Adult Field Courses

Grandfather Mountain’s Adult Field Course series offers participants the chance to explore the mountain like never before. Students examine specific aspects of the park ecosystem through fun, hands-on field excursions. Course leaders are experts in their fields and include professors, naturalists, scientists and acclaimed photographers, writers, historians and artists.

The series runs from April through October, with topics including bird ecology and behavior, ecology, photography, sketching and stargazing. Each is limited to 20 or less participants, so they fill up quickly. Registration usually opens two months prior to each course. Get details and purchase tickets at links below.

2023 Adult Field Courses

• May 13: The NC Bird Atlas: Getting Started
• May 20: A Naturalist’s Sketchbook: Botanical Illustrating and Nature Journaling
• June 10: Grandfather’s Animals in Art: Wildlife Drawing
• June 15: Exploring the Sky Island of the Southern Appalachians: The Spruce-Fir Forest
• July 22: Nature and Forest Therapy
• July 29: Movement and Mindfulness in the Mountains for more Health, Healing and Happiness
• August 5: Appalachian Woodcraft
• September 8-9: Intro to Backpacking

Since 2008, the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation has aimed at creating educational programming that deepens understanding through in-depth study and field research. Our goal is to provide you with a rich experience in a particular field of study, and to also provide a safe and memorable trip to Grandfather Mountain.

Also see: Educator Workshops | Experiences | Daily Programs