August

Managing Eden: Gallery Walk & Talk (Tuesday, August 31, 6:00-7:00pm) Join Steve Sullivan, the Nature Museum’s Urban Ecologist, as he discusses the paradoxes inherent in the fields of conservation and wildlife management. Free to the Public. RSVP to adultprograms@naturemuseum.org or 773-755-5100 x 5028

September

Tai Chi at the Nature Museum (Thursdays, September 2 – 230, 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.)

Learn the basics of classical Tai Chi in developing fitness, balance, and the mind-body connection, in an atmosphere of harmony with nature. No matter your age or level of fitness, the slow, simple movements of this ancient art can bring you to a new level of strength, energy and wellness. The only equipment you need will be comfortable clothes and flat shoes. 

The components of the class will be:

• simple and fun warm-up movements
• a short standing meditation
• a step-by-step instruction in the Yang Style Tai Chi “64-form”
• push-hands practice as time permits

All classes will be taught by teachers from the Stirling Tai Chi Society, from the lineage of Grandmaster Hsu Fun-Yuen. Cost: FREE To register dowload the registration form, or email adultprograms@naturemuseum.org.

Haven Yoga (Saturdays September 4 – 25, 8:30 to 9:45 a.m.)

Join Hatha Yoga instructor Jessica Server for a rejuvenating class in the Judy Istock Butterfly Haven. Melding the many aspects of Hatha and Vinyasa yoga, students will leave the class feeling energized, balanced, and ready to take their practices off the mat and out into the world. Whether you are new to yoga or a seasoned practitioner, Jessica’s personal attention to her students’ individualized journeys will allow you to reap the numerous benefits of a consistent yoga practice. Cost: $15/per class or $48/series. Space is limited and registration required. To register, visit naturemuseum.org for a registration form or call 773-755-5111 ext. 6.

Asian Carp: Documentary Film Screening and Panel Discussion (Thursday September 16, 6:30 p.m.)

Enjoy a screening of Ravenswood Media’s short documentary film, Preventing a Hostile Takeover: Asian Carp and the Great Lakes, followed by a moderated panel discussion. The panel includes representatives from the Illinois River Towing Association, the Nature Conservancy, the Nature Museum, Trout Unlimited, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Please join us for what is sure to be a lively and informative discussion, followed with a question and answer session.

Cost: $4/member, $10/non-member. Includes wine and cheese reception. RSVP to adultprograms@naturemuseum.org or 773-755-5100, Ext. 5028.

Eco-Crafting: Autumn’s Arrival (Wednesday, September 29, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.) Adult

Adults, 16+

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle! And what better way to live out this mantra than by diverting waste from landfills and upcycling trash into treasure?! In this class celebrating the arrival of autumn, you’ll learn how to craft fall accessories and cozy up your place using only upcycled materials! Cost: $25, all materials provided. To register email adultprograms@naturemuseum.org.

New for Fall 2010: Green Dream Group Presents!

Sept. 25th, October 23rd, November 20th, 1pm-3pm All programs led by Corbett Lunsford (HERS Rater/BPI Trainer/LEED AP) technical director of Green Dream Group LLC, a Chicago-based energy auditing and consulting firm, head trainer for the Building Performance Workshop and executive director of the Illinois Association of Energy Raters & Home Performance Professionals. In addition to the hundreds of energy audits he has performed, Corbett hosts the Building Performance Podcast and presents at home performance at festivals across the Midwest.

Green Dream Group Presents: Understanding Your Home's Performance (Saturday, September 25th, 1pm-3pm) (N Gallery) Learn the science behind how your home performs! The interaction of air leakage, pressure, moisture, heat flow, and air quality can combine to help or hurt the performance of insulation, windows, lighting, appliances, and HVAC systems. Between all of the home performance products and services available today, it can be easy to spend more than you planned on items that might not perform as advertised. Corbett Lunsford, Executive Director of the Illinois Association of Energy Raters, will answer your questions and provide the resources to move forward with your home improvement or building projects. Cost: Free with Museum admission. RSVP to adultprograms@naturemuseum.org.

Green Dream Group Presents: Safety First: A Detailed Look at Combustion Appliances (Saturday, October 23rd, 1pm-3pm) (McCormick) The combustion process has several byproducts, two of which are carbon monoxide and fire! Through an exploration of your home as a system, we begin to see how honest mistakes elsewhere in the house can thwart the safety features of any one combustion appliance. Corbett Lunsford of Green Dream Group demonstrates pressure systems in the home, diagnostic testing for unsafe conditions, and answers your questions about this overlooked issue. Cost: Free with Museum admission. RSVP to adultprograms@naturemuseum.org.

Green Dream Group Presents: How To Recognize a High Performance Home (Saturday, November 20th, 1pm-3pm) (McCormick) Certified Home Energy Rater and LEED AP Corbett Lunsford walks through the lesser known pitfalls and hidden gems to notice when shopping for a home. It'll be your biggest material investment- make sure it won't make you miserable later! An educated buyer can find the better place, drive the better bargain, and know which elements of the home can be fixed and how. Learn about layout, air leakage, insulation, mechanicals, and 'tricks' of the building trade. Cost: Free with Museum admission. RSVP to adultprograms@naturemuseum.org.

October

Cameras, Coffee and Chrysalides (Saturday, October 2, 8:00am – 10:00am)

Bring your camera and gain exclusive access to the Judy Istock Butterfly Haven before the Museum opens for the day. Take as many photos as you’d like while avoiding the crowds and enjoy complimentary coffee, too! Cost, $10 for members, $15 for non-members. Limited to 15 participants. To register, please visit NatureMuseum.org, or email adultprograms@naturemuseum.org.

Eco-Crafting: Urban Homestead (Wednesday, October 20, 6:30pm - 8:30pm)

If you want to take that extra step toward healthy sustainable living, then join this latest Eco-Crafting class to learn how to create your very own holistic household products! Cost: $30, all materials provided. To register email adultprograms@naturemuseum.org.

Haven Yoga (Saturdays October 9 – 30, 8:30 to 9:45 a.m., Sundays October 3- 24, 8:30 to 9:45 a.m.)

Join Hatha Yoga instructor Jessica Server for a rejuvenating class in the Judy Istock Butterfly Haven. Melding the many aspects of Hatha and Vinyasa yoga, students will leave the class feeling energized, balanced, and ready to take their practices off the mat and out into the world. Whether you are new to yoga or a seasoned practitioner, Jessica’s personal attention to her students’ individualized journeys will allow you to reap the numerous benefits of a consistent yoga practice. Cost: $15/per class or $48/series. Space is limited and registration required. To register call 773-755-5111 ext. 6.

Green Dream Group Presents: Safety First: A Detailed Look at Combustion Appliances (Saturday, October 23rd, 1pm – 3pm)

The combustion process has several byproducts, two of which are carbon monoxide and fire! Through an exploration of your home as a system, we begin to see how honest mistakes elsewhere in the house can thwart the safety features of any one combustion appliance. Corbett Lunsford of Green Dream Group demonstrates pressure systems in the home, diagnostic testing for unsafe conditions, and answers your questions about this overlooked issue. Cost: Free with Museum admission. RSVP to adultprograms@naturemuseum.org

November

Haven Yoga (Saturdays November 9 – 30, 8:30 to 9:45 a.m. (no class Nov. 13), Sundays November 3- 24, 8:30 to 9:45 a.m.)

Join Hatha Yoga instructor Jessica Server for a rejuvenating class in the Judy Istock Butterfly Haven. Melding the many aspects of Hatha and Vinyasa yoga, students will leave the class feeling energized, balanced, and ready to take their practices off the mat and out into the world. Whether you are new to yoga or a seasoned practitioner, Jessica’s personal attention to her students’ individualized journeys will allow you to reap the numerous benefits of a consistent yoga practice. Cost: $15/per class or $48/series. Space is limited and registration required. To register call 773-755-5111 ext. 6.

Eco-Crafting: Handmade Holidays (Wednesday, November 10, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.)

I’m dreaming of a green holiday season - and you should be too! In this Eco-Crafting class, you’ll learn how to create eco-friendly gift wrap, decorations and more! Cost: $25, all materials provided. Cost: $30, all materials provided. To register email adultprograms@naturemuseum.org.

December

Haven Yoga (Saturdays December 4 – 25, 8:30 to 9:45 a.m., Sundays December 5 - 26, 8:30 to 9:45 a.m. (no class Dec. 25)

Join Hatha Yoga instructor Jessica Server for a rejuvenating class in the Judy Istock Butterfly Haven. Melding the many aspects of Hatha and Vinyasa yoga, students will leave the class feeling energized, balanced, and ready to take their practices off the mat and out into the world. Whether you are new to yoga or a seasoned practitioner, Jessica’s personal attention to her students’ individualized journeys will allow you to reap the numerous benefits of a consistent yoga practice. Cost: $15/per class or $48/series. Space is limited and registration required. To register call 773-755-5111 ext. 6.