Join herbalist, homeopath, and flower essences practitioner Debra Bluth for an introduction to flower essence workshop.

Flower essences are energetic remedies made from the blossoms of living plants, potentized by the sun or moon, and created with intention and ceremony. Taken orally, these essences work on a vibrational level to support emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. Each essence carries a unique energetic imprint, guiding the body and mind toward greater balance and healing.

In this immersive workshop, you'll explore the foundations of flower essences, including their history, uses, and the subtle yet profound shifts they can facilitate. A significant portion of the day will be spent outdoors, where each participant will have the opportunity to create their own flower essence.

Ages: 18+

Join herbalist, homeopath, and flower essence practitioner Debra Bluth for a guided walk through Viles Arboretum, where you'll meet a variety of medicinal plants and trees along the way. Discover key identifying features, folklore, and traditional uses of these plants from herbal, homeopathic, and flower essence perspectives. Ages 16+

Each walk will feature different plants, so you're welcome to join one or all three for a unique experience every time. Wear sturdy shoes that can handle a bit of dirt!

Potential Plants for Each Walk (subject to change):

Walk #1: Plantain, burdock, dandelion, sumac, yarrow, elder, lungwort, white oak, bloodroot, violet,Solomon seal

Walk #2: Red clover, ginkgo, iris, Japanese knotweed, hawthorn, rose, comfrey, horse chestnut, catalpa,poison ivy, lesser cinquefoil

Walk #3: elecampane, mugwort, lesser periwinkle, goldenrod, Queen Anne’s lace, boneset, gravel root,jewelweed, blue vervain, white cedar, white pine

Register for all 3 walks and use promo code THREE to save 10%

Viles Arboretum is proud to host a talk in the Tree Talks series, which pairs tree identification with local history, and community project.

Join Viles Arboretum, the Maine Forest Service, the Maine Tree Farm Program, and Maine Woodland Owners for a unique guided walk exploring both natural and cultural history in the Cony & Knight Cemetery.

Maine Forest Service District Forester Allyssa Gregory and retired forester Andy Schultz will lead participants through an engaging exploration of tree identification alongside observation and discussion about the meanings behind historic headstone symbols. 

From weeping willows and clasped hands to lambs and urns, gravestone carvings from the 18th and 19th centuries often carry symbolic meanings - expressing grief, faith, hope, and remembrance. These quiet markers tell stories about the values, beliefs, and lives of those buried in the cemetery and reflect artistic trends of their time.

We're excited to welcome you to this thoughtful walk through one of Augusta's lesser-known historic spaces - where stories of the land and the people are rooted together. 

• To ensure an inclusive and engaging experience, registration will be limited to 20 participants.
• Walk begins and ends in the Education Barn at Viles Arboretum.

About the Guides

Allyssa Gregory is the Maine Forest Service’s District Forester for the MidCoast and chair of the Town of Thorndike’s Cemetery Committee. She assists with regulatory issues related to NRPA and FPA, leads educational workshops, and offers in-person visits to landowners with 10+ forested acres. She obtained a forestry degree from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. Her professional background includes rural forestry, urban forestry, horticulture, and structure firefighting. Allyssa is involved with the Tree Farm program as a certified inspector and serves as chair for Knox & Waldo Counties. She is a member of the Maine Old Cemetery Association and is a Project Learning Tree facilitator.

After graduating from the University of Maine School of Forest Resources in 1976, Andy Schultz began his career as a forester. He has worked in the private sector as a lumber grader for a small sawmill, and a field forester for International Paper Company. He also worked as a Landowner Outreach Forester for the Maine Forest Service. Most recently, he has worked as an independent consulting forester. Retired now (almost,) he continues to enjoy walking and talking in and about the Maine woods.

Maine’s bird populations are constantly shifting, with some species thriving while others decline. State of the Birds: Decades of Change explores these patterns over the past few decades, highlighting which birds are disappearing, which are on the rise, and what these changes might mean for the future.

This presentation is led by Nick Lund, Maine Audubon's Advocacy and Outreach Manager. A passionate birder and writer, Nick is the author of The ABA Field Guide to the Birds of Maine; Dinosaurs to Chickens: How Evolution Works; and The Ultimate Biography of Earth. His articles have appeared in Slate.com, The Washington Post, National Geographic, and more.

Following the presentation, join us for a guided bird walk to put your knowledge into practice. We’ll explore the surrounding landscape, searching for some of the species discussed and observing firsthand the changes in Maine’s bird populations. Whether you're an experienced birder or just getting started, this is a great opportunity to deepen your appreciation for the birds of Maine.

Join us for a guided, nature walk that will encourage you to slow down and reconnect with nature. During each forest bathing walk you'll be invited to engage in activities like silent observation, mindful breathing, and guided reflection, designed to promote relaxation and rejuvenation. 

These walks are designed for everyone, regardless of fitness level, and no prior experience is necessary—just a willingness to embrace the calming and grounding benefits of nature. Walks are 15+ unless indicated that it is a family walk. Children over the age of 4 must be registered.

Location: Meet at the Trail Map Kiosk

About the Instructor

Constance Woodworth is a certified Forest Therapy Guide from the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides and Program based in California and is currently studying to become a Maine Master Naturalist.

Join Pat Friedman of Fearless-Foodies (www.Fearless-Foodies.com) for a fun afternoon of prepping and cooking 

$125 per person includes take-home recipes, all ingredients needed for preparation, tools and equipment. 

This lively workshop will feature a local August-season bounty of tomatoes, cukes, peppers, kale, celery, corn, zucchini, green beans, herbs, and edible flowers. We'll also share growing and harvesting ideas, while expanding our culinary horizons with renewed flair for serving great food on a budget.

The meal includes:

• Awesome Appetizer ~ Zesty salsa with homemade tortilla chips and taco seasoning.

• Standout Salad ~ Featuring unique vegetable cuts, herbs and edible flowers along with a homemade herbed vinaigrette.

• Tuscan Kale Soup ~ A creamy and delicious, gluten-free, simply made soup with veggies, beans and herbs. We’ll also make a quick no-yeast focaccia to dip in the soup.

The class includes tasty add-ons such as adding seasonal fruits to the salsa, quick pickling, and ways to prepare the soup that will appeal to both vegetarians and non-vegetarians. 

Accessibility Information

We aim to make this class as inclusive as possible:

• Viles Arboretum is wheelchair accessible, with accessible restrooms. • Tables and chairs are provided

• Participants will be standing and moving around, with some light lifting and handling of equipment. Please reach out if you have mobility concerns or need accommodations.

• Instructions will be provided verbally and visually.

NOTE: Please include any dietary restrictions and allergies in advance, at the time of registration, so your needs can be met. Thank you.

About the Instructor

Pat Friedman was born into her family’s New York deli on Long Island. From the age of nine, when her family moved to the Poconos, she worked in their remote Pocono Mountains General Store. There she prepared and served from-scratch salads, bakery goods and deli favorites including specialty foods for the local Scandinavian community. Since moving to Maine, she has been the founder of Sout to Nuts Coffee House, an organic café in Waterville, and currently operates Fearless Foodies, an online cooking and healthy food focused business. A lifelong healthy gourmet chef and avid organic gardener, Pat is also the publisher of the digital Life Recipe Magazine and is writing an international foods cookbook.

All participants must be 21 years or older. Valid ID is required at check-in.

Discover the ancient art of mead making and transform honey into a decadent, fermented beverage cherished throughout history. Mead, also known as honey wine, is the world’s oldest alcoholic drink. In this immersive workshop, you’ll explore its rich history, learn the basics of brewing and fermentation, and create your own one-gallon batch of mead to take home.

What to Expect

• History & Tasting: Learn about mead's origins and cultural significance while sampling a selection of meads and honeys from across the country. Enjoy about 4-8 ounces of mead throughout the class.
• Hands-On Learning: Step-by-step guidance through the mead-making process, from selecting ingredients to understanding fermentation.
• Tools & Techniques: Learn to measure sugar levels with a hydrometer, determine alcohol content, and practice sterilization and bottling techniques.

Every student will receive the following supplies to continue brewing at home:

• One-gallon glass carboy
• Airlock Hydrometer with a cylinder and brush
• 3-4 lbs. of raw honey and ingredients for a batch of mead
• Detailed directions and a materials list for bottling your finished mead

This class is perfect for beginners and hobbyists interested in home brewing, wine making, or fermentation. Whether you’re curious about mead or looking to refine your skills, this workshop offers a comprehensive introduction to the craft.

Accessibility Information

We aim to make this class as inclusive as possible. Please reach out if you have mobility concerns or need accommodations.

• Location: The venue is wheelchair accessible, with accessible restrooms.
• Seating and Workspace: Tables and chairs are provided
• Physical Effort:Participants will be standing and moving around, with some light lifting and handling of equipment. 
• Visual Guidance: Intructions will be provided verbally and visually.

About the Instructor

Wood Thrush Wilderness is an outdoor guiding and educational business that helps people connect more deeply with themselves and the natural world. As Licensed Recreation Maine Guides, we offer guided canoe expeditions throughout the state of Maine. We also offer classes and training in outdoor education, wilderness medicine, and traditional crafts such as basketry.

Website: https://www.woodthrushwilderness.com/