Calendar

The Nature Academy is a program geared to teens and adults looking for an immersive experience in nature education, inspiration, and storytelling. Each meeting will be geared toward topics meant to provide a deeper, more meaningful connection with nature and provide ideas on how we can individually and through group practices be better stewards of our parks, local habitats, and ecosystem more broadly. Each program may include a variety of activities from nature hikes, lectures, or special guest presentations. Group participation will be encouraged.

Ages: Teens and adults
Cost: Free
Location: CCNC
Pre-registration: Required. Register online

Nests Nestled Around Us
Parent birds are busy raising families this season! Nests are in cavities of trees, woven baskets of grass and fibers, and even stuck to sides of chimneys. At this program will explore the wonders of bird nests, their eggs, and the amazing effort birds put into housing their offspring this time of year.
Date: Sunday, July 23
Time: 1:30 pm

Summer is Saying “So Long”
The calendar still indicates it is summer, but nature is already showing signs that the season is shifting. Explore the summer woods while looking for the subtle changes as summer segues to fall.
Date: Sunday, August 27
Time: 1:30 pm

The Naturalist in Your Pocket
Most people go to nature to escape technology; however, our cell phones can be an amazing tool for learning about the world outside. We will explore the park while learning about how our phones, through apps primarily, can make a nature walk even more educational, even without a naturalist to answer questions.
Date: Sunday, September 24
Time: 1:30 pm

Barking up the Right Trees
We are deep diving into trees during this program. We will explore their leaves, twigs, bark, the lichen, and moss that grow on them. Heck, we might even hug a few trees by hike's end. Bring your cell phone or macro camera because this time of year we will likely find lots of mushrooms that love trees as much as we do! And their beauty is always photo worthy!
Date: Sunday, October 29
Time: 1:30 pm