The North Carolina Arboretum Events

Thursday April 2 10:00am - 4:00pm EDT

Weave Kudzu Vines Into a Basket (full)

Weave Kudzu Vines Into a Basketwith Carleigh Fairchild Thursday, April 2 | 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!

Thursday April 2 12:00pm - 4:00pm EDT

Coptic Book Making (full)

Coptic Book Makingwith Joyce Tromba Thursday, April 2 | 12 – 4pm REGISTER HERE The Coptic stitch bookbinding was first used in Egypt by the Copts in the 2nd Century AD. It has become popular again with hand bookmakers because of the beauty of it’s exposed spine as well as the structure of the book which allows it to open flat. In this class we will use the twin needle technique to sew the binding. This is a perfect sized book to keep with you for notes or sketches and would also make a lovely gift. All materials will be provided, including a selection of papers for the covers and optional signature wraps but if you have some special paper you would like to use for the covers please contact me at [email protected] so I can give you advice about size and grain direction. Joyce Tromba is happily settled into life in lovely Western North Carolina after living and teaching around the world for 30 years. Her travels have exposed her to many fiber traditions and she has always found groups of fiber folks wherever she was to share her making with. Joyce has 20+ years teaching design, sewing, knitting, quilting and bookmaking to High School students and adults. She has studied fiber and book and fiber arts at Penland, Arrowmont, John C. Campbell Folk School, and the Center for Book Arts in New York City. Her work can be found at Local Cloth where she also teaches natural dyeing, bookmaking and sewing classes.. 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!

Friday April 3 1:00pm - 3:00pm EDT

Identifying Regional Frogs by Sight & Sound

Identifying Regional Frogs by Sight & Soundwith Patrick Brannon Friday, April 3 | 1 – 3 pm BRN- Elective REGISTER HERE A relatively simple and effective citizen-science project is the seasonal monitoring of calling frogs. Different species call from early spring throu......More

Saturday April 4 10:00am - 3:00pm EDT

Music in the Mountains Day

Music in the MountainsApril 4, 202610:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.Enjoy live music by local musicians surrounded by the gardens and beautiful mountain vistas! Performance Schedule10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m: Paddle Faster Trio (Acoustic bluegrass) 12:30 – 2:00 p.m.: Trippin’ Up The S......More

Saturday April 4 12:00pm - 4:00pm EDT

River Systems of the Blue Ridge

River Systems of the Blue Ridgewith Anton DuMars Saturday, April 4 | 12 – 4pm BRN – Core REGISTER HERE Water is essential to life but is also a powerful agent of change. Rivers, through both daily processes and catastrophic floods, shape Earth’s surface through erosio......More

Tuesday April 7 8:00am - 10:00am EDT

Meditative Morning

We’ve heard your valuable feedback, and now you don’t have to hear us! Beginning May 4, 2021, the period between 8 and 10 a.m. on the first Tuesday morning of every month will be reserved for “Meditative Mornings,” a pause for quiet time in our gardens and on our trails......More

Tuesday April 7 9:00am - 10:30am EDT

Birding for Beginners (full)

Birding for Beginnerswith Lauren Lampley Tuesday, April 7 | 9 – 10:30 am BRN – Elective REGISTER HERE Join us on this birding walk around the NC Arboretum gardens and trails in search of our most colorful residents. We will go over best practices for using binoculars,......More

Tuesday April 7 9:00am - 11:30am EDT

Botanical Painting for Beginners (4-sessions) (full)

Botanical Painting for Beginnerswith Camille Daunno Four Sessions Tuesdays, April 7, 14, 21, 28 | 9 am – 11:30 am REGISTER HERE In this beginner level class, learn several watercolor painting techniques while experimenting with different brushes, techniques and other w......More

Wednesday April 8 1:00pm - 4:00pm EDT

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

Friday April 10 1:00pm - 2:30pm EDT

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 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!

Friday April 10 1:00pm - 3:00pm EDT

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

Saturday April 11 10:00am - 11:30am EDT

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

Saturday April 11 10:00am - 3:00pm EDT

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, 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!

Saturday April 11 10:00am - 4:00pm EDT

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 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!

Saturday April 11 5:00pm - 8:00pm EDT

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

Load More Events

The North Carolina Arboretum

View details

About Us

Contact Information

About Us

Contact Information

Weave Kudzu Vines Into a Basket (full)

Coptic Book Making (full)

Identifying Regional Frogs by Sight & Sound

Music in the Mountains Day

River Systems of the Blue Ridge

Meditative Morning

Birding for Beginners (full)

Botanical Painting for Beginners (4-sessions) (full)

Early Spring Tree ID (full)

The Art of Bonsai: Cultivating Your Appreciation

Naturalist Walk and Talk - Spring Migration

Sound Bath

Arbor Day Celebration

The Art and Science of Drawing Plants: Field Studies

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

Group Results

Tag sale

Pelham Jewish Center

The North Carolina Arboretum

View details

About Us

Contact Information

About Us

Contact Information

Group Results

Tag sale

This is Burbio

Forgot Password

Oops!