Join Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust and the Village Green for our Youth Village Nature Series! This series is geared toward youth and children of all ages.
Join Gina Patton, Education Outreach Coordinator at Balsam Mountain Trust, on June 10 for Fungi Fanatics, an engaging youth lecture exploring the fascinating world of mushrooms and fungi. This session offers young learners a hands-on introduction to mycology – the study of fungi.
Participants will discover the diverse species of mushrooms native to the Blue Ridge Mountains, learn about their ecological roles, and, weather permitting, embark on a mushroom hunt to observe these organisms in their natural habitat.
Gina, with her background in environmental education and passion for connecting children with nature, will guide attendees through this interactive and educational experience. This program is designed to inspire curiosity and foster a deeper appreciation for the natural world.
Gina, an AmeriCorps Service Member/ Education Outreach, recently completed her master’s degree at The University of Wisconsin Stevens Point in Environmental Education and Interpretation. She promptly moved to North Carolina and is loving exploring all the radiant beings of her new biome. She is also a writer, artist, and naturalist who incorporates art, nature connection, and childlike wonder into the programs she leads.
Then, on June 25, adults are invited to attend the Village Nature Series presentation A Tale of Three Watersheds, led by Callie Moore of MountainTrue.
Learn what a watershed is and about the three watersheds that drain the Cashiers area of the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau. Where do the rivers go when they leave the Plateau? Do they all contain the same species of fish and other aquatic life? This talk is meant to provide a basic understanding of streams and rivers in the Cashiers area, as well as threats to their quality and what we can do to protect them.
Since 2019 Callie Moore has served as the western regional director for environmental nonprofit MountainTrue. For 17 years prior she was the executive director of the Hiwassee River Watershed Coalition based in Murphy. She has a master’s degree in water resources from Indiana University and is a graduate of Western Carolina University’s Environmental Health Program.
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