Erica Forstater

Welcome Ball State students, friends, and families! Visit the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse and discover a FREE place for tropical escape all year long!

Free succulent plant give-away for students selected at random.

Located in Christy Woods on the west end of Ball State University campus. Parking is available near the greenhouse, 2500 W. University Avenue. For questions, call 765-285-8839

Learn about these fascinating migratory insects, what they symbolize and why we should care. Includes youth-friendly crafts and a story corner suitable for most ages. Families and children from the community are welcome to attend.

This event is hosted at the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse, located in Christy Woods on the Ball State University campus, across the street from IU Ball Memorial Hospital and adjacent to the Marilyn K. Glick Center for Glass.

Questions? Contact Cheryl LeBlanc at cleblanc@bsu.edu or 765-285-8839.

General hours: M-F 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. | Sat. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Closed Sunday and during Ball State breaks and holidays.

Parking: Available in lot G13 off of University Ave., with metered parking also available on University Ave. Overflow parking is available to the west (near Picnic shelter, C3) and east (near tennis courts, G15). For more information about the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse and a parking map, visit www.bsu.edu/orchids. View an interactive parking map.

To learn more about the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse, visit www.bsu.edu/orchids.

Community Artist Invitation to the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse

Saturday, Oct. 12 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. & 1-3 p.m.

Amateur and professional artists and art-inclined members of the community are invited to draw and sketch "en plein air"—indoors—while surrounding yourself with the beautiful orchids and tropical plants at the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse. Our vast collection will spark your creativity, and there is always something in bloom.

This event is free and open to the public. Please bring your own supplies.

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This event is hosted at the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse, located in Christy Woods on the Ball State University campus, across the street from IU Ball Memorial Hospital and adjacent to the Marilyn K. Glick Center for Glass.

Questions? Contact Cheryl LeBlanc at cleblanc@bsu.edu or 765-285-8839.

General hours: M-F 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. | Sat. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Closed Sunday and during Ball State breaks and holidays.

Parking: Available in lot G13 off of University Ave., with metered parking also available on University Ave. Overflow parking is available to the west (near Picnic shelter, C3) and east (near tennis courts, G15). For more information about the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse and a parking map, visit www.bsu.edu/orchids. View an interactive parking map.

To learn more about the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse, visit www.bsu.edu/orchids.

Pulling for Bats

Join the BSU Wildlife Society and the Wildlife Warriors Indiana Kids Club for our 3rd annual Pulling for Bats event. On Sunday, October 27th from 1:00 - 3:00 pm, we will remove invasive honeysuckle and other plants to improve the habitat for bats and other wildlife. To start the program off, Dr. Tim Carter will teach us about bat conservation with his captive teaching bats, Chocolate and Petunia. Then, we will get started on clearing plants. This event will take place at the Red-tail Nature Conservancy property Munsee Woods, located near Prairie Creek Reservoir. The address is 5701 S. 475 E. Selma, IN 47383. There will be green signs near the entrance of the property, and parking at the worksite. All ages are welcome! For more information go to: www.fortheland.org

This event is rain or shine!

Join us from 12:30-4:30pm for a fun Halloween Event at the Dr. Joe and Alice Rinard Orchid Greenhouse and Christy Woods! Visitors can search for rain forest animals in the greenhouse with Ms. Frizzle, and explore outside in Christy Woods. Outdoor activities include a story walk, mask making, show-and-tell, coloring sheets, and more! Join us while we: “Take chances, make mistakes, and get messy!” Visitors of all ages are welcome to come to the greenhouse and join in on the day’s events. Costumes are encouraged.
For Adults, Children, & Families. Groups larger than 10 people must reserve a time with Erica Forstater (elforstater@bsu.edu) Parking is available near Christy Woods. Parking permits are provided at the Orchid Greenhouse. Christy Woods is located on the BSU campus. For questions, contact Cheryl LeBlanc or call 765-285-8839.

Did you know the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse here on campus grows bananas, coffee, vanilla and much more? Come try some with us! The event is FREE so what do you have to lose? Explore and taste the origins of various tropical foods and their uses. 

Open house for Adults & Families (children ages 5+) 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Registration not required, but first come, first served. 

Parking is available near Christy Woods on the Ball State University campus. No permit required on Saturdays. 

For questions, contact Cheryl LeBlanc or call 765-285-8839.

“Nature-Rich Meditation”

Wednesday, November 20 from 3 - 3:30 pm in the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse

Meditation in nature is associated with greater feelings of regeneration and energy.https://www.ehe.health/blog/outdoor-meditation Join us in the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse for a dose of nature and oxygen and help reduce stress.

To help with the rise in mental-health awareness and treatment options, departments at Ball State helped form the Ball State UniversityMeditation Partnership. The Meditation Partnership is a collaboration between Working Well, the Counseling Center, the Office of Health, Alcohol, and Drug Education, the Museum of Art, the Orchid Greenhouse, and the Brown Planetarium. This partnership provides meditation and mindfulness programs for campus and community members to improve mental health and resilience.

Take a deep breath, relax and meditate among the flowers. All are welcome to attend this free session in the Dr. Joe and Alice Rinard Orchid Greenhouse Conservatory. Wear comfortable clothing. Folding chairs will be provided.

Enjoy refreshments, music, hands-on activities for all ages and holiday cheer on the Ball State Cultural Corridor! Follow the jingle bells and luminaries between the Greenhouse, Center for Glass, Planetarium and Museum of Art.

The evening will feature:

Holiday Open House at the David Owsley Museum of Art, with live music, children's art and activities and a pop-up shop hosted by the Book Arts Collaborative.

Holiday in Bloom at the Rinard Orchid Greenhouse - Ball State University, featuring live performances by the Hillcroft Handbell Choir and Sedoctave Acapella Group, a poinsettia give-away and a special children's activity.

Charles W. Brown Planetarium at Ball State University Holiday Program, providing two showings of “The Christmas Star” planetarium show at 6:30 p.m. or 8 p.m.

Holiday Open House at the Marilyn K. Glick Center For Glass of the Ball State University School of Art, with glassblowing demonstrations and the Glass Guild Holiday Sale.

If you are attending the Enchanted Luminaria at Minnetrista, a Muncie Indiana Transit System (MITS) Trolley service will be available from 6-9:30 p.m. with drop-off/pick-up locations on University Ave. at the Greenhouse/Glick Center and Minnetrista.

Weekend parking is free on campus and available off of University and Riverside avenues. There is no cost to attend any of the Ball State participating sites.

Come in out of the COLD and explore the Rinard Orchid
Greenhouse. Visit the tropics and see lots of flowers
with only a tiny travel jaunt! FREE and open to Adults & Families (children ages 5+) 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Parking is available near Christy Woods on the Ball State University campus. No permit required on Saturdays. For
questions, contact Cheryl LeBlanc or call 765-285-8839.

Take advantage of the early morning light to photograph
orchids and other tropical plants, large and small. Bring
your cameras, tripod and an assortment of lenses and
surround yourself with beautiful orchids and other
tropical plants. The Rinard Orchid Greenhouse is located in Christy Woods on the Ball State University campus. The facility houses the largest collegiate collection of orchids in the USA in a lush tropical setting. There is always something
in bloom throughout the year. Access from University Ave. Parking is available and free on Saturdays. For information or if you need an accommodation to fully participate in this event, please contact: Curator Cheryl LeBlanc: cleblanc@bsu.edu or 765) 285-8839

What's the buzz? Could it be bees, bats, butterflies, or even birds? Find out at the Pollinator Party at the BSU Nature Lab, Rinard Orchid Greenhouse, and Christy Woods from 10-3pm! Families and visitors can learn all about pollination from experts in our community and see examples firsthand.

Plus, this year will be our first Sunflower Showdown during the Pollinator Party! Visitors are encouraged to bring in the biggest sunflower head from their garden. The largest (by diameter) sunflower heads brought in for measuring will receive a prize! A total of four prizes will be available, two for adults and two for children. Contact our Educator to learn more.