Tours to Explorations and Workshops such as Making Sense of Nature (grades pre-K - 2): students experience the sensory world of plants through sight, smell, touch, and taste; Herbs and Spices from Around the Globe (K - 6): students learn the botany and uses of herbs and spices, sample various products, and even plant an herb to take back to class; Our Green Inheritance (3 - 9): introduces students to some of our more useful plants, such as those from the grass family, and coffee and chocolate; Environmental Issues (7 - 12): an intermediate workshop covering topics like pollution, acid rain, global warming, and endangered habitats. Students will learn how they can be part of the solution, and they will even make compost; Under the Sun (3 - 9): explores the fascinating plants of the African deserts; and Flower Explorations (3 - 4): teaches about pollination and fruit formation. There are many other great programs like these, each lasting 1 - 2 hours. Programs can accommodate up to 35 students. Finally, BBG offers special services and memberships for teachers to help them become more proficient in teaching botany and its related subjects. Below is a chronological history of important dates in the Garden's history. Highlighting some important developments are photos from our archives taken by Louis Buhle from 1915 to 1968. These charming black and white photos truly capture the evolution of the Garden and the spirit of the times. Administration Building and Greenhouses dedicated April 1916.1897New York State legislation reserves 39 acres for a botanic garden. 1910Garden is founded; Dr. Charles Stuart Gager is first director. 1911Native Flora Garden laid out. 1914Children's Garden program begins. 1915Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden is completed by landscape architect Takeo Shiota. 1916Rock Garden constructed. 1917Auxiliary formed to support the Garden. 1925Thirty-two dwarfed potted trees are donated, starting the now famous bonsai ...
