The North Carolina Arboretum brings the natural history of birds and blooms to life in June with special programs by birding expert Simon Thompson and naturalist Scott Dean.

Join The North Carolina Arboretum on June 8 at 10 a.m. for a special lecture presentation on “Birdscaping” by Simon Thompson. This informative 90-minute slide presentation and discussion will explore how to create bird-friendly landscapes and habitats on your own property. Learn which plants can provide food and shelter for various species of birds. The lecture is $11 for Arboretum Society members and $14 for the public.

Those who want to expand their birdscaping knowledge or aren’t able to attend the lecture can participate in Thompson’s “Birdscaping Walk” on Arboretum gardens from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Thompson will illustrate the plants, shrubs and trees that are great for attracting and sheltering birds. The program fee for the walk is $11 for Arboretum Society members and $14 for the public.

Thompson is a highly regarded international birding expert and co-owner of Wild Birds Unlimited Nature Shop who calls Western North Carolina home. Originally from Suffolk, England, Thompson has lived in North Carolina for more 10 years. He has also lived in Lebanon, Kenya, Yemen, and Ghana, where his interest in birds and natural history began. In addition to traveling extensively in the United States, he spent six months in China studying the crane and birds of prey migration as a member of the British "China Crane Watch" expedition. As director and originator of Ventures Nature Travel program in Tryon, North Carolina, Thompson has led many birding trips all over the world.

On June 17 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. naturalist Scott Dean will lead a special program called “Summer in Bloom.” Summer flora in the natural landscape provides the perfect opportunity to investigate why different plants bloom at different times of the year.

Dean leads this walking tour of summer flowers, addressing morphology, pollination strategies, and competition among plants. Dean has been teaching natural history in this region for several years, including at the Arboretum and the Center for Creative Retirement at UNC-Asheville.

The program fee for “Summer in Bloom” is $11 for Arboretum Society members and $15 for the public.

For more information or to register, call 828.665.2492, Ext. 317.

As one of the approved sites in the NC Birding Trail Guide, The NC Arboretum is proud to be a part of this program that stimulates visitation to our region and highlights one aspect of the vibrant natural heritage of Western North Carolina. A range of bird species visit the Arboretum year-round, including woodpeckers, warblers, finches, eagles and more than 100 others to date.

The NC Birding Trail also provides a great educational opportunity for all ages and may attract more people to visit the natural places that make North Carolina such a beautiful state in which to live and play. More than 35 states across the U.S. have their own birding or wildlife trails. See Asheville Top 5 Places for Bird Watching.

For more information, see our NC Arboretum Guide.