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News and Events

Updated January 2024

These are events that I will be speaking at, or participating in directly. I hope to see you there!

⇒Gardening for Life Celebration, March 30th, 2024

Join us for the 2nd annual Gardening for Life Celebration — a free community event celebrating ways we can all make a difference to preserve and protect biodiversity in the Carolina Foothills and beyond. Join us for a day of discovery, of surprise and of lively community conversations.

Polk County High School, Columbus, NC, 28722 from 12pm -5pm The guest speaker is Jim McCormac, author of the book Gardening for Moths

I will be there with some hands-on exhibits about moths and rewilding your yard. I’ll also be selling T-shirts that I designed and am super excited about. These feature a handful of our wildlife and a positive message. I hope you’ll come out to see me! 

⇒Please Bug Me! April 2024

This month-long event will take place at Black Mountain Center for the Arts, in Black Mountain, NC. There will be an art show, featuring multiple artists using a variety of mediums, a talk about moths, and some school programs for local children. The reception for the art show will take place on April 19th. 

I am contributing numerous prints that will feature some of our more incredible insects, including the rosy maple moth, along with some dragonflies, damselflies and a few other surprises. My work will also feature educational information about these critters. Please join us to celebrate the wonderful world of insects!! You can drop by the Center anytime they’re open and browse the show and exhibit space. 

⇒Nature’s Magic Makers: Fireflies and Glowworms, April 13th, 2024

Hosted by Wild Birds Unlimited in south Asheville, this FREE program will answer many questions about fireflies, including our famous blue ghosts and synchronous fireflies. 

Many of us have fond memories of running through a meadow on a moonless summer
night, trying to catch the tiny insects blinking in the darkness. We laughed as we zigged
and zagged, awed when we caught one, watching it in wonder as the silent glow lit up
our small hands. For me and many others, fireflies still evoke feelings of happiness and
childhood wonder.

Even though there are 2000 species of fireflies, most people know little about these
fascinating insects. Do they all glow? What do they look like in the daylight? Where do
they live before they become adults? What is their lifespan? What do they eat? Why
don’t we see as many today as we did when we were kids? In this presentation we’ll
explore the lifecycle of fireflies and all that makes them special. We’ll also learn what
each of us can do to make our yards more firefly friendly.
 
Hope to see you there!

⇒Roan Mountain Naturalist Rally April 26, 27, 28, 2024

The Friends of Roan Mountain sponsor four naturalist rallies each year. These weekend events offer a wonderful opportunity to gather with other self-professed “Nature Nerds.” You’ll get to enjoy the great outdoors, learn about nature and make some new friends. 

At this year’s spring rally, I will be one of the evening speakers. On Saturday night I’ll be presenting a program about fireflies. I’ll be talking about fireflies in general as well as a few of our more special fireflies of western NC, including the blue ghost firefly. We’ll discuss the lifecycle of fireflies as well as some of their amazing adaptations. In addition, you’ll learn what changes you can make around your yards to encourage fireflies to live near you. 

I’ll add a Registration link for this event when it becomes available.

⇒  Blue Ghost Firefly Tours, coming this May 2024. 

 I’m excited to tell you that I’ll be hosting blue ghost firefly tours again this spring! Each night for two weeks in May I’ll sign up a maximum of 15 guests per night for an intimate viewing experience. Click here for more details or Here to buy tickets.

⇒ Transylvania County Master Gardeners Meeting, Moth Program, 10am

I’ll be presenting at their monthly meeting, about moths and why we need to change the way we look at them. Most people have no idea that moths outnumber butterflies 10 to 1. It’s incredible the diversity and beauty of these creatures that most people never see or learn. 

⇒ Certified Pollinator Advocate Series,  monthly 2024

At The Botanical Gardens in Asheville. The Botanical Gardens and Bee City USA-Asheville are excited to announce a new collaboration!

Beginning in January 2024, the BGA and BCU-AVL will jointly offer a series of 12 monthly classes covering pollination ecology topics and leading to certification as a Pollinator Advocate.

All 12 classes will be offered in 2024, and repeated in 2025 so individuals may complete the certification and become a pollinator advocate over 2 years. To become a “C.P.A.” individuals will complete 12 classes, plus complete 2 volunteer opportunites with Bee City USA-Asheville.

(all C.P.A. classes may also be taken individually)

I’ll be teaching a class during this series, on July 8th, 2024 at 6pm about butterflies and moths. 

⇒ Check out the River Arts District’s Newest Venue– The Marquee. 

There are lots of artists represented there, including yours truly.  The Marquee is a cool space, a remodeled warehouse that is a great place to spend a few hours. I have some of my greeting cards there for sale as well as some wall art on display for purchase, including my most popular print, “Together Forever,” of the two trees sitting side by side on the a rock in the forest. Am also selling greeting card sampler packs that make a great gift for anyone on your list who loves nature. I have them available in several themes including Monarch Lovers, Butterfly and Moth Lovers, Confusing Dark Butterflies and Thoughtful Expressions.

Here are some photos.

I hope to see you there! 

Marquee Wall

 

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