Local Nature Programs

02/26/24 Container Edibles: Growing Herbs and Vegetables in Pots at Kathleen Clay Edwards Family Branch Library from 6:30-7:30 PM.  If you have limited space, sun or time, you can still have productive gardens in a set of containers. The basics of location, timing, planning and tending will be covered.  Must register at https://go.ncsu.edu/growwithus

03/01/24 Project Learning Tree at Kathleen Clay Edwards Family Branch Library from 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM.  Educators, youth leaders, and home school parents can participate in this hands on workshop that focuses on place-based education.  Learn about mapping your community through time, neighborhood design, and about urban forestry with a tour of Green Hill Cemetery.  Earn CEUs and NC Environmental Education Certification credit.  Must register with [email protected]

03/08/24 Are You Air Aware? at Kathleen Clay Edwards Family Branch Library from 1:00 - 4:00 PM.  In this half day workshop, educators will learn how to engage students of all ages in air quality topics through hands on activities and discussion with Triad Air Awareness.  Receive an introduction to air quality education resources, including an online site which include activities, background materials, student resources and more.  Must register with [email protected]

03/11/24 Grow Your Best Vegetable Garden at Kathleen Clay Edwards Family Branch Library from 6:30-7:30 PM.  This discussion includes preparing soil, the selection and timing of vegetable varieties, good upkeep, and using integrated pest management techniques to control insects and diseases sustainably.  Must register at https://go.ncsu.edu/growwithus

03/14/24 Bats Meeting of T. Gilbert Pearson Audubon Society at Kathleen Clay Edwards Family Branch Library at 7:00 PM.  You do not have to be a member to attend.

03/21/24  Native Plants: What are They and Can Anything Be More Important? Meeting of Piedmont Bird Club at Kathleen Clay Edwards Family Branch Library at 7:00 PM.  The loss of native plants in our landscape is a major contributor to the crisis and disappearance of biodiversity.  Kenneth A. Bridle, PhD will discuss how people can mindfully restore native plants in their landscape to support local ecology.  You do not have to be a member to attend.

03/22/24 Green Reads Book Club at Kathleen Clay Edwards Family Branch Library from 12:00 - 1:00 PM to discuss the book, Stronghold: One Man's Quest to Save the Wild Salmon, which is a story of one of the world's greatest fly fishermen and his mission to prevent the extinction of this keystone species.  You can pick up a copy of the book at the branch prior to the discussion. 

03/25/24 Culinary Herbs at Kathleen Clay Edwards Family Branch Library from 6:30-7:30 PM.  It's fun to grow parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme, and many more.  Herbs are also fragrant flowering plants that support pollinators in our gardens.  Learn their needs to have success growing the herbs you want to use in your kitchen.  Must register at https://us.ncsu.edu/growwithus

04/06/24  Make Yourself Invisible to Wildlife at Kathleen Clay Edwards Family Branch Library from 3:00-4:30 PM.  Dress for the weather to join this outdoor adventure.  Learn how to make hidden animals visible by training your mind and eye.  Must register with[email protected]

04/07/24 Weather Citizen Science at Kathleen Clay Edwards Family Branch Library from 3:00 - 4:30 PM.  If you enjoy watching thunderstorms, tracking hurricanes, and looking at cloud formation, this is the program for you.  Dress for the weather for this hands on citizen science program in meteorology.  Must register with [email protected]

04/08/24 Growing Great Tomatoes Part 2 at Kathleen Clay Edwards Family Branch Library from 6:30-7:30 PM. Now that planting time is here, get tried and true tips for a successful season.  This program is about the steps and strategies for planting, caring for, and harvesting your favorite fruit in garden beds or even in containers.  Must register at https://us.ncsu.edu/growwithus

04/22/24 Edible Landscaping at Kathleen Clay Edwards Family Branch Library from 6:30-7:30 PM. One of the hottest horticulture trends today is adding to your quality of life and enjoyment of your outdoor spaces by creating a landscape that includes some ornamental edible plants.  Spring is a natural time to get started, so the discussion will be full of ideas and inspiration for creating your own personal paradise garden.  Must register at https://us.ncsu.edu/growwithus

04/26/24 Green Reads Book Club meets at Kathleen Clay Edwards Family Branch Library from 12:00-1:00 PM to discuss the book, Gullies of My People: An Excavation of Landscape and Family, a new book by poet, naturalist and Associate Professor of English and Environmental Studies, John Lane.  You can pick up a copy of the book at the branch prior to the discussion.

04/29/24 How Red Wolves Ruined My Life as a Wildlife Photographer for the Better at Kathleen Clay Edwards Family Branch Library from 7:00 - 8:00 PM.  In this talk, Dr. Jessie Williams uses her work in red wolf conservation as a platform to explore creative advocacy.  She shares her expertise in the fields of animal behavior, conservation biology and wildlife photography to highlight her extensive, and sometimes hilarious, journey to red wolf conservation.  Must register with [email protected]

 05/07/24 Success in Summer Vegetable Gardens at Kathleen Clay Edwards Family Branch Library from 6:30 - 7:30 PM.  May is the perfect time to talk about the challenges and rewards of growing food plants despite dealing with the heat, humidity, and other hassles of our Piedmont conditions.  Discuss strategies for success in the summer vegetable garden by following best practices and using an integrated pest management approach.  Must register at https://us.ncsu.edu/growwithus