Astounding Earth
Astounding Earth
Classes That Connect
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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.
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 Wednesday 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
Hard Times Trailhead
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/GKf4Ephjs5A1Ray6A
Sunday, March 8th, 1:30 to 4:30 pm
Botanical Gardens Tree Walk
Asheville Botanical Gardens
FULL
Details/Sign up for this walk via the Botanical Gardens, 151 WT Weaver Blvd, Asheville, NC 28804
Register here:
https://ashevillebotanicalgarden.org/classes/
March 4th, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Wonders of Winter Ecology
Asheville area
FULL
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
Sunday, 3/8, 1:30 to 4:30 pm
Please note the Daylight Savings time change.
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/
Tuesday. 3/10, 1 to 4 pm
Wonders of Winter Ecology
Foothills Equestrian Nature Center, Tryon
3381 Hunting Country Road, Tryon, NC 28782
An afternoon of exploring the hidden life of the winter landscape. We will learn about woodland trees and plants, birds and bird language, animal tracks and sign, and how wildlife responds and adapts to the pressures of winter.
Register here: https://www.fence.org/calendar/wonders-of-winter-ecology-walk
Saturday 3/21, 9 am to noon
The Brilliance of Birds
Leicester Library
Come join us for a soaring dive into the fascinating world of birds! We will take time to walk about the library grounds to observe and listen to local birds before heading inside for a discussion on bird senses, language and migration. Our morning will be chock full of astonishing facts and fascinating insights into the lives of the feathered friends all about us.
Register here: https://buncombe.librarycalendar.com/event/brilliance-birds-bird-walk-and-talk-22924
Sunday 3/22, 10 am to 3 pm
Introduction to Birds and Bird Language
East Asheville
A full day Firefly Perennial workshop
"Whether you’re an aspiring bird nerd or a seasoned beak geek, this class is for you! Birds evolved in the Jurassic period, 150 million years ago, and have persisted through five mass extinctions on Earth. And yet we are surrounded by their birdsong every day—a chorus of calls and songs that reveal stories of survival, kinship, and the pulse of the living world. In this engaging workshop, naturalist, storyteller and longtime Firefly instructor Luke Cannon, will guide you into a deeper relationship with these remarkable creatures and the many ways they communicate, adapt, and thrive".
Register here: https://www.fireflygathering.org/event/introduction-to-birds-bird-language-w-luke-cannon-3
Saturday, 4/4, 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm
Wonders of Wildlife in Swannanoa
Swannanoa, NC
Free and open to the public.
More Information and registration here:
http://weblink.donorperfect.com/wildlifefoxcreek040426
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
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! "
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
Spring Bird Apprenticeship 2022
Ten Tuesdays: March 22nd - May 31st, 2022
(No class April 19th)
7 am to 1 pm.
In the Asheville NC area.
Limited to 8 participants.
Registration is now FULL.
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 language, habitat, behavior, as well as conservation issues, and species surveys - all while participating in an international citizen science project. Beginners Welcome.
Tuition: sliding scale (please pay as high
on the scale as you are able based on your
means) $425 - $600
Payment Plans and Work Trade available.
No one turned away for lack of funds.
For more information call or email Luke at AstoundingEarth@gmail.com
Ecosystems of the Southern Appalachian Mountains
A seven week series on the Natural Plant and Forest Communities of the Southern Appalachians!
Thursdays: March 31st - May 26th.
(No Class April 21st and May 19th)
9:00 am to 4 pm.
Asheville, NC Area.
Limited to 12 participants.
Registration Is Now FULL.
Email Luke to join the wait list.
Join us for seven sensational Thursdays 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 ecology 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, Delineating Ecosystems and Ecotones, Keystone Species, Ecosystem Succession, and Appalachian Ecology.
Tuition: sliding scale (please pay as high as you are able based on your means): $300 - $425
Payment Plans and Work Trade available.
No one turned away for lack of funds.
For More information call or email Luke at AstoundingEarth@gmail.com
Spring Bird Apprenticeship 2022
Ten Tuesdays: March 22nd - May 31st, 2022
(No class April 19th)
7 am to 1 pm.
In the Asheville NC area.
Limited to 8 participants.
Registration is now FULL.
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 language, habitat, behavior, as well as conservation issues, and species surveys - all while participating in an international citizen science project. Beginners Welcome.
Tuition: sliding scale (please pay as high
on the scale as you are able based on your
means) $425 - $600
Payment Plans and Work Trade available.
No one turned away for lack of funds.
For more information call or email Luke at AstoundingEarth@gmail.com
The Sacred Naturalist School
The Sacred Naturalist School is a 25-day naturalist immersion located in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina & Tennessee. We stretch out in time to luxuriously embrace the full glory of the Appalachian seasons - from spring ephemeral wildflowers and the long sunshine of summer to the rainbow of trees, mushrooms, and wild fruits in the fall.
We meet for five 5-day/4-night immersive sessions to deeply build our relationships, reverence, and knowledge of this astounding bioregion. We dive deep into the immense diversity of the region, meeting and exploring the lives of plants, trees, birds, fungi, mammals, insects, amphibians, and reptiles, as well as the cycles and ecosystems that weave them together.
Blackberry Blossom Farm in Tennessee will be our base camp for walks, talks, embodiment practices, yoga, dance, forest bathing, camping, hiking, swimming, fires, games and much more! Additional locations include sacred land in Cherokee, NC and several regional fieldtrips.
For more information and to register visit:
.
Regular Seasonal Offerings
Full descriptions for Open classes above
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
- Winter Tree ID
- Our Birds of Winter
- Wonders of Winter Ecology Walk
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, Birds and Bird Language, Animal Tracking and 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 call 804-384-2908 or email AstoundingEarth@gmail.com
