
The Art and Science of Drawing Plants: Field Studies
Field-based drawing workshop in the Native Azalea Collection, combining close observation with basic plant-illustration techniques. Learn to identify native plant communities while making sketchbook studies outdoors in the Arboretum.
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Beginner botanical watercolor lessons focused on brushwork, layering, and experimental techniques to develop personal style. Four Tuesday morning sessions include all supplies, with students leaving each class with in progress or finished paintings.

Beginner botanical watercolor lessons focused on brushwork, layering, and experimental techniques to develop personal style. Four Tuesday morning sessions include all supplies, with students leaving each class with in progress or finished paintings.
Beginner botanical watercolor lessons focused on brushwork, layering, and experimental techniques to develop personal style. Four Tuesday morning sessions include all supplies, with students leaving each class with in progress or finished paintings.

Step-by-step bonsai cultivation techniques—from starting and nurturing trees to pruning, root pruning, and wiring—taught in an arboretum setting. Emphasis on practical plant care skills and deeper appreciation of miniature tree aesthetics.

Step-by-step bonsai cultivation techniques—from starting and nurturing trees to pruning, root pruning, and wiring—taught in an arboretum setting. Emphasis on practical plant care skills and deeper appreciation of miniature tree aesthetics.
Step-by-step bonsai cultivation techniques—from starting and nurturing trees to pruning, root pruning, and wiring—taught in an arboretum setting. Emphasis on practical plant care skills and deeper appreciation of miniature tree aesthetics.

Guided, hands on art class exploring seasonal flora and fauna through observational sketching and nature inspired techniques on the WNC Nature Center grounds; ideal for beginners and anyone seeking outdoor, creative study.

Guided, hands on art class exploring seasonal flora and fauna through observational sketching and nature inspired techniques on the WNC Nature Center grounds; ideal for beginners and anyone seeking outdoor, creative study.
Guided, hands on art class exploring seasonal flora and fauna through observational sketching and nature inspired techniques on the WNC Nature Center grounds; ideal for beginners and anyone seeking outdoor, creative study.

Hands-on tree identification class using bark, buds, and early leaf-out clues alongside field guides to spot common Western North Carolina species. A relaxed outdoor walk on easy trails and paved paths around the arboretum grounds.

Hands-on tree identification class using bark, buds, and early leaf-out clues alongside field guides to spot common Western North Carolina species. A relaxed outdoor walk on easy trails and paved paths around the arboretum grounds.
Hands-on tree identification class using bark, buds, and early leaf-out clues alongside field guides to spot common Western North Carolina species. A relaxed outdoor walk on easy trails and paved paths around the arboretum grounds.

Bonsai-focused experience in the Blue Ridge setting of the North Carolina Arboretum, blending garden immersion with practical instruction. Expect up-close viewing of miniature trees plus guidance on pruning, wiring, and long-term plant care.

Bonsai-focused experience in the Blue Ridge setting of the North Carolina Arboretum, blending garden immersion with practical instruction. Expect up-close viewing of miniature trees plus guidance on pruning, wiring, and long-term plant care.
Bonsai-focused experience in the Blue Ridge setting of the North Carolina Arboretum, blending garden immersion with practical instruction. Expect up-close viewing of miniature trees plus guidance on pruning, wiring, and long-term plant care.
Hands-on nature journaling practice focused on sketching plants, capturing small botanical details, and sharpening observation skills. Work through simple, beginner-friendly techniques in a plant-filled nursery environment.
Hands-on nature journaling practice focused on sketching plants, capturing small botanical details, and sharpening observation skills. Work through simple, beginner-friendly techniques in a plant-filled nursery environment.
Hands-on nature journaling practice focused on sketching plants, capturing small botanical details, and sharpening observation skills. Work through simple, beginner-friendly techniques in a plant-filled nursery environment.

Hands-on ikebana floral arranging inspired by springtime blooms and the change of seasons. Create minimalist Japanese-style arrangements in an arboretum classroom setting with guided instruction and materials-focused practice.

Hands-on ikebana floral arranging inspired by springtime blooms and the change of seasons. Create minimalist Japanese-style arrangements in an arboretum classroom setting with guided instruction and materials-focused practice.
Hands-on ikebana floral arranging inspired by springtime blooms and the change of seasons. Create minimalist Japanese-style arrangements in an arboretum classroom setting with guided instruction and materials-focused practice.

A hands-on lecture and listening session focused on identifying Western North Carolina frogs by visual traits and distinct breeding calls. Learn seasonal calling patterns and how monitoring changes can signal climate impacts for citizen-science reporting.

A hands-on lecture and listening session focused on identifying Western North Carolina frogs by visual traits and distinct breeding calls. Learn seasonal calling patterns and how monitoring changes can signal climate impacts for citizen-science reporting.
A hands-on lecture and listening session focused on identifying Western North Carolina frogs by visual traits and distinct breeding calls. Learn seasonal calling patterns and how monitoring changes can signal climate impacts for citizen-science reporting.

Slow-paced guided walk through Arboretum trails with staff naturalists, tracking spring migration through birdsong, budding plants, and signs of animal activity. Conversation is question-driven, so each outing shifts with what’s spotted outdoors.

Slow-paced guided walk through Arboretum trails with staff naturalists, tracking spring migration through birdsong, budding plants, and signs of animal activity. Conversation is question-driven, so each outing shifts with what’s spotted outdoors.
Slow-paced guided walk through Arboretum trails with staff naturalists, tracking spring migration through birdsong, budding plants, and signs of animal activity. Conversation is question-driven, so each outing shifts with what’s spotted outdoors.

A springtime celebration of bonsai with hands on learning, tree styling inspiration, and horticulture tips set among the Arboretum’s landscaped grounds. Expect garden focused demos and casual community mingling outdoors.

A springtime celebration of bonsai with hands on learning, tree styling inspiration, and horticulture tips set among the Arboretum’s landscaped grounds. Expect garden focused demos and casual community mingling outdoors.
A springtime celebration of bonsai with hands on learning, tree styling inspiration, and horticulture tips set among the Arboretum’s landscaped grounds. Expect garden focused demos and casual community mingling outdoors.

Tree-focused Arbor Day celebration highlighting how planting trees supports clean air and water, cooling shade, and wildlife habitat. Daytime gathering on arboretum grounds oriented around hands-on nature appreciation and community learning.

Tree-focused Arbor Day celebration highlighting how planting trees supports clean air and water, cooling shade, and wildlife habitat. Daytime gathering on arboretum grounds oriented around hands-on nature appreciation and community learning.
Tree-focused Arbor Day celebration highlighting how planting trees supports clean air and water, cooling shade, and wildlife habitat. Daytime gathering on arboretum grounds oriented around hands-on nature appreciation and community learning.

An interactive afternoon exploring how the Broad River shifts from headwaters through the Piedmont, reshaping the Blue Ridge landscape through erosion, sediment transport, and flood events. Expect science-forward discussion with place-based watershed insights.

An interactive afternoon exploring how the Broad River shifts from headwaters through the Piedmont, reshaping the Blue Ridge landscape through erosion, sediment transport, and flood events. Expect science-forward discussion with place-based watershed insights.
An interactive afternoon exploring how the Broad River shifts from headwaters through the Piedmont, reshaping the Blue Ridge landscape through erosion, sediment transport, and flood events. Expect science-forward discussion with place-based watershed insights.
Weeklong spring break program for youth exploring forest trails, gardens, and hands-on nature activities—wildlife observation, plant identification, and basic outdoor skills. Includes creative nature journaling, team games, and stewardship projects.
Weeklong spring break program for youth exploring forest trails, gardens, and hands-on nature activities—wildlife observation, plant identification, and basic outdoor skills. Includes creative nature journaling, team games, and stewardship projects.
Weeklong spring break program for youth exploring forest trails, gardens, and hands-on nature activities—wildlife observation, plant identification, and basic outdoor skills. Includes creative nature journaling, team games, and stewardship projects.
Create monotype prints using real leaves and flowers to pull one of a kind impressions, then turn them into handmade greeting cards. A hands on, beginner friendly printmaking class with an earthy, nature inspired vibe.
Create monotype prints using real leaves and flowers to pull one of a kind impressions, then turn them into handmade greeting cards. A hands on, beginner friendly printmaking class with an earthy, nature inspired vibe.
Create monotype prints using real leaves and flowers to pull one of a kind impressions, then turn them into handmade greeting cards. A hands on, beginner friendly printmaking class with an earthy, nature inspired vibe.

Hands-on forest and field immersion in Southern Appalachia focused on foraging skills, including wild plant and mushroom identification. Learn wild cooking, preserving, crafting, and herbal medicine making in a small cohort setting.

Hands-on forest and field immersion in Southern Appalachia focused on foraging skills, including wild plant and mushroom identification. Learn wild cooking, preserving, crafting, and herbal medicine making in a small cohort setting.
Hands-on forest and field immersion in Southern Appalachia focused on foraging skills, including wild plant and mushroom identification. Learn wild cooking, preserving, crafting, and herbal medicine making in a small cohort setting.

Twilight forest bathing (shinrin-yoku) among Blue Ridge mountain hemlocks and rhododendron at The North Carolina Arboretum, guided slow walks emphasizing sensory awareness, breathwork, and grounding to reduce stress and deepen nature connection.

Twilight forest bathing (shinrin-yoku) among Blue Ridge mountain hemlocks and rhododendron at The North Carolina Arboretum, guided slow walks emphasizing sensory awareness, breathwork, and grounding to reduce stress and deepen nature connection.
Twilight forest bathing (shinrin-yoku) among Blue Ridge mountain hemlocks and rhododendron at The North Carolina Arboretum, guided slow walks emphasizing sensory awareness, breathwork, and grounding to reduce stress and deepen nature connection.

A stroll through local gardens paired with plein air painting stations where artists capture blooming landscapes in real time. Expect a relaxed, community-minded afternoon of botanical scenery, sketching, and art watching.

A stroll through local gardens paired with plein air painting stations where artists capture blooming landscapes in real time. Expect a relaxed, community-minded afternoon of botanical scenery, sketching, and art watching.
A stroll through local gardens paired with plein air painting stations where artists capture blooming landscapes in real time. Expect a relaxed, community-minded afternoon of botanical scenery, sketching, and art watching.

Intensive daylong immersion teaching foundational herbalism: plant identification, sustainable foraging, and hands on apothecary skills like tinctures and salves, tailored for beginners seeking practical folk medicine know-how and community practice.

Intensive daylong immersion teaching foundational herbalism: plant identification, sustainable foraging, and hands on apothecary skills like tinctures and salves, tailored for beginners seeking practical folk medicine know-how and community practice.
Intensive daylong immersion teaching foundational herbalism: plant identification, sustainable foraging, and hands on apothecary skills like tinctures and salves, tailored for beginners seeking practical folk medicine know-how and community practice.

Beginner friendly hands-on field workshop focused on nature photography in Linville, combining outdoor composition techniques, natural light mastery, and landscape and close-up shots across forests and overlooks over a weekend.

Beginner friendly hands-on field workshop focused on nature photography in Linville, combining outdoor composition techniques, natural light mastery, and landscape and close-up shots across forests and overlooks over a weekend.
Beginner friendly hands-on field workshop focused on nature photography in Linville, combining outdoor composition techniques, natural light mastery, and landscape and close-up shots across forests and overlooks over a weekend.

Hands-on field identification of common native cool and warm season grasses using dry samples and habitat observations, with practical tips for choosing species for home landscapes and supporting grass skippers and other butterflies.

Hands-on field identification of common native cool and warm season grasses using dry samples and habitat observations, with practical tips for choosing species for home landscapes and supporting grass skippers and other butterflies.
Hands-on field identification of common native cool and warm season grasses using dry samples and habitat observations, with practical tips for choosing species for home landscapes and supporting grass skippers and other butterflies.