Early Spring Tree ID (full)

Early Spring Tree IDwith Lauren Lampley Wednesday, April 8  |  1 – 4pm BRN – Core  |  BREG – Elective REGISTER HERE Join this class as we discuss how to use different characteristics and field guides to identify common trees of Western North Carolina. We will venture ar......More

Early Spring Tree IDwith Lauren Lampley Wednesday, April 8  |  1 – 4pm BRN – Core  |  BREG – Elective REGISTER HERE Join this class as we discuss how to use different characteristics and field guides to identify common trees of Western North Carolina. We will venture around the property to see what trees are leafing out and enjoying the renewal of spring! This program will take place outside and will follow easy trails and paved walkways. Dress for the weather and prepare to be outside for the entire program time. Lauren Lampley began her career at Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation as a Park Naturalist which solidified Lauren’s interests in ecology and a passion for teaching others. She has led walks and hikes in a variety of subjects from Geology to Birding and especially enjoys learning and teaching about our local ecology. She currently works at the NC Arboretum as the Adult Education Coordinator managing all the programming hosted through the Adult Education Department. Members: Remember to enter your promo code upon checkout to receive your 10% member discount! Email [email protected] with questions.See a full listing of Adult Education Programs at the North Carolina Arboretum here! Questions? Check our FAQs.We are committed to fostering a diverse, supportive learning community. If the cost of a class is a barrier for you, please complete this scholarship form and we will see what kind of assistance we can provide.Follow us on Facebook & Instagram!Join our Adult Education Student Hub on Discord!Interested in supporting the NC Arboretum more directly? Donate to the ONE Fund here.See all of our classes open for registration here!

The Art of Bonsai: Cultivating Your Appreciation

The Art of Bonsai: Cultivating Your Appreciationwith Rebecca Ayres Friday, April 10  |  1 – 2:30pm REGISTER HERE Do you enjoy visiting the bonsai collection at the Arboretum but wish you had a deeper understanding of the art of bonsai? If you’d like to learn more about ......More

The Art of Bonsai: Cultivating Your Appreciationwith Rebecca Ayres Friday, April 10  |  1 – 2:30pm REGISTER HERE Do you enjoy visiting the bonsai collection at the Arboretum but wish you had a deeper understanding of the art of bonsai? If you’d like to learn more about the cultivation and shaping of bonsai, but don’t necessarily want grow your own, this class is for you. It will cover the history of bonsai from ancient China to the Arboretum’s Bonsai Exhibition Garden. It will show the aesthetic qualities that are desirable in bonsai. While this course doesn’t cover all the detailed information you’d want for growing your own little trees, it does discuss how bonsai are started, nurtured, pruned, root-pruned, and wired. You’ll get behind-the-scenes views of the care of bonsai at the Arboretum and learn what makes the Arboretum’s bonsai display special. You’ll get some tips on where and when to see bonsai at the Arboretum and other public displays. Rebecca Ayres is a ceramic artist and gardener. A longtime Arboretum volunteer, she is the assistant to the bonsai curator and helps with overseeing the exhibition garden, the collection and the Carolina Bonsai Expo. She is a member of the Blue Ridge Bonsai Society, where she has taught workshops and classes, and is a graduate of the Arboretum’s Blue Ridge Naturalist program. Members: Remember to enter your promo code upon checkout to receive your 10% member discount! Email [email protected] with questions.See a full listing of Adult Education Programs at the North Carolina Arboretum here! Questions? Check our FAQs.We are committed to fostering a diverse, supportive learning community. If the cost of a class is a barrier for you, please complete this scholarship form and we will see what kind of assistance we can provide.Follow us on Facebook & Instagram!Join our Adult Education Student Hub on Discord!Interested in supporting the NC Arboretum more directly? Donate to the ONE Fund here.See all of our classes open for registration here!

Naturalist Walk and Talk - Spring Migration

Naturalist Walk and Talk –  Spring Migrationwith Shane Myers Friday, April 10  |  1 – 3pm BRN –  Elective REGISTER HERE Walk around the Arboretum with our staff naturalists and talk about what we see around us. We might see plants and animals, and evidence of them going......More

Naturalist Walk and Talk –  Spring Migrationwith Shane Myers Friday, April 10  |  1 – 3pm BRN –  Elective REGISTER HERE Walk around the Arboretum with our staff naturalists and talk about what we see around us. We might see plants and animals, and evidence of them going about their lives in our backyard. Topics will be based on what we see and experience and whatever questions that come up, so every class has the potential to be quite different. This program will take place outside and will follow easy trails and paved walkways. Dress for the weather and prepare to be outside for the entire program time. Shane Myers’ interest in nature began as a child with a love of dinosaurs. This quickly grew to include fossils, insects, and reptiles, and learning from the notes his grandparents kept of the birds that came to their feeders in Toledo, Ohio.  He has a Bachelors of Science in Wildlife Biology and did most of his undergraduate work on dragonflies and damselflies. This work included coordinating an Ohio- wide survey of dragonflies that culminated in a publication in 2024. He’s assisted in outreach and education for plant conservation groups, Odonata Groups, and various bird groups. Shane currently works for the Adult Education department at the NC Arboretum. Members: Remember to enter your promo code upon checkout to receive your 10% member discount! Email [email protected] with questions.See a full listing of Adult Education Programs at the North Carolina Arboretum here! Questions? Check our FAQs.We are committed to fostering a diverse, supportive learning community. If the cost of a class is a barrier for you, please complete this scholarship form and we will see what kind of assistance we can provide.Follow us on Facebook & Instagram!Join our Adult Education Student Hub on Discord!Interested in supporting the NC Arboretum more directly? Donate to the ONE Fund here.See all of our classes open for registration here!

Sound Bath

Sound Bathwith Asheville Wellness Tours Saturday, April 11  |  10 – 11:30am REGISTER HERE April is Earth Month, a time to honor our precious planet and take action to protect her. Celebrate spring while cultivating your relationship with Mother Earth, yourself, and othe......More

Sound Bathwith Asheville Wellness Tours Saturday, April 11  |  10 – 11:30am REGISTER HERE April is Earth Month, a time to honor our precious planet and take action to protect her. Celebrate spring while cultivating your relationship with Mother Earth, yourself, and others, during this rejuvenating afternoon nature immersion retreat. Your guide, Kelly Bruce, will lead you on a colorful journey through the blossoming spring forest, weaving mindfulness, breathwork, forest bathing and nature therapy together for a restorative morning on some of the trails less traveled at the North Carolina Arboretum. We’ll celebrate the experience in community, enjoying a wild-foraged tea ceremony and snacks. Bring an open mind and an open heart. All are welcome. Presented through Adult & Continuing Education Programs in collaboration with Asheville Wellness Tours. Kelly Bruce is a writer, forest therapy guide and nature connection mentor based in Hendersonville, North Carolina. Her mission is to help others deepen their connection with nature, community and Self. Kelly is an Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Certified Guide and Certification Consultant. She is Wilderness First Aid and CPR certified by the American Red Cross. Members: Remember to enter your promo code upon checkout to receive your 10% member discount! Email [email protected] with questions.See a full listing of Adult Education Programs at the North Carolina Arboretum here! Questions? Check our FAQs.We are committed to fostering a diverse, supportive learning community. If the cost of a class is a barrier for you, please complete this scholarship form and we will see what kind of assistance we can provide.Follow us on Facebook & Instagram!Join our Adult Education Student Hub on Discord!Interested in supporting the NC Arboretum more directly? Donate to the ONE Fund here.

Arbor Day Celebration

Arbor Day CelebrationApril 11, 202610:00 am – 3:00 pm  Arbor Day represents hope for the future. The act of planting a tree represents a belief that the tree will grow to provide us with clean air and water, cooling shade, habitat for wildlife, healthier communities, an......More

Arbor Day CelebrationApril 11, 202610:00 am – 3:00 pm  Arbor Day represents hope for the future. The act of planting a tree represents a belief that the tree will grow to provide us with clean air and water, cooling shade, habitat for wildlife, healthier communities, and endless natural beauty — all for a better tomorrow. Nebraska City, NE, is the official birthplace of the Arbor Day holiday, where the first celebration took place on April 10, 1872 however, communities around the globe gather every year to celebrate trees and plant for a greener tomorrow. Join The North Carolina Arboretum on Saturday, April 11, to honor the value and various roles that trees play in our lives and in our ecosystems, and learn how to protect and nurture the trees in your yard and community.   April 11, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM Celebrate Arbor Day with a full day of nature-based activities, learning, and community connection at The North Carolina Arboretum. This annual event brings together families, nature enthusiasts, and community partners to highlight the importance of trees in Western North Carolina’s ecosystems and ongoing reforestation efforts. Event HighlightsNorth Carolina Tree of the Year AnnouncementBe part of the official proclamation of the Serviceberry as the 2026 North Carolina Tree of the Year, followed by a ceremonial tree planting in the Arboretum’s Bird Friendly Garden.Ceremonial Tree PlantingJoin us at noon for a special planting that celebrates the ecological and cultural importance of native trees.Free Tree GiveawayTake home a tree of your own (while supplies last), along with care instructions to help it thrive.Guided Walks and ToursExplore the Arboretum with guided tree identification walks, forest ecology tours, and trail experiences led by experts.Exhibits and DemonstrationsConnect with local organizations and partners working in forestry, conservation, and sustainability across the region.Family-Friendly ActivitiesEnjoy hands-on activities and nature exploration for children and families, hosted by ecoEXPLORE and Arboretum educators.This event is open to all—families, gardeners, educators, and anyone interested in trees, conservation, and the natural beauty of our region. Whether you’re planting your first tree or deepening your knowledge of native species, Arbor Day at the Arboretum offers something for everyone. Come celebrate, learn, and grow with us. This event is part of Spring Into the Arb! Celebrate the return of spring with a series of events and happenings throughout March, April, May and June! Spring is a time of renewal and emergence, and The North Carolina Arboretum is excited to welcome this season with plant shows, nature programs, education, music, art and more!

The Art and Science of Drawing Plants: Field Studies

The Art and Science of Drawing Plants: Field Studieswith Carson Ellis and Erin Ellis Saturday, April 11  |  10am – 4pm BRN – Elective REGISTER HERE (This is the first class in the series. It and can be taken individually, as a stand-alone class, or together with the Lab......More

The Art and Science of Drawing Plants: Field Studieswith Carson Ellis and Erin Ellis Saturday, April 11  |  10am – 4pm BRN – Elective REGISTER HERE (This is the first class in the series. It and can be taken individually, as a stand-alone class, or together with the Lab Studies class. Each class requires separate registration.) In this hands-on, field-based introductory workshop, learn about native plant communities in the Arboretum’s Native Azalea Collection. Focus will be given to different Rhododendron species and students will learn how to identify many of the specimens in the collection. Using this knowledge of the plant features that make a species unique, students will produce a labeled plant portrait of a native azalea. Some supplies are provided but students are encouraged to bring their own, see the list below for what to bring. Supplies needed: Hardbound sketchbook with mixed media or watercolor paper, 9×12″ size recommendedHB Pencil and EraserWatercolor pan set (recommended: Koi, Winsor and Newton)Brushes: Pentel aquash water brush recommended OR round and flat watercolor brushes and small water vesselOptional: artist or washi tape, hand lens or jeweler’s loupe, erasers: Tombow mono zero eraser pen 2.3mm and/or Tombow mono Knock 3.8, white gel pen, small acrylic art triangle, other favorite sketching materialsThis class is designed for beginners, so students do not need any prior plant identification or art skills to attend. Students should bring a lunch or be prepared to purchase lunch at the Arbor Eatery on property during the 1 hour lunch break. This program will take place outside in the Native Azalea Collection which has a notable grade change from the main parking area and follows moderate trails. Dress for the weather and prepare to be outside for the entire program time. Erin Ellis is a science illustrator, artist, and designer from New Jersey living on the central coast of California. Passionate about art and conservation, Erin uses her dynamic skill set to support organizations and institutions doing work and research in this field. She holds masters’ certificates in typography and science illustration from the Cooper Union and California State University, Monterey Bay where she studied with the staff botanical illustrator at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. As an illustrator and designer, Erin has worked with the Monterey Bay Aquarium, The University of California Santa Cruz, the California Institute of Technology, and her botanical artwork has been published in Harvard Papers in Botany. Erin participates in her local creative communities as an art mentor for the Western Flyer Foundation, a swing dance instructor, and teaches painting in the CSUMB Science Illustration Certificate Program. Carson Ellis, born and raised in Asheville, NC, is a life-long explorer of Western North Carolina’s mountains. Her love for the natural world inspired her to pursue a career studying and cultivating native plants. Following undergraduate work in environmental science and horticulture, she completed her M.S. Biology at Western Carolina University, where she researched the pollination networks of high-elevation rock outcrop plant communities. As a horticulturist, she has worked with the Highlands Biological Research Station, Memphis Botanic Garden, and Tennessee Plant Conservation Alliance, and recently joined The North Carolina Arboretum as the Curator of the National Native Azalea Collection. A lover of the arts, she enjoys painting, ceramics, and messing around on the mountain dulcimer in her free time. She considers the natural world her biggest source of inspiration and celebrates horticulture as the ideal union of art and science. Members: Remember to enter your promo code upon checkout to receive your 10% member discount! Email [email protected] with questions.See a full listing of Adult Education Programs at the North Carolina Arboretum here! Questions? Check our FAQs.We are committed to fostering a diverse, supportive learning community. If the cost of a class is a barrier for you, please complete this scholarship form and we will see what kind of assistance we can provide.Follow us on Facebook & Instagram!Join our Adult Education Student Hub on Discord!Interested in supporting the NC Arboretum more directly? Donate to the ONE Fund here.Interested in supporting the NC Arboretum more directly? Donate to the ONE Fund here See all of our classes open for registration here!

Thirst For Good: A Toast To The Trees & The NC Arboretum

Thirst For Good: A Toast To The Trees & The NC ArboretumApril 11, 20265:00 – 8:00 p.m.Highland Brewing Company  Cheers to cultivating connections between people and plants! Join us on The North Carolina Arboretum’s Arbor Day, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., Saturday, April 11, ......More

Thirst For Good: A Toast To The Trees & The NC ArboretumApril 11, 20265:00 – 8:00 p.m.Highland Brewing Company  Cheers to cultivating connections between people and plants! Join us on The North Carolina Arboretum’s Arbor Day, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., Saturday, April 11, at Highland Brewing Company. For every pint of Highland’s classic Gaelic Amber Ale sold, $1 will be donated to this classic WNC recreation and education destination, now celebrating its 40th anniversary year. Be sure to visit the Arboretum’s table to enter to win a free annual Individual or Household TNCA Membership.

The Art and Science of Drawing Plants: Lab Studies

The Art and Science of Drawing Plants: Lab Studieswith Carson Ellis and Erin Ellis Wednesday, April 15 | 10am – 4pm BRN – Elective REGISTER HERE (This is the second class in the series. It can be taken individually, as a stand-alone class, or together with the Field Stu......More

The Art and Science of Drawing Plants: Lab Studieswith Carson Ellis and Erin Ellis Wednesday, April 15 | 10am – 4pm BRN – Elective REGISTER HERE (This is the second class in the series. It can be taken individually, as a stand-alone class, or together with the Field Studies class. Each class requires separate registration.) In this hands-on, classroom-based workshop, students learn botanical terminology and practice using a dichotomous key to differentiate between Rhododendron species. Using this knowledge of plant features, students will work from live cuttings to produce a labeled botanical illustration of a native azalea. Some supplies are provided but students are encouraged to bring their own supplies, see the list below for what to bring. Supplies needed: Watercolor paper, Hot Press (smooth), 11×14″ size recommendedPencils (HB, H, 2B) and sharpener, Erasers (Tombow mono zero eraser pen 2.3mm and/or Tombow mono Knock 3.8 recommended)Watercolor pan set (recommended: Koi, Winsor and Newton, Daniel Smith)Brushes: Size 2, 4, 6 roundsOptional: artist or washi tape, small filbert brush, masking fluid and quill pen, hand lens or jeweler’s loupe, other favorite sketching materialsThis class is designed for intermediate and advanced art students that have some experience in botanical drawing, but prior plant identifications skills are not required. Session 1 (Field Studies) of this class series can serve as this prior experience. This class takes place in the classroom and students should bring a lunch or be prepared to purchase lunch from the Arbor Eatery on site during the 1 hour lunch break. Erin Ellis is a science illustrator, artist, and designer from New Jersey living on the central coast of California. Passionate about art and conservation, Erin uses her dynamic skill set to support organizations and institutions doing work and research in this field. She holds masters’ certificates in typography and science illustration from the Cooper Union and California State University, Monterey Bay where she studied with the staff botanical illustrator at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. As an illustrator and designer, Erin has worked with the Monterey Bay Aquarium, The University of California Santa Cruz, the California Institute of Technology, and her botanical artwork has been published in Harvard Papers in Botany. Erin participates in her local creative communities as an art mentor for the Western Flyer Foundation, a swing dance instructor, and teaches painting in the CSUMB Science Illustration Certificate Program. Carson Ellis, born and raised in Asheville, NC, is a life-long explorer of Western North Carolina’s mountains. Her love for the natural world inspired her to pursue a career studying and cultivating native plants. Following undergraduate work in environmental science and horticulture, she completed her M.S. Biology at Western Carolina University, where she researched the pollination networks of high-elevation rock outcrop plant communities. As a horticulturist, she has worked with the Highlands Biological Research Station, Memphis Botanic Garden, and Tennessee Plant Conservation Alliance, and recently joined The North Carolina Arboretum as the Curator of the National Native Azalea Collection. A lover of the arts, she enjoys painting, ceramics, and messing around on the mountain dulcimer in her free time. She considers the natural world her biggest source of inspiration and celebrates horticulture as the ideal union of art and science. Interested in supporting the NC Arboretum more directly? Donate to the ONE Fund here See all of our classes open for registration here!

Bluebirds & Beyond: Protecting a Native Treasure

Bluebirds & Beyond: Protecting a Native Treasurewith Joe Sanders Wednesday, April 15  |  10:30 – 1pm REGISTER HERE The recent upsurge in bluebird populations can largely be attributed to a movement of volunteer citizens establishing and monitoring bluebird nest boxes. J......More

Bluebirds & Beyond: Protecting a Native Treasurewith Joe Sanders Wednesday, April 15  |  10:30 – 1pm REGISTER HERE The recent upsurge in bluebird populations can largely be attributed to a movement of volunteer citizens establishing and monitoring bluebird nest boxes. Joe Sanders has been a bluebird protector for decades. His presentation gives an up close look at life in an active nest box and focuses on threats to the bluebird’s survival. Wear sturdy shoes and appropriate clothing for a walk to various nesting sites on the Arboretum grounds and an outdoor demonstration on how to monitor bluebird nest boxes. This program will take place outside and will follow easy trails and paved walkways. Dress for the weather and prepare to be outside for the entire program time. Joe Sanders has been working with bluebird restoration for over 40 years and is currently a County Representative for the North Carolina Bluebird Society. He has taught classes to numerous community garden groups and currently monitors nest boxes during the nesting season, including those on the Arboretum grounds. Members: Remember to enter your promo code upon checkout to receive your 10% member discount! Email [email protected] with questions.See a full listing of Adult Education Programs at the North Carolina Arboretum here! Questions? Check our FAQs.We are committed to fostering a diverse, supportive learning community. If the cost of a class is a barrier for you, please complete this scholarship form and we will see what kind of assistance we can provide.Follow us on Facebook & Instagram!Join our Adult Education Student Hub on Discord!Interested in supporting the NC Arboretum more directly? Donate to the ONE Fund here.See all of our classes open for registration here!

Weave Kudzu Vines Into a Basket

Weave Kudzu Vines Into a Basketwith Carleigh Fairchild Thursday, April 16  |  10am – 4pm REGISTER HERE Turn wild vines into a basket in this hands-on kudzu weaving workshop. Kudzu, often thought of as an invasive plant, offers a surprising gift: strong, flexible vines t......More

Weave Kudzu Vines Into a Basketwith Carleigh Fairchild Thursday, April 16  |  10am – 4pm REGISTER HERE Turn wild vines into a basket in this hands-on kudzu weaving workshop. Kudzu, often thought of as an invasive plant, offers a surprising gift: strong, flexible vines that make for beautiful, functional baskets. In this workshop you’ll learn how to identify, harvest, and prepare kudzu responsibly, turning an abundant wild plant into a useful basket. Together we’ll explore weaving techniques and create baskets that reflect each of our creativity. Come away with your own handmade basket, practical knowledge for future projects, and a new appreciation for kudzu. There will be a 30 minute lunch break and materials will be provided. Carleigh Fairchild has a deep love for the Earth. She gardens, keeps bees, wild harvests, processes animals, tans hides, weaves baskets, and finds joy in time spent around the fire. As the founder of Human Nature Connection LLC, she is dedicated to helping others rediscover respectful and collaborative relationships with the more then human world. Carleigh’s journey—including 86 days on the survival show ALONE in Patagonia—deepened her understanding of belonging and connection. With over 25 years of experience, she teaches both online and in-person classes in Western North Carolina, weaving together earth skills, community, and healing. Carleigh is also a NIASZIIH bodywork healer and instructor at Wilderness Fusion, integrating body, earth, and spirit in her practice. Members: Remember to enter your promo code upon checkout to receive your 10% member discount! Email [email protected] with questions.See a full listing of Adult Education Programs at the North Carolina Arboretum here! Questions? Check our FAQs.We are committed to fostering a diverse, supportive learning community. If the cost of a class is a barrier for you, please complete this scholarship form and we will see what kind of assistance we can provide.Follow us on Facebook & Instagram!Join our Adult Education Student Hub on Discord!Interested in supporting the NC Arboretum more directly? Donate to the ONE Fund here.See all of our classes open for registration here!

How Plants Grow: A Close Look at Plant Growth and Structures

How Plants Grow: A Close Look at Plant Growth and Structureswith Alexandra Holland Thursday, April 16  |  1 – 2:30pm BRN – Core |  BREG – Elective REGISTER HERE Building on Beginning Botany, this class examines the variety of plant cells and tissues, how they are organi......More

How Plants Grow: A Close Look at Plant Growth and Structureswith Alexandra Holland Thursday, April 16  |  1 – 2:30pm BRN – Core |  BREG – Elective REGISTER HERE Building on Beginning Botany, this class examines the variety of plant cells and tissues, how they are organized to support plant functions, and how they mature as a plant grows. We’ll explore the structural similarities and differences between plants as small as a trout lily and as large as a white oak.  Prerequisite:  Beginning Botany Alexandra Holland graduated from Duke University and earned her Master’s degree in botany from the University of Texas at Austin.  She was in the first class of students to be certified as Blue Ridge Naturalists.  Alexandra managed the UTEX Culture Collection of Algae at UT Austin and spent many hours working with education programs at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.  She has taught botany for over a decade and leads nature hikes in Western NC for groups of all ages. Members: Remember to enter your promo code upon checkout to receive your 10% member discount! Email [email protected] with questions.See a full listing of Adult Education Programs at the North Carolina Arboretum here! Questions? Check our FAQs.We are committed to fostering a diverse, supportive learning community. If the cost of a class is a barrier for you, please complete this scholarship form and we will see what kind of assistance we can provide.Follow us on Facebook & Instagram!Join our Adult Education Student Hub on Discord!Interested in supporting the NC Arboretum more directly? Donate to the ONE Fund here See all of our classes open for registration here!

Nature Journaling

Nature Journalingwith Andrew Dundas Friday, April 17  |  10 – 12pm BRN – Elective  |  BREG – Elective REGISTER HERE Nature journaling fosters a connection to the outdoors unique to each individual who pursues it. It can be a means to practice art or poetry, a therapeuti......More

Nature Journalingwith Andrew Dundas Friday, April 17  |  10 – 12pm BRN – Elective  |  BREG – Elective REGISTER HERE Nature journaling fosters a connection to the outdoors unique to each individual who pursues it. It can be a means to practice art or poetry, a therapeutic moment of reflection, or scientific exploration of the ecosystems around us. Join arboretum staff in a review of the principles of nature journaling, exploration of other’s work, and visits to multiple sites across the Arboretum with optional prompts and tips for journaling. Basic supplies will be provided, such as notebooks and writing/drawing utensils, but you are also welcome to bring your own.  This program will take place outside and will follow easy trails and paved walkways. Dress for the weather and prepare to be outside for the entire program time.  Andrew Dundas is an Adult Education employee with a passion for history, folklore, writing, and nature. He studied journalism and visual storytelling at the University of Chapel Hill before joining the Arboretum’s Youth Education Department and later the Adult Education Department.  Members: Remember to enter your promo code upon checkout to receive your 10% member discount! Email [email protected] with questions.See a full listing of Adult Education Programs at the North Carolina Arboretum here! Questions? Check our FAQs.We are committed to fostering a diverse, supportive learning community. If the cost of a class is a barrier for you, please complete this scholarship form and we will see what kind of assistance we can provide.Follow us on Facebook & Instagram!Join our Adult Education Student Hub on Discord!Interested in supporting the NC Arboretum more directly? Donate to the ONE Fund here.See all of our classes open for registration here!

Spare-Time Gardening

Spare-Time Gardeningwith Martha Rollefson Friday, April 17  |  10 – 12pm BRN – Elective | BREG – Elective REGISTER HERE Here’s a 2-hour crash course on making the most of the spare time you have for working in your garden.  I’ll share tricks learned & practices develope......More

Spare-Time Gardeningwith Martha Rollefson Friday, April 17  |  10 – 12pm BRN – Elective | BREG – Elective REGISTER HERE Here’s a 2-hour crash course on making the most of the spare time you have for working in your garden.  I’ll share tricks learned & practices developed during more than 40 years of squeezing garden work into an otherwise busy life.  I sum it up with these principles: 1) Choose Wisely… 2) Pace Yourself for the Essential Chores… 3) Pluck it up! … 4) Don’t Shoot Yourself in the Foot! … and 5) Celebrate!  Even experienced gardeners will probably get some new ideas for making their garden chores less strenuous and more impactful. You will also receive a garden assessment tool that will help you articulate your vision for your own garden in a way that will guide your efforts. Martha Rollefson has been a spare-time gardener for decades who got the “wildlife habitat” bug over 20 years ago. After leaving the corporate world she started working at Wild Birds Unlimited “to support her gardening habit,” and she joined the Western Carolina Botany Club to learn more about native plants. While feeding the birds and observing how gardening and wildlife interact, she has developed numerous techniques for saving time and money while reducing her carbon footprint. She lives next to the Etowah Valley Golf Resort with her husband David and mini-doxie, Eva. Members: Remember to enter your promo code upon checkout to receive your 10% member discount! Email [email protected] with questions.See a full listing of Adult Education Programs at the North Carolina Arboretum here! Questions? Check our FAQs.We are committed to fostering a diverse, supportive learning community. If the cost of a class is a barrier for you, please complete this scholarship form and we will see what kind of assistance we can provide.Follow us on Facebook & Instagram!Join our Adult Education Student Hub on Discord!Interested in supporting the NC Arboretum more directly? Donate to the ONE Fund here.See all of our classes open for registration here!

Intro to WNC Invasive Plant ID

Intro to WNC Invasive Plant IDwith Erin Canter Friday, April 17  |  1 – 3:30pm BRN – Elective |  BREG – Elective REGISTER HERE In this beginners’ course, participants will learn strategies for plant ID and use them to identify plants that are invasive to Western North C......More

Intro to WNC Invasive Plant IDwith Erin Canter Friday, April 17  |  1 – 3:30pm BRN – Elective |  BREG – Elective REGISTER HERE In this beginners’ course, participants will learn strategies for plant ID and use them to identify plants that are invasive to Western North Carolina. We’ll discuss the impact of invasive plants and other invasive species, and introduce strategies for their management and control in our own properties and public spaces. This program will take place outside and will follow easy trails and paved walkways. Dress for the weather and prepare to be outside for the entire program time. Erin Canter is a Southern Appalachian Naturalist who specializes in southeastern ecology. She worked as the Manager of Science Literacy and Research at a nonprofit education center in the Great Smoky Mountains, working with all ages to explore their bioregion through science and hands-on exploration, before moving to this side of the mountains in early 2024. She now works at American Conservation Experience here in WNC, helping young people begin their conservation careers through applied conservation projects in the region. Members: Remember to enter your promo code upon checkout to receive your 10% member discount! Email [email protected] with questions.See a full listing of Adult Education Programs at the North Carolina Arboretum here! Questions? Check our FAQs.We are committed to fostering a diverse, supportive learning community. If the cost of a class is a barrier for you, please complete this scholarship form and we will see what kind of assistance we can provide.Follow us on Facebook & Instagram!Join our Adult Education Student Hub on Discord!Interested in supporting the NC Arboretum more directly? Donate to the ONE Fund here See all of our classes open for registration here!

Ecology of the Native Azalea Collection Walk

Ecology of the Native Azalea Collection Walkwith Lauren Lampley Saturday, April 18 | 9 – 10:30 am BRN – Elective REGISTER HERE For Native Azalea Day, join Adult Education Coordinator, Lauren Lampley, on an ecology walk through the Native Azalea Collection highlighting d......More

Ecology of the Native Azalea Collection Walkwith Lauren Lampley Saturday, April 18 | 9 – 10:30 am BRN – Elective REGISTER HERE For Native Azalea Day, join Adult Education Coordinator, Lauren Lampley, on an ecology walk through the Native Azalea Collection highlighting different plants, wildlife, and ecosystems found within the collection. We will also discuss how the different wetlands and creeks play into the ecology of the space and how our Community Science Projects make use of the unique space for science. This program will take place outside and will follow easy trails and paved walkways. Dress for the weather and prepare to be outside for the entire program time. Lauren Lampley began her career at Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation as a Park Naturalist which solidified Lauren’s interests in ecology and a passion for teaching others. She has led walks and hikes in a variety of subjects from Geology to Birding and especially enjoys learning and teaching about our local ecology. She currently works at the NC Arboretum as the Adult Education Coordinator managing all the programming hosted through the Adult Education Department. Members: Remember to enter your promo code upon checkout to receive your 10% member discount! Email [email protected] with questions.See a full listing of Adult Education Programs at the North Carolina Arboretum here! Questions? Check our FAQs.We are committed to fostering a diverse, supportive learning community. If the cost of a class is a barrier for you, please complete this scholarship form and we will see what kind of assistance we can provide.Follow us on Facebook & Instagram!Join our Adult Education Student Hub on Discord!Interested in supporting the NC Arboretum more directly? Donate to the ONE Fund here.See all of our classes open for registration here!

Native Azalea Day

Native Azalea DayApril 18, 202610:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.Visit the gardens this spring for Native Azalea Day, an invitation to celebrate and experience azaleas through the eyes of plant enthusiasts, botanists, and artists. For one day only, visitors can observe as plein air......More

Native Azalea DayApril 18, 202610:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.Visit the gardens this spring for Native Azalea Day, an invitation to celebrate and experience azaleas through the eyes of plant enthusiasts, botanists, and artists. For one day only, visitors can observe as plein air artists capture the scene in paint and pen, learn about the garden and its collection on a walking tour, and participate in hands-on activities for children and adults. A shuttle to the Collection will be available between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., departing to and from the Baker Visitor Center throughout the event. Visitors are also welcome to walk to the Native Azalea Collection from the Gatehouse Parking Lot using Old Mill Road to Bent Creek Road, or can park at the Baker Visitor Center and walk down Running Cedar Road to Bent Creek Road. Walkers should be prepared to travel one mile over unpaved roads and paths. Special thanks to Community Partner Carolina Native Nursery for sponsoring Native Azalea Day. Event Schedule8:30 – 9:30 a.m: Pre-registered “Ecology of the Native Azalea Collection” with Lauren Lampley 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m: Tabling with local environmental organizations including Carolina Native Nursery, NC Native Plant Society, Azalea Society of America, Arboretum Adult Education Citizen Science, Dayna of Solstice Handmade, and Graham County  10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m: Ecology scavenger hunt with Hemlock Restoration Initiative 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m: Dissecting scope and interactive drawing activities with Educator, Erin Ellis. 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m: Cyanotyping activity 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m: Music with SARAH 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m: Food and drink provided by The Arbor Eatery 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m: Plein Art Painting Group of Asheville 10:30 – 11:15 a.m: Pre-registered walking tour with curator, Carson Ellis 11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m: Pre-registered walking tour with volunteer docent 12:30 – 1:00 p.m: Pre-registered walking tour with Lauren Best, Native Azalea Conservation Assistant 1:30 – 2:00 p.m: Pre-registered walking tour with volunteer docent 3:00 p.m: Last shuttle departs Azalea Collection All activities, unless otherwise noted, are included with general admission fees. This event is part of Spring Into the Arb! Celebrate the return of spring with a series of events and happenings throughout March, April, May and June! Spring is a time of renewal and emergence, and The North Carolina Arboretum is excited to welcome this season with plant shows, nature programs, education, music, art and more!

Native Azalea Collection

Forest Bathing: Celebrating Mother Earth (full)

Forest Bathing: Celebrating Mother Earthwith Asheville Wellness Tours Saturday, April 18  |  2 – 5pm REGISTER HERE April is Earth Month, a time to honor our precious planet and take action to protect her. Celebrate spring while cultivating your relationship with Mother ......More

Forest Bathing: Celebrating Mother Earthwith Asheville Wellness Tours Saturday, April 18  |  2 – 5pm REGISTER HERE April is Earth Month, a time to honor our precious planet and take action to protect her. Celebrate spring while cultivating your relationship with Mother Earth, yourself, and others, during this rejuvenating afternoon nature immersion retreat. Your guide, Kelly Bruce, will lead you on a colorful journey through the blossoming spring forest, weaving mindfulness, breathwork, forest bathing and nature therapy together for a restorative morning on some of the trails less traveled at the North Carolina Arboretum. We’ll celebrate the experience in community, enjoying a wild-foraged tea ceremony and snacks. Bring an open mind and an open heart. All are welcome. Presented through Adult & Continuing Education Programs in collaboration with Asheville Wellness Tours. Kelly Bruce is a writer, forest therapy guide and nature connection mentor based in Hendersonville, North Carolina. Her mission is to help others deepen their connection with nature, community and Self. Kelly is an Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Certified Guide and Certification Consultant. She is Wilderness First Aid and CPR certified by the American Red Cross. Members: Remember to enter your promo code upon checkout to receive your 10% member discount! Email [email protected] with questions.See a full listing of Adult Education Programs at the North Carolina Arboretum here! Questions? Check our FAQs.We are committed to fostering a diverse, supportive learning community. If the cost of a class is a barrier for you, please complete this scholarship form and we will see what kind of assistance we can provide.Follow us on Facebook & Instagram!Join our Adult Education Student Hub on Discord!Interested in supporting the NC Arboretum more directly? Donate to the ONE Fund here.