Crosby Arboretum is set to host two events this month, the first is the Christmas upcoming open house and the second is another round of Project Wild.

On Saturday, anyone who has been curious about the Crosby Arboretum can visit for free. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the arboretum will hold an open house for the public is invited to visit the gift shop, relax to some pre-recorded Christmas music and take a gander at some handmade soap and gourds. The arboretum also offers a plethora of native plants and animals in their native habitat.

Arboretum Volunteer Coordinator Robin Veerkamp said homemade soap by Phyllis Davenport will be on display and for sale, as well as gourd art crafted by Janet Schlauderoff.

Light refreshments also will be served at the event, such as hot apple cider, coffee and cookies, Veerkamp said. One purpose of the event is to promote attendance and membership at the arboretum.

The second event entails another session of the Project Wild workshop for educators. The workshop instructs teachers how to incorporate school curriculum into outside outside activities. The workshop is scheduled for Dec. 19. Senior Curator Patricia Drackett said the workshop is free to teachers working or living in Hancock and Pearl River Counties. Teachers not working or living in either of those counties can participate for a small fee. The fee is $15 for the book and registration, and teachers who want or need them can purchase continuing education units for $10.

Teachers who are on the fence about attending the class can visit the arboretum prior to the class date to view the book, which contains about 500 pages of ideas on how to incorporate curriculum instruction into outdoor activities. The activities in the book can be used to teach any number of subjects, including math, language and, of course, science.

Resources to conduct the Project Wild program were provided by the Lower Pearl River Valley Foundation and the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science.

Parties interested in participating in the workshop can contact Crystie Baker at crystie1@gmail.com.