Community Calendar

Embark on a wild adventure with The Grizzly Forager on the mountain in search of mysterious treasure made by wasps, which explorers of old gathered and made into ink – the same ink that was used to sign the Declaration of Independence! Arthur, Sybbie and their dad, John, will guide you through the process of how to forage for oak galls and turn them into usable ink. The Grizzly Forager is an aspirational social media account with the primary aim of inspiring parents to get outside with their kids via the art of foraging. Arthur, Sybbie, and their mum and dad, John and Christina, create wholesome and visually appealing posts and reels that aim to educate, inspire and encourage kids of all ages to safely experience the outdoors and develop a deep love and connection with nature. Registration opens online on May 22 at 10 a.m.

All ages are invited to join us for an exciting evening with the often overlooked and misunderstood moth!

Did you know North America is home to more than 12,000 species of moths? Compare that to our 800 or so species of butterflies. Not only are moths important pollinators, they are also critical to the food web, especially in their caterpillar state.

Featuring:
* Moth sheeting! Check out moths up close after dark, using special equipment under the guidance of a conservation biologist
* Entomologist talk! Learn how you can help reverse the challenges faced by moths (and all insects)
* Visit with community organizations working to support insects and our ecosystem
* Purchase native plants to support moths and other insects at your home

No registration required, but if you would like to be notified of changes due to inclement weather, register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1992369592083

Suggested donation: $5 per person. All proceeds will benefit the Gardens, a 501(c)(3) organization

Thank you to the community partners that will be joining us:
DarkSky NC
Xerces Society
Bug Lovers Native Plants

This workshop is open to individuals studying for the NC Environmental Education Certification or those needing CE Credits to maintain their certification and will focus on bears in North Carolina. Hosted by Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation’s own Interpretation and Education staff, this workshop will teach participants about the life history and management of black bears, as well as how to incorporate activities about bears into the N.C. Curriculum. Participants will also get to meet the black bears who call Grandfather Mountain home and what it takes to keep them healthy and happy. N.C. EE Certification Credit: Criteria II or III and CEU credit are available upon completion of workshop. Tickets for this event go online on Grandfather Mountain’s website May 29 at 10 a.m.

Join us for an in-depth exploration of the natural community types found on Grandfather Mountain. In this class, you’ll learn to recognize distinct habitats by studying their characteristic flora, fauna and environmental conditions. Guided by ecological principles and scientific tools, we’ll examine how factors such as elevation, topography, soil composition and microclimates shape these unique ecosystems and provide habitats for some of the rare and endangered species that we’ll see during our exploration. This workshop will enhance your ability to classify habitats and deepen your understanding of the complex interplay between species and their environments. Tickets for this event go on sale online on Grandfather Mountain’s website June 1 at 10 a.m. Advance registration required.

The southern Appalachians are world-renowned for different types of fungi, from mushrooms to lichens, and are home to more than 2,000 species. Here’s a chance to learn about the lifestyle and habitats of fungi, as well as observe many kinds of fungal fruiting bodies, including mushrooms growing at higher elevations. Participants will learn how to identify them by size, shape and color. You will also inoculate a log with shiitake mushroom mycelium to take home with you. After an interactive introduction to the fungi kingdom, which includes inoculating the logs, we’ll take a short slow stroll in search of mushrooms growing on the mountain to collect representatives of different fungal families to study back in the classroom. Through this workshop and field exploration, you’ll learn about fungal habitats, toxicology and the important roles fungi play in the forest ecosystem. The workshop is designed for beginners, but veteran foragers will also glean new insights. Tickets for this event go on sale online on Grandfather Mountain’s website June 8 at 10 a.m. Advance registration required.

Learn how to use tools to help plan safer, more comfortable routes for biking around Charlotte!

Join the Charlotte DOT for an interactive and informative session all about route planning on your bike. This class will teach you how to plan bike-friendly trips using maps, apps, and local tips.

You’ll learn how to use tools to find low-stress streets, bike infrastructure, and key connections so you can ride with more confidence.

We’ll wrap up with a short group ride to put what you’ve learned into practice! Helmet is required.

The hardy settlers who made these mountains home were resourceful and made what they needed from what was at hand, and what was at hand was wood. We will examine the types of things Appalachian people have made for themselves from the forests around them like chairs, bowls, spoons, tool handles and more. We will also observe the tools they used to make these items. After taking a walk through the forest which was the pioneer’s lumber yard, where we will identify trees and some of their uses, we will focus on a hands-on project – each participant will make an example of that ubiquitous piece of pioneer woodcraft, the hook. Made from a small, forked tree branch, often of rhododendron, these hooks were found in homes, barns and outbuildings to hang cloths, tools, horse harness and more on the wall in an organized fashion. Tickets for this event go on sale online on Grandfather Mountain’s website June 12 at 10 a.m. Advance registration required.

The WNC Sculpture Center’s Third Saturday Family Workshop series invites families to gather once a month for hands-on, creative experiences that blend art-making, learning, and quality time together. Held every third Saturday, each workshop features a different accessible, family-friendly project—ranging from sculpture and printmaking to mixed‑media creations—designed to encourage collaboration across generations. Led by knowledgeable staff and artists, the workshops often include opportunities to explore the sculpture park, helping participants connect creativity with place. The series emphasizes creativity, shared experiences, and making meaningful keepsakes, making it a welcoming entry point for families to engage with the arts together.

Buddy Huffaker joined the Aldo Leopold Foundation in 1996 as a seasonal intern and has served as Executive Director since 1999.  During his tenure, the foundation has grown into a national conservation organization with international reach, realizing the potential of a Land Ethic. Dr. Stanley A. Temple is the Beers-Bascom Professor Emeritus in Conservation in the Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. For 32 years he held the academic position once occupied by Aldo Leopold, and during that time he won every teaching award for which he was eligible. He and his students have helped save many of the world’s endangered species and the habitats on which they depend. The Aug. 20 presentation is titled “Aldo Leopold’s Legacy: A conversation on land ethic and conservation.” Join a fireside chat with Huffaker, Temple (joining virtually) and Jesse Pope, president and CEO of Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation on endangered species and the land ethic. Temple will share stories from his lifetime of work on conservation efforts to save endangered species across the world, including one right here at Grandfather Mountain. Huffaker and Pope will chat about Leopold’s Land Ethic today, why it continues to be important and what challenges are being faced at Grandfather. Tickets go on sale online for this event at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 19.

Join Mattie Decker, a certified forest therapy guide, for a relaxing 2 to 2.5-hour stroll through the forest at Grandfather Mountain. Through a series of invitations, you will have the opportunity to focus on being present in the moment, deepening your connection with nature and community and enjoying the many gifts nature has to offer. Forest bathing walks invite guests to spend time in nature in a way that invites healing for us, as well as our fraught ecosystems, and our community. Registration opens online on June 22 at 10 a.m.