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:  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.

"Stars Over the Mountains" is the Theme for the 2010 Show

Western North Carolina’s rich cultural heritage comes to life on August 6, 7 and 8 at The North Carolina Arboretum as it hosts the Asheville Quilt Guild’s 28^th Annual Show.

The show runs Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Entrance to the Quilt Show requires an $8 per personal vehicle parking fee to The North Carolina Arboretum and $5 admission fee for the Quilt Show.

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.

"Stars Over the Mountains" is the Theme for the 2010 Show

Western North Carolina’s rich cultural heritage comes to life on August 6, 7 and 8 at The North Carolina Arboretum as it hosts the Asheville Quilt Guild’s 28^th Annual Show.

The show runs Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Entrance to the Quilt Show requires an $8 per personal vehicle parking fee to The North Carolina Arboretum and $5 admission fee for the Quilt Show.

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 11

10:00 a.m. to Noon

$15 Member/$19 Public

Limit: 20 students

Thompson states “Butterflies are a feature of the summer months and what could be nicer than to walk among the flowers enjoying butterflies nectaring around you?” Join him for a two hour stroll learning about the butterflies of our region as well as the distinguishing characteristics between moths and butterflies, what to plant to attract butterflies, and much more.

Instructor: Carlton Burke

Thursdays, Aug 12, 19, 26, Sept 2

1:00 to 3:30 p.m.

$59 Member/$68 Public

Limit: 20 students

Carlton Burke is a local naturalist and educator and operates Carolina Mountain Naturalists. Burke was on staff at the WNC Nature Center for 25 years and currently serves as a field instructor with Muddy Sneakers. Here he discusses Western North Carolina’s abundance of butterfly and moth species. In this class we will focus on the interesting life cycles of these creatures, learn to identify many of the species found in our mountain region, and participate in classroom and field activities relating to learning more about their natural history and methods of attracting them to the home landscape. Fulfills elective requirement for BRN Certificate of Merit.

This is session two of a 3-day workshop.

This is session three of a 3-day workshop.

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: Nina Shippen

Mondays, August 16, 23, 30, & Sept 6

9:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

$75 Member/$87 Public

Limit: 12 students

Learn a process of landscape design used by professional designers and apply the principles to your own property; participants in this course will create a landscape plan for installation. Nina Shippen of Hidden Road Landscape Design will host a series of lectures illustrating design process and principles, then students will apply
them to their own spaces during class and at-home time. Shippen will address topics such as circulation, scale, symmetry and pattern, and address conditions such as slope, surface water, sight lines and landscape orientation. Students should bring a site plan of their property, photographers, #2 pencils, and graph paper. Materials list provided.

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.

Instructor:  George Ellison

Saturday, August 21

9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

$34 Member/$40 Public

Limit:  14 students

One of the region’s most highly regarded naturalists, George Ellison leads this workshop in which participants will learn native fern identification techniques that can be used throughout the year. 

Following a short presentation at the Arboretum, students will walk and carpool to various locations for an in-depth look at the dozens of fern species found in the Southern Appalachians.  Ellison recommends Fern Finder by Anne C. and Barbara Hallowell as a reference. Participants should bring a magnification lens.

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: Robert Priddy

$175 Member/$198 Public

Limit: 12 students

Class 1: Sunday, Aug 22, 4:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Class 2: Monday, Aug 23, 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Class 3: Thursday, Aug 26, 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Class 4: Sunday, Aug 29, 2:00 to 4:30 p.m.

This curriculum is designed for beginning photographers who are interested in developing basic skills in photography using the 35mm SLR digital camera. The sessions are a mix of classroom instruction and field exercises in the Arboretum, and include lectures on aperture, shutter speed, and exposure. The focus is to give the students a strong working knowledge of basic photography principles and camera controls. Students will do exercises designed to help them use these new skills to have creative control. Students will need a digital SLR camera with the instruction manual and accessories (lens, batteries, memory cards), and a tripod. A digital point and shoot can be used if it offers manual control but some functions available on a digital SLR may not be available on such a camera.

This is session two of a 4-part series.

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. Materials list will be provided.

This is session three of a 4-part series.

This is session two of a 3-day workshop.

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.

This is session four of a 4-part series.