Arbor Evenings

Arbor Evenings 2025June 11 – September 18, 2025Sip and stroll through the Arboretum’s gardens in the glow of the golden hour, all while listening to live music from a variety of local and regional artists! ArborEvenings runs Wednesdays and Thursdays through September 18......More

Arbor Evenings 2025June 11 – September 18, 2025Sip and stroll through the Arboretum’s gardens in the glow of the golden hour, all while listening to live music from a variety of local and regional artists! ArborEvenings runs Wednesdays and Thursdays through September 18, 2025 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.   **Please note: Outside alcohol is prohibited on the campus of The North Carolina Arboretum.** There is no additional cost to attend ArborEvenings beyond our standard parking fee. As always, Arboretum Society members and their accompanying guests can enter for FREE (guests must be in member vehicles to receive free entry). Proceeds from ArborEvenings help support the The North Carolina Arboretum Society and further advance the Arboretum’s mission. 5:30 – 6:45: Bayou Diesel7:15 – 8:30: Honey Music CollectiveFood Truck: MehfilScheduled performances are subject to change.View upcoming dates here. Support for this event series is generously provided by: Arbor Evenings is a rain or shine event. In the event of inclement weather, Arbor Evenings will be held indoors in the Baker lobby.

Baker Event Lawn

Walking Meditation & Qigong

Walking Meditation & Qigongwith Jenne Sluder Friday, July 18  |  9 – 10 am 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. T......More

Walking Meditation & Qigongwith Jenne Sluder Friday, July 18  |  9 – 10 am 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 [email protected] 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!

River Systems Field Experience

River Systems Field Experiencewith Anton DuMars Friday, July 18  |  12 – 4 pm BRN – Core  REGISTER HERE For the River Systems Field Experience, we will observe processes and indicators along the Davidson River, a Blue Ridge tributary of the French Broad catchment basin......More

River Systems Field Experiencewith Anton DuMars Friday, July 18  |  12 – 4 pm BRN – Core  REGISTER HERE For the River Systems Field Experience, we will observe processes and indicators along the Davidson River, a Blue Ridge tributary of the French Broad catchment basin. We consider channel hierarchy (first order, second order, etc.). Our stops include observation and discussions of flow and flood indicators and river forms, such as cut banks, point bars, and flood channels. We observe sediment texture, sediment load, and consider sediment source. This program will take place outside and will follow easy to moderate trails. Dress for the weather and prepare to be outside for the entire program time. 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. 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!  See all of our classes open for registration here!

Guided Trail Walk

Hit the trails and learn more about The North Carolina Arboretum’s botanically diverse forest with a guided trail walk! April through October, this free hiking program is led by trained volunteer guides who take small groups of participants along woodland trails and thr......More

Hit the trails and learn more about The North Carolina Arboretum’s botanically diverse forest with a guided trail walk! April through October, this free hiking program is led by trained volunteer guides who take small groups of participants along woodland trails and through a variety of forest types. Depending on the season and each guide’s area of expertise, topics of discussion may include wildflowers, plant and tree identification, natural history and more. Guided trail walks are limited to 15 people, including the guide, and are not recommended for guests under 16 years of age. Groups depart from the Baker Visitor Center Lobby on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. and Saturdays at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.. Walks last 1.5 – 2.5 hours, are approximately one to two miles in length. As this program is held rain or shine, all participants should dress appropriately for the weather. There is no pre-registration walks are first-come first served and sign up sheets are located in the Baker Visitors Center. Walks are FREE however, donations to The North Carolina Arboretum Society are appreciated. Regular parking fees apply. Arboretum Society Members always park free. Know Before You GoGuided Trail Walks are not recommended for guests under 16 years of age.Guided Trail Walks are rain or shine and all participants should be dressed comfortably and for the weather.Hikes cover 1-2 miles and last 1.5-2 hours.Well-behaved leashed pets are welcome to accompany their owners. In the rare case that a pet is disruptive or negatively impacts the experience, the pet and its owner may be asked to excuse themselves from the guided walk.

Baker Exhibit Center

Bird Feeding Myths, Methods, and Magic!

Bird Feeding Myths, Methods, and Magic!with Martha Rollefson Saturday, July 19  |  10 – 12 pm BRN – Elective REGISTER HERE The best way to see a wide variety of birds and their antics up close is to provide supplemental food up close. Decades of research and experimenta......More

Bird Feeding Myths, Methods, and Magic!with Martha Rollefson Saturday, July 19  |  10 – 12 pm BRN – Elective REGISTER HERE The best way to see a wide variety of birds and their antics up close is to provide supplemental food up close. Decades of research and experimentation have resulted in a $5 billion market for food, feeders, and associated equipment globally. Of the dizzying array of options, how do you get the greatest value for your money? Find out how to “up your game” when it comes to attracting songbirds 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 [email protected] 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!

Guided Trail Walk

Hit the trails and learn more about The North Carolina Arboretum’s botanically diverse forest with a guided trail walk! April through October, this free hiking program is led by trained volunteer guides who take small groups of participants along woodland trails and thr......More

Hit the trails and learn more about The North Carolina Arboretum’s botanically diverse forest with a guided trail walk! April through October, this free hiking program is led by trained volunteer guides who take small groups of participants along woodland trails and through a variety of forest types. Depending on the season and each guide’s area of expertise, topics of discussion may include wildflowers, plant and tree identification, natural history and more. Guided trail walks are limited to 15 people, including the guide, and are not recommended for guests under 16 years of age. Groups depart from the Baker Visitor Center Lobby on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. and Saturdays at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.. Walks last 1.5 – 2.5 hours, are approximately one to two miles in length. As this program is held rain or shine, all participants should dress appropriately for the weather. There is no pre-registration walks are first-come first served and sign up sheets are located in the Baker Visitors Center. Walks are FREE however, donations to The North Carolina Arboretum Society are appreciated. Regular parking fees apply. Arboretum Society Members always park free. Know Before You GoGuided Trail Walks are not recommended for guests under 16 years of age.Guided Trail Walks are rain or shine and all participants should be dressed comfortably and for the weather.Hikes cover 1-2 miles and last 1.5-2 hours.Well-behaved leashed pets are welcome to accompany their owners. In the rare case that a pet is disruptive or negatively impacts the experience, the pet and its owner may be asked to excuse themselves from the guided walk.

Baker Exhibit Center

The Peace of Wild Things: A Mind-Body Wellness Retreat

The Peace of Wild Things: A Mind-Body Wellness Retreatwith Jenne Sluder Tuesday, July 22  |  10 am – 4 pm REGISTER HERE Join us for a day of quiet reflection and renewal, centering themes from the poetry and writings of Wendell Berry. Quiet your mind, strengthen your sp......More

The Peace of Wild Things: A Mind-Body Wellness Retreatwith Jenne Sluder Tuesday, July 22  |  10 am – 4 pm REGISTER HERE Join us for a day of quiet reflection and renewal, centering themes from the poetry and writings of Wendell Berry. Quiet your mind, strengthen your spirit, tend to your heart, and bring ease to your body with a gentle immersion into mind-body centering practices both indoors and in nature, including slow, mindful yoga and tai chi, short periods of seated meditation and walking meditation, progressive relaxation with a soothing sound bath, contemplative readings from Wendell Berry, and time for personal journaling and silence in nature. All mind-body practices will be gentle and accessible, including the choice to do any seated movements or meditations either in a chair or on a cushion. Jenne Sluder is a qualified mental health professional and is certified through the International Association of Yoga Therapists as a trauma-sensitive therapeutic yoga instructor. She holds a Master’s in Transpersonal Psychology: Ecopsychology from Naropa University and specializes in mind-body approaches to improving mental and physical health. An Asheville native, Sluder works with individuals and with groups using somatic (body-based), contemplative (mindfulness-based), ecological (nature-based), and compassion-based practices. Members: Remember to enter your promo code upon checkout to receive your 10% member discount! Email [email protected] 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!

Guided Trail Walk

Hit the trails and learn more about The North Carolina Arboretum’s botanically diverse forest with a guided trail walk! April through October, this free hiking program is led by trained volunteer guides who take small groups of participants along woodland trails and thr......More

Hit the trails and learn more about The North Carolina Arboretum’s botanically diverse forest with a guided trail walk! April through October, this free hiking program is led by trained volunteer guides who take small groups of participants along woodland trails and through a variety of forest types. Depending on the season and each guide’s area of expertise, topics of discussion may include wildflowers, plant and tree identification, natural history and more. Guided trail walks are limited to 15 people, including the guide, and are not recommended for guests under 16 years of age. Groups depart from the Baker Visitor Center Lobby on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. and Saturdays at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.. Walks last 1.5 – 2.5 hours, are approximately one to two miles in length. As this program is held rain or shine, all participants should dress appropriately for the weather. There is no pre-registration walks are first-come first served and sign up sheets are located in the Baker Visitors Center. Walks are FREE however, donations to The North Carolina Arboretum Society are appreciated. Regular parking fees apply. Arboretum Society Members always park free. Know Before You GoGuided Trail Walks are not recommended for guests under 16 years of age.Guided Trail Walks are rain or shine and all participants should be dressed comfortably and for the weather.Hikes cover 1-2 miles and last 1.5-2 hours.Well-behaved leashed pets are welcome to accompany their owners. In the rare case that a pet is disruptive or negatively impacts the experience, the pet and its owner may be asked to excuse themselves from the guided walk.

Baker Exhibit Center

Pressed Flower Art

Pressed Flower Artwith Susan McChesney Wednesday, July 23  |  1 – 4 pm REGISTER HERE Experience the art of Oshibana, the Japanese tradition of making art with pressed plant materials. Learn a technique of pressing, unpressing, storing, collaging and sealing flower petal......More

Pressed Flower Artwith Susan McChesney Wednesday, July 23  |  1 – 4 pm REGISTER HERE Experience the art of Oshibana, the Japanese tradition of making art with pressed plant materials. Learn a technique of pressing, unpressing, storing, collaging and sealing flower petals to create a work of art. All materials and  a comprehensive resource sheet provided. Make a collage that will be sealed, matted and sleeved in the workshop. Susan McChesney is a pressed flower artist using pressed petals like strokes of paint in landscape collages. She is a longtime educator, practicing the Oshibana technique to create art with pressed plant materials. As a practicing artist, Susan’s work is shown at various venues in Western NC. Members: Remember to enter your promo code upon checkout to receive your 10% member discount! Email [email protected] 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!

Arbor Evenings

Arbor Evenings 2025June 11 – September 18, 2025Sip and stroll through the Arboretum’s gardens in the glow of the golden hour, all while listening to live music from a variety of local and regional artists! ArborEvenings runs Wednesdays and Thursdays through September 18......More

Arbor Evenings 2025June 11 – September 18, 2025Sip and stroll through the Arboretum’s gardens in the glow of the golden hour, all while listening to live music from a variety of local and regional artists! ArborEvenings runs Wednesdays and Thursdays through September 18, 2025 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.   **Please note: Outside alcohol is prohibited on the campus of The North Carolina Arboretum.** There is no additional cost to attend ArborEvenings beyond our standard parking fee. As always, Arboretum Society members and their accompanying guests can enter for FREE (guests must be in member vehicles to receive free entry). Proceeds from ArborEvenings help support the The North Carolina Arboretum Society and further advance the Arboretum’s mission. 5:30 – 6:45: Thomas Kozak7:15 – 8:30: Hannah KaminerFood Truck: Cooking With ComedyScheduled performances are subject to change.View upcoming dates here. Support for this event series is generously provided by: Arbor Evenings is a rain or shine event. In the event of inclement weather, Arbor Evenings will be held indoors in the Baker lobby.

Baker Event Lawn

Arbor Evenings

Arbor Evenings 2025June 11 – September 18, 2025Sip and stroll through the Arboretum’s gardens in the glow of the golden hour, all while listening to live music from a variety of local and regional artists! ArborEvenings runs Wednesdays and Thursdays through September 18......More

Arbor Evenings 2025June 11 – September 18, 2025Sip and stroll through the Arboretum’s gardens in the glow of the golden hour, all while listening to live music from a variety of local and regional artists! ArborEvenings runs Wednesdays and Thursdays through September 18, 2025 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.   **Please note: Outside alcohol is prohibited on the campus of The North Carolina Arboretum.** There is no additional cost to attend ArborEvenings beyond our standard parking fee. As always, Arboretum Society members and their accompanying guests can enter for FREE (guests must be in member vehicles to receive free entry). Proceeds from ArborEvenings help support the The North Carolina Arboretum Society and further advance the Arboretum’s mission. 5:30 – 6:45: Patty M7:15 – 8:30: Tim McWilliams & William RitterFood Truck: Ono Poke BowlScheduled performances are subject to change.View upcoming dates here. Support for this event series is generously provided by: Arbor Evenings is a rain or shine event. In the event of inclement weather, Arbor Evenings will be held indoors in the Baker lobby.

Baker Event Lawn

Guided Trail Walk

Hit the trails and learn more about The North Carolina Arboretum’s botanically diverse forest with a guided trail walk! April through October, this free hiking program is led by trained volunteer guides who take small groups of participants along woodland trails and thr......More

Hit the trails and learn more about The North Carolina Arboretum’s botanically diverse forest with a guided trail walk! April through October, this free hiking program is led by trained volunteer guides who take small groups of participants along woodland trails and through a variety of forest types. Depending on the season and each guide’s area of expertise, topics of discussion may include wildflowers, plant and tree identification, natural history and more. Guided trail walks are limited to 15 people, including the guide, and are not recommended for guests under 16 years of age. Groups depart from the Baker Visitor Center Lobby on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. and Saturdays at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.. Walks last 1.5 – 2.5 hours, are approximately one to two miles in length. As this program is held rain or shine, all participants should dress appropriately for the weather. There is no pre-registration walks are first-come first served and sign up sheets are located in the Baker Visitors Center. Walks are FREE however, donations to The North Carolina Arboretum Society are appreciated. Regular parking fees apply. Arboretum Society Members always park free. Know Before You GoGuided Trail Walks are not recommended for guests under 16 years of age.Guided Trail Walks are rain or shine and all participants should be dressed comfortably and for the weather.Hikes cover 1-2 miles and last 1.5-2 hours.Well-behaved leashed pets are welcome to accompany their owners. In the rare case that a pet is disruptive or negatively impacts the experience, the pet and its owner may be asked to excuse themselves from the guided walk.

Baker Exhibit Center

Guided Trail Walk

Hit the trails and learn more about The North Carolina Arboretum’s botanically diverse forest with a guided trail walk! April through October, this free hiking program is led by trained volunteer guides who take small groups of participants along woodland trails and thr......More

Hit the trails and learn more about The North Carolina Arboretum’s botanically diverse forest with a guided trail walk! April through October, this free hiking program is led by trained volunteer guides who take small groups of participants along woodland trails and through a variety of forest types. Depending on the season and each guide’s area of expertise, topics of discussion may include wildflowers, plant and tree identification, natural history and more. Guided trail walks are limited to 15 people, including the guide, and are not recommended for guests under 16 years of age. Groups depart from the Baker Visitor Center Lobby on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. and Saturdays at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.. Walks last 1.5 – 2.5 hours, are approximately one to two miles in length. As this program is held rain or shine, all participants should dress appropriately for the weather. There is no pre-registration walks are first-come first served and sign up sheets are located in the Baker Visitors Center. Walks are FREE however, donations to The North Carolina Arboretum Society are appreciated. Regular parking fees apply. Arboretum Society Members always park free. Know Before You GoGuided Trail Walks are not recommended for guests under 16 years of age.Guided Trail Walks are rain or shine and all participants should be dressed comfortably and for the weather.Hikes cover 1-2 miles and last 1.5-2 hours.Well-behaved leashed pets are welcome to accompany their owners. In the rare case that a pet is disruptive or negatively impacts the experience, the pet and its owner may be asked to excuse themselves from the guided walk.

Baker Exhibit Center

Mothing at the Arboretum

Mothing at the Arboretumwith Shane Myers Saturday, July 26 |  8 – 10 pm BRN – Elective REGISTER HERE Join us as we wrap up National and NC Moth week with a night of mothing at the Arb! We will have several sheets and lights set up, as well as bait stations to see what n......More

Mothing at the Arboretumwith Shane Myers Saturday, July 26 |  8 – 10 pm BRN – Elective REGISTER HERE Join us as we wrap up National and NC Moth week with a night of mothing at the Arb! We will have several sheets and lights set up, as well as bait stations to see what nocturnal jewels we can attract! We will talk about ways to find or attract moths in your own space, view and photograph the insects that come in, and talk about a little natural history too. 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 [email protected] 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!

Birds of Prey Presentation

Birds of Prey Presentationwith Dennis Goodin Sunday, July 27  |  1 – 2:30 pm BRN – Elective REGISTER HERE Allison Woods Outdoor Learning Center brings their live hawks, owls, and other raptors in this presentation featuring the natural history of some of our native rapt......More

Birds of Prey Presentationwith Dennis Goodin Sunday, July 27  |  1 – 2:30 pm BRN – Elective REGISTER HERE Allison Woods Outdoor Learning Center brings their live hawks, owls, and other raptors in this presentation featuring the natural history of some of our native raptors. Pre-registration is not required for this program but we will be collecting donations for the Arboretum’s ONE Fund in-person at the event and through Eventbrite. If you’re pre-registering for a family or group please complete the form after completing your registration so we know how many people to expect. This program will take place outside at the Amphitheater if the weather allows or inside in the Auditorium within the Education Center. Dennis Goodin is an Animal Education Instructor and Handler with 25 years’ experience at our facility. His main focus of education is Birds of Prey and Turtle Dogs. Dennis is also an instructor of other environmental education programs which include aquatic education, trees/leaves, and wildlife. 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!  See all of our classes open for registration here!