Adult Programs

Announcement - to maintain appropriate student:teacher ratios and to ensure that we have sufficient materials, we now require that participants register at least 24 hours in advance for all of our education programs.  Drop-ins will not be accepted.

We accept credit cards over the phone.  Payment for all workshops or classes can be sent to:
The Guadalupe River Park Conservancy
438 Coleman Avenue
San Jose, CA 95110

All events will be held at the Guadalupe River Park & Gardens Visitor & Education Center, located at 438 Coleman Avenue. Space is limited, so reserve your spot early by signing up on-line, contacting us at education@grpg.org or 408-298-7657, or by sending a check to:

Guadalupe River Park Conservancy
438 Coleman Avenue
San Jose, CA 95110

Visa and MasterCard are also accepted via phone or mail.

 

 

"I was thrilled to find out that the Guadalupe River Park Conservancy offers great classes at really low prices.  I didn't know that existed. The classes teach about environmentally friendly ways to garden, the topics are timely, and I am looking forward to taking more classes - not just about gardening, but garden-related topics, like flower arranging, building birdhouses, and more.  It is a fantastic resource."
Susan Golden, CRS, GRI
www.SusanGolden.com

 
 


Bike Ride to Alviso
Saturday, February 25, 2012
10:00am to 2:00pm
Ages 18 and Older
$10/members, $15/non-members
Join Guadalupe River Park Conservancy and experienced naturalist Greg Kerekes as we explore the Guadalupe River Trail on an exciting bicycling adventure! Observe and ask questions about the Guadalupe River’s diverse wildlife as we travel downstream on a 4 hour, 20 mile round trip ride from the Guadalupe River Park & Gardens to Alviso, and back. This ride is mostly flat, but transitions from pavement to gravel. Make sure to bring water, a sack lunch, sunscreen, sunglasses, a bike with tires that can handle gravel, and a helmet. Bicyclists must be in good health and able to ride at least 20 miles at a moderate pace without difficulty. More experienced bicyclists are welcome, but must understand that they have to stay in pace with the rest of the class. The class will meet at the Guadalupe River Park & Gardens Visitor & Education Center at 438 Coleman Avenue in San Jose, CA. Pre-registration is required, and space is limited. For more information, visit www.grpg.org or call 408-298-7657.
# of Attendees:
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Itinerary
We will start at the Visitor & Education Center, head north and stop at important landmarks along the way. We will enjoy a 30 minute tour through the Ulistac Natural Area, a preserve that includes groves of Eucalyptus trees and provides a unique habitat for wildlife. We will then continue to Alviso, where the Guadalupe Slough spills out into the San Francisco Bay. There, we will stop for 45 minutes to rest and enjoy the seabirds, a sack lunch, and good conversation. Afterward, we will refill our water bottles and let the south bay winds propel us toward downtown as we make a speedy return to the Visitor Center.



 

Everything You Wanted to Know About Cold Frames but Were Afraid to Ask
Saturday, February 25th
10:00am – 12:00pm
Ages 18 and Up
Free
Frost threatens, the ground is still cold, and all the seedlings you bought or started are ready to plant, so what do you do? Come join the Santa Clara County Master Gardeners and learn how to make and use a cold frame! We will discuss alternatives and build a cold frame in class. A list of materials and plans will be provided. Sharon Johnson and the Master Gardeners will present this class at the Guadalupe Community Gardens. No preregistration is required.


 Note: This class is offered by the Master Gardeners, not the Guadalupe River Park Conservancy. You can click here to visit their site. No sign up is required!

Location: Guadalupe Community Gardens

 

 

Sustainable Vegetable Gardening
Tuesdays from February 28th to April 3rd
7:00 to 9:00pm
$60/members, $70/non-members
Did you know that our Mediterranean climate is perfect for year-round gardens? Join the Guadalupe River Park Conservancy and Master Gardener Ann Northrup for an exciting six week series about sustainable vegetable gardening! Learn how to grow a successful, environmentally responsible food garden that produces delicious vegetables and herbs every month of the year. Topics include: soil preparation, amendments, and fertilizers; irrigation methods and systems; working with both seeds and seedlings; cultural requirements of specific warm and cool season crops and varieties that do well in our area; and how to identify and manage common pests, weeds, and diseases of vegetable crops in Santa Clara County.
# of Attendees:
Not sure about your membership status? Call us at 408-298-7657.
To become a member, click here.

Names - Please indicate the names, separated by a comma, of attendees. (This field is required!)  

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Safe Methods for Food Preservation and Canning
Saturday, March 10h
10:00am to 12:00pm
Ages 18 and Up
$10/members, $15/non-members
 If done improperly, preserving food at home can create poisonous food-born pathogens in the preserves, including botulism, which can kill. However, food preservation methods can be a safe, cheap, and green way to nourish the body and spirit, if the correct procedures are followed. To learn how, join Guadalupe River Park Conservancy and UC Master Preserver Susan Algert for a workshop on safe preservation techniques that can be practiced in a residential kitchen. Susan will demonstrate the two safe preservation techniques—the boiling water bath method and the pressure canner method. Participants will learn to distinguish between high-acid and low-acid foods, and will learn which preservation method is best for each food type. Susan will also provide recipes for preserving fruits, vegetables, dairy products, meat, poultry, and seafood in a residential kitchen.

# of Attendees:
Not sure about your membership status? Call us at 408-298-7657.
To become a member, click here.

Names - Please indicate the names, separated by a comma, of attendees. (This field is required!)  

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Spring Walking Series
Saturdays, March 10th through April 28th
(8 weeks)
8:30 to 9:30am
$40/members, $50/non-members
Do you sit all day at work and need an energy boost? Did your exercise routine fall apart during the holidays? Burst out of winter with a fun, new way to get fit this spring! Join Guadalupe River Park Conservancy for an eight week spring walking series, led by fitness instructors Kristin Strellis and Sheri Suomela. Step by step, you will improve your health as you walk on the paved trails along the beautiful Guadalupe River. Learn proper stretches, toning exercises, and wellness tips as you meet others who enjoy outdoor exercise.

# of Attendees:
Not sure about your membership status? Call us at 408-298-7657.
To become a member, click here.

Names - Please indicate the names, separated by a comma, of attendees. (This field is required!)  

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Greening your Lawn
Saturday, March 17th
9:30am to 11:30am
Ages: 18+
$10/members, $15/non-members
 Would you like to have a healthy, lush, green lawn while using less water, fertilizers, and herbicides? Or have you considered replacing part of your lawn with some native plants or a vegetable garden? Join Guadalupe River Park Conservancy and Master Gardener Marianne Mueller for an adult workshop on greening your lawn. Participants will learn expert-recommended practices for lawn care, including three easy tips to save water. Marianne will also demonstrate how easy it is to replace a lawn, and the variety of landscape options available, including a low-water garden with trees, shrubs, and flowering plants.
# of Attendees:
Not sure about your membership status? Call us at 408-298-7657.
To become a member, click here.

Names - Please indicate the names, separated by a comma, of attendees. (This field is required!)  

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Birding for Beginners and Beyond
Saturday, March 24th
9:00am to 12:00pm
Ages 16 and Up
$10/members, $15/non-members
 The Guadalupe River is a wildlife corridor, connecting resident birds to many different ecosystems throughout the South Bay, and also serving as a winter or summer refuge for migrating species. Learn how to identify the many interesting species that call the Guadalupe River home on an outdoor birding excursion led by GRPC naturalist Greg Kerekes. Greg will teach participants how to identify bird species by sound and sight, using binoculars, keys, guidebooks, and birding techniques. No prior birding experience is necessary, but experienced birders are welcome to attend and refresh their knowledge and help fledgling learners. Make sure to bring proper clothing, sturdy walking shoes, a sack lunch, and some binoculars if they are available.
# of Attendees:
Not sure about your membership status? Call us at 408-298-7657.
To become a member, click here.

Names - Please indicate the names, separated by a comma, of attendees. (This field is required!)  

Comments - Use the field below to leave any questions or comments you may have.

 

 

Planning your Spring Planting
Saturday, March 24th
10:00am – 12:00pm
Ages 18 and Up
Free
 This workshop will focus on soil prep, deciding to seed or transplant seedlings, using your cold frame, protection from insects and birds, crop rotation, companion planting, and choosing the proper plants for this season (don't forget the beneficial insect plants!). No preregistration is required.

 Note: This class is offered by the Master Gardeners, not the Guadalupe River Park Conservancy. You can click here to visit their site. No sign up is required!

Location: Guadalupe Community Gardens



 

Discover Downtown: A Guided Bike Tour of San Jose
Saturday, March 31st
10:00am to 1:00pm
Ages 18 and Up
$10/members, $15/non-members
 Learn about San Jose’s cultural and natural history on a guided bike tour of downtown San Jose! San Jose native Stephanie Wilson and GRPC naturalist Greg Kerekes will lead riders on 3-hour, 5 mile guided tour of downtown San Jose. Starting at the Guadalupe River Park Visitor Center, the tour will head south on the Guadalupe River Trail and into downtown San Jose, where riders will complete a loop through the Plaza de César Chávez and back to the River Trail, stopping to observe cultural and historical monuments, learning about the development of San Jose's downtown, seeing how engineers integrated flood control measures into the Guadalupe River Park's design, and enjoying the natural beauty of the trail. Items on the itinerary: visiting the Ohlone cultural monument; riding past the largest Monopoly board in the world; lunch at Caffe Frascati; learning which downtown building used to be the main post office for San Jose; exploring the confluence of the Guadalupe River and the Los Gatos Creek; and much more! Make sure to bring your bike, proper biking clothing, a helmet, water, and a lunch or some money to purchase something at the café!
# of Attendees:
Not sure about your membership status? Call us at 408-298-7657.
To become a member, click here.

Names - Please indicate the names, separated by a comma, of attendees. (This field is required!)  

Comments - Use the field below to leave any questions or comments you may have.
Itinerary
The ride will begin at the Guadalupe River Park Visitor Center at 438 Coleman Avenue. We’ll head south along the Guadalupe River Trail and stop briefly to inspect the recent trail improvement project that brings the trail underneath a railway trellis. We’ll continue on the trail and stop in the Italian American heritage site in the Guadalupe River Park, where we’ll learn about the vibrant community that once lived here, and current efforts to revitalize San Jose’s Little Italy. Further ahead, we’ll learn about the flood control measures in place around Santa Clara Street to protect San Jose from the epic “100-year flood.” The next stop will be the confluence of the Guadalupe River and the Los Gatos Creek, where we’ll examine the difference in spawning habitats between the two waterways. We’ll also explore the area around the Arena Green, where there’s an impressive monument to the Ohlone Native Americans, and lots of public art. We’ll ride past the largest Monopoly board in the world, learn about the architectural history of the Children’s Discovery Museum, and then walk our bikes east down busy San Carlos Street, where we’ll pass by some of San Jose’s historic buildings. We’ll have lunch at Caffe Frascati, an Italian-American coffee shop and artist hub, before biking through Cesar Chavez Plaza and learning the legend of “the poop statue” and other interesting facts about the Plaza's history. We’ll also learn the history behind some of the buildings surrounding the Plaza. The ride will continue west down San Fernando Street, then head north along the River Trail and back to the Visitor Center.

 

 

Composting Workshops
  • Wednesday, April 11th
  • Wednesday, June 6th
  • Wednesday, July 11th
  • Wednesday, August 22nd
  • 6:00pm to 8:00am
  • Ages 18 and Up
Ages 18 and Up
Free!
Turn your kitchen and yard waste into black gold with this workshop on composting. The two hour workshop, taught by Master Composter Joan Kyle, will teach you the basic strategies to successful home composting. Come learn what materials can be composted, different techniques for the best results, and receive tips and hints to choose the best method for you. Help make the world a greener place by joining in the fight for waste reduction - It's HOT to ROT!

 Click here to sign up!

Other Bin Sales and Classes From the City of San Jose
1MB, .pdf file

 

 

BMX and Mountain Biking Workshop
Saturday, April 7th
10:00am to 12:00pm
$10/members, $15/non-members
Even if you’re not aspiring to be the next Tony Hawk, you can still learn how to ride, jump, and repair like a pro! Join Guadalupe River Park Conservancy for a workshop on BMX and mountain biking, led by professional BMX rider Kari Olandese. Kari, who has competed in contests around the world, including the X Games and the World Freestyle Contest, will teach participants about bike maintenance, safety procedures, and riding maneuvers. Topics covered include bike terminology, what tools to bring on a ride, proper clothing, and how to repair and change a flat tire, adjust breaks, clean and lube a chain, adjust derailers, use the proper gear, fit a helmet, and jump a curb. If you have a bike, you’re welcome to bring it to get some hands-on practice with these techniques during the workshop.
# of Attendees:
Not sure about your membership status? Call us at 408-298-7657.
To become a member, click here.

Names - Please indicate the names, separated by a comma, of attendees. (This field is required!)  

Comments - Use the field below to leave any questions or comments you may have.

 

 

Nature Photography 101
Saturday, April 14th
9:00am to 12:00pm
$10/members, $15/non-members
Nature is photogenic any time of the year, but especially during spring! The grasses have sprouted, the river is running strong, the animals have returned to feed on abundant vegetation, and wildflowers glow in the soft, spring sunlight. Learn how to capture nature as it dons the colors and emotions of spring at a photography workshop with Guadalupe River Park Conservancy! Local naturalist and professional nature-photographer Greg Kerekes will present the basics of nature photography, and then lead participants on a hands-on, outdoor shoot in the park. Bring your camera! Greg will teach you how to photograph nature using your film or digital SLR camera, or with basic point and shoot equipment.
# of Attendees:
Not sure about your membership status? Call us at 408-298-7657.
To become a member, click here.

Names - Please indicate the names, separated by a comma, of attendees. (This field is required!)  

Comments - Use the field below to leave any questions or comments you may have.

 

 

Container Gardening: Ornamentals and Vegetables
Saturday, April 21st
10:00am to 12:00pm
$10/members, $15/non-members
With containers, any space can become a garden—an apartment balcony, a patio, a garage, a driveway, and even a bathroom counter! Learn how to transform any space into a garden at a workshop on container gardening with Guadalupe River Park Conservancy! Santa Clara County Master Gardener Lise Varner will teach participants about the best potting and fertilizing materials for container gardening, how to plan out a container garden for your particular space, watering procedures, and harvesting techniques. Lise will also share which plant varieties grow best in containers, including ornamentals, herbs, fruits, and vegetables.
# of Attendees:
Not sure about your membership status? Call us at 408-298-7657.
To become a member, click here.

Names - Please indicate the names, separated by a comma, of attendees. (This field is required!)  

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Nature-inspired Yoga in the Park, Summer Series
Thursdays, June 7th through July 26th
(8 weeks)
6:15pm to 7:15pm
$50/members, $60/non-members
$10 drop in
Age: 18+
With warmer weather and longer evenings on the horizon, it’s time once again for Yoga in the Park. Join Guadalupe River Park Conservancy and yoga instructor Kristin Strellis for a gentle yoga class designed to improve your flexibility, balance and relaxation. All necessary equipment is provided. All you need to bring is yourself, dressed in comfortable clothing, and any stress or worries that have accumulated throughout the week to release outdoors in the beautiful Guadalupe Park. This class will be taught outside.

# of Attendees:
Not sure about your membership status? Call us at 408-298-7657.
To become a member, click here.

Names - Please indicate the names, separated by a comma, of attendees. (This field is required!)  

Comments - Use the field below to leave any questions or comments you may have.