
Hidden in Plain Sight
Hands-on nature lesson on animal camouflage and survival tactics, led by naturalist and environmental educator Eric Young. Expect guided outdoor observation challenges on the arboretum grounds that sharpen spotting skills for hidden wildlife.
Similar Events

Easy-paced guided hike through the North Carolina Arboretum’s botanically diverse woodland trails, exploring changing forest types along the route. Volunteer naturalists share seasonal highlights like wildflowers, tree and plant identification, and local natural history in a small-group setting.

Easy-paced guided hike through the North Carolina Arboretum’s botanically diverse woodland trails, exploring changing forest types along the route. Volunteer naturalists share seasonal highlights like wildflowers, tree and plant identification, and local natural history in a small-group setting.
Easy-paced guided hike through the North Carolina Arboretum’s botanically diverse woodland trails, exploring changing forest types along the route. Volunteer naturalists share seasonal highlights like wildflowers, tree and plant identification, and local natural history in a small-group setting.
A slow, sensory forest bathing walk through the North Carolina Arboretum’s landscaped trails, designed for calm attention to sounds, scents, and textures. Expect a restorative nature immersion led by Asheville Wellness Tours.
A slow, sensory forest bathing walk through the North Carolina Arboretum’s landscaped trails, designed for calm attention to sounds, scents, and textures. Expect a restorative nature immersion led by Asheville Wellness Tours.
A slow, sensory forest bathing walk through the North Carolina Arboretum’s landscaped trails, designed for calm attention to sounds, scents, and textures. Expect a restorative nature immersion led by Asheville Wellness Tours.

Gentle guided walks through mixed hardwood and evergreen canopy, emphasizing slow sensory awareness, mindful breathing, and nature-based stress relief suitable for beginners and seasoned practitioners alike.

Gentle guided walks through mixed hardwood and evergreen canopy, emphasizing slow sensory awareness, mindful breathing, and nature-based stress relief suitable for beginners and seasoned practitioners alike.
Gentle guided walks through mixed hardwood and evergreen canopy, emphasizing slow sensory awareness, mindful breathing, and nature-based stress relief suitable for beginners and seasoned practitioners alike.

A hush falls over the Arboretum as garden crews pause noisy equipment for two hours of uninterrupted birdsong and wind through the trees. Wander gardens and trails at your own pace for a self-guided, sensory quiet-time reset.

A hush falls over the Arboretum as garden crews pause noisy equipment for two hours of uninterrupted birdsong and wind through the trees. Wander gardens and trails at your own pace for a self-guided, sensory quiet-time reset.
A hush falls over the Arboretum as garden crews pause noisy equipment for two hours of uninterrupted birdsong and wind through the trees. Wander gardens and trails at your own pace for a self-guided, sensory quiet-time reset.

Hands-on foraging instruction focused on identifying edible plants and mushrooms in Western North Carolina. A guided nature walk blends safety, seasonal ecology, and practical harvesting tips for confident wild food exploration.

Hands-on foraging instruction focused on identifying edible plants and mushrooms in Western North Carolina. A guided nature walk blends safety, seasonal ecology, and practical harvesting tips for confident wild food exploration.
Hands-on foraging instruction focused on identifying edible plants and mushrooms in Western North Carolina. A guided nature walk blends safety, seasonal ecology, and practical harvesting tips for confident wild food exploration.

Midday lunch-and-learn exploring the mysterious Franklinia alatamaha, tracing Bartram-era botanical discovery along Georgia’s Altamaha River and the plant’s rare, elegant flowering legacy. Set in an arboretum classroom with storytelling rooted in plant history and ecology.

Midday lunch-and-learn exploring the mysterious Franklinia alatamaha, tracing Bartram-era botanical discovery along Georgia’s Altamaha River and the plant’s rare, elegant flowering legacy. Set in an arboretum classroom with storytelling rooted in plant history and ecology.
Midday lunch-and-learn exploring the mysterious Franklinia alatamaha, tracing Bartram-era botanical discovery along Georgia’s Altamaha River and the plant’s rare, elegant flowering legacy. Set in an arboretum classroom with storytelling rooted in plant history and ecology.

Seasonal birding walk focused on September fall migration, spotting warblers, hawks, and other songbirds moving through the Hickory Nut Gap landscape. Expect binocular-friendly wildlife viewing, field ID tips, and a relaxed pace for all levels.

Seasonal birding walk focused on September fall migration, spotting warblers, hawks, and other songbirds moving through the Hickory Nut Gap landscape. Expect binocular-friendly wildlife viewing, field ID tips, and a relaxed pace for all levels.
Seasonal birding walk focused on September fall migration, spotting warblers, hawks, and other songbirds moving through the Hickory Nut Gap landscape. Expect binocular-friendly wildlife viewing, field ID tips, and a relaxed pace for all levels.

An estate planning and planned giving info session focused on building a Legacy Trust that supports Southern Appalachian mountain landscapes, conservation work, and long-term education programs. Held in the Arboretum’s Education Center Library with time for questions about including the Arboretum Society in your will.

An estate planning and planned giving info session focused on building a Legacy Trust that supports Southern Appalachian mountain landscapes, conservation work, and long-term education programs. Held in the Arboretum’s Education Center Library with time for questions about including the Arboretum Society in your will.
An estate planning and planned giving info session focused on building a Legacy Trust that supports Southern Appalachian mountain landscapes, conservation work, and long-term education programs. Held in the Arboretum’s Education Center Library with time for questions about including the Arboretum Society in your will.

Beginner-friendly botanical watercolor class exploring brushwork, washes, layering, and texture as you paint leaves and flowers. All supplies are provided, and you’ll take home in-progress or finished artwork after each of the four Tuesday sessions.

Beginner-friendly botanical watercolor class exploring brushwork, washes, layering, and texture as you paint leaves and flowers. All supplies are provided, and you’ll take home in-progress or finished artwork after each of the four Tuesday sessions.
Beginner-friendly botanical watercolor class exploring brushwork, washes, layering, and texture as you paint leaves and flowers. All supplies are provided, and you’ll take home in-progress or finished artwork after each of the four Tuesday sessions.
A midday lunch and learn exploring the sacred connections between earth, sky, and sea through reflective storytelling and nature-based insight. Ideal for seekers of eco-spirituality and contemplative connection to the natural world.
A midday lunch and learn exploring the sacred connections between earth, sky, and sea through reflective storytelling and nature-based insight. Ideal for seekers of eco-spirituality and contemplative connection to the natural world.
A midday lunch and learn exploring the sacred connections between earth, sky, and sea through reflective storytelling and nature-based insight. Ideal for seekers of eco-spirituality and contemplative connection to the natural world.

Quiet, equipment-free morning hours create a hush across gardens and forest trails for self-guided mindfulness and reflection. Wander in near-silence without leaf blowers or mowers, ideal for slow walking and nature listening.

Quiet, equipment-free morning hours create a hush across gardens and forest trails for self-guided mindfulness and reflection. Wander in near-silence without leaf blowers or mowers, ideal for slow walking and nature listening.
Quiet, equipment-free morning hours create a hush across gardens and forest trails for self-guided mindfulness and reflection. Wander in near-silence without leaf blowers or mowers, ideal for slow walking and nature listening.
Hands-on pruning demonstration in the PPLG garden at the NC Arboretum, focusing on practical do’s and don’ts to avoid common plant care mistakes. Expect tool and technique guidance for shaping and maintaining healthy garden plants.
Hands-on pruning demonstration in the PPLG garden at the NC Arboretum, focusing on practical do’s and don’ts to avoid common plant care mistakes. Expect tool and technique guidance for shaping and maintaining healthy garden plants.
Hands-on pruning demonstration in the PPLG garden at the NC Arboretum, focusing on practical do’s and don’ts to avoid common plant care mistakes. Expect tool and technique guidance for shaping and maintaining healthy garden plants.

In-the-field birdwatching course at Grandfather Mountain centered on the wonders of seasonal migration. Expect naturalist-led identification practice, migration ecology insights, and time outdoors scanning ridgelines and forests for traveling species.

In-the-field birdwatching course at Grandfather Mountain centered on the wonders of seasonal migration. Expect naturalist-led identification practice, migration ecology insights, and time outdoors scanning ridgelines and forests for traveling species.
In-the-field birdwatching course at Grandfather Mountain centered on the wonders of seasonal migration. Expect naturalist-led identification practice, migration ecology insights, and time outdoors scanning ridgelines and forests for traveling species.

A social group walk with the Asheville Amblers on the NC Arboretum’s garden paths and forest trails, timed for the weekend of the annual plant show. Expect an easygoing outdoor meetup focused on fresh air and community connection.

A social group walk with the Asheville Amblers on the NC Arboretum’s garden paths and forest trails, timed for the weekend of the annual plant show. Expect an easygoing outdoor meetup focused on fresh air and community connection.
A social group walk with the Asheville Amblers on the NC Arboretum’s garden paths and forest trails, timed for the weekend of the annual plant show. Expect an easygoing outdoor meetup focused on fresh air and community connection.

A short guided hike into a mature Appalachian mountainside forest in Weaverville blends forest bathing, quiet presence with trees, and nature-based reflection. Expect periods of silence plus gentle sharing focused on roots, grounding, and reconnecting with Mother Earth.

A short guided hike into a mature Appalachian mountainside forest in Weaverville blends forest bathing, quiet presence with trees, and nature-based reflection. Expect periods of silence plus gentle sharing focused on roots, grounding, and reconnecting with Mother Earth.
A short guided hike into a mature Appalachian mountainside forest in Weaverville blends forest bathing, quiet presence with trees, and nature-based reflection. Expect periods of silence plus gentle sharing focused on roots, grounding, and reconnecting with Mother Earth.
Hands-on field day at the NC Arboretum testing tree ID skills for the Adventure Scientists Butternut Tree Project. Work alongside FHNC and arboretum staff on citizen-science data collection and species verification outdoors.
Hands-on field day at the NC Arboretum testing tree ID skills for the Adventure Scientists Butternut Tree Project. Work alongside FHNC and arboretum staff on citizen-science data collection and species verification outdoors.
Hands-on field day at the NC Arboretum testing tree ID skills for the Adventure Scientists Butternut Tree Project. Work alongside FHNC and arboretum staff on citizen-science data collection and species verification outdoors.
Hands-on garden demonstration in the PPLG garden focused on correct plant installation techniques, from digging and placement to watering and soil care. Ideal for beginner gardeners wanting practical tips in an arboretum setting.
Hands-on garden demonstration in the PPLG garden focused on correct plant installation techniques, from digging and placement to watering and soil care. Ideal for beginner gardeners wanting practical tips in an arboretum setting.
Hands-on garden demonstration in the PPLG garden focused on correct plant installation techniques, from digging and placement to watering and soil care. Ideal for beginner gardeners wanting practical tips in an arboretum setting.

A relaxed 90 minute group walk on the NC Arboretum’s easy trails, meeting at 10 AM by the lobby benches and led by an RFAR host in an RFAR shirt. Expect a low key, social pace with tips to bring water, comfy shoes, and optional walking sticks; car entry fee applies.

A relaxed 90 minute group walk on the NC Arboretum’s easy trails, meeting at 10 AM by the lobby benches and led by an RFAR host in an RFAR shirt. Expect a low key, social pace with tips to bring water, comfy shoes, and optional walking sticks; car entry fee applies.
A relaxed 90 minute group walk on the NC Arboretum’s easy trails, meeting at 10 AM by the lobby benches and led by an RFAR host in an RFAR shirt. Expect a low key, social pace with tips to bring water, comfy shoes, and optional walking sticks; car entry fee applies.

Leisurely lakeside walk along Lake Julian's shore to spot waterfowl, warblers, and raptors; suitable for beginners to advanced birders and kids ages 5+, with limited binoculars available—free but registration required.

Leisurely lakeside walk along Lake Julian's shore to spot waterfowl, warblers, and raptors; suitable for beginners to advanced birders and kids ages 5+, with limited binoculars available—free but registration required.
Leisurely lakeside walk along Lake Julian's shore to spot waterfowl, warblers, and raptors; suitable for beginners to advanced birders and kids ages 5+, with limited binoculars available—free but registration required.

Fall birdwatching outing timed for peak sparrow migration in the Hickory Nut Gap landscape near Fairview. Expect a guided nature walk focused on identification tips, seasonal behavior, and shared sightings in a small-group setting.

Fall birdwatching outing timed for peak sparrow migration in the Hickory Nut Gap landscape near Fairview. Expect a guided nature walk focused on identification tips, seasonal behavior, and shared sightings in a small-group setting.
Fall birdwatching outing timed for peak sparrow migration in the Hickory Nut Gap landscape near Fairview. Expect a guided nature walk focused on identification tips, seasonal behavior, and shared sightings in a small-group setting.