Blue Ridge Naturalist (BRN) Certificate of Merit students complete core and elective courses in ecology, botany, geology, zoology, plant identification and more — all focused on the unique ecosystem in Southern Appalachian to which we belong!
Enrollment is now closed for Fall Term. Our next Open Enrollment period will open in mid-December 2023 and run through the end of January 2024. Classes that are currently open for registration are listed on the Adult Education course page and updated monthly. Each class that counts toward certificate credit is priced separately. All learners are welcome to join our classes, regardless of whether they are enrolled in the BRN program!
Many of the classes below can also count toward Criteria II or III credit for the NC Environmental Education Certification Program.
For more information:
- Read over our FAQs for answers to many questions you may have while considering our certificate of merit programs.
- Please Note: Adult & Continuing Education Programs staff operate on a flexible schedule to provide coverage for our variety of online and in-person classes. We appreciate your understanding that we may not be available during standard business hours. We receive a high volume of emails and phone messages and we’re a small staff. We try to respond to messages promptly as we’re able.
- For further information regarding BRN certification: Contact Adult Education Programs at adulteducation@ncarboretum.org
Celebrate with us the 2023 graduating class! Click here for a listing of the graduates and BRN students’ final project presentations. Pictures to come!
Wishing you a healthy and happy autumn and endless wonder in our place in nature!