Handmade Holiday: Paper Pamphlets, mighty little books

Handmade Holiday: Paper Pamphlets, Mighty Little Bookswith Joyce Tromba Friday, November 6  |  10am – 1pm Register Here!In this class you will learn how to make one of the easiest and most versatile book structures: the pamphlet.  This book goes all the way back to the ......More

Handmade Holiday: Paper Pamphlets, Mighty Little Bookswith Joyce Tromba Friday, November 6  |  10am – 1pm Register Here!In this class you will learn how to make one of the easiest and most versatile book structures: the pamphlet.  This book goes all the way back to the 4th century as one of the earliest ways to secure paper and documents. We will explore three different variations of this and look at even more possibilities that are easy to do once you know the basic technique. All materials will be provided in this class. Joyce Tromba is happily settled into life in lovely Western North Carolina after living and teaching around the world for 30 years. Her travels have exposed her to many fiber traditions and she has always found groups of fiber folks wherever she was to share her making with. Joyce has 20+ years teaching design, sewing, knitting, quilting and bookmaking to High School students and adults. She has studied fiber and book and fiber arts at Penland, Arrowmont, John C. Campbell Folk School, and the Center for Book Arts in New York City. Her work can be found at Local Cloth where she also teaches natural dyeing, bookmaking and sewing classes. ●  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! ●  Interested in supporting the NC Arboretum more directly? Donate to the ONE Fund here. See all of our classes open for registration here!

Seeing Light: Landscape Photography at the North Carolina Arboretum

Seeing Light: Landscape Photography at the North Carolina Arboretumwith Joseph Prater Saturday, November 7  |  9 am – 12 pm Register Here!Participants will explore the Arboretum while learning the fundamentals of landscape photography, including exposure, composition, w......More

Seeing Light: Landscape Photography at the North Carolina Arboretumwith Joseph Prater Saturday, November 7  |  9 am – 12 pm Register Here!Participants will explore the Arboretum while learning the fundamentals of landscape photography, including exposure, composition, working with natural light, and recognizing compelling scenes. Instruction is entirely field-based and welcomes photographers of all experience levels, including those using smartphones. 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. Joey Prater is a North Carolina-based landscape photographer whose work is inspired by the mountains, forests, and changing seasons of the Southeast. With a lifelong love of the outdoors and years spent exploring public lands, he enjoys creating images that showcase both the beauty and character of wild places. Joey is passionate about sharing his knowledge with photographers of all experience levels, helping others build confidence while developing their own creative vision. His goal is to inspire people to slow down, explore with intention, and experience a deeper connection with the landscapes around them. ●  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! ●  Interested in supporting the NC Arboretum more directly? Donate to the ONE Fund here. See all of our classes open for registration here!

Sacred Forests of the World

Sacred Forests of the Worldwith Alison Ormsby Saturday, November 7  |  1 – 3 pm BRN – Elective Register Here!This class will explore the biological and cultural aspects of areas around the world that are conserved due to local beliefs and traditions.  Sacred natural sit......More

Sacred Forests of the Worldwith Alison Ormsby Saturday, November 7  |  1 – 3 pm BRN – Elective Register Here!This class will explore the biological and cultural aspects of areas around the world that are conserved due to local beliefs and traditions.  Sacred natural sites include forests, mountains, and springs that have cultural significance.  Some sites also have taboos on use of species within the areas, which serves a conservation function.  Most are not government-protected lands rather, are managed by local committees, caretakers and/or religious leaders. Specific examples and research from India, Ghana, and Sierra Leone will be shared. Participants will discuss possible connections to forests in Western North Carolina. Alison Ormsby has a PhD in Environmental Studies and is a human ecologist with 30 years of experience working with people and protected areas, environmental education, and sacred natural sites. Alison publishes topics that relate to the interaction of people and nature, including sustainable communities, wildlife policy, citizen science, sustainable tourism, and ethnobotany.  Her research focuses on conservation of sacred forests globally. ●  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! ●  Interested in supporting the NC Arboretum more directly? Donate to the ONE Fund here. See all of our classes open for registration here!

Winter Buds & Bark Tree ID

Winter Buds & Bark Tree IDwith Lauren Lampley Saturday, November 7  |  1 – 4pm BRN – Core |  BREG – Elective Register Here!Ever wondered how you can identify a tree without its leaves? All tree species have different patterns of bark and leaf/flower buds that can be use......More

Winter Buds & Bark Tree IDwith Lauren Lampley Saturday, November 7  |  1 – 4pm BRN – Core |  BREG – Elective Register Here!Ever wondered how you can identify a tree without its leaves? All tree species have different patterns of bark and leaf/flower buds that can be used to identify them even in winter time. In this program, we will look closely at the common trees around the NC Arboretum trails and point out specific characteristics of their buds and bark so you can identify them even without their leaves. 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. Lauren Lampley began her career at Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation as a Park Naturalist which solidified Lauren’s interests in ecology and a passion for teaching others. She has led walks and hikes in a variety of subjects from Geology to Birding and especially enjoys learning and teaching about our local ecology. She currently works at the NC Arboretum as the Adult Education Coordinator managing all the programming hosted through the Adult Education Department. ●  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! ●  Interested in supporting the NC Arboretum more directly? Donate to the ONE Fund here. See all of our classes open for registration here!

Forest Bathing Retreat: Gratitude and Reciprocity

Forest Bathing Retreat: Gratitude and Reciprocitywith Christal Hebal Saturday, November 7  |  2 – 5 pm Register Here!“Paying attention is a form of reciprocity with the living world, receiving the gifts with open eyes and open heart.” – Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Swe......More

Forest Bathing Retreat: Gratitude and Reciprocitywith Christal Hebal Saturday, November 7  |  2 – 5 pm Register Here!“Paying attention is a form of reciprocity with the living world, receiving the gifts with open eyes and open heart.” – Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass Noticing the abundance that surrounds us and practicing gratitude is powerful. Join us as we cultivate our awareness and appreciation for the many gifts of the Earth – the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat. How might we reciprocate? As we deepen our connection with Mother Earth, we strengthen our commitment to protect her. “Attention is the beginning of devotion.” – Mary Oliver This immersive afternoon nature connection retreat will enliven your senses as you slow down, linger in liminality and calm your weary mind. Together, we will explore natural pathways to homeostasis and equilibrium that will help us navigate life’s ups and downs, as well as the upcoming holiday season. Your guide, Christa Hebal, will lead you on a peaceful saunter through the fall forest, weaving mindfulness, breathwork, forest bathing and nature therapy together for a restorative afternoon on some of the trails less traveled at the North Carolina Arboretum. We’ll celebrate the experience in community, enjoying a special wild-foraged tea ceremony and snacks. Bring an open mind and an open heart. All are welcome. Presented through Adult & Continuing Education Programs in collaboration with Asheville Wellness Tours. Christa Hebal is a certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy. Born and raised in the mountains of northeast Tennessee, she has lived in Asheville for 24 years. Christa has an adventurous heart, and loves to help others encounter wholeness through embodiment and nature connection practices. She has had a professional bodywork practice for 18 years as a nationally certified Massage Therapist, and is also a practitioner of Ortho-Bionomy®, Usui Reiki Master, Certified Pediatric Massage Therapist, Clinical Aromatherapist, and Certified Traditional Herbalist. She is also certified in CPR and Wilderness First Aid. ●  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! ●  Interested in supporting the NC Arboretum more directly? Donate to the ONE Fund here. See all of our classes open for registration here!

Botanical Painting for Beginners

Botanical Painting for Beginnerswith Camille Daunno Four Sessions Tuesdays, November 10, 17, 21, December 1 |  10 am – 1 pm Register Here!In this beginner level class, learn several watercolor painting techniques while experimenting with different brushes, techniques an......More

Botanical Painting for Beginnerswith Camille Daunno Four Sessions Tuesdays, November 10, 17, 21, December 1 |  10 am – 1 pm Register Here!In this beginner level class, learn several watercolor painting techniques while experimenting with different brushes, techniques and other ways to enhance your personal style. All materials and supplies will be provided for this class and students will take home their in-progress or finished artwork. Camille Daunno is a retired Art Teacher with an undergraduate degree in Fine Art with graduate work in Textile Design. She worked in NYC as a designer for 10 years designing Fabric and wallpaper. Camille studied Art in NJ, NYC and Italy and studied Botanical Illustration and Painting at the NY Botanical Gardens with a certified instructor. She enjoys sharing her love of Botanical Art with her children and grandchildren. ●  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! ●  Interested in supporting the NC Arboretum more directly? Donate to the ONE Fund here. See all of our classes open for registration here!

Weave Kudzu Vines Into a Basket

Weave Kudzu Vines Into a Basketwith Carleigh Fairchild Wednesday, November 11  |  10am – 4pm Register Here!Turn wild vines into a basket in this hands-on kudzu weaving workshop. Kudzu, often thought of as an invasive plant, offers a surprising gift: strong, flexible vin......More

Weave Kudzu Vines Into a Basketwith Carleigh Fairchild Wednesday, November 11  |  10am – 4pm Register Here!Turn wild vines into a basket in this hands-on kudzu weaving workshop. Kudzu, often thought of as an invasive plant, offers a surprising gift: strong, flexible vines that make for beautiful, functional baskets. In this workshop you’ll learn how to identify, harvest, and prepare kudzu responsibly, turning an abundant wild plant into a useful basket. Together we’ll explore weaving techniques and create baskets that reflect each of our creativity. Come away with your own handmade basket, practical knowledge for future projects, and a new appreciation for kudzu. There will be a 30 minute lunch break and materials will be provided. If you have sharp pruners, feel free to bring them along! Carleigh Fairchild has a deep love for the Earth. She gardens, keeps bees, wild harvests, processes animals, tans hides, weaves baskets, and finds joy in time spent around the fire. As the founder of Human Nature Connection LLC, she is dedicated to helping others rediscover respectful and collaborative relationships with the more then human world. Carleigh’s journey—including 86 days on the survival show ALONE in Patagonia—deepened her understanding of belonging and connection. With over 25 years of experience, she teaches both online and in-person classes in Western North Carolina, weaving together earth skills, community, and healing. Carleigh is also a NIASZIIH bodywork healer and instructor at Wilderness Fusion, integrating body, earth, and spirit in her practice. ●  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! ●  Interested in supporting the NC Arboretum more directly? Donate to the ONE Fund here. See all of our classes open for registration here!

Handmade Holiday: Clay Gingerbread Cookie Monsters

Handmade Holiday: Clay Gingerbread Cookie Monsterswith Eileen Bos Friday, November 13  |  11 am – 2 pm Register Here!Using Sculpey Polymer Clay, we will soften and roll the clay out with a rolling pin, and use gingerbread cookie cutters to begin our creature creations… ......More

Handmade Holiday: Clay Gingerbread Cookie Monsterswith Eileen Bos Friday, November 13  |  11 am – 2 pm Register Here!Using Sculpey Polymer Clay, we will soften and roll the clay out with a rolling pin, and use gingerbread cookie cutters to begin our creature creations… each cookie creature will have hand painted glass eyes to install, and we will use pre-colored polymer clay to add decorations, creating buttons & details to help bring them to life! They can be made into ornaments, magnets, pins, etc. They can even sit upright & be glued to the top of a cookie jar for future Christmas cookies! All materials will be included in this class. Eileen Bos is a multimedia sculpture artist from NY, with nearly 40 years of self-taught art experience. She began drawing at the age of 3 and sculpting at age 4. She has competed in The Nickle City cake Challenge, was featured on the cover of Buffalo Magazine, won several tablescape awards at Bride’s World Events, showcased in an ad in NYC’s Times Square, and much more! Along with art, Eileen has a deep love of Quantum Sciences & Metaphysics and is working on developing art classes that fuse hands-on arts with Metaphysical principles to help people learn, heal & grow in exciting, multifaceted ways. You can find her work at: www.enchantedartwork.com. ●  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! ●  Interested in supporting the NC Arboretum more directly? Donate to the ONE Fund here. See all of our classes open for registration here!

Naturalist Walk & Talk

Naturalist Walk and Talkwith Shane Myers Friday, November 13  |  1 – 3 pm BRN – Elective Register Here!Walk around the Arboretum with our staff naturalists and talk about what we see around us. We might see plants and animals, and evidence of them going about their live......More

Naturalist Walk and Talkwith Shane Myers Friday, November 13  |  1 – 3 pm BRN – Elective Register Here!Walk around the Arboretum with our staff naturalists and talk about what we see around us. We might see plants and animals, and evidence of them going about their lives in our backyard. Topics will be based on what we see and experience and whatever questions that come up, so every class has the potential to be quite different. 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. 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! ●  Interested in supporting the NC Arboretum more directly? Donate to the ONE Fund here. See all of our classes open for registration here!

Winter Lights

Winter LightsNovember 13 – January 3Winter Lights is a spectacular open-air walk-through light show illuminating the gardens with millions of lights! Open November 13, 2026 through January 3, 2027. Join us for Asheville’s Brightest Holiday Tradition!

Birding at Lake Junaluska

Birding at Lake Junaluskawith Shane Myers Saturday, November 14  |  8 am – 12 pm BRN – Elective Register Here!Fall is a great time to go looking for ducks and other migratory waterbirds. Let’s go walk around Lake Junaluska and see what birds are using the lake as a stop......More

Birding at Lake Junaluskawith Shane Myers Saturday, November 14  |  8 am – 12 pm BRN – Elective Register Here!Fall is a great time to go looking for ducks and other migratory waterbirds. Let’s go walk around Lake Junaluska and see what birds are using the lake as a stopping point on their way south! 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. 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! ●  Interested in supporting the NC Arboretum more directly? Donate to the ONE Fund here. See all of our classes open for registration here!