
Introduction to Appalachian Ecology
A naturalist-led introduction to Blue Ridge ecology spanning French Broad floodplains to Mount Mitchell’s high-elevation forests. Learn why spruce stays on the highest summits, how lungless salamanders thrive, and what deer and ants reveal about ecosystems.
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A guided walk focused on spotting and identifying local butterflies using field guides and key markings, with seasonal natural history notes. Learn host and nectar plant identification and simple garden strategies to attract native species, including monarchs when applicable.

A guided walk focused on spotting and identifying local butterflies using field guides and key markings, with seasonal natural history notes. Learn host and nectar plant identification and simple garden strategies to attract native species, including monarchs when applicable.
A guided walk focused on spotting and identifying local butterflies using field guides and key markings, with seasonal natural history notes. Learn host and nectar plant identification and simple garden strategies to attract native species, including monarchs when applicable.

A deep-dive geology session on the Southern Appalachian Mountains, moving from Earth’s interior and plate tectonics to mountain-building models. Mixes classroom lecture and discussion with self-guided outdoor field explorations at the arboretum.

A deep-dive geology session on the Southern Appalachian Mountains, moving from Earth’s interior and plate tectonics to mountain-building models. Mixes classroom lecture and discussion with self-guided outdoor field explorations at the arboretum.
A deep-dive geology session on the Southern Appalachian Mountains, moving from Earth’s interior and plate tectonics to mountain-building models. Mixes classroom lecture and discussion with self-guided outdoor field explorations at the arboretum.

Ecology-informed gardening lessons on building robust, resilient landscapes that support diverse plant, insect, and animal communities. Two morning sessions blend theory and research into practical models for habitat focused garden design.

Ecology-informed gardening lessons on building robust, resilient landscapes that support diverse plant, insect, and animal communities. Two morning sessions blend theory and research into practical models for habitat focused garden design.
Ecology-informed gardening lessons on building robust, resilient landscapes that support diverse plant, insect, and animal communities. Two morning sessions blend theory and research into practical models for habitat focused garden design.

Small group guided hike through the Arboretum’s botanically diverse woodland trails, led by trained volunteer guides. Seasonal talk focuses on wildflowers, plant and tree identification, forest types, and local natural history.

Small group guided hike through the Arboretum’s botanically diverse woodland trails, led by trained volunteer guides. Seasonal talk focuses on wildflowers, plant and tree identification, forest types, and local natural history.
Small group guided hike through the Arboretum’s botanically diverse woodland trails, led by trained volunteer guides. Seasonal talk focuses on wildflowers, plant and tree identification, forest types, and local natural history.

Gentle guided walks through mixed hardwood and evergreen canopy, emphasizing slow sensory awareness, mindful breathing, and nature-based stress relief suitable for beginners and seasoned practitioners alike.

Gentle guided walks through mixed hardwood and evergreen canopy, emphasizing slow sensory awareness, mindful breathing, and nature-based stress relief suitable for beginners and seasoned practitioners alike.
Gentle guided walks through mixed hardwood and evergreen canopy, emphasizing slow sensory awareness, mindful breathing, and nature-based stress relief suitable for beginners and seasoned practitioners alike.

Hands-on field session focused on identifying wild edible plants and learning safe, ethical harvesting practices. Expect seasonal Appalachian ecology insights, practical tasting or handling tips, and a guided walk-style learning format.

Hands-on field session focused on identifying wild edible plants and learning safe, ethical harvesting practices. Expect seasonal Appalachian ecology insights, practical tasting or handling tips, and a guided walk-style learning format.
Hands-on field session focused on identifying wild edible plants and learning safe, ethical harvesting practices. Expect seasonal Appalachian ecology insights, practical tasting or handling tips, and a guided walk-style learning format.

Hands-on garden stewardship at the Asheville Botanical Garden focused on ecological management of wild garden areas. Expect practical guidance on native plants, invasive control, and habitat restoration while working outdoors alongside local gardeners and conservation-minded neighbors.

Hands-on garden stewardship at the Asheville Botanical Garden focused on ecological management of wild garden areas. Expect practical guidance on native plants, invasive control, and habitat restoration while working outdoors alongside local gardeners and conservation-minded neighbors.
Hands-on garden stewardship at the Asheville Botanical Garden focused on ecological management of wild garden areas. Expect practical guidance on native plants, invasive control, and habitat restoration while working outdoors alongside local gardeners and conservation-minded neighbors.

After-dark naturalist program exploring Grandfather Mountain’s forests and trails with a focus on nocturnal wildlife, ecology, and night-sky observation. Expect guided interpretation, low-light walking, and hands-on nature learning in a mountain setting.

After-dark naturalist program exploring Grandfather Mountain’s forests and trails with a focus on nocturnal wildlife, ecology, and night-sky observation. Expect guided interpretation, low-light walking, and hands-on nature learning in a mountain setting.
After-dark naturalist program exploring Grandfather Mountain’s forests and trails with a focus on nocturnal wildlife, ecology, and night-sky observation. Expect guided interpretation, low-light walking, and hands-on nature learning in a mountain setting.

Hands-on educator training centered on beetles and classroom-ready science connections, with guided activities and discussion geared toward teaching insect diversity. Best for teachers and informal educators seeking practical lesson ideas and nature-based learning.

Hands-on educator training centered on beetles and classroom-ready science connections, with guided activities and discussion geared toward teaching insect diversity. Best for teachers and informal educators seeking practical lesson ideas and nature-based learning.
Hands-on educator training centered on beetles and classroom-ready science connections, with guided activities and discussion geared toward teaching insect diversity. Best for teachers and informal educators seeking practical lesson ideas and nature-based learning.
Hands-on pollinator ID and counting session in a learning garden supporting the Great Southeast Pollinator Census. Expect guided observation of bees, butterflies, and other common pollinators while contributing local data for conservation.
Hands-on pollinator ID and counting session in a learning garden supporting the Great Southeast Pollinator Census. Expect guided observation of bees, butterflies, and other common pollinators while contributing local data for conservation.
Hands-on pollinator ID and counting session in a learning garden supporting the Great Southeast Pollinator Census. Expect guided observation of bees, butterflies, and other common pollinators while contributing local data for conservation.

A science and humanities talk blending flood hydrology with Appalachian storytelling, unpacking how steep ridges, narrow valleys, and limited buildable land intensify regional flood risk. Research insights connect changing floods to community history and literary representations.

A science and humanities talk blending flood hydrology with Appalachian storytelling, unpacking how steep ridges, narrow valleys, and limited buildable land intensify regional flood risk. Research insights connect changing floods to community history and literary representations.
A science and humanities talk blending flood hydrology with Appalachian storytelling, unpacking how steep ridges, narrow valleys, and limited buildable land intensify regional flood risk. Research insights connect changing floods to community history and literary representations.

An evening talk with canopy researcher Dr. Margaret Lowman (CanopyMeg) exploring forest treetops, biodiversity, and the science of studying life high above the ground. Expect conservation themes, field stories, and Q and A discussion.

An evening talk with canopy researcher Dr. Margaret Lowman (CanopyMeg) exploring forest treetops, biodiversity, and the science of studying life high above the ground. Expect conservation themes, field stories, and Q and A discussion.
An evening talk with canopy researcher Dr. Margaret Lowman (CanopyMeg) exploring forest treetops, biodiversity, and the science of studying life high above the ground. Expect conservation themes, field stories, and Q and A discussion.

Hands-on pen and ink workshop focused on fungi, using brush pens and fine tipped pens to build foundational skills through practice exercises. Study mushroom families and learn mark making techniques for realistic form, values, and texture.

Hands-on pen and ink workshop focused on fungi, using brush pens and fine tipped pens to build foundational skills through practice exercises. Study mushroom families and learn mark making techniques for realistic form, values, and texture.
Hands-on pen and ink workshop focused on fungi, using brush pens and fine tipped pens to build foundational skills through practice exercises. Study mushroom families and learn mark making techniques for realistic form, values, and texture.

Hands on investigation of real wood samples and slabs to learn cell types, grain structure, and how anatomy affects strength, texture, and practical uses across tree species. Naturalist led learning in a botanical garden setting.

Hands on investigation of real wood samples and slabs to learn cell types, grain structure, and how anatomy affects strength, texture, and practical uses across tree species. Naturalist led learning in a botanical garden setting.
Hands on investigation of real wood samples and slabs to learn cell types, grain structure, and how anatomy affects strength, texture, and practical uses across tree species. Naturalist led learning in a botanical garden setting.
Learn about Western North Carolina’s wild bees and their life cycle, then build a DIY bee hotel to support local pollinators. A hands on, beginner friendly conservation workshop in a cozy taproom setting.
Learn about Western North Carolina’s wild bees and their life cycle, then build a DIY bee hotel to support local pollinators. A hands on, beginner friendly conservation workshop in a cozy taproom setting.
Learn about Western North Carolina’s wild bees and their life cycle, then build a DIY bee hotel to support local pollinators. A hands on, beginner friendly conservation workshop in a cozy taproom setting.
A scholar led talk weaves climate storytelling with themes of life, death, and Earth, blending leadership guidance, celebration, and practical wisdom. Gather with a faith based Earth Care community for reflection and action oriented conversation.
A scholar led talk weaves climate storytelling with themes of life, death, and Earth, blending leadership guidance, celebration, and practical wisdom. Gather with a faith based Earth Care community for reflection and action oriented conversation.
A scholar led talk weaves climate storytelling with themes of life, death, and Earth, blending leadership guidance, celebration, and practical wisdom. Gather with a faith based Earth Care community for reflection and action oriented conversation.

In-the-field birdwatching course at Grandfather Mountain centered on the wonders of seasonal migration. Expect naturalist-led identification practice, migration ecology insights, and time outdoors scanning ridgelines and forests for traveling species.

In-the-field birdwatching course at Grandfather Mountain centered on the wonders of seasonal migration. Expect naturalist-led identification practice, migration ecology insights, and time outdoors scanning ridgelines and forests for traveling species.
In-the-field birdwatching course at Grandfather Mountain centered on the wonders of seasonal migration. Expect naturalist-led identification practice, migration ecology insights, and time outdoors scanning ridgelines and forests for traveling species.

An outdoor nature talk centered on monarch butterflies, tracing their epic migration and the habitats that sustain them. Expect practical pollinator and garden stewardship insights with local ecology context in a botanical garden setting.

An outdoor nature talk centered on monarch butterflies, tracing their epic migration and the habitats that sustain them. Expect practical pollinator and garden stewardship insights with local ecology context in a botanical garden setting.
An outdoor nature talk centered on monarch butterflies, tracing their epic migration and the habitats that sustain them. Expect practical pollinator and garden stewardship insights with local ecology context in a botanical garden setting.

Slow, sensory forest bathing on Grandfather Mountain with guided mindfulness prompts, quiet observation, and gentle walking through cool evergreen trails. Expect grounding breathing, nature connection, and stress relief in a scenic high-elevation setting.

Slow, sensory forest bathing on Grandfather Mountain with guided mindfulness prompts, quiet observation, and gentle walking through cool evergreen trails. Expect grounding breathing, nature connection, and stress relief in a scenic high-elevation setting.
Slow, sensory forest bathing on Grandfather Mountain with guided mindfulness prompts, quiet observation, and gentle walking through cool evergreen trails. Expect grounding breathing, nature connection, and stress relief in a scenic high-elevation setting.

Immersive morning forest bathing retreat on arboretum trails, pairing slow sensory nature connection with a tea ritual. Designed to ease loneliness and build kinship with like minded participants and the more than human world.

Immersive morning forest bathing retreat on arboretum trails, pairing slow sensory nature connection with a tea ritual. Designed to ease loneliness and build kinship with like minded participants and the more than human world.
Immersive morning forest bathing retreat on arboretum trails, pairing slow sensory nature connection with a tea ritual. Designed to ease loneliness and build kinship with like minded participants and the more than human world.