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SUMMARY:Creatures of the Night and Bonfire Delight
DESCRIPTION:Embrace your nocturnal side at Grandfather Mountain through Creatures of the Night and Bonfire Delight\, the park’s after-hours program where guests enjoy rare after-dark tours\, fireside tales and a chance to meet the park’s nighttime residents. \nThe evening begins around the glow of a bonfire at the Woods Walk Picnic Area as night falls. Guests will then have the opportunity to partake in three unique experiences as the group splits up and alternates between the different parts of the mountain. These activities include a trek (via shuttle) to atop the mountain at the Mile High Swinging Bridge\, as well as a visit to the Mildred the Bear Animal Habitats for a behind-the-scenes tour in which guests get to experience the mountain in a similar fashion as its nocturnal critters. The tour is conducted using red-light flashlights\, with an emphasis placed on the guests’ sensory experience while getting up close with the park’s bears\, otters\, elk and cougars. An educational focus is also placed on how the animals may use their senses of smell or eyesight to navigate or hunt at night. \nGroups will then descend back to the Woods Walk Picnic Area to gather around the fire\, roast s’mores and hear folktales from one of the mountain’s naturalists or educators. \nHours are 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The event is open to 50 participants\, and tickets are $50 for general admission or $42 for Bridge Club members. Tickets will go on sale on Aug. 3 at 10 a.m. \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. \nRain Date – Please Read and Make Sure You Understand This Important Info\nThis event has a rain date of Oct. 3\, if needed\, meaning that the event could happen Sept. 26 or Oct.3. There will be no refunds given if the event is moved to the rain date. Participants will be notified by noon the day of the event regarding if the decision has been made to move Creatures of the Night to the rain date. \nRefunds will be issued if the event is canceled for both Sept. 26 and the rain date of Oct. 3.\nTicket sales will end on Sept. 26 at 12 p.m. or when the event sells out. \nPlease note: This event is for individuals eight years of age and older. \nParticipants should be prepared for a variety of the mountain’s weather conditions. It is recommended that they bring a rain jacket\, gloves and additional layers of clothing. Guests should also wear appropriate shoes or hiking boots in order to be comfortable while exploring the mountain’s rugged terrain. \nRed-light flashlights are given out\, but guests are also welcome to bring their own. Participants must bring their own s’more-making ingredients. S’more-making sticks are provided\, in addition to light refreshments\, such as apple cider and hot chocolate. \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. (The deadline to cancel and receive a refund for this event is 11:59 p.m. September 22.) 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. to 5 p.m.). We ask that individuals who are feeling ill stay home to ensure the health and safety of other participants and Grandfather Mountain staff. Refunds will be granted to these individuals.
URL:https://grandfather.com/event/creatures-of-night/
LOCATION:Grandfather Mountain\, 2050 Blowing Rock Highway\, Linville\, NC\, 28646\, United States
CATEGORIES:Featured Events
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260918T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260918T210000
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CREATED:20240223T174811Z
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SUMMARY:Grandfather by Night: Naturalist Program
DESCRIPTION:Explore 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: Naturalist Program. \nThe Naturalist Program version of Grandfather by Night includes an outdoor interpretive program about flora\, fauna\, folklore and other topics after sunset. This edition of the event series is held outdoors and is accessible for those in a wheelchair or with limited mobility. \nGrandfather Mountain’s vehicle fleet includes a 12-seat shuttle that has a 1\,000-pound Braun Lift and accommodates an additional two people in wheelchairs. During the ticket purchase process\, please note if anyone you purchased a ticket for has any accessibility needs so that the proper transportation can be arranged. You may also reach out to the Grandfather Mountain office (828-733-2013) to share this information. \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 July 17\, 2026\, at 10 a.m. \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. \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-night9/
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:20261001T164500
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SUMMARY:Grandfather Presents: Margaret Lowman\, Ph.D.\, aka CanopyMeg
DESCRIPTION:One of the world’s first arbornauts\, CanopyMeg devoted over four decades to exploring forest canopies. Her research and exploration have taken her to more than 45 countries\, on all seven continents\, where she not only tirelessly saves forests but also mentors girls. \nLowman has published over 200 research publications. Her work has appeared in National Geographic\, Wired\, Popular Science\, The Wall Street Journal\, Forbes and many others; and her first book received a cover feature in The New York Times Sunday Book Review. Lowman has won numerous awards\, including the prestigious Explorers Medal from The Explorers Club\, Garden Club of America’s Margaret Douglas Medal for conservation education\, Ecological Society of America’s Odum Award for Excellence in Ecology Education and the Tällberg Foundation’s Global Leadership Prize. \nCurrently\, she serves as executive director/founder of TREE Foundation in Sarasota\, Fla\, established in 2000 as a 501(c)3 non-profit with the mission to link local underserved children to nature\, and to promote tree research\, education and exploration. Lowman recently launched Mission Green\, to build 10 canopy walkways in the world’s highest biodiverse forests over the next five years. \n“The Arbornaut\,” a memoir of her adventures\, is a bestseller. Her newest book\, “Tree Day” introduces a single tree in each chapter\, during a single hour\, highlighting 24 species from around the world. \nLowman’s outside interests are diverse. She’s the proud mother of two wonderful boys who grew up climbing trees around the world with their single-parent scientist-mom. She’s had an asteroid named after her\, comprising 16 acres encircling Jupiter (16304 Lowman). She loves birding\, beaches\, reading and enjoying nature. Her personal motto is “no child left indoors.” \nLowman’s Oct. 1 presentation is titled “In Honor of Jane Goodall – How Trees Keep our Planet and its Wildlife Healthy.” Mission Green is a global project to conserve the world’s most important forests by building canopy walkways. These walkways not only educate the public about the amazing 8th continent otherwise known as the treetops\, but they sustainably employ indigenous women via ecotourism\, and offer students access to forest canopies to make new discoveries. Speaker CanopyMeg Lowman pioneered the construction of canopy walkways that now bring economic incentives to forest conservation around the world. She will talk about Mission Green\, and the importance of both forest conservation\, plus linking kids to nature via the treetops and her friend Jane. \nTickets go on sale online for this event here at 10 a.m. on Friday\, July 31. \nGrandfather Presents Schedule \n\n9 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 12 and under 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\, Sept. 26). 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-dr-margaret-lowman-canopymeg/
CATEGORIES:Featured Events,Grandfather Presents
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261120T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261120T120000
DTSTAMP:20260902T192329Z
CREATED:20241106T152356Z
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SUMMARY:Holiday Tree Arrival
DESCRIPTION:In addition to seeing Grandfather’s mascot\, Millie the Bear\, escort this year’s holiday tree through the Entrance Gate and up the park road to the Wilson Center\, visitors can also take part in snowflake-themed crafts while enjoying hot chocolate and candy canes. \nThe hour-long event begins at 11 a.m. and is included with park admission. The tree is from Mountain Top Fraser Fir farm in Newland\, N.C. Owner Larry Smith has previously supplied trees to the White House\, North Carolina State Capitol and other prominent government buildings and residences. \nThe full schedule for the celebration is below. \n\n11 a.m. | Millie the Bear escorts the tree through the Grandfather Mountain Entrance Gate. Guests are welcome to park at an overlook or parking lot along the road to wave to Millie as she and the tree make their way up to the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery!\n11 a.m. – 12 p.m. | Hot Chocolate and Candy Cane Bar and Snowflake Craft Table open at the Wilson Center.\n11:10 a.m. | Millie and the tree arrive at the Wilson Center. (Guests are also invited to help welcome Millie and the tree at this location!)\n11:10 a.m. | Tree is carried into the Wilson Center.\n11:15 – 11:30 a.m. | Millie is available to “meet and greet” guests!
URL:https://grandfather.com/event/holiday-tree-arrival/
LOCATION:Grandfather Mountain\, 2050 Blowing Rock Highway\, Linville\, NC\, 28646\, United States
CATEGORIES:Featured Events
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261002T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261002T200000
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CREATED:20260205T203032Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260529T191557Z
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SUMMARY:Sunset at the Swinging Bridge
DESCRIPTION:Back by popular demand\, Grandfather Mountain\, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation\, is offering a sunset experiences in 2026. These special events\, titled “Sunset at the Swinging Bridge\,” will provide guests with the rare opportunity to be in the park outside of regular operating hours and to hopefully experience a lovely sunrise from the bridge’s lofty vantage point. \nTickets for this event go on sale online on Grandfather Mountain’s website Aug. 5 at 10 a.m. \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. \nAdmission to the event is $52 for general admission\, $33 for children (ages 3-12) and $20 for members of Grandfather Mountain’s Bridge Club. Event tickets include an entire day’s access to Grandfather\, with regular park hours being 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Trails close at 5 p.m. \nWith park admission included in each sunset ticket\, we encourage all event attendees to spend the day at Grandfather Mountain before their special event. \nAll participants will be required to head to the top of the mountain by 6 p.m. when the park is closing. Due to safety regulations\, eventgoers are only permitted to view the sunset from the Swinging Bridge area. The Top Shop gift shop and restrooms will be accessible during the events. \nPark educators will be on hand to talk to guests about the nature around the Swinging Bridge\, identify nearby points of interest and answer any questions. In addition\, a professional photographer very familiar with capturing sunsets at Grandfather Mountain will also be on hand to chat with those guests wishing to capture the beauty of the day’s last light with their cameras. \nParticipants are strongly encouraged to bring a flashlight or headlamp and wear heavy jackets\, hats\, gloves and rubber-soled shoes. Fall evenings can be surprisingly very chilly at the top of Grandfather Mountain! \nThe event may be canceled on short notice in case of inclement weather\, and guests will be refunded if that’s the case. In addition\, a picture-perfect sunset\, unfortunately\, cannot be guaranteed. \nThis event is limited to 150 guests. If the events sell out\, waiting lists will be available. \n-Tickets for this event go on sale online on Grandfather Mountain’s website Aug. 5 at 10 a.m.\n-Sunset is at 7:10 p.m. on Friday\, Oct. 2\n-All “Sunset at the Swinging Bridge” participants will need to exit the park’s gates by 8 p.m.\n-To receive a full refund\, guests must cancel prior to 5 p.m. Friday\, Sept. 25. Cancellations following that date are not eligible for a refund. To cancel\, email judi@grandfather.com or call 828-833-6332.\n-Grandfather Mountain will make a decision on whether the event is able to take place and notify all ticket holders by noon on Wednesday\, Sept. 30.
URL:https://grandfather.com/event/sunset-at-the-swinging-bridge/
LOCATION:Grandfather Mountain\, 2050 Blowing Rock Highway\, Linville\, NC\, 28646\, United States
CATEGORIES:Featured Events
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261017T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261017T230000
DTSTAMP:20260820T134834Z
CREATED:20260415T203401Z
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SUMMARY:Adult Field Course: Grandfather's Starry Skies
DESCRIPTION:This event is SOLD OUT.  \nOctober is one of the best times of year to be stargazing at Grandfather Mountain. The air is cool and clear\, and the summer constellations are still very prominent\, with some early winter sights making their appearance later in the evening. This course also takes place during the time of the Orionid meteor shower\, so hopefully some of these celestial fireworks will grace our skies during our nighttime observing. \n \nStephan Martin has been a stargazer since he was very young growing up under dark skies of South Florida. Steve is also an astronomer\, educator and author who has taught astronomy and physics at colleges\, universities and learning centers across the US and internationally for over thirty-five years.  He has worked as an instrument specialist for the Hubble Space Telescope and as Observatory Supervisor at Williams College\, where he participated in scientific research expeditions around the world to study the dynamics of the solar corona during solar eclipses. \nJoin Martin to create a familiarity with the night sky and learn the basics of stargazing that can be applied on your own on any clear night throughout the year. The course begins in the classroom and transitions to various viewing locations on the mountain\, practicing stargazing skills while looking for meteors and learning about some of the most prominent stars\, constellations and other objects visible this time of year. The moon will be near first-quarter which makes for a wonderful time to study its many craters\, rays\, seas and other features. \nProgram Itinerary\n5 p.m. – Meet at the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery and Introductions\n5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. – Classroom learning about the night sky and the use of astronomy resources\n7 p.m. – 11 p.m. – Evening observing with the program concluding at the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery \nTickets\nThis event costs $60 for general admission and $51 for members of Grandfather Mountain’s Bridge Club – plus tax.\nRegistration opens on this page on August 17 at 10 a.m. Limited to 15 participants. \nThis event is SOLD OUT.  \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 this field course\, as Mildred’s Grill will be closed 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\nLayers of warm clothing including hats\, gloves and shoes\nBinoculars\nNotebook and pencil\n\nEquipment specific to this course:  \n\nA planisphere\, while not required\, can be helpful in learning the night sky and how it moves throughout the year. There are many good options available on Amazon\, but please be sure to purchase one appropriate for our latitude of 35 degrees north (planispheres for 30 or 40 degrees latitude will be fine).\nA Peterson Field Guide to the Stars and Planets (4th edition\, updated) is not required\, but an excellent guide to the night sky and its many features.\nA red flashlight for navigating paths at night and viewing star charts. These can be purchased through a local or online retailer or you can make your own by covering the lens of a standard flashlight with red cellophane or fingernail polish.\nAstronomy/Stargazing Apps\n\nRefunds/Cancellations\nAdult Field Courses 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/adult-field-course-starry-skies/
CATEGORIES:Adult Field Courses,Featured Events
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260919T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260919T140000
DTSTAMP:20260727T191002Z
CREATED:20260422T161734Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260727T191002Z
UID:10001814-1789804800-1789826400@grandfather.com
SUMMARY:Adult Field Course: The Birds of Grandfather Mountain: The Wonders of Migration
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.  \nGrandfather Mountain is an amazing diversity hotspot for breeding birds in the southern Appalachians with more than 120 species detected during the nesting season. But those numbers go up even more during spring and fall migration. Its position along the escarpment and the quality\, diversity\, and extent of forests and other habitats nearby make it a magnet for migrant species of all types. From warblers to hawks to hummingbirds\, migration is a wondrous period of the year for birders and nature enthusiasts alike. \nThis course provides the opportunity to visit several locations on the mountain to learn about the diversity of migrants\, the timing and mechanics of migration\, and hopefully see dozens of species using Grandfather as a staging area on their long flights to Central and South America. Our classroom program will take a deeper dive into the science of migration and some of the technology unlocking the secrets of bird movement. \n \nSteve Dowlan is a retired natural resource specialist\, formerly with the U.S. Forest Service in northwest Pennsylvania and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management in Oregon. He was the editor of Oregon Birds and the Journal of Oregon Field Ornithology in the 2000s. As a natural resource specialist for the BLM\, he conducted surveys and monitored known sites for northern spotted owls\, assisted with graduate research projects on harlequin ducks\, operated a MAPS banding station in the Old Cascades near Estacada\, conducted a study on fox sparrow subspecies in Oregon and assisted with training sessions for federal and state biologists who conducted standardized bird point counts in the Pacific Northwest. He has been a N.C. High Country resident since 2016 and is currently working on an independent study on common mergansers on the Watauga River. \nProgram Itinerary\n8:15 a.m. – Meet at the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery and Introductions\n8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Birding at a variety of locations on the mountain\n12 – 12:30 p.m. – Lunch break\n12:30 – 2 p.m. – Classroom presentation \nTickets\nThis event costs $60 for general admission and $51 for members of Grandfather Mountain’s Bridge Club – plus tax. \nRegistration opens on this page on July 20 at 10 a.m. Limited to 15 participants. \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 this field course\, 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\nHiking Books\nBinoculars\nNotebook and pencil\n\nEquipment specific to this course:  \n\nCellphone for taking pictures or uploading to an identification app\n\nRefunds/Cancellations\nAdult Field Courses 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/adult-field-course-birds-of-grandfather-migration/
CATEGORIES:Adult Field Courses,Featured Events
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260922T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260922T140000
DTSTAMP:20260907T182415Z
CREATED:20260903T174332Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260907T182415Z
UID:10001844-1790074800-1790085600@grandfather.com
SUMMARY:Hawk Watch Popup
DESCRIPTION:Join us for a celebration of birds of prey\, fall migration and the changing seasons during our Hawk Watch Popup event! \nDiscover the fascinating world of raptors and learn more about the important role these birds play in our ecosystems. Throughout the event\, visitors can take part in a variety of engaging activities focused on bird conservation\, raptor identification and migration. Participants will also have the opportunity to learn how to properly use binoculars\, why scientists track seasonal changes and how researchers study the incredible journey of migrating birds. This event is included with admission to the park. All activities will be located at the top of the mountain\, near the bridge and the Top Shop. \nGrandfather Mountain is proud to support the mission of the Hawk Migration Association of North America\, which works to advance scientific knowledge of raptor populations and migration\, promote raptor conservation and inspire people of all ages and backgrounds to study and celebrate the wonder of raptor migration. \nWhether you’re an avid birder or simply curious about the wildlife passing overhead this fall\, come celebrate the remarkable story of raptor migration! \nLearn more about Hawk Watch at Grandfather Mountain.  \nHawk Watch Popup Schedule   \n11 a.m. – while supplies lasts | Bird Friendly Coffee: enjoy bird-friendly coffee and learn about how coffee impacts birds and their habitats. (Located at the outdoor staircase to the Mile High Swinging Bridge) \n11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Community Science at Grandfather Mountain: learn about the importance of community science both on and off of Grandfather Mountain with our Natural Resources team! (Located at the viewfinders at the top of the mountain) \n\n11 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Jr. Hawk Watch: learn about hawks and other raptors with High Country Wild. This program is geared toward children age 5-12\, though all ages are welcome. Learn about the common species that migrate past Grandfather Mountain and how to identify them. (Located next to the Mile High Swinging Bridge)  \n\n11 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Birding & Binoculars 101: an intro to birding and how to utilize binoculars. Geared toward teens and adults\, though all ages are welcome! (Located next to the Mile High Swinging Bridge)  \n12 p.m. – 1 p.m. | Phenology and Seasonality Activity: learn more about phenology (the study of the timing of natural events) with a Grandfather Mountain educator. Why do we care about when birds migrate or when fall color begins each year? Educators will discuss different methods of documenting these changes\, including nature journaling. ((Located at the top of the outdoor steps of the Mile High Swinging Bridge)  \n\n1 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Hawk Watch Peaks and Profiles: join Grandfather’s educators to learn more about the mountain’s unique weather\, climate\, flora and fauna. This particular Peaks and Profiles event will be Hawk Watch themed. (Located next to the Mile High Swinging Bridge)  \nIn the event of inclement weather\, all events will be moved to the 2nd floor of the Top Shop.
URL:https://grandfather.com/event/hawk-watch-popup/
CATEGORIES:Featured Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://grandfather.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Hawk-Watch-2025.jpg
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