Astounding Earth
Astounding Earth
Classes That Connect
Current Class Offerings
Registration for Spring 2026 series classes below!
"What you get when you step into the woods with Luke Cannon is more than just rich and informed instruction but an immersion into the forest, one that will change your relationship with the forest itself. Small plants you'd perhaps overlook become ancestors carrying countless stories; sapling and virgin growth trees alike become messengers, bearing a history of human interaction and evolution. Time and again, I've seen just how Luke instills vivid curiosity and deep knowledge, and from a slight bit of moss to a bird calling far off, he's there to translate the forest for everyone in his classes, giving us a true and lasting literacy of the kingdom of green." ~ Nickole Brown
Winter Walks
This year's Winter Walks are free and open to the public.
Donations to Astounding Earth are always welcome and appreciated.
In case of inclement weather, please check this page for potential cancellation.​
​Wednesday, January 14th, 1 to 4 pm
Bird Walk
Boyd Branch
From great hawks and herons to tiny winter wrens, the winter landscape hosts a surprising number of feathered friends. Let's get out and meet, observe, and learn about the resplendent birds that live in our winter forests. This Trailhead is on Bent Creek Gap Rd just 1.1 miles past the Ledford Branch parking area.
​
Directions Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/wptTHG3vq1A3YSFD8
​
​
Sunday, January 18th, 1 to 4 pm
Wonders of Winter Ecology
With the NC Wildlife Federation
This walk is in association with the NC Wildlife Federation. It is free but sign up is required HERE. https://ncwf.org/event/wonders-of-winter-ecology/
We’ll learn about magnificent trees, birds and bird language, fungi, animal tracking, and how wildlife responds and adapts to the pressures of winter.
Sunday, January 25th,
Canceled/Rescheduled due to rain/ice.
​
New Time and Date: Sunday February 15th,
9 am to Noon
Bird Walk
Hard Times Trailhead
From great hawks and herons to tiny winter wrens, the winter landscape hosts a surprising number of feathered friends. Let's get out and meet, observe, and learn about the resplendent birds that live in our winter forests. This Trailhead is on Bent Creek Gap Rd.
​
Directions Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/GKf4Ephjs5A1Ray6A
Wednesday, February 18th, 1 to 4 pm
Winter-lands Nature Ramble
Boyd Branch
Our Winter Woods are full of unexpected beauty and treasures. Join us for a Sunday afternoon walk uncovering and discovering the incredible living world within our winter forests and the amazing ways our wildlife adapts to life in the cold!
​
Directions Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/wptTHG3vq1A3YSFD8
​
​​​
Sunday, February 22nd, 1 to 4 pm
Winter Tree Walk
Bull Mountain Trailhead
The southern Appalachians have an amazing diversity of trees worth getting to know. Come and join us for a walk amongst the Tall Standing Ones. We will discuss the I.D. techniques and tricks, edible, medicinal and other uses, wood qualities, ecological connections and more!
Directions Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/2XTT9zMR3LTCHKrx9
​​​
​
​
Wednesday, February 25th, 9 am to Noon
Bird Walk
Boyd Branch
From great hawks herons to tiny winter wrens, the winter landscape hosts a surprising number of feathered friends. Let's get out and meet, observe, and learn about the resplendent birds that live in our winter forests. .
​
Directions Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/wptTHG3vq1A3YSFD8
Sunday, March 8, 1:30 to 4:30 pm
Botanical Gardens Tree Walk
Asheville Botanical Gardens
Details/Sign up for this walk via the Botanical Gardens, 151 WT Weaver Blvd, Asheville, NC 28804
Register here:
https://ashevillebotanicalgarden.org/classes/
​​
​
March 4, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Wonders of Winter Ecology
Asheville area
Join us for a full day of exploring the hidden life of the winter landscape. We will learn about magnificent trees, birds and bird language, fungi, animal tracking, and how wildlife responds and adapts to the pressures of winter.
Email Luke at astoundingearth@gmail.com to save your place, and for details and directions. Suggested donation $25-75
The Spring Bird Apprenticeship, 2026
March 16th - May 18th
Ten Mondays: March 16th - May 18th, 2026
Rain date June 1st.
8am to 1 pm(first 5 classes)
7 am to 1 pm (last 5 classes).
In the Asheville/Hendersonville NC area.
Limited to 8 participants.
This class is now Full (filled overnight).
Please email AstoundingEarth@gmail.com to join the waiting list. If there is enough interest, we may add a Sunday Class.
Come take a deep dive into the incredible world of Southern Appalachian Birds. This is a fun, active, in- the-field class, where we get out and meet, observe, and learn about dozens of resplendent birds as they traverse the wilds of Western North Carolina.
We will explore: bird I.D., song and bird language, habitat and behavior, as well as conservation issues, and species surveys - all while participating in an international citizen science project.
Get ready to fall madly in love with our feathered friends and have your mind blown by the beauty and diversity of the birds in our region.
Absolute Beginners Welcome.
Tuition: sliding scale (please pay as high
on the scale as you are able based on your
means) $640 - $1000
Payment Plans and partial work-trade available.
No one turned away for lack of funds.
For more information email Luke at AstoundingEarth@gmail.com
.jpg)
Quotes from past participants:
​
"My life is so much richer for having joined Luke's Spring Bird Apprenticeship. I learned how to identify birds and understand bird behavior in more depth, but I also learned far more than that too. Luke creates a learning environment where curiosity and wonder and joy are constant companions, even after the classes has ended."
“I thoroughly enjoyed attending the Spring Birding Apprenticeship. Luke is an extremely gifted nature educator who combines a playful curiosity and a respectful attunement with our natural world, and inspires others to do the same. This course was a wonderful introduction to the diverse birds living in and migrating through our bioregion, and I highly recommend it for anyone who is looking to connect more deeply with our feathered friends.”
‘I went into the Spring Bird Apprenticeship with minimal knowledge of birds and a curiosity to know more. I came out of the course knowing so many birds, -not only their names, but also their calls and behaviors, just by walking through the woods one day a week with a small group of other curious minds. Luke inspires a wonder and curiosity that permeates his classes. Highly recommended! "
​
_edited.jpg)
Native Plants and Ecosystems of the Southern Appalachian Mountains
March 25th - May 20th, 2026
An awesome eight week experiential-ecology series on the Native Plants and Forest Communities of the Southern Appalachians!
8 Wednesdays: March 25th - May 20th.
(No Class April 22nd) Rain date June 3rd.
9:30 am to 4 pm.
Asheville, NC Area.
Limited to 12 participants. This class Fills quickly.
This Class is now Full. Please email us to be put on the waitlist: AstoundingEarth@gmail.com
Join us for eight wonderous Wednesdays of exploring and discovering the magnificent forests of our Southern Mountains!
In this series, we will enter and explore 12 of the verdant natural communities of our region, learning the significant ecological principles and plant and animal species for each. We will utilize experiential approaches in meeting each ecosystem with hands-on and sensory activities to complement lectures and discussions.
Focus Topics include: Plant, Tree, and Mushroom ID and Uses, Delineating Ecosystems and Ecotones, Keystone Species, Past and Present Disturbance and Threats, Ecosystem Succession, Species Relationships and Big Picture Appalachian Ecology.
This Class is Fun, and Active. You will learn a phenomenal amount about the plants and forest-life of this region and end each day grateful for time well spent.
Tuition: sliding scale (please pay as high as you are able based on your means): $525 - $800
Payment Plans and partial Work Trade available.
No one turned away for lack of funds.
For More information email Luke at AstoundingEarth@gmail.com
.jpg)
Fall, 2026 Classes
Mushrooms of the Southern Appalachians 2026
An Eight Week Deep Dive into Mushrooms and Fungi
8 Mondays August 10th - September 28th, 2026
Rain date October 12th.
9:30 am to 4 pm.
Asheville NC area.
​​
Class size is limited to 12.
Registration will open in May 2026.
Are you excited to take a Deep Dive into the fascinating world of Mushrooms and Fungi? This fun class provides an in depth study of Mushroom Identification, Common Mushroom Families, Local Edible and Medicinal Species, Preparation and Tastings, Safety Considerations, Fascinating Fungal Facts, Mushroom Biology, Ecology and More!
We will share time each day finding fabulous fungi in the forest to discuss and admire, listen to and sometimes eat. We will practice utilizing field guides and taxonomic keys for safe and accurate identification of our specimen. Fungal families and groups and potential poisonous look-alikes will be discussed in depth. This class is appropriate for beginning and experienced students.
Tuition: sliding scale (please pay as high on the scale as you are able based on your means) $520 - $700.
Payment Plans available, with a $100, non refundable deposit.
For more information email Luke at AstoundingEarth@gmail.com
Trees of the Southern Mountains
An Eight Week Series exploring the Tall Standing Ones.
8 Wednesdays August 26th - October 21st, 2026
(No class Oct 7th)
9:30 am to 4 pm.
Asheville NC area.
Limited to 12 participants.
Registration will open in May 2026.
Come join us in learning about the magnificent Trees of the Southern Appalachian region and their incredible lives, stories, histories and uses. This class provides a thorough introduction to Tree Identification, Ecology, Edible, Medicinal and Utilitarian Uses, interesting History, and Folklore. We will employ active/experiential learning and group disscussions as we explore the ecologial, Animistic and ethnobotanical dimensions of these remarkable beings.
Each day we will visit various beautiful and wild ecosystems taking time to become familiar with the wondrous trees that preside there and their amazing life cycles and connections to the greater habitat. Several classes will take us to hear the stories of extremely old and humongous individuals. We will engage in hands-on learning and utilizing Tree field guides for accurate field identifications.
Special guest Madison Ledgerwood of Remembering Earth will be facilitating some of our activities! Find out more about Madison and her amazing work here: Remembering Earth
Tuition: sliding scale (please pay as high on the scale as you are able based on your means)
$520 - $700.
Payment Plans available with a $100 non-refundable deposit.
.jpg)
Regular Seasonal Offerings
Full descriptions for Open classes will be posted when scheduled
March - November
The Sacred Naturalist School
Spring
- Ecosystems of the Southern Appalachians (Spring session)
- Spring Bird Apprenticeship
- Explorations of Appalachian Mountain Plants
Summer
- Nature Connection Games & Activities for Educators
- Birds of Summer
- Fantastic Mushrooms and Fungi
Fall
- Fantastic Fall Mushrooms and Fungi
- Our Magnificent Trees
- Ecosystems of the Southern Appalachians (Fall session)
Winter
- Introduction to Animal Tracking and Trailing
- Winter Tree ID
- Our Birds of Winter
- Wonders of Winter Ecology Walks
Custom Classes
Discover the life all around you...
Luke Cannon, one of Western North Carolina’s premier naturalists and ethnobotanists is now available to bring a dynamic ecological experience to your school, business, group event, family, or home. Luke offers private personal and group plant, bird, mushroom, and ecology walks, custom nature connection and survival skills classes, plant and bird surveys, land consultations, and more.... 
Luke brings decades of experience to a wide range of classes from beginner to expert level, and delivers exceptional content and experiential learning every time. An accomplished mentor, Luke tailors each class with thoroughness and care, bringing his fervor for learning to all. Luke has taught alongside Doug Elliot, Sandor Katz, Frank Cook, Natalie Bogwalker, 7Song, Lena Eastes, and Alan Muscat, among others.
Popular classes include:
Half or full day Naturalist Walks at your home or favorite WNC natural area.
One-on-one or small group instruction in:
Wild Plants
Mushrooms and Fungi
Birds and Bird Language
Animal Tracking and Trailing
Wilderness Awareness Skills
Hands-on workshops learning the skills of ancient fire making, lean-to survival shelters, spoon carving or rope from wild plant fibers.
Afternoons of fun nature connection games and experiential activities for educators, parents, families, or teens.
To book with Luke email AstoundingEarth@gmail.com
​We look forward to sharing time in the wilds.
​
