MBG Calendar of Events

Through Mar. 28

Annual Orchid Show features 800 orchids from one of the world�s premier collections. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Orthwein Floral Display Hall, lower level of the Ridgway Visitor Center. Garden admission plus $5; free for Garden members.

Feb. 1

Online enrollment opens for over 175 spring and summer classes for youth and adults at the Garden and its family of attractions. View the complete catalog and register online at www.mobot.org/classes or call (314) 577-5140.

Feb. 6

Backyard Bird Festival. Bundle up, grab your binoculars, and flock to the Missouri Botanical Garden for a bird-watching bonanza! Bird watchers of all ages can enjoy a day filled with guided birding walks, live exhibits, identification tips and informative classes for children and adults of all experience levels. 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Ridgway Visitor Center. Fees vary based on individual sessions. Register online or call (314) 577-5140.

Feb. 8

Presentation and book signing by Larry Schweiger, president and CEO, National Wildlife Federation, with an introduction by Dr. Peter Raven, president, Missouri Botanical Garden. Schweiger breaks down the science behind global climate change in his book, �Last Chance: Preserving Life on Earth.� 2 to 3 p.m. Shoenberg Theater. Included with Garden admission. Advance reservations requested by Feb. 1; (703) 438-6231 or heffernanc@nwf.org. Presented by the National Wildlife Federation and the Missouri Botanical Garden.

Feb. 12 through 14

Silver Cat Jewelry Trunk Show. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Garden Gate Shop.

Feb. 13

Sold out! Valentine's Dinner Dance. Enjoy a romantic dinner in Monsanto Hall, visit the Linnaean House to enjoy the camellias in bloom, stroll with your sweetheart through this year�s Orchid Show, and dance the night away at our most romantic event. 6:30 to 10 p.m. $70 per person. Advanced reservations required; (314) 577-9570. For more information, call (314) 577-5154.

Feb. 14

Celebrate the Gospel concert. Celebrate Black History month with a heart-felt expression of African-American culture: gospel singing. As a special Valentine�s Day program, vocalist Mardra Thomas, pianist Reginald Thomas and their ensemble return to the Missouri Botanical Garden with a �Bouquet of Love.� Seating is first come, first served. 3 p.m. Shoenberg Theater.

Feb. 14

Shop for blooming flowers and more for your sweetie on Valentine�s Day! Garden members enjoy 20-percent off purchases all day long. Chocolate tasting from 1 to 4 p.m. Garden Gate Shop.

Feb. 18

Science Caf�: �Mapping Neotropical Plant Diversity: Challenges and Progress,� presented by assistant curator Ivan Jimenez, Missouri Botanical Garden. Jimenez presents his work on geographic variations of plant species richness across the Neotropics. 7 to 9 p.m. Herbie�s Restaurant, 405 N. Euclid Ave. Free. Presented by the Saint Louis Science Center and the Missouri Botanical Garden. (314) 289-4424 or www.slsc.org.

Feb. 20

Young Friends present Trivia Night � Garden Style. Join the Young Friends of the Missouri Botanical Garden for an evening of food, fun and general trivia. Light buffet dinner provided; cash bar. Please, no outside food or drink. Doors open at 6 p.m.; trivia begins at 7 p.m. Monsanto Hall, upper level of the Ridgway Visitor Center. $300 for a table of 10. Seating is limited and advance registration required; (314) 577-9532. Learn more or register online today.

Feb. 20

Great Green Adventures: Sweet Smells of Indoor Gardens. Enjoy the peak of camellias and fragrant olive trees in the Linnean House, and the sweet smells of early spring in the Shoenberg Temperate House. Ages six to 12 with an adult. Great Green Adventures are held the third Saturday of every month at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Meet outside the Children�s Garden entrance. $3 per child.

Feb. 27 & 28

Sugared, Spiced and Everything Iced. Displays and demonstrations of sugar art on cakes and cookies exquisitely hand-decorated by local experts. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days.

Feb. 27 & 28

Gardening Blitz. A weekend of fun and educational classes on topics from perennials to cooking, watercolor to photography. Sign up for only one class or as many as you like. 9 a.m. Fees vary for individual classes. Advance registration required: Register today!

Through Mar. 14

Extended! EarthWays: Living the Green Life exhibit. Explore easy, everyday ways to protect the planet through this interactive exhibit. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Brookings Interpretive Center.

Through Mar. 14

�Images of Costa Rica,� an exhibit featuring the work of nature photographer Gregory Basco. The exhibit documents the exquisite natural beauty and biological diversity of Costa Rica. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monsanto Hall, upper level of the Ridgway Visitor Center. View images from the exhibit.

Through Mar. 31

Please note: Narrated tram tours, Tower Grove House, and the Doris I. Schnuck Children�s Garden are not available during the winter months. Seasonal operations resume April 1.