Arc Education Events
We’re excited to share that registration for the Appalachian Forest Schools will open before January 1, 2026! In the meantime, we invite you to explore and register for our currently available programs using the links below.
Hidden World of Mosses
Friday, March 13 - Sunday, March 15, 2026
at the Highlands Nature Sanctuary
Dive into the heady diversity of our most ancient terrestrial plants with an introductory moss identification workshop, instructed by Robert Klips, associate professor emeritus at Ohio State University and author of “Common Mosses, Liverworts, and Lichens of Ohio - A Visual Guide”.
This is not your average botanical foray; Robert will guide students through the field to examine a wide range of protected microhabitats filled with spectacular bryophyte diversity - followed by guided laboratory sessions that teach you how to identify moss specimens collected in the field, using a microscope!
Photo by Elijah Crabtree
Wildflower Pilgrimage
Friday, April 17 - Sunday, April 19, 2026
at the Highlands Nature Sanctuary
Day-long field trips head out on Saturday and Sunday to botanical hotspots and outstanding floral showcases of our region, featuring both Arc preserves and other private and state-owned natural areas. The treks are led by some of Ohio’s most talented botanists and interpretive naturalists. Included are two breakfasts and one dinner - with remarkably delicious food, as well as evening keynote presentations at the historic Paxton Theatre in downtown Bainbridge, Ohio, just five miles away from the Sanctuary.
photo by tom croce
Wildflowers of Ohio’s “Deep South”
Friday, May 8 - Sunday, May 10, 2026
at Tremper Mound Preserve
Join us for a late-spring wildflower immersion, exploring southern Ohio's most stunning flora under lush May canopies. Discover iconic blooms like Lady Slippers, Azaleas, and Mountain Laurels, alongside hidden gems such as Hoary Puccoon and Trailing Arbutus, in diverse habitats from prairie barrens to sandstone ravines. Led by Elijah Crabtree, this weekend promises unforgettable encounters with Appalachian Ohio's botanical beauty.
Birds by Song
Wednesday, May 13 - Sunday, May 17, 2026
at Highlands Nature Sanctuary
Whether you are a beginning or intermediate birder, you will leave this course with substantially higher levels of mastery, adding 25-45 new songs to your repertoire. We will spend every day outdoors with a small group of participants who will be personally coached and guided by our experienced course leader, Artemis Eyster, and her assistant, Teri Gilligan. People vary widely in their ability to learn through sound, and this course will accommodate all levels of experience and abilities. Everyone will leave this course feeling proud of their newly won and significant life skills.
photo by David Ackerman
Wildflower Pilgrimage JR
Saturday, April 18, 2026
at the Highlands Nature Sanctuary
For youth ages 6-10 years old and their families. The day-long program will begin with a guided wildflower hike at the Appalachian Forest Museum where participants will learn about the different parts of flowers and wildflower lifecycles while using their five senses to get in tune with the natural world. After the hike, we will return to the Forest Museum for a bring-your-own picnic lunch, followed by activities that will help reinforce the lessons we learned.
photo by Cassidy Drummond
Ferns of the Appalachian Heartland
Friday, June 5 - Sunday, June 7, 2026
at Hocking Hills
If you’re drawn to plants, ferns and their allies offer a fascinating glimpse into Earth’s ancient past, thriving in lush, cool habitats nourished by springs and sheltered by rocks. While many naturalists overlook ferns due to their lack of showy flowers, they are fewer in number than tree species and can be learned with ease through mentoring. We will help you develop this rewarding skill, enhancing your appreciation of nature and enriching your outdoor experiences.
Nature is Neat
MONTHLY PROGRAMS FOR KIDS
MAY THROUGH OCTOBER
at the Highlands Nature Sanctuary
Nature programs for children and their families promote exploration, learning, and a deeper appreciation of our natural world, with an emphasis on learning, through hands-on immersive nature experiences. One weekend a month from May - October. Each month will feature a new nature theme. Free to the public.
photo by Kayla Ranki
Spring Women’s Walk in the Woods
Saturday, May 2, 2026
at the Highlands Nature Sanctuary
The Women’s hike is a time for women of all ages to join together to relax and connect in the serene beauty of our natural world. Before we head to the woods, we will meet at the Appalachian Forest Museum to hear a presentation from a guest speaker and enjoy a packed lunch, which participants are asked to bring with them. After lunch, we will depart on one of the stunningly beautiful trails at the Highlands Nature Sanctuary. Bring your female friends and family to meet new people, share stories, and celebrate the beauty, balance, and biodiversity of Mother Nature!
photo by cassidy drummond
Firefly Watching Weekend
Friday, June 19 - Sunday, June 21, 2026
at Tremper Mound
The Arc of Appalachia is dedicated to celebrating southern Ohio‘s most stunning natural spectacles. None is more breathtaking and under-recognized than the dazzling lightworks of southern Ohio’s June fireflies. We will be exploring the Arc of Appalachia preserves that have often been under the radar because of their distance from major city centers. By day we will learn about the natural history of fireflies and by night we will seek out their most mesmerizing showcases. This weekend workshop will provide you with an opportunity to see some of the most stunning firefly showcases in the tri-state region - including Chinese Lanterns, Little Grays, and Treetop Flashers.
Mothapalooza
Friday, July 17 - Sunday, July 19, 2026
at Tremper Mound Preserve & Shawnee State Park & Forest
Experience the magic of midsummer nights in Shawnee State Forest as we gather beneath the stars to witness dazzling displays of moths and other nocturnal insects, guided by expert naturalists. Enjoy inspiring evening presentations at the Southern Ohio Museum and Cultural Center, optional afternoon hikes, and a weekend that includes two breakfasts and one dinner. Come ready for late nights, wild beauty, and the unforgettable wonder of discovering Ohio’s vibrant moth life.
photo by Jerry dalrymple
Autumn Women’s Walk in the Woods
October 3, 2026
at the Highlands Nature Sanctuary
The Women’s hike is a time for women of all ages to join together to relax and connect in the serene beauty of our natural world. Before we head to the woods, we will meet at the Appalachian Forest Museum to hear a presentation from a guest speaker and enjoy a packed lunch, which participants are asked to bring with them. After lunch, we will depart on one of the stunningly beautiful trails at the Highlands Nature Sanctuary. Bring your female friends and family to meet new people, share stories, and celebrate the beauty, balance, and biodiversity of Mother Nature!
photo by Roy Willman
Appalachian Forest Conference
Friday, November 6 - Sunday, November 8, 2026
at the Highlands Nature Sanctuary
Join us for our first-ever conference honoring the majesty of the great eastern deciduous forest!
Dive into a rich exploration of this iconic ecosystem - its vibrant natural history, deep cultural roots, evolving stewardship, and the environmental challenges it faces today. Throughout the event, you’ll engage with passionate experts, discover new perspectives on the forests we love, and be inspired by the stories, science, and spirit that define the eastern woodland landscape. This is a celebration of place, purpose, and the future of our forests, and you’re invited to be part of it.
Caterpillar Round-up
Saturday, August 29, 2026
12 pm - 4 pm at the Highlands Nature Sanctuary
Each fall, field biologists gather at the Highlands Nature Sanctuary to inventory our annual crop of a dazzling diversity of moth caterpillars. On Saturday several field naturalists will share their finds with the public, all of them munching on their host plants and soon to be released to the wild. Their colors, strange and wonderful appendages, camouflage, and size – both small and large – are absolutely astonishing. Free to the public.
Simon Sorghum Festival
Saturday, Sept. 26 - Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026
at historic Simon Farm, W. Portsmouth, OH
Held from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday. Immerse yourself in the rich rural heritage of Appalachia. Breathe in the sweet steam of old-fashioned sorghum syrup and watch the entire process of sorghum making from cane harvest to a finished mason jar of goodness. A variety of Appalachian artisans will be demonstrating rural Appalachian arts, agrarian skills, and live music jamming traditional mountain music Free to the public.
Insect Epiphany
Friday, June 12 - Sunday, June 14, 2026
at the Highlands Nature Sanctuary
Join nationally recognized author and entomologist, Barrett Klein, at the Highlands Nature Sanctuary for a perspective-shifting look into the insect world and it’s profound influences on human culture.
Klein is steadfast in his commitment toward spreading his infectious spirit and zeal for our six-legged companions. “My aim is to compel curious listeners to explore more deeply, in a more personal way, their emotional connection, or intricate alliances with insects. — Insects play a fundamental role in what makes us human. — For me, it is an epiphany with promise.”
Old Growth Legacies of the Ohio Valley
Friday, July 10 - Sunday, July 12, 2026
at the Tremper Mound Preserve
“Old Growth” is an ambiguous concept in today’s Eastern forests. In the Ohio Valley hills and hollows of Western Appalachia, forests of antiquity have only been spared and protected in scattered, isolated tracts, thanks to a few bold, virtuous individuals who turned down generational fortunes in timber to preserve something that could not be quantified in board feet and cash.
This is a thoughtful and deep-diving exploration in the field over three full days, guiding students through some of the most ancient forests in Southern Ohio and Eastern Kentucky, where students will learn not only about regional old-growth ecology, but also about the incredible stories behind the larger-than-life folks that facilitated their protection.