
Astonishing Arachnids - an ecoExplore program with the NC Arboretum
Explore the diverse arachnids of Western North Carolina and discover what distinguishes them from other creatures, where they live, and whether all spiders spin webs or have eight legs.
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Explore the surprising diversity of Western North Carolina arachnids, from spiders to lesser-known eight-legged neighbors. Learn what defines them, where they live, and whether every arachnid spins a web.

Explore the surprising diversity of Western North Carolina arachnids, from spiders to lesser-known eight-legged neighbors. Learn what defines them, where they live, and whether every arachnid spins a web.
Explore the surprising diversity of Western North Carolina arachnids, from spiders to lesser-known eight-legged neighbors. Learn what defines them, where they live, and whether every arachnid spins a web.

Explore what distinguishes arachnids from other creatures, discover the many kinds beyond spiders, and learn about their habitats and lives in Western North Carolina through a lively nature program.

Explore what distinguishes arachnids from other creatures, discover the many kinds beyond spiders, and learn about their habitats and lives in Western North Carolina through a lively nature program.
Explore what distinguishes arachnids from other creatures, discover the many kinds beyond spiders, and learn about their habitats and lives in Western North Carolina through a lively nature program.

Explore Western North Carolina’s spiders and other arachnids through a lively natural history program covering identifying traits, habitats, web-making myths, and ecoEXPLORE citizen science for curious learners.

Explore Western North Carolina’s spiders and other arachnids through a lively natural history program covering identifying traits, habitats, web-making myths, and ecoEXPLORE citizen science for curious learners.
Explore Western North Carolina’s spiders and other arachnids through a lively natural history program covering identifying traits, habitats, web-making myths, and ecoEXPLORE citizen science for curious learners.

Explore Western North Carolina arachnids beyond spiders, learning how to identify them by their features and discover where they live. A fun, nature-focused program introduces local wildlife and ecoEXPLORE.

Explore Western North Carolina arachnids beyond spiders, learning how to identify them by their features and discover where they live. A fun, nature-focused program introduces local wildlife and ecoEXPLORE.
Explore Western North Carolina arachnids beyond spiders, learning how to identify them by their features and discover where they live. A fun, nature-focused program introduces local wildlife and ecoEXPLORE.

A child-focused introduction to spiders and other eight-legged creatures explores their ecological roles and challenges common misconceptions. Designed for elementary students, the program connects arachnology with nature learning.

A child-focused introduction to spiders and other eight-legged creatures explores their ecological roles and challenges common misconceptions. Designed for elementary students, the program connects arachnology with nature learning.
A child-focused introduction to spiders and other eight-legged creatures explores their ecological roles and challenges common misconceptions. Designed for elementary students, the program connects arachnology with nature learning.

Explore the fascinating lives of North Carolina’s bats, their role in controlling insect populations, and the challenges threatening these misunderstood nighttime neighbors. Learn practical ways to support local bat conservation.

Explore the fascinating lives of North Carolina’s bats, their role in controlling insect populations, and the challenges threatening these misunderstood nighttime neighbors. Learn practical ways to support local bat conservation.
Explore the fascinating lives of North Carolina’s bats, their role in controlling insect populations, and the challenges threatening these misunderstood nighttime neighbors. Learn practical ways to support local bat conservation.

Explore raccoon behavior, nighttime habits, and adaptations with a North Carolina Park Ranger through an engaging nature program. A children’s book reading and hands-on activity welcome families and curious learners of all ages.

Explore raccoon behavior, nighttime habits, and adaptations with a North Carolina Park Ranger through an engaging nature program. A children’s book reading and hands-on activity welcome families and curious learners of all ages.
Explore raccoon behavior, nighttime habits, and adaptations with a North Carolina Park Ranger through an engaging nature program. A children’s book reading and hands-on activity welcome families and curious learners of all ages.

Meet live native birds of prey and discover their distinctive adaptations, ecological roles, and conservation needs. Rangers share ways children and families can help protect these winged ambassadors.

Meet live native birds of prey and discover their distinctive adaptations, ecological roles, and conservation needs. Rangers share ways children and families can help protect these winged ambassadors.
Meet live native birds of prey and discover their distinctive adaptations, ecological roles, and conservation needs. Rangers share ways children and families can help protect these winged ambassadors.

Explore the science behind fireflies, glowworms, and luminous fungi, with stories of Southern Appalachian biodiversity and fragile nighttime ecosystems. Learn how conservation protects these living light shows and regional ecological wonder.

Explore the science behind fireflies, glowworms, and luminous fungi, with stories of Southern Appalachian biodiversity and fragile nighttime ecosystems. Learn how conservation protects these living light shows and regional ecological wonder.
Explore the science behind fireflies, glowworms, and luminous fungi, with stories of Southern Appalachian biodiversity and fragile nighttime ecosystems. Learn how conservation protects these living light shows and regional ecological wonder.

Explore how native plants sustain pollinators, strengthen local ecosystems, and benefit everyday life through an informative slide presentation on ecological gardening and biodiversity in Western North Carolina.

Explore how native plants sustain pollinators, strengthen local ecosystems, and benefit everyday life through an informative slide presentation on ecological gardening and biodiversity in Western North Carolina.
Explore how native plants sustain pollinators, strengthen local ecosystems, and benefit everyday life through an informative slide presentation on ecological gardening and biodiversity in Western North Carolina.

Learn to identify the region’s most troublesome non-native plants and explore practical ways to control them. This horticulture talk connects garden management with protecting Western North Carolina ecosystems.

Learn to identify the region’s most troublesome non-native plants and explore practical ways to control them. This horticulture talk connects garden management with protecting Western North Carolina ecosystems.
Learn to identify the region’s most troublesome non-native plants and explore practical ways to control them. This horticulture talk connects garden management with protecting Western North Carolina ecosystems.

Explore the world of fall fungi through an outdoor nature adventure focused on mushrooms and seasonal ecology. The program welcomes participants ages 14 and up; registration is required.

Explore the world of fall fungi through an outdoor nature adventure focused on mushrooms and seasonal ecology. The program welcomes participants ages 14 and up; registration is required.
Explore the world of fall fungi through an outdoor nature adventure focused on mushrooms and seasonal ecology. The program welcomes participants ages 14 and up; registration is required.

Naturalist-led walk along Arboretum trails with a spotlight on spiders, plus whatever seasonal flora, fauna, and natural phenomena show up along the way. Learn identification tips and ecology while exploring the landscape at an easy pace.

Naturalist-led walk along Arboretum trails with a spotlight on spiders, plus whatever seasonal flora, fauna, and natural phenomena show up along the way. Learn identification tips and ecology while exploring the landscape at an easy pace.
Naturalist-led walk along Arboretum trails with a spotlight on spiders, plus whatever seasonal flora, fauna, and natural phenomena show up along the way. Learn identification tips and ecology while exploring the landscape at an easy pace.

A hands-on toy upcycling workshop invites ages 9–12 to dismantle forgotten playthings and rebuild them into quirky, creepy, or cute original creations, with materials and tools provided.

A hands-on toy upcycling workshop invites ages 9–12 to dismantle forgotten playthings and rebuild them into quirky, creepy, or cute original creations, with materials and tools provided.
A hands-on toy upcycling workshop invites ages 9–12 to dismantle forgotten playthings and rebuild them into quirky, creepy, or cute original creations, with materials and tools provided.

An all ages author event welcomes children and families for a literary gathering at a public library, creating an accessible opportunity to connect with an author and books.

An all ages author event welcomes children and families for a literary gathering at a public library, creating an accessible opportunity to connect with an author and books.
An all ages author event welcomes children and families for a literary gathering at a public library, creating an accessible opportunity to connect with an author and books.

Playful puppet theater sends children on an imaginative adventure with lively storytellers and out-of-scale characters from the natural world. Humor and whimsy encourage kindness, listening, sharing, and teamwork.

Playful puppet theater sends children on an imaginative adventure with lively storytellers and out-of-scale characters from the natural world. Humor and whimsy encourage kindness, listening, sharing, and teamwork.
Playful puppet theater sends children on an imaginative adventure with lively storytellers and out-of-scale characters from the natural world. Humor and whimsy encourage kindness, listening, sharing, and teamwork.

Explore forests, deserts, and other biomes while learning how plants and animals adapt to survive. Familiar Pokémon provide playful examples for elementary students in grades K–5.

Explore forests, deserts, and other biomes while learning how plants and animals adapt to survive. Familiar Pokémon provide playful examples for elementary students in grades K–5.
Explore forests, deserts, and other biomes while learning how plants and animals adapt to survive. Familiar Pokémon provide playful examples for elementary students in grades K–5.

Build imaginative LEGO® creations inspired by creepy critters in a hands-on challenge for children ages 6–12. Registration is required, and children under 10 need adult supervision.

Build imaginative LEGO® creations inspired by creepy critters in a hands-on challenge for children ages 6–12. Registration is required, and children under 10 need adult supervision.
Build imaginative LEGO® creations inspired by creepy critters in a hands-on challenge for children ages 6–12. Registration is required, and children under 10 need adult supervision.

Bring a personal project for an informal evening of stitching and other handicrafts, with materials to share or trade. All ages can create together in a welcoming, noninstructional community gathering.

Bring a personal project for an informal evening of stitching and other handicrafts, with materials to share or trade. All ages can create together in a welcoming, noninstructional community gathering.
Bring a personal project for an informal evening of stitching and other handicrafts, with materials to share or trade. All ages can create together in a welcoming, noninstructional community gathering.

Learn to identify Western North Carolina’s native trees as autumn leaves fall, using bark, twigs, and other clues to recognize dormant species. This practical naturalist lesson builds seasonal observation skills outdoors.

Learn to identify Western North Carolina’s native trees as autumn leaves fall, using bark, twigs, and other clues to recognize dormant species. This practical naturalist lesson builds seasonal observation skills outdoors.
Learn to identify Western North Carolina’s native trees as autumn leaves fall, using bark, twigs, and other clues to recognize dormant species. This practical naturalist lesson builds seasonal observation skills outdoors.