Blue Ridge Naturalist (BRN) Certificate of Merit students complete core and elective courses in ecology, botany, geology, zoology, plant identification and more. Classes that are open for registration currently are listed on the Adult Education course page and updated monthly. Classes meet year round online, onsite at the Arboretum, and in the field. 

Many of the classes below can also count toward Criteria II or III credit for the NC Environmental Education Certification Program.

For more information: 

Blue Ridge Naturalist Curriculum

  • Since March of 2020, these core courses were adapted for delivery online:

    • Zoology of the Blue Ridge (Parts I and II)
    • Botany Basics
    • Water (Fluvial) Systems
    • Geology of the Blue Ridge
    • Ecology of the Blue Ridge
    • Climate Change Science
    • Natural History Interpretation
    • Flora Identification (Online and Field Versions in Season)
    • Native Tree Identification (Online with Field Experience in Spring, Summer & Fall)

  • Each of the core courses is enhanced by applying knowledge in specially-designed field experiences. The core lecture study class is required to earn certificate credit. 

    BRN:  Students should consider taking as many field experiences as possible for their Naturalist study. A minimum of four (4) field studies fulfill program requirements. 

    EE Cert:  These courses count for either Criteria 3 if only the lecture is completed, or Criteria 2 if both lecture and field experience are completed

    • Native Tree Identification Field Study: Offered in season (Winter, Spring, Summer & Fall). 
    • Flora Identification of the Blue Ridge: Offered in season (Spring, Summer & Fall). Offered in lecture version or field version. Additional Flora ID Walks scheduled in season (register separately).  
    • Supplemental Field Experiences: Offered to registered students in Botany Basics, Fluvial Systems, Geology of the Blue Ridge and Ecology of the Blue Ridge.

  • Elective studies are selected from the following categories: Astronomy & Meteorology; Wildlife; Plant Studies; Growing in Place & Special Topics; Appalachian Arts & Culture; and Service & Volunteerism

    BRN:  Your Naturalist program of study should reflect at least six hours in each of the categories listed above. Naturalists will complete a reflection assignment for each category. All reflection assignments are now available on the Schoology BRN course site. 

    EE Cert:  These classes vary in the criteria they are eligible for and will be marked as such in their description.

    Examples of Common Courses Include:

    Astronomy & Meteorology:

    Treasures of the Winter Night Sky

    Mysteries & Wonders of the Moon

    Wildlife:

    Birding Basics: Bird Song

    Identifying Regional Frogs by Sight & Sound

    Plant Studies:

    Spring Ephemerals: Awe Walk at the Botanical Gardens

    Tree Trek

    Growing in Place & Special Topics: 

    Loving Where You Live: Spring Ephemerals Walk with Naturalist Scott Dean

    Contemplative Photography and The Enveloping Landscape in Spring

    Appalachian Arts & Culture:

    An Appalachian Ethnobotany: At the Intersection of Science & Tradition

    Service and Volunteerism

    Adult Education Moderators and Facilitators

    EcoEXPLORE

     

     

  • To truly understand new concepts and ideas, learners need to apply them to a different context. Adult Learners can apply new knowledge, vocabulary, and skills to solving a problem or meeting a challenge through service and volunteering. Adult Education believes that when learning includes stewardship, it provides opportunities for participants to connect with local ecosystems and tools that can help them understand how individual behavior impacts the environment. Participants have opportunities to volunteer with The North Carolina Arboretum as a trail guide or garden docent, assist with ecoEXPLORE to review children’s nature observations, or with an organization of their choice. To receive credit toward your Certificate of Merit or toward your Teaching Hours for the NC EE Certification, each stewardship opportunity requires a reflection assignment to encourage growth in practice.

    If interested in volunteering:  Contact Katie Gorman at adulteducation@ncarboretum.org

Final Project Guidelines

  • Blue Ridge Naturalist Final Project Proposal

    Initial idea and plan for project: What do you hope to learn and accomplish?
    Who is served by or benefits from your project?
    What's your window for starting and completing your project?
    Where us the project located? What area is impacted by your project?
    Who are your anticipated collaborators and/or consultants (individuals and/or organizations)?
    What resources are needed to implement your project? What's your plan for attaining identified resources?
    Is this project continuous, replicable, a one-time event? As with resources above, consider how a project is perpetuated beyond implementation and your involvement, if applicable.
    What else would you like to at this time? What questions do you have at the start of the project that you would like our help in answering?