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School’s Out Camp: Plant Superpowers!
North Carolina Botanical Garden 100 Old Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC, United StatesWhy do carnivorous plants trap bugs? How does a tiny seed travel hundreds of miles to find a new home? Why would a tree release toxic chemicals to attack other trees? Let’s figure it out! Campers will investigate the wild and wonderful ways that plants meet the challenges of their environment through hands-on outdoor exploration, experiments, and games, and then create their very own super plant. Camp features a blend of indoor and outdoor learning, camper to staff ratio of 4:1, experienced environmental educators and naturalists, and loads of fun!
Drawing and Painting NC Fauna and Flora: Borer Moths and Pitcher Plants
North Carolina Botanical Garden 100 Old Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC, United StatesNorth Carolina hosts a large number of insects and plants that depend on each other, sometimes benignly, beneficially, or as a pest. This class will look into the life history, morphology, and dependency between Sarracenic flava and Papaipema appassionata (Green pitcher plant and Pitcher Plant Borer moth). Students will work in drybrush watercolor. The instructor will provide images to paint from.
Rewilding: through Mindfulness, Creativity, and Nature
North Carolina Botanical Garden 100 Old Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC, United StatesJoin us for a creative and mindful journey to cultivate wonder, wisdom, and wild peace as we co-create with nature. In this session we will explore a contemplative practice coupled with a creative activity such as nature mandalas, wisdom cards, and expressive poetry. Through these invitations, you will enhance your nature connection, self-awareness, and creative expression, all while deepening your sense of peace and calm. This compassionate space will inspire and nourish you as we embrace the gifts of the natural world.
Exploring the Longleaf Pinecone through Drawing
North Carolina Botanical Garden 100 Old Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC, United StatesCreate a botanical study page depicting the longleaf pine in pencil. Discover through drawing the identifying features of the cone, scales, and seeds. Learn how to tackle the complex pinecones' spiraling structure on day one. Day two will be spent creating a tonal monochromatic study of the seeds and scales in a drawing medium of your choice.
Little Sprouts: Seed Surprise
North Carolina Botanical Garden 100 Old Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC, United StatesFor ages 3-5 with a participating caregiver. What's inside a seed? How do they grow? Where can we find them? Little ones will get their hands dirty learning all about seeds through hands-on discovery, play, stories, and planting their own seeds to take home.
Drop-In Discovery Station: Pine Power!
North Carolina Botanical Garden 100 Old Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC, United StatesWe’re celebrating the amazing longleaf pine habitat this spring. Drop in at the discovery station for a celebration of all things longleaf pine trees! How do they grow? Why do they need fire? What animals depend on them? Find out! Try your hand at pine needle painting and cone stamping, and then enjoy a scavenger hunt for a prize.
Lifelong Longleaf Hike: Holly Shelter
Holly Shelter Game LandThe longleaf pine story continues with our exploration of Holly Shelter Game Land in Pender County. Here we will explore the longleaf pine savannas and associated pocosins rich in carnivorous plants and colorful orchids. Holly Shelter, North Carolina’s first state game land, is managing longleaf pine with an aggressive burn regime and restoring longleaf pine to areas that had been converted to loblolly pine plantations when under private ownership.
Hybrid Lunchbox Talk: Recognizing the Significance of Private Landowners in the Restoration of Longleaf Pine
North Carolina Botanical Garden 100 Old Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC, United StatesNinety percent of North Carolina’s land is in private ownership. The role of private landowners in longleaf pine restoration is extremely important, not only for the ecosystem itself, but for the landowners and their families. In this talk, John Ann Shearer will demonstrate how private landowners have played a significant role in longleaf pine restoration in North Carolina over the last 25 years. The NC Longleaf Coalition’s Longleaf Honor Roll recognizes model landowners. John Ann will share the goals, criteria, and nomination process for the Honor Roll as well as examples of landowners who have been recognized for their excellent land stewardship.
Hybrid Lunchbox Talk: Current Status and Future Trends of Longleaf Pine Habitat Conservation
North Carolina Botanical Garden 100 Old Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC, United StatesRegister Here with Colette DeGarady, Longleaf Pine Whole System Director, The Nature Conservancy Date: Thursday, May 16, 2024 Time: 12:00 PM-1:00 PM ET Location: Virtual and in Reeves Auditorium Fee:...
Little Sprouts: Hooray for Hummingbirds
North Carolina Botanical Garden 100 Old Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC, United StatesFor ages 3-5 with a participating caregiver. Zip! Zoom! Slurp! Celebrate the tiny but mighty ruby-throated hummingbird with stories, craft, play, and a garden walk to see if we can spy this fast-flying friend and its favorite flowers.
Hybrid Lunchbox Talk: Science and Restoration in the Longleaf Ecosystem: Stories from the North Carolina Botanical Garden
North Carolina Botanical Garden 100 Old Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC, United StatesThe longleaf pine ecosystem is recognized as a biodiversity hotspot, hosting an amazing diversity of plants and animals including many found nowhere else on earth. However, we have lost the majority of this ecosystem to development, land conversion and fire suppression. In this talk, Michael Kunz, Director of Conservation Programs at the North Carolina Botanical Garden, will share some of the ways the Garden is involved in the conservation this regions’ unique flora through our science and restoration efforts. Throughout this talk, he will discuss challenges and opportunities for longleaf in NC and beyond.