Community Calendar

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. Their content covers a broad range of topics, from wild food identification and safety, cooking and recipes, wildlife, nature-inspired lifestyle activities, and ecological and environmental issues. Christina is a Clinical Psychologist and John is an educator, professional photographer, foraging enthusiast and author of “The Grizzly Forager’s Guide to Family Foraging.” Join the whole Grizzly Clan for a fireside chat all about foraging, parenting, wellbeing and living the slow life in wild and rugged Northumberland back home. Discover how Arthur and Sybbie came to be expert foragers and how collectively they became one of the largest and most influential foraging accounts on social media, with a thriving community of over 600K followers. Tickets go on sale online for this event at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 22.

"Cherokee Family, Tribe, and History"
Chief Lamar Nelson of the Eastern Cherokee, Southern Iroquois & United Tribes (ECSIUT) Tribal CEO and Tribal Archaeologist, and Vice Chief Dr. Jody Noe, Tribal Medicine Woman

This lecture will focus on three subjects with Chief Nelson describing his family history, and the ECSIUT from the earliest beginnings through the present day. Dr. Jody Noe will focus on the Cherokee people from precontact through the early years of colonialism.

Presented in person and virtually. To attend via Zoom, register via this link: https://bit.ly/4sjS10X

Dr. Rose Stremlau, Charles A. Dana Associate Professor of History/Gender & Sexuality Studies at Davidson College, connects the stories of settler economic development, including land speculation and enslavement; marriage and family formation; institution building; and historical memory in the Catawba River Valley region. Presented in person and virtually. To attend via Zoom, register via this link: https://bit.ly/42osaun

Eleanor Spicer Rice, Ph.D., is an entomologist, award-winning author, and nationally recognized science communicator whose work explores the surprising connections between people and the natural world. She earned her doctorate in entomology from North Carolina State University and has since authored more than ten books, including the acclaimed DEADLIEST series and Ants: Workers of the World. Spicer Rice’s Sept. 3 presentation is titled “North Carolina’s Hidden Superpowers And How Salamanders Are Secretly Running Your Life.” From mountain salamanders to coastal seagrass, North Carolina is filled with hidden ecological marvels that quietly shape our lives. Join entomologist and author Eleanor Spicer Rice for a journey through the state’s four ecoregions and discover the surprising creatures, relationships, and natural systems that make North Carolina one of the most biologically remarkable places in America. Registration opens online on July 1 at 10 a.m.

One of the world’s first arbornauts, CanopyMeg devoted over four decades to exploring forest canopies. Her research and exploration have taken her to more than 45 countries, on all seven continents, where she not only tirelessly saves forests but also mentors girls. Lowman’s Oct. 1 presentation is titled “In Honor of Jane Goodall – How Trees Keep our Planet and its Wildlife Healthy.” Mission Green is a global project to conserve the world’s most important forests by building canopy walkways. These walkways not only educate the public about the amazing 8th continent otherwise known as the treetops, but they sustainably employ indigenous women via ecotourism, and offer students access to forest canopies to make new discoveries. Speaker CanopyMeg Lowman pioneered the construction of canopy walkways that now bring economic incentives to forest conservation around the world. She will talk about Mission Green, and the importance of both forest conservation, plus linking kids to nature via the treetops and her friend Jane. Tickets go on sale online for this event at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 31.