
You Are Here: Understanding Maps
Decode topographic contours, color coded geologic layers, scales, symbols, and water features through hands-on map analysis and field-ready navigation tips led by geologist Anton DuMars during a two and a half hour elective.
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Staff naturalists lead an observational walk through The North Carolina Arboretum, spotting plants, animals, and signs of wildlife while adapting topics to on-site discoveries and participant questions for hands-on field identification and ecology.

Staff naturalists lead an observational walk through The North Carolina Arboretum, spotting plants, animals, and signs of wildlife while adapting topics to on-site discoveries and participant questions for hands-on field identification and ecology.
Staff naturalists lead an observational walk through The North Carolina Arboretum, spotting plants, animals, and signs of wildlife while adapting topics to on-site discoveries and participant questions for hands-on field identification and ecology.

Lauren leads a guided nature walk along forested streams and creeks, examining aquatic life, erosion dynamics, and riparian plants to reveal how waterways support the arboretum’s biodiversity and overall park ecology.

Lauren leads a guided nature walk along forested streams and creeks, examining aquatic life, erosion dynamics, and riparian plants to reveal how waterways support the arboretum’s biodiversity and overall park ecology.
Lauren leads a guided nature walk along forested streams and creeks, examining aquatic life, erosion dynamics, and riparian plants to reveal how waterways support the arboretum’s biodiversity and overall park ecology.
Gentle guided nature immersion among Blue Ridge pines, using sensory awareness, mindful breathing, and silent pauses to deepen nature connection and reduce stress in an unhurried outdoor setting.
Gentle guided nature immersion among Blue Ridge pines, using sensory awareness, mindful breathing, and silent pauses to deepen nature connection and reduce stress in an unhurried outdoor setting.
Gentle guided nature immersion among Blue Ridge pines, using sensory awareness, mindful breathing, and silent pauses to deepen nature connection and reduce stress in an unhurried outdoor setting.

Meandering outdoor tour of 12 giant Thomas Dambo troll sculptures that illustrate soil, water, biodiversity, and conservation themes; guided by Lauren Lampley along easy trails and paved walkways at the NC Arboretum.

Meandering outdoor tour of 12 giant Thomas Dambo troll sculptures that illustrate soil, water, biodiversity, and conservation themes; guided by Lauren Lampley along easy trails and paved walkways at the NC Arboretum.
Meandering outdoor tour of 12 giant Thomas Dambo troll sculptures that illustrate soil, water, biodiversity, and conservation themes; guided by Lauren Lampley along easy trails and paved walkways at the NC Arboretum.
Weeklong spring break program for youth exploring forest trails, gardens, and hands-on nature activities—wildlife observation, plant identification, and basic outdoor skills. Includes creative nature journaling, team games, and stewardship projects.
Weeklong spring break program for youth exploring forest trails, gardens, and hands-on nature activities—wildlife observation, plant identification, and basic outdoor skills. Includes creative nature journaling, team games, and stewardship projects.
Weeklong spring break program for youth exploring forest trails, gardens, and hands-on nature activities—wildlife observation, plant identification, and basic outdoor skills. Includes creative nature journaling, team games, and stewardship projects.

Practical winter bike commuting workshop covering bike safety, route selection, bicycle infrastructure, and lock strategies; includes urban cycling tips and a free balaclava to help beginners and seasoned commuters ride confidently.

Practical winter bike commuting workshop covering bike safety, route selection, bicycle infrastructure, and lock strategies; includes urban cycling tips and a free balaclava to help beginners and seasoned commuters ride confidently.
Practical winter bike commuting workshop covering bike safety, route selection, bicycle infrastructure, and lock strategies; includes urban cycling tips and a free balaclava to help beginners and seasoned commuters ride confidently.
Gentle guided sensory walks through towering pines and mossy understories at the NC Arboretum, focusing on mindful breathing, ambient forest sounds, and nature immersion to reduce stress and deepen awareness.
Gentle guided sensory walks through towering pines and mossy understories at the NC Arboretum, focusing on mindful breathing, ambient forest sounds, and nature immersion to reduce stress and deepen awareness.
Gentle guided sensory walks through towering pines and mossy understories at the NC Arboretum, focusing on mindful breathing, ambient forest sounds, and nature immersion to reduce stress and deepen awareness.
Jewelry-making workshop at Torched AVL, featuring a brass-and-copper mountain pendant with a silver moon and hands-on bench skills—sawing, filing, sanding, riveting, stamping, texturing, and torch work; all materials provided. Open to ages 9 and up and welcomes all skill levels.
Jewelry-making workshop at Torched AVL, featuring a brass-and-copper mountain pendant with a silver moon and hands-on bench skills—sawing, filing, sanding, riveting, stamping, texturing, and torch work; all materials provided. Open to ages 9 and up and welcomes all skill levels.
Jewelry-making workshop at Torched AVL, featuring a brass-and-copper mountain pendant with a silver moon and hands-on bench skills—sawing, filing, sanding, riveting, stamping, texturing, and torch work; all materials provided. Open to ages 9 and up and welcomes all skill levels.
Practical four-week creative writing course focusing on storytelling craft, with craft talks, mentor texts, free writing prompts, and peer sharing to mine memories, overcome blocks, and build complex believable characters.
Practical four-week creative writing course focusing on storytelling craft, with craft talks, mentor texts, free writing prompts, and peer sharing to mine memories, overcome blocks, and build complex believable characters.
Practical four-week creative writing course focusing on storytelling craft, with craft talks, mentor texts, free writing prompts, and peer sharing to mine memories, overcome blocks, and build complex believable characters.
Hands on workshop teaching practical budgeting, debt reduction tactics, and long term investing strategies to build financial freedom; participants leave with actionable tools, templates, and community resource referrals.
Hands on workshop teaching practical budgeting, debt reduction tactics, and long term investing strategies to build financial freedom; participants leave with actionable tools, templates, and community resource referrals.
Hands on workshop teaching practical budgeting, debt reduction tactics, and long term investing strategies to build financial freedom; participants leave with actionable tools, templates, and community resource referrals.
Practical strategies for greenway design that reduce flooding, strengthen neighborhood connections, and preserve natural corridors; local residents and experts share case studies, funding tips, and next step planning for Swannanoa area resilience.
Practical strategies for greenway design that reduce flooding, strengthen neighborhood connections, and preserve natural corridors; local residents and experts share case studies, funding tips, and next step planning for Swannanoa area resilience.
Practical strategies for greenway design that reduce flooding, strengthen neighborhood connections, and preserve natural corridors; local residents and experts share case studies, funding tips, and next step planning for Swannanoa area resilience.
Hands-on experiential workshop teaching practical mindfulness and focus techniques for everyday life, including breathwork, attention exercises, short meditations, and strategies for stress reduction and workplace resilience.
Hands-on experiential workshop teaching practical mindfulness and focus techniques for everyday life, including breathwork, attention exercises, short meditations, and strategies for stress reduction and workplace resilience.
Hands-on experiential workshop teaching practical mindfulness and focus techniques for everyday life, including breathwork, attention exercises, short meditations, and strategies for stress reduction and workplace resilience.
Hands-on two-night workshop teaching telescope setup, alignment, and observing techniques for beginners and returning owners beneath pristine dark skies, with guided stargazing and equipment troubleshooting.
Hands-on two-night workshop teaching telescope setup, alignment, and observing techniques for beginners and returning owners beneath pristine dark skies, with guided stargazing and equipment troubleshooting.
Hands-on two-night workshop teaching telescope setup, alignment, and observing techniques for beginners and returning owners beneath pristine dark skies, with guided stargazing and equipment troubleshooting.
Hands-on workshop teaching issue mapping techniques to clarify policy priorities and craft clear asks for elected officials, paired with casual coffee and bagel networking in a community-focused wellness center setting.
Hands-on workshop teaching issue mapping techniques to clarify policy priorities and craft clear asks for elected officials, paired with casual coffee and bagel networking in a community-focused wellness center setting.
Hands-on workshop teaching issue mapping techniques to clarify policy priorities and craft clear asks for elected officials, paired with casual coffee and bagel networking in a community-focused wellness center setting.

Documentary photos and first person testimony illuminate systemic barriers and community resilience in poverty and houselessness. Attendees can take an educational walk, view film exhibits, hear lived experience panelists, and sample snacks.

Documentary photos and first person testimony illuminate systemic barriers and community resilience in poverty and houselessness. Attendees can take an educational walk, view film exhibits, hear lived experience panelists, and sample snacks.
Documentary photos and first person testimony illuminate systemic barriers and community resilience in poverty and houselessness. Attendees can take an educational walk, view film exhibits, hear lived experience panelists, and sample snacks.

Gentle guided meditation, breath-work, and somatic meditative movement sessions paired with supportive group discussion for seekers navigating uncertainty. Emphasis on practical grounding tools, inclusivity, and experiential practice.

Gentle guided meditation, breath-work, and somatic meditative movement sessions paired with supportive group discussion for seekers navigating uncertainty. Emphasis on practical grounding tools, inclusivity, and experiential practice.
Gentle guided meditation, breath-work, and somatic meditative movement sessions paired with supportive group discussion for seekers navigating uncertainty. Emphasis on practical grounding tools, inclusivity, and experiential practice.

Guided walkthrough of the current featured exhibition, unpacking key works, thematic threads, and curatorial insights within the museum galleries; accessible, conversational format for general audiences.

Guided walkthrough of the current featured exhibition, unpacking key works, thematic threads, and curatorial insights within the museum galleries; accessible, conversational format for general audiences.
Guided walkthrough of the current featured exhibition, unpacking key works, thematic threads, and curatorial insights within the museum galleries; accessible, conversational format for general audiences.
Hands-on mini-terrarium building with step-by-step demonstrations of terrarium tools and assembly, plus basic plant-care tips in an intimate gardening shop; participants construct a personalized glass garden to take home.
Hands-on mini-terrarium building with step-by-step demonstrations of terrarium tools and assembly, plus basic plant-care tips in an intimate gardening shop; participants construct a personalized glass garden to take home.
Hands-on mini-terrarium building with step-by-step demonstrations of terrarium tools and assembly, plus basic plant-care tips in an intimate gardening shop; participants construct a personalized glass garden to take home.
Practical, scenario based instruction in wilderness first aid and outdoor emergency response, emphasizing hands on skills and certification preparation for beginner to intermediate outdoor leaders and backcountry travelers.
Practical, scenario based instruction in wilderness first aid and outdoor emergency response, emphasizing hands on skills and certification preparation for beginner to intermediate outdoor leaders and backcountry travelers.
Practical, scenario based instruction in wilderness first aid and outdoor emergency response, emphasizing hands on skills and certification preparation for beginner to intermediate outdoor leaders and backcountry travelers.
Hands on beginner workshop teaching sourdough starter creation, feeding, and basic shaping and baking techniques led by a Transylvania County Extension Agent at the Cooperative Extension center.
Hands on beginner workshop teaching sourdough starter creation, feeding, and basic shaping and baking techniques led by a Transylvania County Extension Agent at the Cooperative Extension center.
Hands on beginner workshop teaching sourdough starter creation, feeding, and basic shaping and baking techniques led by a Transylvania County Extension Agent at the Cooperative Extension center.