Community Events
Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina believes that land conservation is a community effort. The more communities care about natural spaces, the easier they are to protect!
We offer various ways for ALL people to connect with nature and give back to the places you love through volunteering, educational workshops, outings and fundraising events.
Click on an image in the calendar or scroll down to sign up for your next adventure!
Mortimer Spring Trail Weekend 2024
The Mortimer Spring Trail weekend returns May 3-5, 2024!
The North West NC Mountain Bike Alliance is partnering with Foothills Conservancy and G5 Trail Collective, to maintain trails near Wilson Creek in Pisgah National Forest! Volunteers are invited to camp out or just come for the workday on May 4th, Saturday morning at 9 a.m. In addition, there will be several organized rides on surrounding trails. Free camping will be available for those who sign up for the trail work.
Any updates to the plan (weather, etc.) will be emailed to the RSVP list, so please SIGN UP using the button below, if you plan to attend.
Tentative Schedule:
May 3rd, 2024
Friday Ride – 4:00 p.m.
Friday Night Camping
May 4th, 2024
Saturday Trail Work – 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Saturday Afternoon Ride – 3:00 p.m.
Saturday Night Camping
For the trail work, bring sturdy footwear, work gloves, snacks/lunch, and water. Tools will be provided, but bring your own favorite tool if you have one.
NC Mountain Songbird ID Workshop
Join this partnership program hosted by Forest Her with guest speakers from Catawba Riverkeeper, and Foothills Conservancy for a fun and educational workshop on identifying different types of songbirds and managing your land to provide invaluable habitats for them. Whether you're a birdwatching enthusiast or just starting out, this workshop is perfect for all levels of experience.
Event Details:
Date: May 17, 2024
Time: 9am-11am
Location: Oak Hill Community Park and Forest, 820 NC-126, Morganton, NC 28655
Please plan to arrive 10-15 minutes before the workshop starts to ensure that we can organize everyone and start on time.
Bring a packed lunch, and after the walk, we will regroup and discuss what we saw while enjoying a mini picnic at the park!
OBB Kids Craft Table
Volunteer to help kids (K-5) make their own native wildflower seed bombs at Glen Alpine Elementary’s Spring Fling as part of Foothills Conservancy’s environmental education program Our Big Backyard (OBB).
Email bwatkins@foothillsconservancy.org for more information if you are interested!
OBB Workshop: Certify Your Backyard!
This workshop is part of Foothills Conservancy's environmental education program Our Big Backyard. Join us the 3rd Sunday of every month to learn about what conservation efforts are happening in your backyard!
Join us in April for a FREE lunch and learn workshop about making a big difference with a small space! Enjoy an in-depth discussion about the benefits and process of creating a wildlife habitat regardless of space limitations. Stay afterward for lunch (deli sandwiches, chips, fruit & cookies) and a guided tour of our urban habitat project.
Volunteer Workday: Stream Restoration
Volunteer with Foothills Conservancy to help grow communities that value conservation!
Join our Facebook group Volunteers of Foothills Conservancy for event updates and pictures.
On April 6, 2024 : Help restore a small eroded stream bank, in Oak Hill Community Park & Forest. Volunteers are needed to plant live stakes (cuttings of native plants) and seed native grasses and flowers to reduce sedimentation in our waterways and support local wildlife!
Volunteer Workday: Garden for Wildlife
Volunteer with Foothills Conservancy to help grow communities that value conservation! Join our Facebook group Volunteers of Foothills Conservancy for event updates and pictures.
Project Description: Students from the NC School of Science and Math have been transforming Foothills Conservancy's office space into a wildlife habitat for the last year! Come help them put the finishing touches on our gardens so we can officially certify our yard as a Wildlife Habitat through the National Wildlife Federation.
Volunteer Workday: Burke Litter Sweep!
Join us for a quick road side cleanup along Watermill Rd in Burke County, NC!
Volunteer Workday: Oak Hill Bike Trail
We are excited to partner with North Carolina’s Interscholastic Cycling League (a NICA youth program) to maintain 5 miles of mtn bike trail at Oak Hill Community Park and Forest!
Volunteers will meet in the parking lot by 1:00 pm on March 23, 2024 and split into groups before hiking to worksites.
Tasks will include: corridor clearing, cleaning out drainage features, and strengthening some of the berms.
(All are welcome! You do not have to be a member of NCICL to join this workday.)
Rooting for Peace: A Yoga Series
Join Laura Ford Huber for an all-levels flow, focusing on grounding + growing in love and connection for our planet and all beings that reside on it.
This is a sliding payment class series -- pay what you can! A portion of the proceeds will benefit Foothills Conservancy of NC.
Stewardship Workshop Series: Stream Restoration
Stewardship Workshops are part of Foothills Conservancy's Our Big Backyard environmental education program. Join us each month to learn about different ways you can sustainably steward land in your backyard!
This is a 2 part educational, hands-on event intended for landowners & those curious about land conservation. In March, our topic is: Stream Restoration.
FREE event! Follow the link below for more details…
Rooting for Peace: A Yoga Series
Join Laura Ford Huber for an all-levels flow, focusing on grounding + growing in love and connection for our planet and all beings that reside on it.
This is a sliding payment class series -- pay what you can! A portion of the proceeds will benefit Foothills Conservancy of NC.
Burke County Community Hike
Burke County Community Hikes are open family and pet friendly events led by local trail groups every 4th Sunday at 3pm (locations vary).
On February 25th join Foothills Conservancy of NC staff on a guided hike through Oak Hill Community Park and Forest.
We will hike to the highest point in the park that showcases a view of the South Mountains. Plan to meet up afterwards at Brown Mountain Bottleworks for a celebratory drink!
Volunteer Trail Workday
Volunteers needed to help maintain 3 miles of hiking only trail in Oak Hill Community Park & Forest.
Difficulty Level: Easy/Moderate
Tasks include: Shaping tread, raking out drainage features, trimming shrubs & trees, picking up trash, fixing trail blazes & others.
What to expect: All volunteer workdays start with an icebreaker and safety briefing. FCNC staff will demonstrate how to use tools and what tasks are needed. Tools and safety gear are provided. Snacks & waters will be available too!
How to prepare: Please wear layers and close toed shoes. Bring a daypack with water bottle and anything else you may need to hike 3 miles.
Rooting for Peace: A Yoga Series
Join Laura Ford Huber for an all-levels flow, focusing on grounding + growing in love and connection for our planet and all beings that reside on it.
This is a sliding payment class series -- pay what you can! A portion of the proceeds will benefit Foothills Conservancy of NC.
Volunteer Workday: Save the Hemlocks!
RESCHEDULED DUE TO WEATHER: NEW DATE = FEB 10
Join Foothills Conservancy and the Hemlock Restoration Initiative to protect hemlock trees from harmful, invasive pests!
Background: Hemlock trees in western North Carolina are an important and irreplaceable component of our forests. They are extremely shade tolerant and often grow alongside rivers and streams, which helps keep water temperatures cool. These trees have been suffering for over two decades from hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA), an invasive insect that can kill the tree in as little as four years.
Plan: Foothills Conservancy is partnering with the Hemlock Restoration Initiative to chemically treat hemlock trees, on our preserve lands, for protection from the hemlock wooly adelgid. Volunteers will learn how to ID hemlocks and be given a demonstration of treatment methods before being paired up with experts for the day. We will work in groups of 2-4 dispersed over approximately 5 acres.
How to prepare: Expect to walk up to 2 miles on uneven and steep terrain. There are no trails, we will be navigating through the woods together. No restrooms on site, just mother nature!
Please wear close toed shoes, dress in layers, bring a backpack, and pack your own lunch! (Extra snacks and waters will be available)
Notes: Due to chemicals used during this event, volunteers must be 18+
Explore Our Big Backyard: Hemlocks
Join us for an afternoon of learning all about Hemlock trees!
The Hemlock Restoration Initiative (HRI) is partnering with Foothills Conservancy to demonstrate chemical treatment methods that protect hemlock trees by controlling an invasive pest known as the hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA).
Background: Hemlocks are an important and irreplaceable component of western NC forests. These trees have been suffering for over two decades from hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA), an invasive insect that can kill the tree in as little as four years. However, hemlock management is simpler and less expensive than ever before!
Plan: This hands-off demonstration will be useful for landowners, natural resource managers and tree care professionals. We will use the trees on-site to practice assessing hemlock health to determine the best treatment options, and HRI staff will demonstrate the HWA chemical treatment methods used on national forest and state lands. These methods are available to all private landowners in NC without obtaining a license or certification. We will also discuss applicator and environmental safety, special considerations and guidance for hiring a tree care professional.
NC Pesticide Credits (3) are pre-approved for categories G, L, N, D, and X. ISA credits can be obtained post-event.
How to Prepare: The program is free, but registration is required. Please sign up, using the link above, by Wednesday, January 17th. Email outreach@savehemlocksnc.org or call 828-252-4783 with questions about the event.
NOTE: in case of inclement weather Sunday (2/4/23) is our backup date.
Volunteer Workday: Tree Stewardship
Project background: Possum Rock River Access is part of a chain of properties along the Henry Fork River that are owned and managed by Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina. This property is open for public use and is also used as example of good land management practices. In the past 2 years we have planted a mix of native trees, shrubs, and flowers to return 2 acres of disturbed land to it's natural state.
Volunteer Mission: We rely on volunteers to help us maintain the plants at Possum Rock until they can establish themselves. Come help us hand pull weeds around the trees, replace broken tubes, count surviving trees, install signage, pick up trash and other various tasks.
How to Prepare: All are welcome to attend (including children and pets) We ask that you dress appropriately (close toed shoes, layer for weather, bring a daybag) and bring a sense of adventure!
Snacks, drinks, tools, and instructions will be provided.
Power in Pints @ Hillman Beer
Foothills is the recipient at the Old Fort Location for Power in Pints for the month of December. Lets all gather in Old Fort for Happy Hour. Invite your friends!
Volunteer Workday: Tree Stewardship
Project background: Possum Rock River Access is part of a chain of properties along the Henry Fork River that are owned and managed by Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina. This property is open for public use and is also used as example of good land management practices. In the past 2 years we have planted a mix of native trees, shrubs, and flowers to return 2 acres of disturbed land to it's natural state.
Volunteer Mission: We rely on volunteers to help us maintain the plants at Possum Rock until they can establish themselves. Come help us hand pull weeds around the trees, replace broken tubes, count surviving trees, install signage, and other various tasks.
How to Prepare: All are welcome to attend (including children and pets) We ask that you dress appropriately (close toed shoes, layer for weather, bring a daybag) and bring a sense of adventure!
Snacks, drinks, tools, and instructions will be provided.
Holiday Open House
Come celebrate the holiday season with us!
All are invited to Foothills Conservancy of NC’s office to hangout with our staff and learn more about what we do at this drop-in style event. Posters and maps of Foothills projects in 2023 will be displayed along with a slideshow of our favorite memories from this year. There will be a holiday cookie making station in our conference room, for anyone who wants to take a sweet treat home with them!
Finger foods & refreshments will be available. Visitors can also enter to win a Foothills swag bag!
Microtrash Bash!
This kid-focused event (6-12yr olds) is hosted by our partners at A Clean Wilson Creek. Please email acleanwilsoncreek@gmail.com to sign up!
Participants will first learn what “microtrash” is and why it’s not good for any living creatures. Then, they’ll be supervised by experienced ACWC Team Leaders as they gather up microtrash items left near the creek. Finally, they will make a beautiful art project out of the ugly trash they collect!
Registration is limited to 25 children, so please respond by Friday December 1 to this message.
All registered participants who attend the event will receive a free ACleanWilsonCreek T-shirt!
More details (meeting place, etc.) will be provided to registrants.
Thanks for your support!
The American Chestnut Foundation's 40th Anniversary Party!
Celebrate TACF’s 40th Anniversary with the Carolinas Chapter at the picturesque Fonta Flora Brewery location at Whippoorwill Farm in Nebo, NC!
Join us Sunday, December 3rd from 12:00-3:00PM at the brewery to try Fonta Flora's release of Bread Tree, a brown ale brewed with local roasted chestnuts provided by TACF. If you are a member of TACF or become a member, you will get a ticket for a FREE beer, generously provided by Fonta Flora.*
Other highlights will include a presentation about the American chestnut by TACF’s Regional Science Coordinator and Outreach Coordinator, a free screening of TACF’s documentary, “Clear Day Thunder,” family-friendly fun and more. More details to come!
This event is FREE and open to all who would like to join!
*If you are a member of TACF and plan to redeem your free pint, please email hannah.leeper@acf.org so that we can try to provide a headcount, thank you!
Address for Fonta Flora, Nebo: 6751 NC-126, Nebo, NC 28761
Sweep Up the Southeast!
The Venture Unknown Foundation, a community based overlanding/off roading group, invites you to join their quest to clean up natural spaces! They are partnering with Foothills Conservancy and A Clean Wilson Creek to tackle a historic dumping site on 93 acres of land directly along the Wilson Creek corridor.
Wanna join for the stewardship day (Dec 2nd) of the clean up only and not camp?
Team Captain: Ben Skinner
Area: Wilson Creek Pisgah NF (North Carolina)
Rally point: 6785 Brown Mountain Beach Rd, Lenoir, NC 28645 (note if wanting to camp please see rally camp details on the camping RSVP option.
Time: 10am drivers meeting
RESCHEDULED Volunteer for the Birds!
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED
Bring 2 large cans (16oz or more, coffee cans work best) to our office between Nov 1 - Nov 20 and take home a T-shirt!
Join us on Nov 28 to assemble and decorate DIY bird feeders that you can take home or donate to Oak Hill Community Park & Forest.
Pizza and other snacks provided!!
Volunteer Workday: Tree Stewardship at Oak Hill
Project background: Foothills Conservancy is partnered with the American Chestnut Foundation to plant genetically engineered hybrid seedlings, in hopes that together we can grow a blight resistant version of the American Chestnut. Learn more about this mission here. Since 2021 Foothills volunteers have helped to plant over 800 Chestnut seedlings in our service area! Many of those were planted in Oak Hill Community Park and Forest.
Volunteer mission: Meet in the parking lot at Oak Hill Community Park and Forest to help maintain these seedlings by clearing weeds using hand pulling, weed eaters, and mowers. Volunteers can also help by counting how many of the seedlings are still living. Foothills staff will demonstrate how to do all tasks and all tools will be provided.
How to prepare: This event is safe for all ages, but keep your pets at home please because we will be using power tools. Please wear close toed shoes and dress in layers for the weather. Snacks and waters will be provided.
Volunteers are invited to join us at Fonta Flora Brewery, in downtown Morganton, after the event for a celebratory drink!
Guided Hike on Copper Ridge
Foothills Conservancy is the segment sponsor for Copper Ridge, a section of the Fonta Flora State Trail. Copper Ridge was constructed by Long Cane Trails in 2020 and is 3.5 miles of natural surface, multi-use trail for hikers and bikers.
All are welcome to join Foothills staff on this guided outing to walk part of the trail (approximately 2 miles) and identify some of the fall foliage we find along the way!
Please dress in layers for the weather, wear close toed shoes, and bring a daypack for snacks/waters. Foothills will supply extra water and snacks.
Note: Because of the nature of the trail we will be shuttling hikers back to the parking lot at the end of our walk.
Lake James Watershed Symposium
Join Lake James Environmental Association, Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation, and Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina for a day of sharing our collective knowledge of the state of the watershed, updates on progress since last year's symposium, and networking for the protection of the Lake James Watershed.
There is no cost to attend this event and lunch is provided to all attendees.
Volunteer Workday: Tree Stewardship
Possum Rock River Access is part of a chain of properties along the Henry Fork River that are owned and managed by Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina. This property is open for public use and is also used as example of good land management practices. In the past 2 years we have planted a mix of native trees, shrubs, and flowers to return 2 acres of disturbed land to it's natural state.
Mission: We rely on volunteers to help us maintain the plants at Possum Rock until they can establish themselves. Come help us hand pull weeds around the trees, replace broken tubes, count surviving trees, install signage, and other various tasks.
How to Prepare: All are welcome to attend (including children and pets) We ask that you dress appropriately (close toed shoes, layer for weather, bring a daybag) and bring a sense of adventure!
Snacks, drinks, tools, and instructions will be provided.
