Events

Join us for this popular training on everything about hiking poles!

We are excited to be able to offer it again, and thankful to Great Outdoor Provision Co. and LEKI for working with us to borrow poles for you to test! This has become a popular hike so make sure to save your spot now!

Using trekking poles can enhance your stability, provide support on all types of terrain and water crossings, and can strengthen your core and upper body. During this hike you’ll join TLC Trail Guide, Nancy, to learn how and when to set the length of your poles, the most efficient way to grip your poles, and how to decide what features you want in your hiking poles. This training hike will be helpful whether you are new to hiking poles or a regular.

This will be a moderate 2-3 mile hike over variable terrain, stopping periodically for educational moments. Another big thank you to Great Outdoor Provision Company and LEKI for letting us borrow poles for you to try, but if you have a pair already, please bring them! This is a free event, but preregistration is required.

Current Mask Policy: TLC seeks to build a supportive, mask-friendly environment in all collaborations with staff and the public. Please wear a mask if you are not vaccinated, or if that makes you feel most comfortable. We also encourage those eligible to be vaccinated to get their Covid-19 vaccine and booster shot. If you are experiencing any Covid-related symptoms, please stay home and attend a program another day. Our top priority is to create a safe environment for our community. Thank you for your understanding.

Come join us for our astronomical series: Friday Under the Stars!

Raleigh Astronomy Club will be hosting a monthly night sky viewing session at one of our private sites that will only be open for this event. The old site for Three Bears Acres will be the perfect location for star viewing fun so bring a blanket or chair and we will see you there!

Because this is a private preserve, we ask that you leave furry friends at home. We suggest that you bring a picnic blanket or chair to stargaze in, a red flashlight, warm layers, and snacks and a water bottle. Please remember to pack anything that you bring in, back out with you and we can’t wait to see you amongst the stars! This is a free event, but preregistration is required. Make sure to save your spot below!

Current Mask Policy: TLC seeks to build a supportive, mask-friendly environment in all collaborations with staff and the public. Please wear a mask if you are not vaccinated, or if that makes you feel most comfortable. We also encourage those eligible to be vaccinated to get their Covid-19 vaccine and booster shot. If you are experiencing any Covid-related symptoms, please stay home and attend a program another day. Our top priority is to create a safe environment for our community. Thank you for your understanding.

Come join us for our First Saturday birding hike at our Brumley North Nature Preserve!

Did you know that Brumley North is the #2 Hotspot for birding in the state? Our Brumley Birding hike will be led by co-members of both TLC and the New Hope Bird Alliance. We will meander on an easy 1.5 mile hike over about 2 hours with many stops along the way. Please wear good walking shoes and layers, bring a water bottle, and binoculars if you have them. We suggest that you leave your furry friends at home for this hike as they may scare away wildlife viewing opportunities. This is a free event, but preregistration is required.

Current Mask Policy: TLC seeks to build a supportive, mask-friendly environment in all collaborations with staff and the public. Please wear a mask if you are not vaccinated, or if that makes you feel most comfortable. We also encourage those eligible to be vaccinated to get their Covid-19 vaccine and booster shot. If you are experiencing any Covid-related symptoms, please stay home and attend a program another day. Our top priority is to create a safe environment for our community. Thank you for your understanding.

Inclement Weather Policy: In the event of inclement weather, you will be contacted by email for a call on cancellation or postponement. At our Williamson and Brumley South Nature Preserves, due to the multi-use trail systems, we close the trails to the public if there has been rain to try and prevent erosion and detrimental impact. You will also be contacted by email if the event is capable of being held, but the trails are closed. 

Join TLC and Wake Audubon for this wonderful birding walk!

Our wonderful partners at Wake Audubon have joined TLC to lead a hike on the second Friday of each month at our Williamson Nature Preserve. Join this wonderful morning stroll and see what birds you can find. This hike will be just under 2 miles around the Two Pond Loop at the preserve. Please wear good walking shoes and layers, bring a water bottle, and binoculars if you have them. We suggest that you leave your furry friends at home for this hike as they may scare away wildlife viewing opportunities. This is a free event, but pre-registration is required.

Current Mask Policy: TLC seeks to build a supportive, mask-friendly environment in all collaborations with staff and the public. Please wear a mask if you are not vaccinated, or if that makes you feel most comfortable. We also encourage those eligible to be vaccinated to get their Covid-19 vaccine and booster shot. If you are experiencing any Covid-related symptoms, please stay home and attend a program another day. Our top priority is to create a safe environment for our community. Thank you for your understanding.

Inclement Weather Policy: In the event of inclement weather, you will be contacted by email for a call on cancellation or postponement. At our Williamson and Brumley South Nature Preserves, due to the multi-use trail systems, we close the trails to the public if there has been rain to try and prevent erosion and detrimental impact. Please note that this event falls under this category and will be cancelled if the trails are closed.

Get to know TLC staff during this special series of hikes!

Join TLC Education and Outreach staff members, Kayla and Amaya, on a hike among the towering beech trees and creek side paths of Swift Creek Bluffs Nature Preserve. Along the way, the team will talk about the creek restoration work happening at the preserve and the popular “Stairway to Heaven”.

This is a free event, but preregistration is required. Due to the size of the parking lot, we will keep the hiking group small, and ask that you register by vehicle rather than individual. Feel free to bring guests but please carpool to ensure we have enough space in the parking lot.

Current Mask Policy: TLC seeks to build a supportive, mask-friendly environment in all collaborations with staff and the public. Please wear a mask if you are not vaccinated, or if that makes you feel most comfortable. We will have masks available if you would like to wear one during an event. We also encourage those eligible to be vaccinated to get their Covid-19 vaccine and booster shot. If you are experiencing any Covid-related symptoms, please stay home and attend a program another day. Our top priority is to create a safe environment for our community. Thank you for your understanding.

Let’s take a slow walk through Bluestem’s woodland habitat and learn to identify Piedmont tree species!

Join  TLC trail guide and certified interpretive naturalist, Margot Lester, and Geoffrey Neal, curator of the Coker Arboretum and director of the Cullowhee Native Plant Conference, on a tree ID walk at Bluestem Conservation Cemetery.

We will be using leaf arrangement and shape, branching pattern, fruits, cones, bark and twigs. We’ll talk about common and scientific names and share a little local natural history, too.  Depending on your goals for the walk, you might want to bring a notebook, binoculars or a magnifying glass. This is a free event but preregistration is required.

*If registration is full, please email Amaya Horner at [email protected] by September 19th to be placed on the waitlist.

Current Mask Policy: TLC seeks to build a supportive, mask-friendly environment in all collaborations with staff and the public. Please wear a mask if you are not vaccinated, or if that makes you feel most comfortable. We will have masks available if you would like to wear one during an event. We also encourage those eligible to be vaccinated to get their Covid-19 vaccine and booster shot. If you are experiencing any Covid-related symptoms, please stay home and attend a program another day. Our top priority is to create a safe environment for our community. Thank you for your understanding.

Join TLC for some family friendly nocturnal investigation!

Keep cool and feed your curiosity by joining us for this evening exploration! Learn about the animals who thrive at night and test out some of their tools to make their way through the dark. Experience Brumley Nature Preserve through the ears of a bat, the eyes of an owl, and the nose of an opossum! We’ll even discuss some of the nocturnal adaptations of moths to prepare you for the Moth Night event that begins just after we finish our evening romp!

Get Wild! Hikes and activities are most appropriate for 7 years and up. Bring sun protection, a water bottle, and shoes that can get muddy. Please register all members of the family attending, including children and adults.

This is a free event, but pre-registration is required:

If the event is full, please email Meera Butalia at [email protected] to be added to the waitlist.

Current Mask Policy: TLC seeks to build a supportive, mask-friendly environment in all collaborations with staff and the public. Please wear a mask if you are not vaccinated, or if that makes you feel most comfortable. We will have masks available if you would like to wear one during an event. We also encourage those eligible to be vaccinated to get their Covid-19 vaccine and booster shot. If you are experiencing any Covid-related symptoms, please stay home and attend a program another day. Our top priority is to create a safe environment for our community. Thank you for your understanding.

Join TLC, in partnership with Backyard Butterflies, for the first date of our Moth Night Series!

We will be using UV lights and collection sheets to explore moths in the dark! This is a great way to explore our preserve after dark and participate in citizen science by submitting your findings on iNaturalist. This is a free event, but registration is required. 

Moth Night is for all ages and experience levels, although we do suggest more parental guidance for children under 8 years old. Please remember to bring bug spray and wear long pants or snug fitting clothing, as it will be very buggy in the event area. We also suggest bringing a picnic blanket or chair, and a flashlight as this event will continue after dusk. There is no potable water at Brumley preserve so please bring a full water bottle.

This event is weather-dependent. Registrants will be notified in advance about any cancellations.

If this event is full, please email Amaya Horner at [email protected] to be added to the waitlist.

Looking for some family-friendly fun to warm up for Moth Night? Join us from 5:00-6:30 p.m. for Get Wild! Nighttime Navigators, to train your nighttime senses and learn about nocturnal adaptations. For ages 7 and up.

Current Mask Policy: TLC seeks to build a supportive, mask-friendly environment in all collaborations with staff and the public. Please wear a mask if you are not vaccinated, or if that makes you feel most comfortable. We also encourage those eligible to be vaccinated to get their Covid-19 vaccine and booster shot. If you are experiencing any Covid-related symptoms, please stay home and attend a program another day. Our top priority is to create a safe environment for our community. Thank you for your understanding.