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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260820T164500
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SUMMARY:Grandfather Presents: Buddy Huffaker and Stan Temple
DESCRIPTION: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. \nThrough educational and on-the-ground initiatives\, Buddy’s leadership of the foundation furthers the Leopold family’s enduring legacy—a commitment to care for nature and inspire others to do the same. Buddy led the construction of the Aldo Leopold Legacy Center\, a testament to energy efficiency and sense of place. The building is certified LEED Platinum and constructed from trees planted by Aldo Leopold and his family. \nHe leads the preservation of the Leopold Shack & Farm\, a National Historic Landmark and setting of Leopold’s masterpiece\, “A Sand County Almanac\,” as well as land care of the surrounding 4\,000-acre Leopold-Pines Conservation Area. He produced the Emmy Award-winning documentary “Green Fire” and supported ten different foreign translations of Leopold’s famous book. Buddy’s leadership in the conservation movement includes service on state and federal advisory committees and participation in three White House Conferences on conservation and environmental education. \nDr. 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. \nHe is currently a Senior Fellow with the Aldo Leopold Foundation\, where he leads crane tours and introduces Future Leaders Fellows to Leopold’s history\, phenology\, and wildlife ecology. He has also been a core contributor to the yearly Wisconsin Phenology Calendar. He has received conservation awards from the Society for Conservation Biology\, The Wildlife Society\, and Wisconsin Society for Ornithology. He is a Fellow of the American Ornithologists’ Union\, American Association for the Advancement of Science\, and Wisconsin Academy of Sciences\, Arts and Letters. He has been President of the Society for Conservation Biology and Chairman of the Board of The Nature Conservancy in Wisconsin. He was inducted into the Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame in 2020. \nThe 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. \nConsidered by many to be the father of wildlife ecology and modern conservation\, Aldo Leopold was a forester\, philosopher\, conservationist\, educator\, writer and outdoor enthusiast. Among Aldo Leopold’s best-known ideas is the “land ethic\,” which calls for an ethical\, caring relationship between people and nature. This land ethic continues to inform the work\, values and goals at the Aldo Leopold Foundation today\, just as it informs the work of countless individuals and organizations worldwide. \nAldo Leopold’s “A Sand County Almanac” will be on sale at the event. \nFirst published by Oxford University Press in 1949\, Aldo Leopold’s “A Sand County Almanac” has become a conservation classic\, selling over 2 million copies worldwide and being translated into 15 languages. The Aldo Leopold Foundation’s mission is to foster a land ethic through the legacy of Aldo Leopold. Inspired by his profound vision\, the organization seeks to cultivate an understanding and appreciation of our relationship with the environment on all levels\, be it individuals or entire communities. Learn more about the Aldo Leopold Foundation by visiting aldoleopold.org. \nTickets go on sale online for this event here at 10 a.m. on Friday\, June 19. \nGrandfather Presents Schedule \n\n8 a.m. | Grandfather Mountain opens for the day\, and “VIP Reception” ticket holders are allowed access to the park. Your event ticket will be scanned at one of our ticket booths at the entrance gate.\n4:45 p.m. | “Presentation” ticket holders are allowed to enter the park and are welcome to explore the Conservation Campus (Wilson Center\, Mildred the Bear Environmental Habitats and more) prior to the speaker presentation. Your event ticket will be scanned at one of our ticket booths at the entrance gate.\n4:45 – 5:45 p.m. | Check-in for all event attendees near the front entrance of the Wilson Center (to receive your wristband for the event)\n5 – 5:30 p.m. | “VIP” Reception in the Wilson Center (“VIP Reception” ticket holders only)\n5:45 – 6:45 p.m. | Speaker presentation in the Classroom in the Clouds\n6:45 – 7:30 p.m. | Meet-and-greet/book signing with speaker\n7:45 p.m. | Park should be clear of all Grandfather Presents guests.\n\nGrandfather Presents Tickets\nTwo tiers of ticket access are offered for Grandfather Presents events. \n“VIP Reception” tickets include a VIP reception with the guest speaker that features heavy hors d’oeuvres\, in addition to the program and the “meet-and-greet/book signing” session after the event. Admission to the park for the day is also included. \n\n$60 “VIP Reception” Adult\n$51 “VIP Reception” Bridge Club Member (limited quantity available)\n\n“Presentation” tickets are a more cost-effective option and include only the speaker’s program and the “meet-and-greet/book signing” session after the event. \n\n$25 “Presentation” Adult\n$20 “Presentation” Bridge Club Member\nChildren under 12 are admitted free with a paying adult (maximum of four free children per purchase).\n\nBridge Club Members\, click here to purchase VIP Reception tickets.\nYou will need to use your Bridge Club member number (located on your card below the barcode) to purchase. \nNon-Bridge Club Members\, click here to purchase VIP Reception tickets. \nBridge Club Members\, click here to purchase Presentation tickets.\nYou will need to use your Bridge Club member number (located on your card below the barcode) to purchase. \nNon-Bridge Club Members\, click here to purchase Presentation tickets. \nRefunds/Cancellations\nFull refunds will be given to individuals who reach out to us at least five days before the event (midnight\, Aug. 15). This allows time for individuals on the waiting list to make accommodations to attend the event. To cancel your registration\, please call 828-833-6332 Monday – Friday between 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. or email judi@grandfather.com.
URL:https://grandfather.com/event/grandfather-presents-buddy-huffaker-stan-temple/
LOCATION:Grandfather Mountain\, 2050 Blowing Rock Highway\, Linville\, NC\, 28646\, United States
CATEGORIES:After Hours Programs,Featured Events,Grandfather Presents
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260821T193000
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SUMMARY:Grandfather by Night: Twilight Hike
DESCRIPTION:This event is SOLD OUT. Other dates for Grandfather by Night events can be found here. If you prefer to be put on the waitlist for this event\, please email judi@grandfather.com with the event date and name\, your name\, phone number and the number of tickets you are interested in reserving. \nExplore the mountain after hours with your own personal guides during our Grandfather by Night series! You’ll discover some of the park’s nighttime wonders\, watch a stunning sunset (weather permitting) and experience the mountain as never before! \nThe evening starts atop Grandfather Mountain at the Mile High Swinging Bridge\, where participants can explore and observe sunset from this lofty vantage point. During this time\, park educators will be on hand to discuss the unique flora and crepuscular (active during twilight) fauna that call Grandfather home. \nIn-park transportation is provided. Each Grandfather by Night event is limited to 24 participants. Advance registration is required. Please note: This event is for individuals eight years of age and older. \nWe are offering two versions of our Grandfather by Night series this year\, Grandfather by Night: Twilight Hike and Grandfather by Night: Naturalist Program. \nThis event is a Grandfather by Night: Twilight Hike. \nThe Twilight Hike version will include a hike after sunset to discuss and look for the creatures that are more active after the sun goes down. The group will explore a unique forest ecosystem from top to bottom in search of salamanders\, owls\, flying squirrels\, fireflies and any other creatures they might come across. The Twilight Hike program is not accessible to guests with limited mobility. Participants signed up for this version will need to participate in the hike\, as staying behind while the rest of the group hikes is not possible. \nThe event starts for registered participants at 7:30 p.m. In-park transportation will be provided. \nLearn more about this event series\, the two versions of programming and all Grandfather by Night dates. \nThis event costs $50 for general admission and $42 for members of Grandfather Mountain’s Bridge Club – plus tax. Registration opens on this page on June 22\, 2026\, at 10 a.m. \nThis event is SOLD OUT. To be placed on the waiting list\, please email judi@grandfather.com with your name\, phone number and the number of tickets you are interested in reserving. \nWhat to Bring?\nYou should be prepared for a variety of mountain weather conditions and temperatures. Appropriate clothing\, equipment and footwear are very important. A jacket is needed on most summer evenings at Grandfather! \nRefunds/Cancellations\nThe majority of Grandfather Mountain events generally sell out and have a waiting list. If you cannot attend the event that you registered for\, please let us know. Full refunds will be given to individuals who reach out to us at least five days before the event. This allows time for individuals on the waiting list to make accommodations to attend the event. To cancel your registration\, please call 828-733-2013 Monday through Friday\, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. \nLearn more about the Grandfather by Night series.
URL:https://grandfather.com/event/by-night5/
LOCATION:Grandfather Mountain\, 2050 Blowing Rock Highway\, Linville\, NC\, 28646\, United States
CATEGORIES:After Hours Programs,Featured Events
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260822T100000
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SUMMARY:Mindfulness and Well-being Series: Nature and Forest Therapy at Grandfather Mountain
DESCRIPTION:This event is SOLD OUT. To be placed on the waiting list\, please email judi@grandfather.com with your name\, phone number and the number of tickets you are interested in reserving.  \nJoin 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. \n \n“Forest Bathing” is a walk in nature during which your guide will share mindfulness practices and invitations designed to connect you more deeply to your inner landscapes as well as the world around you. Inspired by shinrin-yoku (forest-bath) the Japanese art of immersing oneself in a forest environment\, 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. \nProgram Itinerary\n10 a.m. – Meet at the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery. We begin with an introduction to Forest Bathing\, the watershed and history of the ancestral lands of the walk.\n10:30 – 12 p.m. – We will experience the forest and trails on the mountain\, with a variety of “invitations” to explore our relationship with the forest and “more than human world” of nature.\n12 p.m. – Lunch\n12:30 p.m. – Return to Wilson Center\n1 p.m. – We will end with a tea ceremony with tea made from plants of Grandfather Mountain. \nTickets\nThis event costs $40 for general admission and $34 for members of Grandfather Mountain’s Bridge Club – plus tax. Registration opens on this page on June 22\, at 10 a.m. Limited to 12 participants. \nBridge Club Members\, click here to purchase tickets.\nYou will need to use your Bridge Club member number (located on your card below the barcode) to purchase. \nNon-Bridge Club Members\, click here to purchase tickets. \nThis event is SOLD OUT. To be placed on the waiting list\, please email judi@grandfather.com with your name\, phone number and the number of tickets you are interested in reserving.  \nWhat’s included?\nYour program cost includes admission into the park\, field instruction and transportation during your program (you may drive your own vehicle to visit sites on the mountain if you would prefer). It does not include meals or lodging. Bringing a bagged lunch is recommended for most field courses\, although Mildred’s Grill will be open to attendees. \nTips are not accepted for field courses. However\, donations to the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation are accepted if you would like to recognize a program. \nGeneral Clothing List\nMuch of your time will be spent outdoors and all programs are held rain or shine. You should be prepared for a variety of mountain weather conditions and temperatures. Appropriate clothing\, equipment and footwear are very important. \nEquipment: \n\nDaypack with enough room to carry extra clothing\, water\, lunch\, camera\, etc.\nWater Bottle\nSunglasses\nSunscreen\nSturdy hiking boots or closed-toed shoes are required\nBinoculars\n\nRefunds/Cancellations\nGrandfather Mountain events generally sell out and have a waiting list associated with the event. If you cannot attend the field course that you are registered for\, please let us know. Full refunds will be given to individuals who reach out to us at least five days before the event. This allows time for individuals on the waiting list to make accommodations to attend the event. To cancel your registration\, please call 828-833-6332 or email judi@grandfather.com. \nWe ask that individuals who are sick with any illness to stay home to ensure the health and safety of other participants\, our staff\, and the field course instructors – refunds will be granted to these individuals.
URL:https://grandfather.com/event/mindfulness-forest-therapy/
CATEGORIES:Featured Events
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