Biological Wonderland Hike
2024-01-27 10:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | Carolina Beach State Park, 1010 State Park Road, Carolina Beach, NC, 28428, United States
Join a park ranger at the Flytrap Trail for a hike along the trails. We will learn about different habitats that exist within Carolina Beach State Park and how each habitat affects the plants and animals that call the park home.
Meet at the Flytrap Trail parking area at the end of Nature Trail Lane.
This is an outside program. The trail is wheelchair accessible.
No registration required.

Heirs Property Summit
2024-01-31 09:00 - 15:00 | NC A&T University Farm Pavilion, 3020 McConnell Road, Greensboro, NC, 27401, United States
N.C. A&T and N.C. State Cooperative Extension are working together to educate the public about heirs property! We are hosting six heirs property summits across the state. Join us for hands-on training sessions that will provide valuable materials and guidance to avoid involuntary property loss, and protect and preserve family land for generations to come.
Attend our hands-on, practical workshop about heirs property! Learn about the origin and history of heirs property and estate planning and legal strategies to secure their land. Come to connect with resources and other technical assistance including some potential opportunities to listen from a panel who are dealing with heir’s issues.
Using an heirs property curriculum developed by Alcorn State University and SRDC in Mississippi, and utilizing the resources obtained through Train-the-trainer training by HPP project partners we are committed to delivering these educational training and materials for North Carolinians.
Registration is Free, lunch included

Hunter Education Certification
2024-01-31 16:00 - 22:00 | Newland Town Hall, 301 Cranberry Street, Newland, NC
This course meets the hunter education requirement for all first-time hunting license buyers in North Carolina. Certification is accepted in every state and province in North America.
Courses are provided free of charge in all 100 counties throughout the year.
Pre-registration is required for courses.
Students must bring a pen or pencil to class.
DO NOT BRING FIREARMS OR AMMUNITION INTO THE CLASSROOM. If you carry personal protection firearms, you should secure these in your vehicle before entering the classroom.

Hunter Education Certification
2024-02-04 09:00 - 15:00 | Southmont Volunteer Fire Department, 11030 NC Hwy 8, Lexington, NC, United States

Wildland Urban Interface Workday
2024-02-05 09:00 - 15:00 | Turnbull Creek Educational State Forest, 4803 Sweet Home Church Road, Elizabethtown, NC, 28337, United States
North Carolina ranks fourth in the U.S. for the total number of homes, an estimated 2.1 million, within the wildland urban interface. Join N.C. Forest Service staff to learn some simple steps you can take to protect your home and property from approaching wildfires. Participants will then put techniques learned into practice by assisting staff with “firescaping” the newly installed Defensible Space Model Ranger Station at the Turnbull Creek Educational State Forest fire control exhibit. Register by January 31.

Fire Weather and Stories From the Fireline: Webinar
2024-02-06 10:00 - 12:00 | NC
Weather plays a key role in wildfire and how our firefighters attack, control and contain the fire. Participants will hear a comprehensive year-in-review on fire weather along with current and future conditions for 2024 from N.C. Forest Service Fire Environment Staff Forester Jamie Dunbar. Participants will also get to listen to a few stories of past fires and how weather played a critical role in firefighter response and fire containment.

Heirs Property Summit
2024-02-07 09:00 - 15:00 | Stokes County Cooperative Extension Center, 700 Main Street, Danbury, NC, United States

Forest Health and Fire Workshop
2024-02-07 09:00 - 16:00 | Jones Lake State Park, 4117 N Carolina 242, Elizabethtown, NC, 28337, United States
Wildfires and prescribed burning can play a pivotal role in forest health. Workshop participants will learn from N.C. Forest Service Forest Health Branch staff and guest speakers about how fire affects the health of a forest and the trees within it. Forest Health staff will also share current information on native and invasive forest pests that threaten the health of our forests in southeastern North Carolina. After breaking for lunch, workshop participants will be able to tour local forested areas with staff to investigate how fire and the absence of fire can influence forest structure and composition in the Coastal Plain.
Forestry CFEs and Pesticide License CEUs pending.
Pre-registration required.

Project Learning Tree: Nature of Fire Workshop
2024-02-08 - 2024-02-09 | Turnbull Creek Educational State Forest, 4803 Sweet Home Church Road, Elizabethtown, NC, 28337, United States
Join N.C. Forest Service staff as they facilitate a two-day exploration through the Nature of Fire activity collection. Participants will assess successional stages following disturbance in ecosystems, examine how fire is being used to restore historical ecosystems, investigate the fire triangle and fire movement, explore carbon outputs from wildland fires and how these relationships affect climate, and observe the effects of fire at the workshop site.
Register by January 31. For more information on workshop registration and logistics, call Ranger Monique McKoy at 910-588-4161.

Snakes!
2024-02-08 18:30 - 20:00 | NC
Snakes are commonly feared and misunderstood, leading to many misconceptions about these creatures. However, with a little bit of knowledge, you can begin to see how truly amazing these animals are and learn how to interact with them safely. Join us this month as we discuss the various snake species found in our area, their behaviors, myths and misconceptions about venomous snakes, and even a meet and greet with a live snake!
Our guest speaker is Grover Barfield, Director of the Carolinas Reptile Rescue and Education Center (CRREC), a non-profit organization dedicated to educating the public about the need to conserve the reptiles of North Carolina. CRREC rescues, rehabilitates, and releases nuisance and injured reptiles mainly in Gaston, NC, and surrounding counties. Since 2003, CRREC has provided educational programs on snakes of the Carolinas to schools, civic organizations, Scout troops, museums, local parks, state parks, and other government and non-government organizations and agencies.

Prescribed Fire: Burning for the Birds
2024-02-09 12:00 - 17:00 | Turnbull Creek Educational State Forest, 4803 Sweet Home Church Road, Elizabethtown, NC, 28337, United States
Interested in learning how you can utilize prescribed fire as a management tool on your property to increase the presence of birds? Want to create suitable habitat for bobwhite quail or wild turkey? Have you read a lot (or a little!) about the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker and want to know more about them? This event is for you! Participants will hear from the experts about these birds and how fire helps build their preferred living spaces. Landowners will also gain information on programs available to assist with prescribed burning on their lands. The event will conclude with a short tour to observe a red-cockaded woodpecker cavity tree cluster near roosting time. Lunch for this event will be provided with support from the N.C. Prescribed Fire Council.
Register by January 31.

F.L.A.M.E. Week Friends and Family Day
2024-02-10 10:00 - 13:00 | Turnbull Creek Educational State Forest, 4803 Sweet Home Church Road, Elizabethtown, NC, 28337, United States
Turnbull Creek Educational State Forest is hosting a fun and free event for all ages. For kids enrolled in the ecoEXPLORE program, a bird identification hike celebrating the February Ornithology badge will advance your skills for bird watching. We’ll have a presentation from Longleaf Alliance staff at 11:15 a.m. for those interested in learning more about longleaf ecosystems and how they flourish thanks to fire. Want to snap a selfie with Smokey Bear or Burner Bob? Join them for a picnic and story time at 12:15 p.m.! There will also be stations for crafts, games and much more! Prizes too! Bring a bagged lunch, water bottle and a lawn chair for the picnic. Participants in the ecoEXPLORE program from 10-11 a.m. must register in advance.
For more information, call the TCESF office at 910-588-4161.

Exploring Succession and Estate Planning: A Panel Discussion
2024-02-27 08:00 - 17:00 | virtual via Zoom
During Exploring Succession and Estate Planning: A Panel Discussion, participants will learn about the issues associated with heirs’ properties and land succession planning (also called estate or legacy planning). Participants will learn some strategies for succession planning and successfully transitioning landownership to maintain forest health landownership and minimize family conflict.
Join a two-hour webinar to gain insights into challenges related to heir’s properties and land succession planning. There will be three short presentations introducing concepts associated with succession planning followed by time for participants to ask questions to the panel of experts.
*Including NCSU Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist, Dr. Kurt Smith.
Participants are encouraged to submit questions ahead of time for experts to answer; questions will also be taken during the webinar.
Registration is FREE. However, registration is required to receive the link to access the webinar. Registrants will also receive access to the webinar recording.

Webinar: Native Plants and Pollinators--Creating Pollinator and Insect Friendly Habitat
2024-03-05 11:00 - 12:00 | NC
Join the Lower Cape Fear Wildlife Chapter as they welcome Amy Mead for a lunch & learn webinar. Amy is an Extension Agent, Natural Resource & Environmental Education for New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender County. Amy provides research based solutions and advice for stormwater issues to help manage and improve our coastal water quality through workshops, classes, and site visits. Areas of interest include retrofits, restoration, and installation of stormwater control measures, erosion control, native plants, pollinator gardening, and stream bank and habitat restoration. This is a great opportunity to learn and ask questions!
REGISTER

Silvopasture Producers Share Their Stories and Answer Questions: A Webinar Panel Discussion
2024-03-05 13:00 - 14:00 | NC
Learn from the experiences of various silvopasture producers in this final webinar of the 6-part series. This panel discussion will be a question-and-answer format, where participants can ask their burning questions. Each producer in this series will have presented their story in an earlier webinar, and in this webinar discussion, follow up with your questions. This is the sixth webinar in a 6-part series targeted towards landowners, farmers, producers and natural resource professionals.

Heirs Property Summit
2024-03-06 09:00 - 15:00 | Halifax County Cooperative Extension Center, 359 Ferrell Lane, Halifax, NC, United States

Carnivorous Plant Hike
2024-03-06 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-03-09 10:00 - 11:00 | Carolina Beach State Park, 1010 State Park Road, Carolina Beach, NC, 28428, United States
Join a park ranger at the Flytrap Trail for a hike along the trails. We will learn about different habitats that exist within Carolina Beach State Park and how each habitat affects the plants and animals that call the park home.
No registration required. Meet at the Flytrap Trail parking area at the end of Nature Trail Lane. The trail is wheelchair accessible.

Turtle Talk: Native Turtles of Wake County
2024-03-07 19:00 - 20:30 | NC
From the VIPs (Very Important Pond-dwellers) to the troublemaking invasive species, join the South Wake Conservationists as they navigate through the shell-tastic landscape that is Wake County. Don’t miss the conservation scoop on how to ensure a bright future for these slow and steady locals. It’s a shell of a ride you won’t want to miss!

Unveiling the secrets of Wake County’s turtles is Sarah Goldsmith. Drawing from her background in environmental education and her role at Wake County Parks, Recreation, and Open Spaces, Sarah brings a perfect blend of expertise and enthusiasm to the world of turtles. Join us for an immersive exploration into the lives of these shelled wonders that call Wake County home.
REGISTER

Bears
2024-03-09 14:00 - 15:00 | Jones Lake State Park, 4117 N Carolina 242, Elizabethtown, NC, 28337, United States
Join a park ranger for a discussion on Jones Lake State Park’s largest mammal: the black bear. Learn about the biology and habits of the king of the forest.
No registration required. Participants should meet at the visitor center at 2 p.m.

NC Arbor Day Celebration
2024-03-12 - 2024-03-17 | NC
Join us in celebrating Arbor Day all week long, Sunday, March 12 through Friday, March 17! We’re teaming up with the NC Forest Service, NC Forestry Association, NC Project Learning Tree, and NC Urban Forest Council on Facebook and X (formally Twitter) to give you all the tree-loving resources you need. Each day we’ve selected a different theme highlighting key parts of trees and forestry:

Monday – Introduction to Arbor Day
Tuesday – Human Health Benefits from Trees
Wednesday – Environmental Benefits
Thursday – Economic Benefits
Friday – Celebrate Trees! Plant a Tree!

Guide to Herbicide Application Windows During a Southern Pine Rotation to Improve Productivity
2024-03-13 13:00 - 14:00 | NC
Pine stands play an important economic role across the southeastern United States and are responsible for bringing in tens of billions of dollars every year through timber and pulpwood products. Increasing and maximizing pine productivity is therefore crucial. The use of herbicides is one way to increase productivity by managing competition from herbaceous species and promoting desired species. But what specific herbicide should be used, when should they be used, and how do you use herbicides properly for the most effective outcome in pine stands? In this webinar, Dr. David Clabo is going to answer all this and more as he covers herbicide use in pine stands from site preparation through midrotation.

Women’s Chainsaw Operation Workshop
2024-03-16 09:00 - 16:00 | 608 Water Tank Rd., Fleetwood, NC 28626
Fleetwood, NC
Join Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture, the Forest Stewards Guild and the Sustainable Development Teaching and Research Farm for a hands-on workshop all about chainsaw operating basics! This is a safe space to learn a new skill or deepen your existing saw knowledge. Our programming is offered to marginalized genders including women-identifying individuals, non-binary and gender non-conforming people, and those who are comfortable in a space that centers the experiences of women forest stewards.
This workshop will cover the following topics:

Chainsaw safety and sawing form
Using a saw for land management and wildfire risk reduction around the home
Starting the saw, maintenance, and cleaning
Cutting wood cookies, limbing, and bucking

Carolina Bay Hike
2024-03-16 14:00 - 15:00 | Jones Lake State Park, 4117 N Carolina 242, Elizabethtown, NC, 28337, United States
Discover the secrets of the bay forest at Jones Lake State Park by joining a park ranger for an invigorating hike. Learn about the flora and fauna of the forest while understanding the significance of Carolina bays.
Bring bug spray, water, and hiking shoes.
No registration required. Meet at the park visitor center.

Pittsboro Pesticide Safety School
2024-03-19 - 2024-03-20 | Chatham County Agriculture & Conference Center, 1192 U.S. 64 Business, Pittsboro, NC, 27312, United States
This 1.5-day school is in person. School hours are 8:30 AM-5:00 PM on day one and 8:30-11:30 AM on day two. Only one category session may be chosen since the sessions happen at the same time.
For Pesticide Safety School details and additional info, please visit here: https://pesticidesafety.ces.ncsu.edu/event/2220596832/pittsboro-pesticide-safety-school/

Pittsboro Pesticide Safety School Online Registration Link

Pesticide Safety School
2024-03-19 - 2024-03-20 | Chatham County Agriculture & Conference Center, 1192 U.S. 64 Business, Pittsboro, NC, 27312, United States
This 1.5-day school is in person. School hours are 8:30 AM-5:00 PM on day one and 8:30-11:30 AM on day two. Only one category session may be chosen since the sessions happen at the same time.
For Pesticide Safety School details and additional info, please visit here:
https://pesticidesafety.ces.ncsu.edu/event/2220596832/pittsboro-pesticide-safety-school/

Webinar: An Update on N.C. Forest Product Markets
2024-03-21 12:00 - 13:00 | NC
North Carolina timber markets have seen a number of changes in recent months that impact woodland owners’ ability to sell their wood. In this webinar, you’ll learn about the current, emerging and future timber markets, new products and market trends that may impact your forest management decisions.

Snakes
2024-03-23 14:00 - 15:00 | Jones Lake State Park, 4117 N Carolina 242, Elizabethtown, NC, 28337, United States
Ever wonder what snakes species are at home in eastern North Carolina? Which ones are venomous?
Join a park ranger to explore the various snakes in this area and the other unique species found throughout our great state.
No registration required. Meet at the park visitor center.

Identification of Invasive Plants
2024-03-26 13:00 - 15:00 | virtual via Zoom
Our online workshop will provide an introduction to invasive plants and will help you to identify different species for the spring and summer. This session will take place via Zoom and will include a Q&A period with PRISM experts.
Cost: $10
This virtual session will be recorded. Those who register will receive access to the recording.

Registration begins on February 10, 2024. Register via eventbrite HERE.

Management and Control of Invasive Plants
2024-03-27 13:00 - 15:00 | virtual via Zoom
During our online workshop, you will learn how to best manage invasive plants during the spring and summer seasons. This workshop will take place via Zoom and will include a Q&A period with PRISM experts.
Topics covered in this session include:

Best seasonal practices for specific invasive plants
The right tools
Using manual & mechanical control methods
Methods for controlling invasive plants with careful use of herbicides
Planning a work schedule with best timings for multiple plants

Cost: $10
This virtual session will be recorded. Those who register will receive access to the recording.
Registration begins on February 10, 2024. Register via eventbrite HERE.
