Blue Ridge Naturalist Certificate of Merit
Program At-a-Glance
Students in the Blue Ridge Naturalist Certificate of Merit program will complete a variety of required courses with the opportunity to focus their elective courses on their interests. After required coursework and the service & volunteerism hours are completed, the student will work with program staff to design a self-guided Final Project with the local community of their choosing. This project is then presented in a graduation celebration once a year attended by instructors, staff, and students of the program.
Programs qualifying for credit are offered year-round in-person at the NC Arboretum with off-site programs occasionally. Students are required to keep a reflection journal during their studies and must complete an entry for each program they attend. This journal can be in any format the student feels is right for them but will need to be submitted at the end of their studies before graduation where it will be returned to them as a keepsake.
See Full Curriculum Overview Here
If you are current student, please keep track of the courses you take using this template:
Excel Version of BRN Transcript Template 2026
PDF Version of BRN Transcript Template 2026
For further information: Check out the FAQ at the bottom of this page or contact Adult Education Programs at adulteducation@ncarboretum.org
These classes listed below qualify for some kind of credit toward the BRN program.
Check each class description for more details.
How do I enroll?
Enrollment in one of our certificate programs requires a one-time administrative fee of $150.
Ready to join us? Please fill out our application form here. Enrollment is welcome at any time.
Still not sure? Any applicable courses taken within one year prior to enrollment are eligible for retroactive credit.
Do Arboretum Staff keep a record of my progress?
No, Arboretum staff do not currently have the capacity to keep any records of which classes you have taken during your journey in the program. Please keep track of the courses you take throughout your journey in the BRN program using this template:
What is the total cost of the program?
There is no set total cost of either Certificate of Merit Program. Once enrolled, students pay per class as they go. Registration fees may range from $35 for a one-session course to $250 for a multi-session course. Registration fees go toward paying our instructors while the remaining funds go to staff the program and maintain record keeping.
Once I enroll, is there a time limit to completing the certification?
Most students are able to complete the Blue Ridge Naturalist (BRN) in two to three years. There is no deadline at which those enrolled must complete their required classes and final projects.
What are the required courses? Where do I find the courses listed?
Our certificate programs are self-directed, and core and elective courses offered year round. The Curriculum Overview details which core classes are required as well as the number of elective courses necessary for each certification. New courses are listed as available on the main Adult Education website and announced in our Learn & Grow e-newsletter.
Do I need to pay for parking for on-site classes?
Arboretum entry on the day of a class is included in your registration fee. Just stop by the gatehouse and identify yourself to the attendant. Members can enter through the member gate as normal.
I'm a current member of the Arboretum. How do I redeem my 10% discount towards classes?
Members enter a “promo code” before checkout to access the member discount. The promo code changes each calendar year and it is announced in our member newsletter, The Insider. Email us at adulteducation@ncarboretum.org with any issues.
Are there any opportunities for scholarships?
If the cost of a class is a financial hardship for you, please submit our Scholarship Application, and we will be in contact to follow up.