The North Carolina Arboretum

Naturalist Walk and Talk – Native Orchids
2026-05-08 13:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
Naturalist Walk and Talk – Native Orchids
with Shane Myers
Friday, May 8 | 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 adulteducation@ncarboretum.org 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!

Snakes of the Blue Ridge
2026-05-08 13:00 - 14:30
Snakes of the Blue Ridge
with Patrick Brannon
Friday, May 8 | 1 – 2:30pm
BRN – Elective
REGISTER HERE
Participants in this workshop will learn about the general biology of snakes, including the natural history and identification of many Southern Appalachian snake species. We will discuss the differences between venomous and non-venomous species, as well as dispelling many common misconceptions about snakes.
Patrick Brannon is an independent naturalist and educator. He holds a M.S. in Biology from Appalachian State University, and has performed research on the ecology of salamanders and small mammals. For the past 22 years he was Outreach Coordinator at the WCU Highlands Biological Station, where he taught courses on amphibians and mammals as part of the UNC Institute for the Environment Program at HBS, in addition to many K-12 school programs and educator workshops.

Members: Remember to enter your promo code upon checkout to receive your 10% member discount! Email adulteducation@ncarboretum.org 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!

Getting to Know the Birds of WNC
2026-05-08 10:00 - 12:00
Getting to Know the Birds of WNC
with Martha Rollefson
Friday, May 8 | 10 – 12pm
BRN – Elective
REGISTER HERE
An introduction to the 60+ most common birds seen in Western North Carolina, grouped in fun and memorable ways: the birds we most love, the birds we “love to hate,” seen in the forests, seen around water, winter visitors, “knocking,” little but bold, those with different plumage for males and females, and so on. Photos will be augmented with recordings from the Merlin app to identify birds by sound, and basic recommendations will be made for traditional field guides and attracting birds to your yard.
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 adulteducation@ncarboretum.org 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!

Birding for Beginners
2026-05-05 09:00 - 10:30
Birding for Beginners
with Lauren Lampley
Tuesday, May 5 | 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, recommendations for purchasing your own binoculars, and popular field guides to use. Bring your own binoculars but if you do not have a pair we have some loaner binoculars available to use during the program.
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 adulteducation@ncarboretum.org 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!

Field Sketching with Color
2026-05-02 13:00 - 16:00
Field Sketching with Color
with Dayna Walton
Saturday, May 2 | 1 – 4pm
REGISTER HERE
Join Dayna Walton of Solstice Handmade for a workshop exploring sketching nature from life using colored ballpoint pens. Portable and vivid, pen sketching is great for those interested in drawing on the trail. We will cover foundational techniques such as color theory, mark making, creating textures, and planning compositions, then head outdoors to practice our new skills.
This class is open to any experience level, and all the supplies you’ll need are included.
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.
Dayna Walton came to love WNC through the Artist-in-Residence program of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 2019. Since then, she’s been hiking and sketching and learning about ecology wherever she can. Her illustrations are her way of studying the creepy, crawly, tiny, often overlooked parts of nature. From slime molds and stoneflies, to lichens and liverworts, you’re sure to recognize some species from the Blue Ridge Mountains in her work.

Members: Remember to enter your promo code upon checkout to receive your 10% member discount! Email adulteducation@ncarboretum.org 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!

Bonsai in a Day: Learn, Create, Take Home (full, more sessions to come!)
2026-05-02 09:30 - 16:30
Bonsai in a Day: Learn, Create, Take Home
with Rebecca Ayres
Saturday, May 2 | 9:30am – 4:30pm
REGISTER HERE
Although it has its roots in ancient Asian traditions, the living art of bonsai now enjoys enthusiasts throughout much of the world. This class will provide the basic concepts and skills for novices to begin growing and shaping their own miniature trees. The first half of the class will cover the fundamental horticultural and aesthetic principles of bonsai. It will include such topics as tree selection, watering, pest control, pruning, wiring, and styling. In the second half of the class, each participant will receive a pot, scissors, wire, and planting medium. With guidance from the instructor, the students will create their own bonsai to take home. Materials included in registration.
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 adulteducation@ncarboretum.org 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!

Southern Appalachian Birds Through the Seasons
2026-04-30 12:00 - 16:00
Southern Appalachian Birds Through the Seasons
with Carlton Burke
Thursday, April 30 | 12 – 4pm
BRN – Core
REGISTER HERE
Since birds are capable of long distance flights and many engage in annual migration rituals, their presence in our area often changes in relation to the seasons of the year. In this class we will discuss the seasonal patterns of southern Appalachian birds and focus on some of the major species and their annual life cycles. As part of this program, there will be a “lab” portion where students will be able to meet some live birds and participate in other hands-on components to deepen the learning.
Carlton Burke is a naturalist and educator who operates Carolina Mountain Naturalists, an educational service which offers wildlife and nature educational programs throughout western North Carolina. He also was on the staff of the western North Carolina Nature Center in Asheville for over 25 years as the Curator of Exhibits. Carlton co-hosts a weekly radio program NATURE NEWS and is also a NC state and federally licensed wildlife rehabilitator.

Members: Remember to enter your promo code upon checkout to receive your 10% member discount! Email adulteducation@ncarboretum.org 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!

Spring Wildflowers of the NC Arboretum
2026-04-23 13:00 - 16:00
Spring Wildflowers of the NC Arboretum
with Lauren Lampley
Thursday, April 23 | 1 – 4pm
BRN – Core | BREG – Core
REGISTER HERE
Interested in learning how to identify wildflowers? Join Lauren on this walk around the Arboretum property where we will go over different ways of identifying plants and different families of flowers. Some flowers are very difficult to identify to species and some are relatively easy so we will talk about how to get as close as possible with tools we can easily carry into the field. We will be using Newcomb’s guide to key out some of the less common flowers but will focus on learning how to look closely at flowers in order to identify them.
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 adulteducation@ncarboretum.org 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!

Forest Bathing: Celebrating Mother Earth (full)
2026-04-18 14:00 - 17:00
Forest Bathing: Celebrating Mother Earth
with 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 adulteducation@ncarboretum.org 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.

Intro to WNC Invasive Plant ID
2026-04-17 13:00 - 15:30
Intro to WNC Invasive Plant ID
with 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 adulteducation@ncarboretum.org 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
2026-04-16 13:00 - 14:30
How Plants Grow: A Close Look at Plant Growth and Structures
with 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 adulteducation@ncarboretum.org 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
2026-04-11 10:00 - 11:30
Sound Bath
with 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 adulteducation@ncarboretum.org 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.

Botanical Painting for Beginners (4-sessions) (full)
2026-04-07 09:00 - 11:30
Botanical Painting for Beginners
with 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 ways to enhance your personal style. All materials and supplies will be provided for this class and students will take home their in-progress or finished artwork.
Camille Daunno is a retired Art Teacher with an undergraduate degree in Fine Art with graduate work in Textile Design. She worked in NYC as a designer for 10 years designing Fabric and wallpaper. Camille studied Art in NJ, NYC and Italy and studied Botanical Illustration and Painting at the NY Botanical Gardens with a certified instructor. She enjoys sharing her love of Botanical Art with her children and grandchildren.

Members: Remember to enter your promo code upon checkout to receive your 10% member discount! Email adulteducation@ncarboretum.org 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!

River Systems of the Blue Ridge
2026-04-04 12:00 - 16:00
River Systems of the Blue Ridge
with 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 erosion and sediment transport. In River Systems of the Blue Ridge, we will investigate how the Broad River changes character and shapes the landscape along its course from the headwaters, through the Piedmont, and onto the Atlantic Ocean.
Anton DuMars, a resident of Black Mountain, NC, is an adjunct professor at the College of Charleston. His geological interests include fluvial, deltaic, and coastal processes. Ideally, he’s spending time on a hiking trail or aboard his sailboat.

Members: Remember to enter your promo code upon checkout to receive your 10% member discount! Email adulteducation@ncarboretum.org 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!

Identifying Regional Frogs by Sight & Sound
2026-04-03 13:00 - 15:00
Identifying Regional Frogs by Sight & Sound
with 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 through late summer. Changes in the types, numbers, or calling times may be indicative of global climate change or other environmental effects. Participants will be presented with a lecture on the biology of regional frogs, including species identification by sight and sound. Afterwards, students will practice their identification skills by listening to recordings of calling frogs. Weather permitting, we may venture to the Arboretum pond to observe frog species.
Patrick Brannon is an independent naturalist and educator. He holds a M.S. in Biology from Appalachian State University, and has performed research on the ecology of salamanders and small mammals. For the past 22 years he was Outreach Coordinator at the WCU Highlands Biological Station, where he taught courses on amphibians and mammals as part of the UNC Institute for the Environment Program at HBS, in addition to many K-12 school programs and educator workshops.

Members: Remember to enter your promo code upon checkout to receive your 10% member discount! Email adulteducation@ncarboretum.org 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!

Coptic Book Making (full)
2026-04-02 12:00 - 16:00
Coptic Book Making
with 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 joycetromba@gmail.com 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 adulteducation@ncarboretum.org 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!

Botanical Drawing for Beginners - March
2026-03-31 10:30 - 13:00, 2026-03-24 10:30 - 13:00, 2026-03-17 10:30 - 13:00, 2026-03-10 10:30 - 13:00
Botanical Drawing for Beginners
with Camille Daunno
4 sessions
Tuesdays March 10th through the 31st | 10:30 am – 1 pm
REGISTER HERE
This newly formatted class will be open for registration on January 17th for any remaining seats. We had to restructure the old class so previous students will have the first chance to register.
During this beginner level class, you will learn several drawing techniques including line, shading, pen and ink. We will discuss composition with contour, contrast and texture and how to use watercolor to complete your drawing. We will experiment with different techniques to enhance your personal style. All materials and supplies will be provided.
Camille Daunno is a retired Art Teacher with an undergraduate degree in Fine Art with graduate work in Textile Design. She worked in NYC as a designer for 10 years designing Fabric and wallpaper. Camille studied Art in NJ, NYC and Italy and studied Botanical Illustration and Painting at the NY Botanical Gardens with a certified instructor. Her favorite audience to share her love of Botanical art with is her children and grandchildren.

Members: Remember to enter your promo code upon checkout to receive your 10% member discount! Email adulteducation@ncarboretum.org 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!

Genetics and Reproduction of Plants
2026-03-24 13:00 - 14:30
Genetics and Reproduction of Plants
with Alexandra Holland
Tuesday, March 24 | 1 – 2:30pm
BRN – Core | BREG – Elective
REGISTER HERE
Building on Beginning Botany, this class delves a little deeper into plant reproduction, looking at the reproductive cycle of mosses, ferns, pines, and flowering plants. We’ll also study how both genetics and environmental factors affect plant development. This includes a hands-on time to dissect flowers. 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 adulteducation@ncarboretum.org 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!

Mounting Staghorn Ferns on Wood: Hands-on Workshop
2026-03-21 13:00 - 16:00
Mounting Staghorn Ferns on Wood: Hands-on Workshop
With Kimberly Lanzarotta
Saturday, March 21 | 1 – 4pm
REGISTER HERE
Discover the beauty of staghorn ferns and learn how to mount and care for these unique epiphytic plants in your own home. In this hands-on class, you’ll explore the natural history of staghorn ferns and what they need to thrive when mounted. Each participant will get their hands dirty, create, and take home their own mounted staghorn fern, along with guidance on placement, watering, and long-term care. No prior plant experience required, though an ability to use a hammer and tie simple knots is helpful.
Kimberly Lanzarotta is an environmental educator with over a decade of experience connecting youth and communities to the natural world. She currently serves as an ecoEXPLORE Specialist with the North Carolina Arboretum. Kimberly previously led garden-based education programs with Bountiful Cities and has spent nearly a decade working at Painter’s Greenhouse grounding her teaching in hands-on horticulture and plant science. Passionate about place-based education and unique houseplants, Kimberly is committed to fostering ecological literacy, resilience, and community connection through hands-on learning.

Members: Remember to enter your promo code upon checkout to receive your 10% member discount! Email adulteducation@ncarboretum.org 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!

Walking Meditation & Qigong
2026-03-20 09:00 - 10:00
Walking Meditation & Qigong
with Jenne Sluder
Friday, March 20 | 9 – 10am
REGISTER HERE
Enjoy a slow, mindful walking meditation through the gardens, practicing breath awareness and sensory attention to touch the deep peace and simple wonders of quiet time in nature. This session begins with a series of gentle and easy Qigong movements to clear the mind, release tension, support the body and brain’s natural healing processes, and generate a sense of inner calm.
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.
Jenne Sluder, MA C-IAYT holds a Master’s in Transpersonal Psychology: Ecopsychology from Naropa University. She is a certified yoga therapist, mind-body specialist, and meditation instructor. Jenne is also an environmental educator and spent her undergrad years working and studying under the direct mentorship of Thomas Berry and Joseph Cornell at the Center for Education, Imagination, and the Natural World, continuing her studies in nature-based rites of passage with the School of Lost Borders and the Earth-Based Institute. An Asheville native, Jenne works one-on-one with individuals and with groups using mindfulness-based, nature-based, and compassion-centric mind-body therapies towards personal and collective well-being.

Members: Remember to enter your promo code upon checkout to receive your 10% member discount! Email adulteducation@ncarboretum.org 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!

Reptiles of Western North Carolina
2026-03-19 12:00 - 16:00
Reptiles of Western North Carolina
with Carlton Burke
Thursday, March 19 | 12 – 4pm
BRN – Core
REGISTER HERE
The Southern Appalachian Mountain region hosts an interesting combination of cold-blooded reptiles, based largely on various factors such as the diverse mountain elevations and the unique forest and other habitat types. Species here range from the endangered and threatened Bog Turtle and Timber Rattlesnake to more common species such as the Black Rat Snake and Northern Fence Lizard. Participants in this class will learn about the various reptile species in western North Carolina, their life cycles and habitats, and threats and conservation efforts in place to protect them. In addition, some live mountain reptiles will be joining us as special guests.
Carlton Burke is a naturalist and educator who operates Carolina Mountain Naturalists, an educational service which offers wildlife and nature educational programs throughout western North Carolina. He also was on the staff of the western North Carolina Nature Center in Asheville for over 25 years as the Curator of Exhibits. Carlton co-hosts a weekly radio program NATURE NEWS and is also a NC state and federally licensed wildlife rehabilitator.

Members: Remember to enter your promo code upon checkout to receive your 10% member discount! Email adulteducation@ncarboretum.org 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!

Gardening with an Ecologic Mindset (2 sessions)
2026-03-13 13:00 - 15:30
Gardening with an Ecologic Mindset
with Nina Shippen
Friday, March 13 | 1 – 3:30pm
Friday, March 20 | 1 – 3:30pm
BREG – Core
REGISTER HERE
Gardening With an Ecologic Mindset introduces theories, research, and models from ecology that a gardener can use to create robust, resilient, and beautiful landscapes that can support the diverse plant, insect, and animal communities found in a healthy ecosystem. The course is a springboard from which students can later explore gardening topics in more depth, such as gardening on slopes, managing stormwater, creating hedgerows, invasive plants, and grappling with native vs. exotic controversies.
Nina Shippen practices residential landscape and garden design through her company Hidden Road Landscape Design, which focuses on coupling the principles of healing gardens with sound ecologic practices to create satisfying gardens for her clients. A graduate of the landscape design program at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Studies, she has lived and gardened in Transylvania County since 2005.

Members: Remember to enter your promo code upon checkout to receive your 10% member discount! Email adulteducation@ncarboretum.org 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!

Amphibian Nighttime Search
2026-03-07 22:00 - 2026-03-08 01:00
Amphibian Nighttime Search
with Staff
Saturday, March 7 | 10 pm – 1am
BRN – Elective
REGISTER HERE
Nighttime in early spring is when amphibians begin moving around. Many of our salamanders and frogs stir from their slumber to begin the mating season in the waterways, ponds, and vernal pools under cover of darkness. We will spend the evening searching the Arboretum for these late night denizens.
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.

Members: Remember to enter your promo code upon checkout to receive your 10% member discount! Email adulteducation@ncarboretum.org 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!

See all of our classes open for registration here!

Book Talk: Chuck Hutchison presents his memoir, Getting My Hands Dirty in conversation with novelist Elizabeth Kostova
2026-02-26 17:00 - 18:30
Chuck Hutchison presents his memoir, Getting My Hands Dirty in conversation with novelist Elizabeth Kostova
with Chuck Hutchison
Thursday, February 26 | 5 – 6:30 pm
BREG – Elective
REGISTER HERE
Copies of the book will be available to purchase at the event
Tracing a journey of commitment, challenge, and growth, a former professional football player reflects on his time at Ohio State under the tutelage of Coach Woody Hayes, his years in the NFL, and his unexpected decision to become an expert gardener. Chuck Hutchison knows the meaning of hard work—it’s rooted in every chapter of his life story. Born into humble beginnings in rural Ohio, he found football in his youth, which opened doors for him and shaped the trajectory of his life in ways he’d never imagined possible. Under legendary Ohio State coach Woody Hayes, Hutchison won a national championship with the Buckeyes and learned enduring lessons that served him in the NFL, the business world, and beyond. In the face of injuries, family struggles, mental health challenges, and an earlier than expected exit from the NFL, Hutchison came to rely on three basic principles: curiosity, confidence, and conviction. Guided by these foundational ideas, he discovered new ways to grow and heal, transforming the land surrounding his home into a garden masterpiece and breaking new ground in his own life, one shovelful at a time.
Getting My Hands Dirty is a candid and inspiring story of transformation, grit, and tenacity in football, business, and life’s next chapter. Told with authenticity and good humor, Hutchison’s story is proof that the pursuit of inner peace—and a renewed purpose in life—can be found in the most unexpected of places.
“Chuck Hutchison is a terrific model of what it takes to reach your full potential in all that you do.” — Jim Tressel, former head football coach at The Ohio State University
Chuck Hutchison is a former National Champion football player for Ohio State University under the legendary Woody Hayes and an NFL veteran. His professional career transitioned from the gridiron to the executive suite, where he served as an executive for the Green Bay Packers and as a Vice President for a Fortune 500 company, managing major global accounts including McDonald’s. Throughout his corporate tenure, Chuck was known for a “No-Excuse” leadership style built on accountability and trust—principles forged on an Ohio dairy farm and refined in the high-stakes environments of professional sports and global supply chains. After facing a profound identity crisis and mental health struggle during his retirement, Chuck found a transformative “Second Act” in the soil. He is the creator of Bucky’s Run, an extensive ornamental sanctuary in North Carolina that has been officially recognized and archived by the Smithsonian Institution’s Archives of American Gardens. Chuck lives and gardens in Asheville, N.C.

Members: Remember to enter your promo code upon checkout to receive your 10% member discount! Email adulteducation@ncarboretum.org 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!

Introduction to Appalachian Ecology
2026-02-25 13:00 - 15:00
Introduction to Appalachian Ecology
with Dan Lazar
Wednesday, February 25 | 1 – 3pm
BRN – Core | BREG – Core
REGISTER HERE
From the flood plain of the French Broad River to the summit of Mount Mitchel, we will explore the diverse ecological communities that make up the Blue Ridge Bioregion. We will learn why spruce trees are found only on the summits of our highest mountains: why the Southern Appalachians are the lungless salamander capital of the world; and how deer and ants determine where trilliums grow. Part illustrated lecture and part on-site field trip, this class serves as an introduction to all Special Topics in Ecology classes offered through the Blue Ridge Naturalist Program.
This program takes place in the classroom and outdoors. Please come prepared to walk on gentle, yet uneven terrain, and dress appropriately for the weather.
Dan Lazar served for many years as the director of education at the Western North Carolina Nature Center, followed by several years as executive director of the Colburn Earth Science Museum. Dan has a degree in forest biology from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry and has been an instructor in the Blue Ridge Naturalist program since 2005.

Members: Remember to enter your promo code upon checkout to receive your 10% member discount! Email adulteducation@ncarboretum.org 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 Board Games with Well Played
2026-02-22 13:00 - 18:00
Nature Board Games with Well Played
with Well Played and Adult Education Staff
Sunday, February 22 | 1 pm – 6 pm
REGISTER HERE
Do you enjoy playing nature-themed board games? Join this free community event to try out new board games and meet other nature nerds with games provided by Well Played!
Snacks and some drinks will be provided. Pre-registration is required for the first hour of the event, after which the public will be allowed to join as spaces open up.

See a full listing of Adult Education Programs at the North Carolina Arboretum here! Questions? Check our FAQs.
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!

Intermediate Botanical Drawing in Ink
2026-02-21 10:00 - 14:00
Intermediate Botanical Drawing in Ink
with Dayna Walton
Saturday, February 21 | 10 – 2pm
REGISTER HERE
Join Dayna Walton of Solstice Handmade for a drawing workshop to dive into drawing botanicals with pen and ink. We will cover some foundational techniques using both a brush pen and fine tipped pen. Sketching from life as well as using practice exercises, we will focus on using negative space to perfect proportions, as well as mark making techniques to capture lifelike values and textures. Then we will look to the work of Natural Science Illustrators for inspiration, and apply our new skills to create a finished drawing. This class is open to any skill level, but suited best for those who want to improve existing drawing skills. All the supplies you’ll need are included. You’ll even get to take home 2 pens to continue drawing with!
This program takes place in the classroom and outdoors. Please come prepared to walk on gentle, yet uneven terrain, and dress appropriately for the weather.
Dayna Walton came to love WNC through the Artist-in-Residence program of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 2019. Since then, she’s been hiking and sketching and learning about ecology wherever she can. Her illustrations are her way of studying the creepy, crawly, tiny, often overlooked parts of nature. From slime molds and stoneflies, to lichens and liverworts, you’re sure to recognize some species from the Blue Ridge Mountains in her work.

Members: Remember to enter your promo code upon checkout to receive your 10% member discount! Email adulteducation@ncarboretum.org 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!
