Educator Courses

Course List

  • College and professional self-guided field trips
    The Morton Arboretum is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to the planting and conservation of trees. Our site is the ideal location for college and professional field study in many disciplines.

  • Volunteer Leadership (Online and In-person)
    Strengthen your skills leading volunteers in natural areas management with this interactive primer for volunteer stewardship activity planning, group dynamics, safety, and volunteer empowerment at The Morton Arboretum. Online component begins: Friday, February 2, 2018. In person component: Saturday, February 10, 2018, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

  • Field Study: Birds of Winter

    Learn techniques for accurately identifying Illinois' winter birds, spot species that are in the area this winter, and meet the migratory species that overwinter in our region at The Morton Arboretum. (CANCELED) Five Sundays, January 28 through February 25, 2018, 8:00 to 11:30 a.m.

  • Trees and Tech-Tree science careers for your students
    The tools that tree scientists use to study the natural world, are evolving. Discover the innovative ways that Morton Arboretum Scientists are utilizing current technology to study trees, plants and woody shrubs. Friday, March 2, 2018, 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

  • Basic Plant ID (Online or In-person)
    Get the botany basics you need to identify plants at The Morton Arboretum. New Online section added: Registration closes at 11:59 p.m., Wednesday, March 14, 2018. Online component begins: Thursday, March 15, 2018. Winter sessions start Sunday, May 6 for In-person only or Friday, June 1 for online only section.

  • Beginning Birdwatching
    In this single morning workshop for beginners, learn how to find birds, discuss equipment, what to wear, keeping track of your observations, and more at The Morton Arboretum. Saturday, April 7, 2018, 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

  • Ecosystem Concepts (Online and In-person)

    Explore the interactions that drive ecosystem function and learn to identify plants, animals, and fungi in relation to ecological habitats at The Morton Arboretum. Online component begins: Friday, April 20, 2018. In person component: Sunday, April 29, 2018, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.

  • Field Study: Birds of Spring
    Learn how to identify Illinois' spring resident and migratory birds by sight and call and meet other birders at The Morton arboretum. Five Saturdays, April 28 through June 2 (no class on May 19), 2018, 8:00 to 11:30 a.m.

  • Outdoor Spaces and Nature-based Programming in Public Gardens: Building the Evidence Base for Early STEM learning
    Be a part of advancing early childhood learning in nature through a summit for educators and researchers on play and learning in outdoor spaces at The Morton Arboretum. Wednesday, May 2, 2018, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., and Thursday, May 3, 2018, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

  • Basic Plant ID (Online or In-person)
    Get the botany basics you need to identify plants at The Morton Arboretum. New Online section added: Registration closes at 11:59 p.m., Wednesday, March 14, 2018. Online component begins: Thursday, March 15, 2018. Winter sessions start Sunday, May 6 for In-person only or Friday, June 1 for online only section.

  • Identify Woodland Wildflowers (Online and In-person)
    Learn the names and ecology of the wildflowers that cover the woodland floor in spring at The Morton Arboretum. Online component begins: Friday, April 20, 2018 In person component: Friday, May 4 or Saturday, May 5, 2018, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

  • Invasive Species I (Online and In-Person)
    Learn to identify and manage the most common invasive plants in the Great Lakes region at The Morton Arboretum. Online component begins: Friday, May 11, 2018. In-person component: Saturday, May 19, 2018, 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

  • Basic Plant ID (Online or In-person)
    Get the botany basics you need to identify plants at The Morton Arboretum. New Online section added: Registration closes at 11:59 p.m., Wednesday, March 14, 2018. Online component begins: Thursday, March 15, 2018. Winter sessions start Sunday, May 6 for In-person only or Friday, June 1 for online only section.

  • Field Study: Birds of Summer
    Become acquainted with the host of birds that nest and breed in our region at The Morton Arboretum.Four Saturdays, June 9 through 30, 2018, 8:00 to 12:30 p.m.

  • Tools for Management (Online and In-person)

    Learn to effectively and efficiently use the tools of the trade to tackle different restoration jobs at The Morton Arboretum. Online component begins: Tuesday, June 5, 2018. In-person component meets: Tuesday, June 12, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

  • Tools for Management (Online and In-person)

    Learn to effectively and efficiently use the tools of the trade to tackle different restoration jobs at The Morton Arboretum. Online component begins: Tuesday, June 5, 2018. In-person component meets: Tuesday, June 12, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

  • Plants of Wetlands
    Learn the names and ecology of the wildflowers, sedges, rushes, and other plants that inhabit wetlands at The Morton Arboretum. Saturday, June 23, 2018, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.