Calendar of Events

All month long, Asheville GreenWorks, the Plastic Reduction Task Force, and Going Plastic Free have worked to share plastic-related knowledge with you. Follow along on our Instagram @going_plasticfree and our Facebook @goingplasticfreeavl for daily facts about plastic and waste. If you don’t follow our social media, no worries! Check out our Mind Your Plastic May web page where we’ve shared articles and videos from Plastic Reduction Task Force Members.

On May 29th, test your plastic-related knowledge for a chance to win an amazing swag bag with prizes from Ware, Earth Breeze, and Asheville GreenWorks!

Prizes include:

Ware Avl: Stasher Bag, Market bag, Beeswax Wraps

EarthBreeze: Earth Breeze Eco Laundry Sheets

GreenWorks: Shampoo Bar, canvas Tote, reusable straw, produce bag, and a GreenWorks T-shirt

~ Thank you Ware & Earth Breeze for your donations towards our swag bag o’ prizes!!

Smokemont Loop 6 miles | Moderate Forest Walk

2021 CLASSIC HIKES OF THE SMOKIES

Discover America’s most-visited national park with a guided day hike! The Classic Hikes of the Smokies feature interpretation of the history, flora, and fauna of park trails. Hikes vary in distance, difficulty, and location within the park to provide a comprehensive overview of the Smokies, exposing hikers to high Appalachian vistas, streams teeming with aquatic life, the best collection of log structures on the Eastern Seaboard, and much more.

After completing registration…
You will receive an email the Friday before the hike with directions, and more information. All hikes begin at 9 a.m

This is an easy 1.5 mile gravel trail hike to the first water fall. For those with the adventurous side and can handle the challenge, we will trek to the upper falls from there, this portion IS NOT EASY. For those who cant make the second part you can stay at lower falls and admire nature. We will grab you on the way back down. The hike to the upper falls is about a mile and requires some climbing, but the pay off is amazing. It literally is my favorite of all the falls. The photo above is the Upper falls.

Plan to meet @ 10am at the Asheville Mall Parking lot (Sears). Once we have the group we can follow each other to the trail head (@ 20 minutes away). Be sure and bring water and something to snack on.

Let’s enjoy a quiet, mindful stroll through the woods together. A silent hike takes us to scenic treasures on the arboretum property where we will do a restorative qigong practice. Qigong is a series of simple movements that supports the body’s natural healing processes, promotes healthy circulation, invites inner calm, and releases tension from the body. Hikes will be mindfully-paced and qigong practices easy and accessible.

*Registrants will be sent a “reminder” email the day prior to class with the meeting location and additional details. Please add [email protected] to your contacts to ensure our emails do not end up in your spam folder. We encourage all participants to make conscious, courteous decisions based on your own and others’ wishes and needs for safety. Mask wearing is supported but not required of participants for experiences in the field.

**Arboretum Members receive a 10% discount on all classes. To become an Arboretum Member and receive discounts on all classes, go to our Membership page.

Jenne Sluder is a qualified mental health professional and is certified through the International Association of Yoga Therapists as a trauma-sensitive therapeutic yoga instructor. She holds a Master’s in Transpersonal Psychology: Ecopsychology from Naropa University and specializes in mind-body approaches to improving mental and physical health. An Asheville native, Sluder works with individuals and with groups using somatic (body-based), contemplative (mindfulness-based), ecological (nature-based), and compassion-based practices.

Singer, songwriter, author, and humorist Mark Lowry is best known for penning the lyric to the Christmas classic “Mary Did You Know?” and singing baritone for the GRAMMY© Award-winning Gaither Vocal Band for many years. Lowry, who’s entertained audiences since he was 11 years old, has a unique gift of communicating profound Biblical truths through music and storytelling. His life’s work features a large catalog of diverse projects including many videos, books, and CDs. As known by audiences world-wide, any time spent with Mark Lowry is sure to tickle your funny bone and lift your spirits.

Fairy Trail 2021

Join us on the magical Fairy Trail where your imagination is the only limit.

Developed by Fairies and dedicated volunteers, Bullington Gardens’ Fairy Trail is a whimsical treat for the young and the young at heart. Featuring playful vignettes and villages, the fairy trail will charm you with its thoughtful design, eye catching displays and secret woodland trail.

Rules of the trail:

Do not move or rearrange fairy displays. The fairies are very fond of their own decorating.

Do not leave trash on the trail. Fairies do not like litter in their town.

Please ensure children and pets are supervised at all times. Dogs and loud noises can scare the fairies into hiding.

Do not disturb wildlife or vegetation. The fairies depend on the vegetation to build their homes.

The trail is one way only. Please stay on the trail at all times.

P.S. the Fairies would like us to remind you that we are a non-profit and donations are greatly appreciated. Help us keep the fairies living in the style with which they’ve become accustomed.

Bullington Gardens and the Fairy Trail are closed on Sundays.

Fairy Trail 2021

Join us on the magical Fairy Trail where your imagination is the only limit.

Developed by Fairies and dedicated volunteers, Bullington Gardens’ Fairy Trail is a whimsical treat for the young and the young at heart. Featuring playful vignettes and villages, the fairy trail will charm you with its thoughtful design, eye catching displays and secret woodland trail.

Rules of the trail:

Do not move or rearrange fairy displays. The fairies are very fond of their own decorating.

Do not leave trash on the trail. Fairies do not like litter in their town.

Please ensure children and pets are supervised at all times. Dogs and loud noises can scare the fairies into hiding.

Do not disturb wildlife or vegetation. The fairies depend on the vegetation to build their homes.

The trail is one way only. Please stay on the trail at all times.

P.S. the Fairies would like us to remind you that we are a non-profit and donations are greatly appreciated. Help us keep the fairies living in the style with which they’ve become accustomed.

Bullington Gardens and the Fairy Trail are closed on Sundays.

The Pisgah Conservancy (TPC) is pleased to announce a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the conclusion of the Joel Branch – Horse Cove Connector Trail Project.  The ceremony will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Friday July 9 at the start of U.S. Forest Service Road 5002.

Directions to the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

From the intersection of NC 280 and US 276/64 (which is just northwest of Brevard) go west into Pisgah National Forest approximately 1.25 miles.  Turn left toward the Davidson River Campground.  Immediately cross the bridge over the Davidson River.  Turn left on Sycamore Circle (do not turn right into the campground).  Continue on Schenck Drive, and follow the signs to the ribbon cutting.

Joel Branch – Horse Cove Connector Trail Project

Location.  The new trail is in the Pisgah Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest at the end of Joel Branch Road (NFSR5002) just off the Art Loeb Trail near Stony Knob.  It links Joel Branch Road and Horse Cove Road (NFSR475C).

Rationale for Project.  Constructing this trail provides connectivity between the entrance area of the Pisgah Ranger District (Davidson River Campground, Pisgah Ranger Station, Estatoe Trail, etc.), the N.C. Wildlife Education Center, and the City of Brevard’s Bracken Mountain Trail System and Urban Greenway Trail System.  Combining these trails provides a 25-mile loop trail opportunity for hikers and bikers, with equestrian access on a significant portion of the route.

“This trail project offers a unique opportunity,” said Pisgah District Ranger, Dave Casey.  “By adding 1.2 miles of new trail we have been able to open up 25 miles of access for hikers and bikers, and a significant section of trail for equestrians.  We also believe this project will reduce unauthorized bike and horse traffic on the Art Loeb Trail, which is reserved for hiking only.”

Character of Trail. “Anywhere in Pisgah has its steep, rocky sections, and so does this trail,” says trail builder Ed Sutton of Trail Dynamics.  “But this is more of a wide, rolling trail than a steep, technical one like you find in some parts of Pisgah.  This trail provides a nice long route.  It gives you a backcountry feel even though you are near to town, and it can be ridden by gravel bikes as well as mountain bikes.  Our team loved biking to work each day on this beautiful new trail.”

Importance to Local Residents and Tourism.  “This trail is an example of the kinds of projects we embrace at Transylvania County Tourism,” said Aaron Baker, Chair of the organization’s Transylvania Always Committee.  “It’s a well-designed trail that promotes the sustainable use of our natural resources by tourists and locals alike.”

“This trail is the missing link,” said Mac Morrow, Mayor Pro Tem and City Council Member of Brevard.  “Filling in this gap between trails is entirely consistent with Brevard’s long term strategy to build the tourism infrastructure of the area.  We want to connect our citizens and tourists with the incredible natural resources that surround us and enhance Brevard’s position as a leading destination for outdoor recreation.”

Fairy Trail 2021

Join us on the magical Fairy Trail where your imagination is the only limit.

Developed by Fairies and dedicated volunteers, Bullington Gardens’ Fairy Trail is a whimsical treat for the young and the young at heart. Featuring playful vignettes and villages, the fairy trail will charm you with its thoughtful design, eye catching displays and secret woodland trail.

Rules of the trail:

Do not move or rearrange fairy displays. The fairies are very fond of their own decorating.

Do not leave trash on the trail. Fairies do not like litter in their town.

Please ensure children and pets are supervised at all times. Dogs and loud noises can scare the fairies into hiding.

Do not disturb wildlife or vegetation. The fairies depend on the vegetation to build their homes.

The trail is one way only. Please stay on the trail at all times.

P.S. the Fairies would like us to remind you that we are a non-profit and donations are greatly appreciated. Help us keep the fairies living in the style with which they’ve become accustomed.

Bullington Gardens and the Fairy Trail are closed on Sundays.