Discover Nature Programs
Through a partnership with the Louisiana Master Naturalist of Greater Baton Rouge (LMNGBR) we are proud to offer exciting new Discover Nature programs featuring local and national experts who are in touch with nature and are eager to share their experiences. All programs will be held in the Imo Brown Complex in the Beverly Brown Coates Auditorium at Hilltop Arboretum. Discover Nature programs are free for Members Magnolia Level ($250) and above. Advance registration is encouraged.
Bats & Brews
Featuring Dr. Aaron Ashbrook, Dr. Mo Christman, and Katherine Gividen
Tuesday, October 27, 2026 | 6:00–8:00 p.m.
Celebrate Bat Week with Bats & Brews, a one-of-a-kind evening of science, stewardship,
and locally crafted beer at LSU Hilltop Arboretum.
Discover the bat species that call Louisiana home, where they live, what they eat, and the remarkable adaptations that allow them to navigate and hunt in darkness. Our featured speakers will explore encounters between bats and people, bat biology and behavior, the legal requirements surrounding bat removal in Louisiana, appropriate exclusion practices, and potential disease risks.
We’ll also dispel common myths, examine the threats bats face, and uncover why these often-misunderstood mammals play such an important role in Louisiana’s wildlife and ecosystems.
Featured speakers
Dr. Aaron Ashbrook, LSU AgCenter
Dr. Mo Christman, LSU AgCenter
Katherine Gividen, Louisiana Master Naturalist and former bat technician with the
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
Rally Cap Brewing Company will round out the evening with tastings of locally crafted beers, giving guests an opportunity to raise a glass to the unsung heroes of Louisiana’s night sky.
Bats & Brews is equal parts science, stewardship, and social gathering—a chance to discover why bats matter, how we can protect them, and why they deserve to be celebrated.
Come curious. Leave inspired...and maybe a little batty!
Registration
$15 – Students, Friends of Hilltop members, and Louisiana Master Naturalist members
$20 – General public
Free - Friends of Hilltop members Magnolia level and above
Advance registration is encouraged.
Rooted in Healing
Featuring the Breaux family of Cockeyed Farms
Tuesday, November 17, 2026 | 6:00–8:00 p.m.
Discover Nature Series welcomes the Breaux family of Cockeyed Farms for “Rooted in Healing,” a personal journey exploring the connections between gardening,
native plants, agriculture, family, and wellness.
What began as a journey toward better health brought the Breaux family back to the soil. Growing food, working together, and reconnecting with the land ultimately grew into Cockeyed Farms in South Louisiana. During this program, the family will share the story behind their farm and how their connection to the land became part of their pursuit of wellness.
“Rooted in Healing” reaches beyond elderberries to tell a story of family, resilience, and rediscovering the value of the plants around us. Join the Breaux family as they explore cultivating healthier gardens, ecosystems, and communities, and the meaningful growth that can begin when we put down roots.
Registration
$10 – Students, Friends of Hilltop members, and Louisiana Master Naturalist members
$15 – General public
Free - Friends of Hilltop members Magnolia level and above
Advance registration is encouraged.
Program Details
Bats & Brews
October 27, 2026 | 6:00-8:00pm
Bats & Brews Registration
Rooted in Healing
November 17, 2026 | 6:30-8:00pm
Rooted in Healing Registration
Questions? Email or call 225-767-6916.