Living Soil
Given soil’s vital importance, it is amazing that most gardeners don’t venture beyond the understanding that good soil supports plant life and poor soil doesn’t. You’ve undoubtedly seen worms in good soil and have come …
Geology of the Blue Ridge
Explore the geologic history of the Southern Appalachian Mountains in this Zoom-based class that includes lecture presentations, discussions and self-guided explorations in the field. The course begins with a discussion of the earth’s interior and …
The Arboretum’s Bonsai Exhibition Garden in Summer – Curator’s Talk & Tour
Established in 2005, the Bonsai Exhibition Garden is a signature feature of the Arboretum and a unique environment displaying up to 50 specimens at a time. Of particular importance are the plants native to the …
Nature & Nurture: The Voorhees Family Artistic Legacy Gallery Talk with the Artists
Join us for a Gallery Talk with artists whose works in a variety of media are featured in our summer art exhibit currently on display in the Baker Visitor Center. Numerous pieces showcase some of …
Forest Bathing in the Arboretum Forest
Join a certified forest therapy guide for a relaxing walk in the Arboretum forest. Be present in the moment and deepen your connection in nature and in community. Your guide will extend a series of …
Inspired by Nature: Pebble Jewelry with Molly Sharp Voorhees
If you’ve ever collected small, perfectly smooth pebbles and rocks from beaches, rivers or lakes and wondered what to do with them, this workshop is the perfect solution! Using diamond encrusted drill bits, students will …
All About Woodpeckers
Why do woodpeckers drum on gutters? Are they really “eating” the house? The seven species of woodpeckers here in Western North Carolina range from the tiny downy to the large and iconic pileated. This package …
Inspired by Nature: Basic Techniques for Making Tea Bowls and Pottery Vessels
Find your way in clay in this welcoming workshop with Potter David Voorhees, whose work is currently on exhibit in the Baker Visitor Center as part of Nature & Nurture: The Voorhees Family Artistic Legacy. …
Marvelous Mushrooms of the Southern Appalachians
The Southern Appalachians offer an exceptional diversity of fascinating and ecologically-important mushrooms. Students will learn to identify the 12 most common fungal families and their preferred habitats and ecological connections. Two full day sessions onsite …
Inspired by Nature: Artists Talk with Chadalice Hagen & Jane Voorhees
Chadalice Hagen and Jane Voorhees lead this Artists Talk prior to their 2-day sketchbook workshop, Inspired by Nature: Make a Sketchbook & Start Sketching!. NOTE: This registration is only for the Artists Talk. If you …
Inspired by Nature: Make a Sketchbook & Start Sketching!
Chadalice Hagen and Jane Voorhees are forces of nature who will teach students how to make sketchbooks and then guide them in getting started sketching. Learn how to make two different useful sketchbooks – a …
Blue Ridge Eco Gardening Round Table
Join in this discussion about ecological principles in practice in your gardens and landscapes and at the Arboretum. A facilitated discussion with faculty and students in the Blue Ridge Eco Gardener (BREG) Certificate of Merit …
Treasures of the Summer Night Sky
Discover the constellations, bright stars, planets, and deep sky objects that are most apparent in summertime in Southern Appalachia, including the Summer Triangle and the red supergiants Arcturus and Antares! During this online class, astronomer …
The Power of Scenery: Frederick Law Olmsted and the Origin of National Parks
As Americans celebrate the 150th anniversary of Yellowstone, the world’s first national park, a question naturally arises: Where did the idea for a national park originate? Join author, Dennis Drabelle in exploring the origins of …
Summer Sky Watch
Stargazing and social distancing come together to form a unique virtual stargazing community as we gather to explore the constellations, bright stars, planets and deep sky objects of the summer night sky with local astronomer …
Walking Meditation & Qigong
Experience the deep peace and simple joy of slow walking meditation in the Plants of Promise Garden at the Arboretum. Each walking meditation practice begins with a series of very gentle Qigong movements. Qigong is …
Nature & Nurture: The Voorhees Family Legacy Gallery Talk with the Artists
Join us for a Gallery Talk with artists whose works in a variety of media are featured in our summer art exhibit currently on display in the Baker Visitor Center. Numerous pieces showcase some of …
Forest Bathing in the Arboretum Forest
Join a certified forest therapy guide for a relaxing walk in the Arboretum forest. Be present in the moment and deepen your connection in nature and in community. Your guide will extend a series of …
Silent Hike & Forest Qigong
Let’s enjoy a quiet, mindful stroll through the woods together. A silent hike takes us to scenic treasures on the arboretum property where we will do a restorative qigong practice. Qigong is a series of …
Fall Flora Identification – Online
Learn to identify native mountain flora using a non-technical keying system, while studying the characteristics of plant families, the basics of plant community and the natural and the cultural history of the flora of the …
Fall Flora Identification – Field
In this entirely field-based class led by Naturalist Scott Dean, you will learn to identify native mountain flora on the trail, training your eyes and using a non-technical dichotomous keying system. Study the characteristics of …
