Free Programs Offered at Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission’s Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education is offering free outdoor-related workshops for people of all ages and skill levels in June.

The workshops are open on first-come, first-serve basis. Online registration is required.

In addition to the open-enrollment programs listed below, the Commission offers group programs for 10 or more people who call to schedule a program. Groups can schedule the date, time and topic of the program. For more information on group programs or the open-enrollment programs listed below, call 828-877-4423.

June 5 and June 17 – Nature Nuts: Snakes from 9 to 11 a.m. Open to ages 4-7. Spend the morning with Pisgah Center staff learning about local snake species and the important roles they play in the ecosystem. Activities include story time, crafts and a hike through the forest. Children will be able to handle live, non-venomous snakes.

June 5 and June 17 – Eco Explorers: Stream Investigation from 1 to 3 p.m. Open to ages 8-13. Spend the afternoon with Pisgah Center staff exploring the Davidson River in search of aquatic macroinvertebrates. Based on the aquatic organisms they find, participants will determine the river’s water quality and learn how these small animals play a big role in the ecosystem and food web for mountain trout. Participants should come prepared to get wet. Swimwear and a towel are recommended. Snorkels and masks are available.

June 6 – Introduction to Fly Fishing from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Open to participants 12 and up. Learn the basics of fly fishing, such as equipment, knots and casting and then spend a couple of hours fishing on the Davidson River. All equipment and materials will be provided. Participants should bring a lunch.

June 9 – Casting for Beginners: Level 1 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Open to ages 12 and up. This is a perfect introductory workshop for beginners. Participants will learn various casting techniques at their own pace from experienced instructors. This class will be held at Lake Imaging in DuPont State Recreational Forest. All equipment and materials will be provided. Participants should bring a lunch.

June 12-16 and June 19-23 – A Week in the Water from 9 a.m. to noon daily. Open to participants ages 10 to 15. This weeklong series of hands-on classes will focus on the art and skill of fly-fishing. Participants will learn about equipment, knots, casting techniques and more.

June 21 – Snorkeling in the Stream from 9 a.m. to noon. Open to participants 8 and up.

Come spend the afternoon with experienced Pisgah staff exploring a local stream in search of aquatic macroinvertebrates. Based on the aquatic organisms they find, participants can determine the water quality of the stream and learn how these little critters play such an important role in the ecosystem and to mountain trout. Snorkels and masks are available, so participants should come prepared to get wet! Swimwear and a towel are recommended.

June 26-30 – A Week in the Creek from 9 a.m. to noon daily. Open to participants ages 6 to 10. This weeklong series of hands-on classes will focus on water quality and the fish and wildlife that depend on our local water systems.

June 28 – Introduction to Fly Fishing: Lake Fishing from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Open to ages 12 and up. Learn the basics of fly fishing for lakes. Topics covered include equipment, knots, casting techniques and aquatic entomology. Equipment and materials will be provided. Participants should bring a lunch and meet at High Falls parking area in DuPont State Recreational Forest. Limited to six participants who must have completed the Introduction to Fly Fishing class or have equivalent experience before taking this class.

For more information on June workshops, call 828-877-4423, or sign up online. The Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education is located near Brevard, just south of Asheville, by the Davidson River in Transylvania County. The center features nature trails and five large aquariums representing aquatic mountain habitats. The center is adjacent to the Bobby N. Setzer State Fish Hatchery, where trout are raised in 54 raceways. The center is open Monday through Friday from December through March, and Monday through Saturday from April through November. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

For more information on the Wildlife Commission’s four wildlife education centers and other activities and events, visit www.ncwildlife.org/learning.