George Masa Foundation 2026 Youth Conservation Photography Prize Exhibition

George Masa Foundation 2026 Youth Conservation Photography Prize ExhibitionMay 1 – June 30, 2026Education Center – Arbor EateryPresented by the George Masa Foundation, this exhibition features the 30 winners of the 2026 Youth Conservation Photography Prize, selected fro......More

George Masa Foundation 2026 Youth Conservation Photography Prize ExhibitionMay 1 – June 30, 2026Education Center – Arbor EateryPresented by the George Masa Foundation, this exhibition features the 30 winners of the 2026 Youth Conservation Photography Prize, selected from two age groups, 11 to 14 and 15 to 18. The program invites young people from across the country to explore and express their connection to the natural world through photography. Inspired by the legacy of George Masa, whose images helped protect the Southern Appalachians, these photographs reflect careful observation, creative vision, and a growing awareness of the landscapes, waters, and wildlife that shape our lives. We are grateful to the North Carolina Arboretum for graciously hosting and displaying this work, and to our judges, Grace Clark and Travis Bordley, for their thoughtful review and support of these young photographers. Our mission is to inspire young people to be like George Masa paying attention, telling meaningful stories, and creatively facing the environmental challenges of their generation. Learn more at: https://georgemasafoundation.org

Education Center

Bonsai in a Day: Learn, Create, Take Home

Bonsai in a Day: Learn, Create, Take Homewith Rebecca Ayres Saturday, June 20  |  9:30 am – 4:30pm REGISTER HERE Although it has its roots in ancient Asian traditions, the living art of bonsai now enjoys enthusiasts throughout much of the world. This class will provide ......More

Bonsai in a Day: Learn, Create, Take Homewith Rebecca Ayres Saturday, June 20  |  9:30 am – 4:30pm REGISTER HERE Although it has its roots in ancient Asian traditions, the living art of bonsai now enjoys enthusiasts throughout much of the world. This class will provide the basic concepts and skills for novices to begin growing and shaping their own miniature trees. The first half of the class will cover the fundamental horticultural and aesthetic principles of bonsai. It will include such topics as tree selection, watering, pest control, pruning, wiring, and styling. In the second half of the class, each participant will receive a pot, scissors, wire, and planting medium. With guidance from the instructor, the students will create their own bonsai to take home. Materials included in registration. Rebecca Ayres is a ceramic artist and gardener. A longtime Arboretum volunteer, she is the assistant to the bonsai curator and helps with overseeing the exhibition garden, the collection and the Carolina Bonsai Expo. She is a member of the Blue Ridge Bonsai Society, where she has taught workshops and classes, and is a graduate of the Arboretum’s Blue Ridge Naturalist program. 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!

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.

Forest Bathing Retreat: Summer Solstice

Forest Bathing Retreat: Summer Solsticewith Asheville Wellness Tours Saturday, June 20  |  10 am – 1 pm REGISTER HERE Celebrate the Solstice through the ephemeral beauty of flowers during this immersive morning nature retreat! In Japan, the birthplace of forest bathing ......More

Forest Bathing Retreat: Summer Solsticewith Asheville Wellness Tours Saturday, June 20  |  10 am – 1 pm REGISTER HERE Celebrate the Solstice through the ephemeral beauty of flowers during this immersive morning nature retreat! In Japan, the birthplace of forest bathing (Shinrin Yoku), they celebrate the annual cherry blossom bloom (Sakura) with a practice known as Hanami, which translates to “contemplate the flowers.” This experience gently invites us to cultivate our attention and sensory awareness, while noticing the evanescent nature of flowering, both within and around us. Together, we will explore our relationships with native wildflowers, ourselves, each-other, and the more-than-human-world. Your guide, Kelly Bruce, will lead you on a gentle journey through the summer forest, weaving mindfulness, breathwork, forest bathing and nature therapy together for an enlivening morning on some of the trails less traveled at the North Carolina Arboretum. We’ll celebrate the experience in community, enjoying a 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. Kelly Bruce is a writer, forest therapy guide and nature connection mentor based in Hendersonville, North Carolina. Her mission is to help others deepen their connection with nature, community and Self. Kelly is an Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Certified Guide and Certification Consultant. She is Wilderness First Aid and CPR certified by the American Red Cross. 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!

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.

Summer Ecology Walk

Summer Ecology Walkwith Dan Lazar Saturday, June 20  |  1:30 – 3 pm BRN – Core  |  BREG – Elective REGISTER HERE Naturalist Dan Lazar leads this walk and talk designed to point out signs of summer’s vibrancy. Participants will walk through roadside meadows filled with G......More

Summer Ecology Walkwith Dan Lazar Saturday, June 20  |  1:30 – 3 pm BRN – Core  |  BREG – Elective REGISTER HERE Naturalist Dan Lazar leads this walk and talk designed to point out signs of summer’s vibrancy. Participants will walk through roadside meadows filled with Goldenrod and asters and then head into the Arboretum Forest on easily accessible trails. We’ll consider the role of birds and other animals in seed dispersal, one of nature’s most important methods for renewing itself. 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. Dan Lazar served for many years as the director of education at the Western North Carolina Nature Center, followed by several years as executive director of the Colburn Earth Science Museum. Dan has a degree in forest biology from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry and has been an instructor in the Blue Ridge Naturalist program since 2005. 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!

Arboretum performed by Decoda Chamber Music Festival Artists

Arboretum performed by Decoda Chamber Music Festival ArtistsSunday, June 21, 2026Performances at 10:30 AM and 11:30 AMArboretum, by Decoda bassoonist Brad Balliett, is a unique musical work featuring a collection of solos and duets inspired by different tree species. Pe......More

Arboretum performed by Decoda Chamber Music Festival ArtistsSunday, June 21, 2026Performances at 10:30 AM and 11:30 AMArboretum, by Decoda bassoonist Brad Balliett, is a unique musical work featuring a collection of solos and duets inspired by different tree species. Performed simultaneously throughout the gardens, the piece creates an immersive soundscape that invites audiences to stroll along the paths and move freely among the musicians. As the music unfolds across the landscape, the Arboretum itself becomes a living, breathing musical environment. About DecodaDecoda is an artist-led chamber music collective dedicated to creating a more compassionate and connected world through music. Decoda pairs virtuosic performance with deep community engagement, bringing chamber music to concert halls, schools, shelters, hospitals, and correctional facilities. Each summer in the Asheville region, Decoda leads the Decoda Chamber Music Festival, a dynamic training program for young musicians who seek to develop both artistic excellence and social impact. Through side-by-side performances, mentorship, and creative collaboration, participants explore how music can build community and inspire change. This is an outdoor event and may be canceled in the event of inclement weather. 

Summer Mind-Body Wellness Retreat

Summer Mind-Body Wellness Retreatwith Jenne Sluder Tuesday, June 23  |  10 am – 4pm REGISTER HERE Set aside a day for quiet reflection and renewal at the North Carolina Arboretum, centering themes from the early Zen poets of China and Japan. Calm your mind, refresh your......More

Summer Mind-Body Wellness Retreatwith Jenne Sluder Tuesday, June 23  |  10 am – 4pm REGISTER HERE Set aside a day for quiet reflection and renewal at the North Carolina Arboretum, centering themes from the early Zen poets of China and Japan. Calm your mind, refresh your spirit, and relax your body and nervous system with a gentle immersion into mind-body centering practices both indoors and in nature. Expect slow, mindful yoga and qigong, guided meditation, progressive relaxation + sound bath, contemplative readings from the Zen poetry tradition, and time for personal journaling and quiet time in nature. All mind-body practices will be gentle and accessible, including the choice to do any seated movements or meditations in a chair or on a cushion according to your own body’s needs. 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!Interested in supporting the NC Arboretum more directly? Donate to the ONE Fund here.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.

Arbor Evenings

Arbor Evenings 2026June 10 – September 17, 2026Baker Event LawnSip and stroll through the gardens in the glow of the golden hour, all while listening to live music from a variety of local and regional artists! Arbor Evenings runs Wednesdays and Thursdays June 10 through......More

Arbor Evenings 2026June 10 – September 17, 2026Baker Event LawnSip and stroll through the gardens in the glow of the golden hour, all while listening to live music from a variety of local and regional artists! Arbor Evenings runs Wednesdays and Thursdays June 10 through September 17, 2026 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 Arbor Evenings help support The North Carolina Arboretum Society and further advance the Arboretum’s mission. 5:30 – 8:30: Holler & Crow (Joyful folk fusion magic, Alt-Celtic, Newgrass)Theme: Bark n’ BrewScheduled performances are subject to change.View upcoming dates here. Support for this event series is generously provided by:

Baker Event Lawn

Backyard Baskets: Coiling with Natural Materials

Backyard Baskets: Coiling with Natural Materialswith Alyssa Sacora Thursday, June 25 |  10 – 4pm REGISTER HERE Many local plants lend themselves to basket making. In this workshop, we will create a coiled vessel using iris, daylily and grasses harvested from cultivated ......More

Backyard Baskets: Coiling with Natural Materialswith Alyssa Sacora Thursday, June 25 |  10 – 4pm REGISTER HERE Many local plants lend themselves to basket making. In this workshop, we will create a coiled vessel using iris, daylily and grasses harvested from cultivated gardens and wild places. Coiling is a hand-stitching process that transforms a continuous bundle of fibers into a strong and versatile container. Found in cultures worldwide, it is a perfect technique to create one-of-a-kind baskets from plants growing in your backyard. Each participant will complete a basket and leave with the skills to do this again on their own. Great for beginner basket makers and those with weaving experience that want to learn more about using local plants. Alyssa Sacora is a crafts person exploring plant-based mediums in the form of papermaking, book arts, basketry and natural dyes. She finds inspiration by observing relationships in the wider world. To reduce her human footprint and encourage creative thinking, she primarily works with locally available and repurposed natural materials. Leaves, vines and bark from iris, daylily, kudzu, okra, tulip poplar and willow leaves are often combined with salvaged cotton fabrics to create her palette. Her artistic pursuits are directly related to her lifestyle choices with reciprocity and mindfulness as a guiding force. In addition to and in support of her craft, she tends a 3-acre homestead in Western North Carolina with her husband, Adam. They grow fruits and vegetables, medicinal herbs, and art plants. They use solar electric and solar thermal systems for electricity and heating, collect rain water and continuously look to design their space with sustainability in mind. Alyssa has taught for a variety of organizations in WNC and often utilizes an outside setting to help her students make the connection that we are nature and that our lives are intertwined with the plants, the soil, and the air around us. 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!

Summer Wildflowers of the NC Arboretum

Summer Wildflowers of the NC Arboretumwith Lauren Lampley Thursday, June 25  |  1 – 4pm BRN – Core  |  BREG – Core REGISTER HERE Interested in learning how to identify wildflowers? Join Lauren on this walk around the Arboretum property where we will go over different wa......More

Summer Wildflowers of the NC Arboretumwith Lauren Lampley Thursday, June 25  |  1 – 4pm BRN – Core  |  BREG – Core REGISTER HERE Interested in learning how to identify wildflowers? Join Lauren on this walk around the Arboretum property where we will go over different ways of identifying plants and different families of flowers. Some flowers are very difficult to identify to species and some are relatively easy so we will talk about how to get as close as possible with tools we can easily carry into the field. We will be using Newcomb’s guide to key out some of the less common flowers but will focus on learning how to look closely at flowers to identify them. 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!

Arbor Evenings

Arbor Evenings 2026June 10 – September 17, 2026Baker Event LawnSip and stroll through the gardens in the glow of the golden hour, all while listening to live music from a variety of local and regional artists! Arbor Evenings runs Wednesdays and Thursdays June 10 through......More

Arbor Evenings 2026June 10 – September 17, 2026Baker Event LawnSip and stroll through the gardens in the glow of the golden hour, all while listening to live music from a variety of local and regional artists! Arbor Evenings runs Wednesdays and Thursdays June 10 through September 17, 2026 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 Arbor Evenings help support The North Carolina Arboretum Society and further advance the Arboretum’s mission. 5:30 – 8:30: Anne Coombs Jazz Trio (Jazz and Originals)Scheduled performances are subject to change.View upcoming dates here. Support for this event series is generously provided by:

Baker Event Lawn

Walking Meditation & Qigong

Walking Meditation & Qigongwith Jenne Sluder Friday, June 26 | 9 – 10am 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......More

Walking Meditation & Qigongwith Jenne Sluder Friday, June 26 | 9 – 10am 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!Interested in supporting the NC Arboretum more directly? Donate to the ONE Fund here.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.

Gardening on Slopes

Gardening on Slopeswith Nina Shippen Saturday, June 27  |  10 am – 12 pm BREG – EcoGardening Core REGISTER HERE Gardeners who don’t have to deal with slopes in Western North Carolina are a rarity. Most of us must manage slopes in our landscape planning and planting. Lef......More

Gardening on Slopeswith Nina Shippen Saturday, June 27  |  10 am – 12 pm BREG – EcoGardening Core REGISTER HERE Gardeners who don’t have to deal with slopes in Western North Carolina are a rarity. Most of us must manage slopes in our landscape planning and planting. Left unattended, slopes can become hazardous eyesores with ever-worsening erosion that threatens the structures, plants, roadways and stream beds below. Designer Nina Shippen shares methods for assessing slopes, remedies to prevent and correct erosion, and reviews useful plants for slopes. When to call for professional engineering or construction interventions will also be covered. Participants are invited to send photos in advance of this onsite class to include in discussion. Nina Shippen practices residential landscape and garden design through her company Hidden Road Landscape Design, which focuses on coupling the principles of healing gardens with sound ecologic practices to create satisfying gardens for her clients. A graduate of the landscape design program at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Studies, she has lived and gardened in Transylvania County since 2005. 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!

Rewilding Through Writing

Rewilding Through Writingwith Katherine Saul and Alli Marshall Saturday, June 27  |  10am – 4pm REGISTER HERE In this one-day workshop we will explore our connection to nature through creative writing and art making. By aligning with the natural world we’re able to expe......More

Rewilding Through Writingwith Katherine Saul and Alli Marshall Saturday, June 27  |  10am – 4pm REGISTER HERE In this one-day workshop we will explore our connection to nature through creative writing and art making. By aligning with the natural world we’re able to experience calm, peace, and awareness of our own intuition. Principles of forest bathing, mindfulness, and creative play reveal deep wells of inspiration to be expressed through art and writing. Led by Katherine Saul and Alli Marshall, this workshop is for writers and creatives of all backgrounds and levels of experience. While writing will be our main creative modality, no writing needs to be “good” — only self-expressive. Sharing is optional (though very much encouraged). Bring a favorite pen and notebook if you have one — but writing and art materials will provided. The class will take place both indoors and outside. Katherine Saul has been a middle school educator for 20 years and has been a certified Inward & Artward creative facilitator since 2024. She believes in writing as a means to build understanding of ourselves, each other, and the worlds we live in.  When she’s not building creative communities, you’ll find her with her dogs in the water, on a trail, or in the garden. Alli Marshall is a writer and artist based in Asheville. She received an MFA from Goddard College and is a certified Inward & Artward creative facilitator. She’s the author of ‘How to Talk to Rockstars,’ ‘The Persephone Project,’ and numerous zines. Many of her best friends are trees. 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!

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.

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.