registration is required.
Cost: $20  |  Garden members receive 20% off.

Saturday, May 2, 9 to 11:30 a.m.  |  Warbler Walk
Lauritzen Gardens hosts a surprising diversity of bird life. The list of 161 species sighted at the garden includes 23 different warblers, beautiful little birds that migrate up the Missouri River in spring. In celebration of Nebraska Migratory Bird Month, founding director of conservationJim Locklear will lead a walking tour of Lauritzen Gardens that will highlight the natural history of these captivating travelers. Pre-registration is required.
Cost: $20  |  Garden members receive 20% off.

Thursday, May 7, 5:30 to 7 p.m.  |  Spring Arboretum Tour
Enjoy a detailed dive into the diversity of the tree collection in the garden’s Arboretum and Oberman Bird Sanctuary. This educational tour features a tram drive into Lauritzen Gardens and a guided walk with Steve Rodie to talk about the wonders of trees in the the spring – including blossoms, catkins, and leaves. Pre-registration is required.
Cost: $20  |  Garden members receive 20% off.

Thursday, May 14, 6 to 7:30 p.m.  |  Thomas Dambo's TROLLS: Save the Humans Walking Tour
Join garden educators Wendy Garzon and Monroe Burianek for a walking tour of the exhibit Thomas Dambo's TROLLS: Save the Humans. Crafted from reclaimed wood and full of wild wisdom, these six trolls are on a mission to help humans rediscover their connection to nature. Explore the gardens and meet these gentle giants — each with a story and a whole lot of personality. Discover their important message and the joys of the early spring garden on this guided walking tour. Pre-registration is required.
Cost: $20  |  Garden members receive 20% off.

Thursday, June 11, 6 to 7:30 p.m.  |  Polina Gardens Walking Tour
Join Kyle Cippera, horticulture specialist, for a guided walking tour of Polina Gardens, Lauritzen Gardens’ first satellite location in Omaha’s Old Market. Explore its 150+ trees and shrubs, 22,000 perennials, and four distinct garden areas, and learn about the history of this block in the Omaha landscape and how it was transformed from a parking lot into a thriving green space. This garden was designed by world-renowned landscape designer Piet Oudolf, in collaboration with acclaimed landscape architecture and design firm James Corner Field Operations. The tour will showcase the timeline of the garden, from initial plans and designing to constructing and planting. Students are encouraged to bring cameras, as we will have time for photography and self-exploration of the gardens.
Cost: $20  |  Garden members receive 20% off.

Thursday, June 25, 5:30 to 7 p.m.  |  Pollinator Plant Tour
Summer brings out a beautiful variety of plants many of which are hosts to our amazing pollinators! Join us as we explore a variety of garden areas that showcase pollinator attracting plants and learn about the benefits of supporting local pollinators in your home garden. The tour will be a mix of riding the tram to different gardens and walking to see the highlighted plants and flowers.
Cost: $20  |  Garden members receive 20% off.

Saturday, June 27, 9 to 10:30 a.m.  |  Birding Walk
Start your morning surrounded by nature with a guided birding walk at Lauritzen Gardens. We will be walking in different garden areas to spot our native and migratory bird species in early summer. This walking tour will be on a variety of paths and some woodchipped trails.
Cost: $20  |  Garden members receive 20% off.

Friday, July 24, 6 to 7:30 p.m.  |  Polina Gardens Walking Tour
Join Kyle Cippera, horticulture specialist, for a guided walking tour of Polina Gardens, Lauritzen Gardens’ first satellite location in Omaha’s Old Market. Explore its 150+ trees and shrubs, 22,000 perennials, and four distinct garden areas, and learn about the history of this block in the Omaha landscape and how it was transformed from a parking lot into a thriving green space. This garden was designed by world-renowned landscape designer Piet Oudolf, in collaboration with acclaimed landscape architecture and design firm James Corner Field Operations. The tour will showcase the timeline of the garden, from initial plans and designing to constructing and planting. Students are encouraged to bring cameras, as we will have time for photography and self-exploration of the gardens.
Cost: $20  |  Garden members receive 20% off.

TWO Days! July 25 and August 8, 10 a.m. to noon  | Pollinator Exploration at Lauritzen Gardens and Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium
Join Lauritzen Gardens and Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium for an exploration of our incredible pollinators. This is a two-day tour, consisting of a pollinator walk at Lauritzen Gardens and an in-depth educational experience at the Henry Doorly Omaha Zoo and Aquarium.
Cost: $50  |  Garden members receive 20% off.

Thursday, July 30, 5:30 to 7 p.m.  | Native Plants Tour
Discover the beauty of plants that are native to Nebraska on this guided tour through Lauritzen Gardens. We will be exploring a variety of garden areas that showcase Nebraska plants and learn about the benefits of planting native plants in your home garden. The tour will be a mix of riding the tram to different gardens and walking to see the highlighted plants and flowers.
Cost: $20  |  Garden members receive 20% off.

Sunday, August 16, 7 to 8:30 a.m.  |  Polina Gardens Walking Tour
Join Kyle Cippera, horticulture specialist, for a guided walking tour of Polina Gardens, Lauritzen Gardens’ first satellite location in Omaha’s Old Market. Explore its 150+ trees and shrubs, 22,000 perennials, and four distinct garden areas, and learn about the history of this block in the Omaha landscape and how it was transformed from a parking lot into a thriving green space. This garden was designed by world-renowned landscape designer Piet Oudolf, in collaboration with acclaimed landscape architecture and design firm James Corner Field Operations. The tour will showcase the timeline of the garden, from initial plans and designing to constructing and planting. Students are encouraged to bring cameras, as we will have time for photography and self-exploration of the gardens.
Cost: $20  |  Garden members receive 20% off.

TWO Days! August 19 and September 2, 6 to 7:30 p.m.  | Native Planting Workshop
Learn how to incorporate native Nebraska plants to your home landscaping in this two-day workshop focused on education and plant suggestions. This workshop will be the start of your native planting journey as each participant will receive seeds to plant at home and a yard sign showing your “Native Planting in Progress”.
Cost: $60  |  Garden members receive 20% off.

Friday, August 21, 8 to 10 p.m.  |  Singing Insect Tour
Join Dr. Ted Burk on a guided tour of the gardens at twilight, when the insect chorale is at its peak. Come discover which insects are active and learn how to identify different insects by their song. Includes a tram ride, but participants will be walking for a majority of the program.
Cost: $20  |  Garden members receive 20% off.

Thursday, September 17, 6 to 7:30 p.m.  |  Polina Gardens Walking Tour
Join Kyle Cippera, horticulture specialist, for a guided walking tour of Polina Gardens, Lauritzen Gardens’ first satellite location in Omaha’s Old Market. Explore its 150+ trees and shrubs, 22,000 perennials, and four distinct garden areas, and learn about the history of this block in the Omaha landscape and how it was transformed from a parking lot into a thriving green space. This garden was designed by world-renowned landscape designer Piet Oudolf, in collaboration with acclaimed landscape architecture and design firm James Corner Field Operations. The tour will showcase the timeline of the garden, from initial plans and designing to constructing and planting. Students are encouraged to bring cameras, as we will have time for photography and self-exploration of the gardens.
Cost: $20  |  Garden members receive 20% off.

Thursday, October 22, 6 to 7:30 p.m.  |  Polina Gardens Walking Tour
Join Kyle Cippera, horticulture specialist, for a guided walking tour of Polina Gardens, Lauritzen Gardens’ first satellite location in Omaha’s Old Market. Explore its 150+ trees and shrubs, 22,000 perennials, and four distinct garden areas, and learn about the history of this block in the Omaha landscape and how it was transformed from a parking lot into a thriving green space. This garden was designed by world-renowned landscape designer Piet Oudolf, in collaboration with acclaimed landscape architecture and design firm James Corner Field Operations. The tour will showcase the timeline of the garden, from initial plans and designing to constructing and planting. Students are encouraged to bring cameras, as we will have time for photography and self-exploration of the gardens.
Cost: $20  |  Garden members receive 20% off.