Fall Migration: Birding Ridge Junction
Ridge Junction Overlook is one of the best spots in the Blue Ridge to enjoy the fall migration of warblers and other passerines. Over the past few years there have been over 25 species of …
Meditative Morning Birding Walk in the Arboretum Forest
The quiet of the Arboretum’s Monthly Meditative Morning makes for a wonderful way to listen for bird song. This walk takes you to some of the best spots to enjoy birding in our gardens and …
Eco Gardening: Principles in Practice
Ecological gardening is a way of thinking about the designed landscape in which gardens are no longer seen as a collection of plants, but as a community of complex interdependencies among plants, soils, environment and …
Growing, Preserving & Using Culinary Herbs
Delicious and aromatic herbs are commonly grown in gardens and containers for a variety of uses. This class will provide general information about growing herbs in the home garden with a focus on those used …
Environmental Microbiology of North Carolina’s Natural Places
As we explore North Carolina’s natural habitats, most often we turn to the things we see around us to inspire us and to help explain the world before us: a babbling brook, a beautifully peaceful …
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. Naturalist Luke Cannon teaches two …
Loving Where You Live: Woodland Walk with Naturalist Scott Dean
Join Naturalist Scott Dean for an immersive nature walk along the trails of the Arboretum forest to explore the natural world as it thrives in summer. Flowers and trees are blooming and critters are out …
Painted Wings: An Introduction to Butterflies & Moths
Western North Carolina has an abundance of butterfly and moth species. Carlton Burke provides an introduction to identifying and understanding the life cycles of these delicate creatures with painted wings. Learn more about conservation efforts …
All About Fall Warblers
The notorious ‘confusing fall warblers’ pose one of the classic identification challenges for North American birdwatchers. After being born in the summer, these warblers, sporting a drabber and often quite different plumage than that of …
The Power of Scenery: The Value of a View
We value scenic vistas and parks for many reasons. From where do these values come? How much worth or value is embedded in a scenic view or visually-appealing park? An economist, Dr. Leah Mathews will …
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 …
Gardening for the Birds (& Other Pollinators)
Gardening for the birds is more than just feeding the birds, so says instructor Martha Rollefson, a certified bird feeding specialist with Wild Birds Unlimited, a valued Arboretum Community Partner. Martha teaches a delightfully engaging overview for gardeners …
Ecology of the Blue Ridge
Discover why the Southern Appalachians are home to more tree species than all of Europe. Learn how ants and whitetail deer determine where trilliums grow. Take a virtual tour of the amazing natural ecosystems of …
A Light in Autumn: Contemplative Walk with Poetry and Photography in Place
Celebrate the Autumnal Equinox with writer Rebecca Caldwell and photographer Susan Patrice on an evening walk through the Arboretum forest – to remind us why we love where we live. Exploring the poetry of place …
Botany by Family
Plant family patterns can greatly aid in demystifying the “green wall” of species around us. Approximately 350,000 species of flowering plants are known to global science. These species have been grouped into around 15,000 genera …
Loving Where You Live: Woodland Walk with Naturalist Scott Dean
Join Naturalist Scott Dean for an immersive nature walk along the trails of the Arboretum forest to explore the natural world as it thrives in summer. Flowers and trees are blooming and critters are out …
Contemplative Photography & The Enveloping Landscape: A Makers Retreat
Deepen your intimacy with the natural world through photography. Teachings in traditional ecological wisdom combine in this workshop with guided contemplative practice, time photographing in the Arboretum forest and sharing of supportive critiques. Led by …
