Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education holds free workshops throughout August

Press release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Free Programs Offered at Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education in August

BREVARD, N.C. (July 21, 2016) – The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission’s Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education is offering 16 workshops, including two one-week camps for youth, in August.

The workshops, which are free, are open on first-come, first-serve basis and registration is required by registering online.

• Aug. 2 and Aug. 20 – Nature Nuts: Skunks from 9 to 11 a.m. Open to ages 4-7. Explore the world of the skunk by reading a skunk story, creating a skunk-related craft and taking a skunk hike.

• Aug. 2 and Aug. 20 – Eco Explorers: Compass from 1 to 3 p.m. Open to ages 8-13. Whether you are hunting, fishing or exploring the forest, you need to know how to navigate your way in the world so join Pisgah Center staff to learn the fundamentals of a compass.

• Aug. 1-5 – Week in the Woods from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. daily. Open to ages 8-15. This weeklong series of hands-on classes focuses on outdoor skills and safety. Participants will learn about tracking, using a compass, survival skills, wildlife and much more. They will spend one day hiking to the top of John Rock.

• Aug. 6 – Tracking from 9 to 11 a.m. Open to ages 8-15.Who made those tracks? What is scat? What bird left that feather? Learn the answers to these questions and more as we explore the exciting world of animal tracking.

• Aug. 6 – Fly Tying for the Beginner from 1 to 4 p.m. Open to ages 12 and up. Learn the basics of fly tying during this introductory level class. Participants will work at their own pace to tie a basic pattern. Equipment and materials will be provided.

• Aug. 8-12 – Week in the Woods from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. daily. Open to ages 8-15. This weeklong series of hands-on classes focuses on outdoor skills and safety. Participants will learn about tracking, using a compass, survival skills, wildlife and much more. They will spend one day hiking to the top of John Rock.

• Aug. 13 – Fly Tying: Level II from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Open to ages 12 and up. After learning the basics of fly tying, participants can take the next step with experienced fly tiers who will teach them more advanced patterns and techniques. Equipment and materials will be provided.

• Aug. 19 – Casting for Beginners: Level II from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Open to ages 12 and up. Participants will learn more advanced casting techniques at their own pace from experienced instructors. This class will be held at Lake Imaging in DuPont State Recreational Forest. All equipment and materials will be provided. Participants should bring a bag lunch.

• Aug. 23 and 24 – Hunter Education Course from 6 to 9 p.m. No minimum age. This two-day course will covered hunter responsibility and firearms and is accepted in every state in the United States. Everyone must complete a hunter education course successfully before hunting in North Carolina and all attendees must be present both days.

• Aug. 26 – Leader Building from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Open to ages 12 and up. One often-overlooked aspect of fly fishing is the leader. In this workshop, participants will learn why different leaders make fly fishing more effective. They will construct furled leaders and hand-tied leaders. Materials will be provided. Participants should bring a bag lunch.

• Aug. 27 – Kebari Fly Tying 101 from 9 a.m. to noon. Open to the first 10 participants ages 14 and up. Jason Sparks, special guest facilitator, will introduce kebari, the art of Japanese fly tying. All equipment and materials will be provided.

• Aug. 27 – Backyard Birding by Ear: For Beginners from 9 a.m. to noon. Open to participants ages 10 and up who enjoy listening to birds in the morning. Learn how to identify common backyard birds by their calls and songs. Participants will start in the classroom with some listening quizzes and then move outside to put their listening skills to the test. Participants should come prepared for light hiking.

• Aug. 30 – Introduction to Fly Fishing: Lake Fishing from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Open to ages 12 and up. Learn the basics of fly fishing on a local lake. Topics covered include equipment, knots, casting techniques and aquatic entomology. Equipment and materials will be provided. Participants should bring a lunch and meet at High Falls parking area in DuPont State Recreational Forest. Limited to six participants who must have completed the Introduction to Fly Fishing class or have equivalent experience before taking this class. 

Sign up online for any program listed above. In addition to the public programs listed above, the Commission offers group programs for 10 or more people who call to schedule a program. Groups can schedule the date, time and topic of the program. For more information on group programs or the public programs listed above, call 828-877-4423.

The Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education is located near Brevard, just south of Asheville, by the Davidson River in Transylvania County. The center features nature trails and five large aquariums representing aquatic mountain habitats. The center is adjacent to the Bobby N. Setzer State Fish Hatchery, where trout are raised in 54 raceways. The center is open Monday through Saturday from April through November and Monday through Friday from December through March. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

For more information on the Wildlife Commission’s four wildlife education centers and other activities and events, visit www.ncwildlife.org/learning.