Outdoor Gardens,
Lobby + Gift Shop
April - September
10 am – 6 pm daily
October - March
10 am – 4 pm daily
Bolz Conservatory
Closed March 11 - June 14 for Planned Maintenance
Schumacher Library
Permanently Closed
There’s a lot to learn at Olbrich.
Explore what we have to offer!
Upcoming Classes
Sat, Apr 27, 2024 10:15 am
Ephemeral Art
What is ephemeral art? Art that is only created with natural materials and is meant to get blown away by the wind or tumbled down by the rain. In this class, we will explore early spring ephemerals around the garden and create art to match using only the things we find on the ground. Dress for the weather and bring your creativity! Ages 5-11 with an adult
Children
At Olbrich
Mon, Apr 29, 2024 6:00 pm
(Virtual) Tai Chi Meditation at Home (6-Week Series)
“Move like a great river; be still like a mountain” instructs the age-old description of the meditative exercise and movement art of T’ai Chi Ch’uan. This class offers standing movements and seated practices rooted within the Chinese tradition of Tai Chi and Chi Kung for the enrichment of body, mind and spirit. All physical abilities welcome, including those in need of chair-based practice.
Adults
Virtual
Wed, May 1, 2024
All Day
Spring Bulb Walk (Date TBD)
Spring has sprung! Come enjoy a casual walk through Olbrich gardens to view and learn about all the beautiful spring bulbs putting on a show! Stroll through various meadows and garden areas to learn about the different bulbs that are Olbrich favorites from Olbrich Horticulturist Avery. The exact date of this walk will be determined by the weather and the bulbs. Please check our website in mid-April for schedule updates.
Adults
At Olbrich
Community Reading Group
Join other garden, plant, and wildlife enthusiasts to discuss books and ideas about gardening, plants, nature, and the environment in the Garden & Nature Community Reading Group. This group is a partnership between Olbrich Botanical Gardens, Steenbock Library, and the UW Arboretum.
All discussions are free and participants are encouraged to read the selected book prior to participating in the discussion. Books are not supplied but are available at Schumacher Library, partner libraries, and the Madison Public Library system.
Field Trips
Visiting school or daycare groups will benefit from a rich learning experience that can supplement classroom curricula and state learning standards. Depending on your group’s age range and time of visit, we offer two scheduling options. K-5 school groups can elect to participate in a paid guided program through one of our Explorer School Programs. Groups that do not fall within this age range or cannot attend during our available program times can schedule a self-guided visit of the outdoor gardens and/or Bolz Conservatory. See the options below to determine what fits your group’s needs.
Garden Naturalist Camp
Ages 7-12
Anyone can be a garden naturalist! In this camp, young naturalists will explore the diverse animal and plant life at Olbrich and how it connects to their own lives through observation and reflection. Campers will engage in a variety of nature-based activities including plant and tend to seeds, create unique art, and record their discoveries and questions in journals to bring home. Join us for a week full of fun!
Writing Camps
Available to students entering grades 3-8 and 9-12
The Greater Madison Writing Project, in partnership with Olbrich Botanical Gardens, hosts camps for young writers (entering grades 3-8) and high school writers (entering grades 9-12). With the guidance and support of the Greater Madison Writing Project Fellows and experienced teachers, participants use the beautiful environment of the outdoor gardens and tropical conservatory for inspiration for their writing. At the end of each camp, young writers will share their favorite pieces of writing with their families and friends at an evening celebration and to be published in an anthology. For questions or to register, please email [email protected].
