Youth Nature Series: Map & Compass Nature Treasure Hunt by Kayla Watson
2026-05-26 16:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | The Commons
This nature based map and compass scavenger hunt is an engaging adventure where participants use compasses to locate natural items and nature themed prizes. Participants will learn cardinal directions (North, South, East, West), beginner map reading skills, spatial awareness, pacing, teamwork and communication. This scavenger hunt will be a fun and exciting adventure while participants experience the benefits of connecting with the natural environment and the community around them.
Presenter Bio: Kayla is a dedicated adventure educator who has spent the past 18 years leading immersive learning experiences and expeditions across the U.S. and internationally, including in Spain, Morocco, Costa Rica, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, India, Peru, Hong Kong, Nepal and Tanzania. Whether guiding a trek in the Himalayas, facilitating a cross-cultural homestay in a remote village, or teaching outdoor survival skills in the heart of the southwest desert, she works to create a safe, enriching, and inspiring environment where students can thrive. Kayla’s experience extends to teaching creative writing, environmental education, leadership, and communication skills—encouraging students to step outside their comfort zones while fostering personal growth. She is deeply committed to helping young people discover their strengths, develop resilience, and find a newfound sense of confidence and perspective.
The Village Green and Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust co-host this series of lectures each summer. Visitors and residents learn about wildlife, habitats, conservation, and local cultural heritage from expert speakers in their fields! See the full schedule here.
Youth of all ages are invited to participate in these educational and interactive programs! Past programs have included live animal presentations, Cherokee stories and games, educational wildlife walks through the Village Green park, and sustainable wreath making!
All of the Nature Series Programs, adult and youth, are FREE, family-friendly, held RAIN OR SHINE, and no reservations are required.
Thank you to Cedar Creek Club for sponsoring the Village Nature Series!

Youth Nature Series: Bugs in Our Backyard! by Sara Rivera
2026-06-09 16:00 - 17:00 | The Commons
In the summer, bugs are everywhere, and these awesome critters do so much for us! They clean up our forests, make our flowers grow, and so much more. Come get an up-close look and learn about what bugs you can find in your own backyards, where we can find them, and what they do for our planet!
Presenter Bio: Sara Rivera (she/they) is a former Insect Curator for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and a graduate student in the Biology department of WCU. Their thesis research focuses on the evolution of tropical, predatory fireflies. In her free time, Sara also does science outreach with her own organization, THEM in STEM, which focuses on making science accessible and entertaining through local Firefly Walks, Science Storytimes, and endlessly entertaining public talks!
The Village Green and Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust co-host a series of lectures each summer. Visitors and residents learn about wildlife, habitats, conservation, and local cultural heritage from expert speakers in their fields!
All of the Nature Series Programs, adult and youth, are FREE, family-friendly, held RAIN OR SHINE, and no reservations are required.
Thank you to Cedar Creek Club for sponsoring the Village Nature Series!

Youth Nature Series: Building a Wild Bee Hotel by Jessica Blackburn
2026-07-06 16:00 - 17:00 | Common’s Lawn, 160 Frank Allen Road, Cashiers, NC, 28717, United States
Become a backyard hero in our hands-on Wild Bee Hotel Workshop! Kids will discover the secret lives of solitary bees—nature’s gentle, super-pollinators—while building their very own wooden nesting home.
Using natural materials like wooden frames and hollow stems, participants will craft a safe haven to take home and hang in their gardens. We’ll learn why bees love “tunnel” homes and how to attract these fuzzy friends to your flowers. It’s the perfect mix of crafting, nature science, and outdoor fun for aspiring young conservationists!
Presenter Bio: Jessica is a Stewardship Technician at Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust and a masters student at WCU where she studies botany. Prior to moving to Cullowhee, she worked on a trail crew in California maintaining and restoring public access properties. Currently she teaches environmental education programs for local students in the area through Kids In Nature Programming at after-school organizations. Through her deep curiosity for the natural world Jessica educates the youth on how to learn about the land they recreate on and how to create minimal impacts upon it.
The Village Green and Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust co-host a series of lectures each summer. Visitors and residents learn about wildlife, habitats, conservation, and local cultural heritage from expert speakers in their fields! See the full program schedule here.
All of the Nature Series Programs, adult and youth, are FREE, family-friendly, held RAIN OR SHINE, and no reservations are required.
Thank you to Cedar Creek Club for sponsoring the Village Nature Series!

Craft & Print a Tote-ally Sustainable Tote Bag by Lynsi Wavra
2026-08-11 16:00 - 17:00 | NC
In this workshop we will be teaching about the importance of sustainability and waste-reduction by creating fun and useful tote-bags out of up-cycled used T-shirts. No sewing or special tools required! Once the bags are made, participants will have the chance to decorate and customize them with block print stamps. Participants should bring a used T-shirt they’d like to convert into a tote bag (some extra shirts will be available as well).
Presenter Bio: Lynsi Wavra is a Cashiers, NC native and daughter of Christmas tree farmers. She is driven by a strong affinity for the natural world for its healing and restorative qualities as well as the awe-inspiring interconnectedness of whole ecosystems. This deep fascination led to her studies
The Village Green and Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust co-host a series of lectures each summer. Visitors and residents learn about wildlife, habitats, conservation, and local cultural heritage from expert speakers in their fields! See the full program schedule here.
All of the Nature Series Programs, adult and youth, are FREE, family-friendly, held RAIN OR SHINE, and no reservations are required.
Thank you to Cedar Creek Club for sponsoring the Village Nature Series!
Photo Credit: Vanessa Vargas Wilson

Village Nature Series: Indigenous Stewardship- Weaving together culture, climate, and land
2026-08-18 17:30 - 18:30 | NC
Founded in 2009, The Center for Native Health (CNH) is a Native-led, 501(c)3, located in Cherokee, NC. CNH implements a variety of program areas to ensure the balanced wellbeing of Southeastern Native communities through the preservation and respectful application of Native Knowledge to empower people, land, and culture. Through such efforts, CNH is able to support various initiatives that prioritize culturally grounded conservation, intergenerational sharing of traditional ecological knowledge, and protection of tribal resources and homelands.
Their Revitalization of Traditional Cherokee Artisan Resources program is a grant initiative, funded through the Cherokee Preservation Foundation, that works with regional partners to protect traditional artisan resources through land conservation, stewardship, and restoration. This work is crucial to ensuring the sustainability of such resources and the preservation of traditional artisan practices.
Through their Youth Conservation Initiative, CNH is able to provide culturally-grounded, hands-on learning opportunities to EBCI youth. These efforts are aimed to further inspire environmental curiosity, leadership, and stewardship amongst Tribal youth through blending Indigenous knowledge systems with modern conservation science.
Through their Climate Resilience Project and Equitable Water Monitoring Program, CNH will be launching pilot projects focused on climate action, specifically addressing growing risks of climate impacts. Projects will blend traditional ecological knowledge and western science to strengthen local preparedness through policy advocacy and environmental stewardship. CNH hopes to develop a strategic plan to share with the EBCI community on how climate change might impact Tribal lands and what type of mitigation efforts might be needed in the future.
Please join Brett Treadway, CNH Program Director, in learning more about how CNH is supporting native communities through important environmental stewardship efforts.
Presenter Bio: Brett Treadway is a citizen of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians and serves as the Director of the Arts, Language, and Healing program, as well as the Revitalization of Traditional Cherokee Artisan Resources (RTCAR) program for The Center for Native Health (CNH). Prior to joining CNH, Brett served as a Program Officer under the Stewarding Native Lands Program for First Nations Development Institute, a national Native-led nonprofit based in Longmont, Colorado. Within this position, he led multiple projects focusing on tribal co-stewardship and co-management work with public land agencies and worked closely with a variety of Tribal grantees, fellow Tribal NGOs, and federal agency representatives.
Brett is dedicated to supporting Native communities and Indigenous-led efforts across Indian Country. He is passionate about uplifting his Native relatives by advocating for the protection of healthy landscapes and thriving resources through efforts grounded in culture and community.

Village Nature Series: Appalachian Wonders and Phenomenal Ecological Connections by Luke Cannon
2026-09-15 17:30 - 18:30 | Lewis Hall at The Village Green, 160 Frank Allen Road, Cashiers, NC, 28717, United States
Come enjoy a fascinating exploration of the remarkable lives and complex relationships of our common and not so common Appalachian wildlife. From orchid seeds, to hummingbird tongues and zombie ants, naturalist Luke Cannon shares insight and stories illuminating the intricate connections and wild adaptations that abound in the natural world around us.
Presenter Bio: More than a botanist, Luke Cannon is a long time pursuer and teacher of our astounding natural world. Over the last twenty five years, Luke has instructed numerous nature connection programs and led thousands of classes, walks and workshops. An avid naturalist and storyteller, Luke blends his studies of deep-ecology with permaculture, animism, survival skills, homesteading, and experiential education. He has taught for the North Carolina Arboretum, Blue Ridge Audubon Society, Organic Growers School, Asheville Botanical Gardens, Asheville Mushroom Club, Wild Abundance, and Blue Ridge School of Herbal Medicine to name a few. In 2011 he founded Astounding Earth– dedicated to helping people deepen their relationships with our living planet, then co-founded the Sacred Naturalist School in 2020. Luke currently lives in the mountains of North Carolina studying and teaching Appalachian Ecology and leading nature connection courses and backpacking expeditions. He offers regular public walks, talks and classes to share his knowledge and love of wildlife and ecology. Find his niche in the web at: www.AstoundingEarth.com
The Village Green and Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust co-host this series of lectures each summer for visitors and residents to learn about wildlife, habitats, conservation, and local cultural heritage from expert speakers! See the full Village Nature Series Schedule here.
All of the Nature Series Programs, adult and youth, are FREE, family-friendly, held RAIN OR SHINE, and no reservations are required.
Thank you to Cedar Creek Club for sponsoring the Village Nature Series!

Youth Nature Series: Animal Tracks and Skulls by Topher Stephens
2026-09-22 16:00 - 17:00 | Common’s Lawn, 160 Frank Allen Road, Cashiers, NC, 28717, United States
Step into the shoes of a wildlife detective in our hands-on Animal Tracks and Skulls Workshop! Kids will get up close with the amazing creatures of Western North Carolina by examining real skulls and track casts of local mammals like black bears, bobcats, and foxes.
Participants will learn to “read” the forest floor by identifying unique animal tracks and discovering how teeth shapes tell us what’s for dinner. Join us to uncover the secret lives of the mammals hiding in our mountains!
Presenter Bio: Topher Stephens has been leading young people in outdoor and experiential education programs for over 15 years. Drawing from his background in conservation biology, mindfulness education, and nature-based mentoring, he brings joyful fascination and a deep respect for wildlife to his teaching. He is an avid birder, animal tracker, songwriter, whittler, potter, and wilderness guide.
The Village Green and Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust co-host a series of lectures each summer. Visitors and residents learn about wildlife, habitats, conservation, and local cultural heritage from expert speakers in their fields! See the full program schedule here.
All of the Nature Series Programs, adult and youth, are FREE, family-friendly, held RAIN OR SHINE, and no reservations are required.
Thank you to Cedar Creek Club for sponsoring the Village Nature Series!

Youth Nature Series: Magnifying the Magical World of Moss by Skye Cahoon
2026-10-13 16:00 - 17:00 | Common’s Lawn, 160 Frank Allen Road, Cashiers, NC, 28717, United States
Beginner bryologists (moss scientists) are invited to marvel at mosses! These tiny plants can live almost anywhere, including places like our windowsills and sidewalks. They may seem like green fuzz, but when we zoom in a little, they look like mini trees and ferns. There are even little animals living in the moss, like mites and water bears! During this event, budding naturalists will get up-close and personal with a variety of local, native mosses. We will learn how to tell them apart from each other using magnifying glasses, and discover why they are important to our forests.
Presenter Bio: Skye Cahoon grew up in Massachusetts and, as a kid, could often be found climbing trees, hunting for salamanders, or chasing fish at her local swimming hole. Her passion for nature grew as she did, and in 2020 she earned her Bachelor of Science in Zoology from the University of Maine. After graduating, Skye researched blackbirds in the mountains of New Hampshire, studied quail in the pine savannahs of Florida’s panhandle, monitored songbird nests in the sagebrush scrub of Montana, and led folks on educational adventures on the rocky coast of Maine before landing in Jackson County in 2023. She is currently the Conservation Outreach Director for Mainspring Conservation Trust.
In her spare time, Skye enjoys hiking, foraging, cooking, gardening, and yoga. On rainy days, she can be found painting, reading, playing her ukulele (badly), and cuddling her cats.
The Village Green and Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust co-host a series of lectures each summer. Visitors and residents learn about wildlife, habitats, conservation, and local cultural heritage from expert speakers in their fields! See the full program schedule here.
All of the Nature Series Programs, adult and youth, are FREE, family-friendly, held RAIN OR SHINE, and no reservations are required.
Thank you to Cedar Creek Club for sponsoring the Village Nature Series!
