Interpretive guides will lead small groups of participants along woodland trails and through a variety of forest types.  Depending on the season, topics of discussion include wildflower and plant identification, natural history and tree lore, and the cultural and land use history of the Arboretum campus.  Guides may include such areas as the National Native Azalea Collection as well as the course of Bent Creek. Handouts after class may include such information as identification keys for plants, or lists of common wildflowers.

Program participants should dress for the weather as programs are held rain or shine.  Individuals should wear sturdy shoes and bring water, as well as plant and animal identification guides as desired.  Program may last between one and two hours, depending upon the interest of the group, and will be approximately one to two miles in length.

Instructor:  Simon Thompson

Wednesday, August 4

8:15 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.

Have you ever wanted to learn more about birds?  Join Thompson for a morning walk and talk to learn about birding basics:  identification by shape, calls and habitats as well as use of field guides and binoculars.

Interpretive guides will lead small groups of participants along woodland trails and through a variety of forest types.  Depending on the season, topics of discussion include wildflower and plant identification, natural history and tree lore, and the cultural and land use history of the Arboretum campus.  Guides may include such areas as the National Native Azalea Collection as well as the course of Bent Creek. Handouts after class may include such information as identification keys for plants, or lists of common wildflowers.

Program participants should dress for the weather as programs are held rain or shine.  Individuals should wear sturdy shoes and bring water, as well as plant and animal identification guides as desired.  Program may last between one and two hours, depending upon the interest of the group, and will be approximately one to two miles in length.

Interpretive guides will lead small groups of participants along woodland trails and through a variety of forest types.  Depending on the season, topics of discussion include wildflower and plant identification, natural history and tree lore, and the cultural and land use history of the Arboretum campus.  Guides may include such areas as the National Native Azalea Collection as well as the course of Bent Creek. Handouts after class may include such information as identification keys for plants, or lists of common wildflowers.

Program participants should dress for the weather as programs are held rain or shine.  Individuals should wear sturdy shoes and bring water, as well as plant and animal identification guides as desired.  Program may last between one and two hours, depending upon the interest of the group, and will be approximately one to two miles in length.

Instructor: Elizabeth Ellison

Thursday – Saturday, August 12, 13, 14

10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each session

$279 Member/$315 Public

Limit: 12 students

A favorite Arboretum instructor, Elizabeth Ellison leads this course for beginners who have never tried this medium and/or for painters who are still struggling to make their paintings work. After class work in basic technique, theory, design and color, students will spend individual time practicing in the gardens or working on individual projects in the classroom. Ellison's emphasis in the course is "to give encouragement and tools for participants to successfully paint on their own and to explore their unique vision of the natural world." For more information on this instructor visit www.elizabethellisonwatercolors.com. Click here for materials list

Instructor: Sylvia Elwyn

Thursday, August 12

1:00 to 4:00 p.m. 

$39 Member/$46 Public

Limit: 10 students

Hypertufa or “trough” containers are becoming more popular because of their natural look and weather resistance. In this 3-hour class, instructor Sylvia Elwyn will demonstrate how to make these versatile containers, and each participant will make one to take home. Elwyn, recent award winner of “Fine Gardening” magazine’s national container contest, gives ideas on plant selection and design for these interesting containers. Participants should bring a trowel and goggles.

Interpretive guides will lead small groups of participants along woodland trails and through a variety of forest types.  Depending on the season, topics of discussion include wildflower and plant identification, natural history and tree lore, and the cultural and land use history of the Arboretum campus.  Guides may include such areas as the National Native Azalea Collection as well as the course of Bent Creek. Handouts after class may include such information as identification keys for plants, or lists of common wildflowers.

Program participants should dress for the weather as programs are held rain or shine.  Individuals should wear sturdy shoes and bring water, as well as plant and animal identification guides as desired.  Program may last between one and two hours, depending upon the interest of the group, and will be approximately one to two miles in length.

Instructor: Nancy Basket

Saturday, August 14

2:00 to 5:00 p.m.

$29 Member/$35 Public

Limit: 15 students

Basket’s 30 year career with pine basketry led her to Southern forests 20 years ago. Then she found kudzu! She turns that weed, growing a foot a day, into baskets, paper, fabric and even a barn where she works in her back yard in Walhalla. Participants in this class will split and weave kudzu vines into a sculptural basket. An artist in education since 1990, Basket has told Cherokee stories at powwows and museums across the South East and sells her work at her home and online at www.nancybasket.com.

Interpretive guides will lead small groups of participants along woodland trails and through a variety of forest types.  Depending on the season, topics of discussion include wildflower and plant identification, natural history and tree lore, and the cultural and land use history of the Arboretum campus.  Guides may include such areas as the National Native Azalea Collection as well as the course of Bent Creek. Handouts after class may include such information as identification keys for plants, or lists of common wildflowers.

Program participants should dress for the weather as programs are held rain or shine.  Individuals should wear sturdy shoes and bring water, as well as plant and animal identification guides as desired.  Program may last between one and two hours, depending upon the interest of the group, and will be approximately one to two miles in length.

Instructors: June Jolley and Jerry King

Wednesday, August 18; 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

$29 Member/$35 Public

Limit: 10 students

Build your own salad “table” or box in this hands-on workshop and use it on your porch or patio to grow fresh salad greens, herbs and other favorite vegetables! A salad box is like a portable raised bed. Participants will learn the basics of growing greens in a salad box and then assemble their own from precut materials. An assortment of lettuce seeds will be provided just in time for you to sow them for a fall harvest! No carpentry skills required; if you have a drill, bring it to the class, and all participants should bring work gloves and a hammer. Each student will take home their own salad box; completed projects measure 26" x 32" and 6" deep.

Interpretive guides will lead small groups of participants along woodland trails and through a variety of forest types.  Depending on the season, topics of discussion include wildflower and plant identification, natural history and tree lore, and the cultural and land use history of the Arboretum campus.  Guides may include such areas as the National Native Azalea Collection as well as the course of Bent Creek. Handouts after class may include such information as identification keys for plants, or lists of common wildflowers.

Program participants should dress for the weather as programs are held rain or shine.  Individuals should wear sturdy shoes and bring water, as well as plant and animal identification guides as desired.  Program may last between one and two hours, depending upon the interest of the group, and will be approximately one to two miles in length.

Instructor: Graeme McGufficke

Saturday, August 21

1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

$15 Member/$19 Public

Limit: 12 students

Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunting game played throughout the world by adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices. The basic idea is to locate hidden containers called geocaches, outdoors and then share your experiences online. Geocaching is enjoyed by people from all age groups, with a strong sense of community and support for the environment. If you like the outdoors and the idea of finding hidden treasures, then this is the class for you! Participants need to supply their own GPS unit.

Interpretive guides will lead small groups of participants along woodland trails and through a variety of forest types.  Depending on the season, topics of discussion include wildflower and plant identification, natural history and tree lore, and the cultural and land use history of the Arboretum campus.  Guides may include such areas as the National Native Azalea Collection as well as the course of Bent Creek. Handouts after class may include such information as identification keys for plants, or lists of common wildflowers.

Program participants should dress for the weather as programs are held rain or shine.  Individuals should wear sturdy shoes and bring water, as well as plant and animal identification guides as desired.  Program may last between one and two hours, depending upon the interest of the group, and will be approximately one to two miles in length.

Instructor: Elizabeth Ellison

Thursday – Saturday, August 26, 27, 28

10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day

$279 Member/$315 Public

Limit: 12 students

Elizabeth Ellison leads this intermediate course for students who have had some experience with watercolor painting. This class continues
exploring watercolor techniques in theory, design and color. Students will spend individual time practicing in the gardens or working on individual projects in the classroom. Ellison's emphasis in the course is "to give encouragement and tools for participants to successfully paint on their own and to explore their unique vision of the natural world. For more information, visit: www.elizabethellisonwatercolors.com. Click here for a materials list.

Instructor: Randy Clark

Saturday, August 28; 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

$150 Member/$172 Public

Limit: 10 students

Randy Clark is the proprietor of the Bonsai Learning Center in Charlotte and has been involved in bonsai for more than 30 years. In this full day, entry-level workshop students will create their own simple bonsai to take home and grow. Each participant will receive a generous share of personal attention. Class includes a young juniper plant, glazed bonsai container, soil, wire, a book on bonsai basics, and the instruction necessary to keep the new bonsai alive and healthy. Students may bring their own tools or borrow tools provided for the class.

Interpretive guides will lead small groups of participants along woodland trails and through a variety of forest types.  Depending on the season, topics of discussion include wildflower and plant identification, natural history and tree lore, and the cultural and land use history of the Arboretum campus.  Guides may include such areas as the National Native Azalea Collection as well as the course of Bent Creek. Handouts after class may include such information as identification keys for plants, or lists of common wildflowers.

Program participants should dress for the weather as programs are held rain or shine.  Individuals should wear sturdy shoes and bring water, as well as plant and animal identification guides as desired.  Program may last between one and two hours, depending upon the interest of the group, and will be approximately one to two miles in length.

Interpretive guides will lead small groups of participants along woodland trails and through a variety of forest types.  Depending on the season, topics of discussion include wildflower and plant identification, natural history and tree lore, and the cultural and land use history of the Arboretum campus.  Guides may include such areas as the National Native Azalea Collection as well as the course of Bent Creek. Handouts after class may include such information as identification keys for plants, or lists of common wildflowers.

Program participants should dress for the weather as programs are held rain or shine.  Individuals should wear sturdy shoes and bring water, as well as plant and animal identification guides as desired.  Program may last between one and two hours, depending upon the interest of the group, and will be approximately one to two miles in length.