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Hybrid Lunchbox Talk – From Conflict to Collaboration: How Conservation Partnerships are Helping Save an Imperiled Ecosystem
North Carolina Botanical Garden 100 Old Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC, United StatesThe longleaf pine ecosystem is one of the most biologically diverse in North America, and the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker is one of its most iconic species. In the 1990s, populations of this woodpecker in the NC Sandhills were critically low. The largest population was on Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg), but the Army did not want to alter training or land management. Private landowners mistrusted government agencies and were cutting their longleaf rather than see an endangered bird move in. It had the makings of a classic environmental conflict, until some forward-thinking people decided they had more to gain from solving the underlying problem than fighting each other. What resulted was the invention of several key programs that are now used nation-wide, the recovery of the Sandhills population, and a partnership that became a model for how to do collaborative conservation. This talk will discuss longleaf conservation efforts in NC and across the range and will explore how the lessons learned from the Sandhills can be applied to other environmental conflicts. This talk is part of the Saving our Savannas: Stories of the Longleaf Pine exhibition, which explores the history, ecology, and culture of the longleaf pine ecosystem.
Hybrid Lunchbox Talk – Gone with the Wind: Sherman’s March Through the Longleaf Pine Forests of North Carolina
North Carolina Botanical Garden 100 Old Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC, United StatesEarl Ijames, Curator of African American History and Agriculture at the North Carolina Museum of History, Kevin Melvin, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer of The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, will explore the history of Sherman’s March (Anson/ Richmond Counties) to April 1865 (Historic Bennett Place), including the impact on people, environment, and economy of the region.
Small Wonders, Small Shifts – A Virtual Offering
VirtualAs we attune to the micro wonders of the natural world, we deepen and expand our awareness. By focusing on these small wonders, we learn new ways of seeing and being. In this virtual workshop, we will devote our attention to nature’s tiny wonders and also embrace “micro practices” — simple, mindful shifts that nurture us, cultivate awe, and enhance our connection to the natural world. Our explorations will incorporate writing, art making, and contemplative practices. This session will utilize the expressive arts, which encourages self-expression with a focus on the process rather than the final product. No art or writing experience is necessary. Just bring your sense of curiosity.
Documenting the Hidden Treasures of the Longleaf Pine Forests
VirtualJoin Dr. Alan Weakley, the director of the UNC Herbarium, as he shares his insights on the plant diversity of the longleaf pine ecosystems. Learn how these diverse and resilient forests, which span from Virginia to Texas, harbor many rare and endemic plants that may be part of the rich cultural heritage of the Indigenous peoples and are only now being recorded into the scientific literature.
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.
Sketching Landscapes in the Garden
North Carolina Botanical Garden 100 Old Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC, United StatesHave you ever wanted to loosely capture what you see in a sketch while out on a hike or sitting in your own backyard?
In this class, the North Carolina Botanical Garden will become our classroom as we experience the healing benefits of sketching while out in nature. You can lower your stress levels and promote mental calmness as we sketch the landscape before us.
This class is about loosely capturing the essence of the natural world, so don’t worry if you don’t have a lot of drawing experience as we won’t be focusing on all the little details. We will begin class with a mini sketching lesson touching on how to approach sketching the different elements of the natural world around us. This class is for all skill levels.
Trees and Me! Project Learning Tree for Early Childhood Educators
North Carolina Botanical Garden 100 Old Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC, United StatesJoin other early childhood classroom and nonformal educators as we explore activities in the newly released Project Learning Tree Trees and Me: Activities for Exploring Nature with Young Children activity guide. Every participant will leave the workshop with a copy of the guide - a $25 value! This guide includes revised favorites and new activities with a focus on learning for youth ages 1-6. This workshop qualifies for Criteria I or II in the EE Certification Program (early childhood).
Sketching Landscapes in the Garden
North Carolina Botanical Garden 100 Old Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC, United StatesHave you ever wanted to loosely capture what you see in a sketch while out on a hike or sitting in your own backyard?
In this class, the North Carolina Botanical Garden will become our classroom as we experience the healing benefits of sketching while out in nature. You can lower your stress levels and promote mental calmness as we sketch the landscape before us.
This class is about loosely capturing the essence of the natural world, so don’t worry if you don’t have a lot of drawing experience as we won’t be focusing on all the little details. We will begin class with a mini sketching lesson touching on how to approach sketching the different elements of the natural world around us. This class is for all skill levels.
Saving Our Savannas Closing Lecture: What Does the Future Hold for Longleaf Pine – The Opportunities and Resources for Longleaf Pine Stewardship
North Carolina Botanical Garden 100 Old Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC, United StatesJulie Moore has a passion for longleaf pine that spans nearly 50 years of professional and personal experience. She knows that longleaf pine is more than a tree, it is a legacy that we must protect and restore for the future. In this talk, she will share her insights on the history, challenges, and opportunities of longleaf pine conservation.