Orange County
Chapel Hill Public Library
The 3/21 hike is titled ‘Faces or the Forest’ and is part of a Spring equinox event at Chapel Hill Public Library.
If people are new to bird watching and want to learn the basics (how to use binoculars, id birds, and more), check out the Bird Watch program at CHPL on 12/13, 1/10, 2/14, 3/14, & 4/11 from 3-4pm. https://www.chapelhillpubliclibrary.org/explore-more
The library is also offering a Winter Solstice Forest Bathing walk on Dec. 21 at CHPL. It’s a short contemplative walk led by a certified Forest Therapy guide. https://www.chapelhillpubliclibrary.org/event/winter-solstice-walk
Triangle Land Conservancy
Two Plants & Poles hikes are tentatively scheduled on 3/7 & 4/7 at Johnston Mill Nature Preserve. Sign up will be through the TLC site. https://triangleland.org/explore/events
TLC offers monthly birding hikes at Brumley North. It’s listed on the TLC events page.
Occoneechee State Park
The Park Rangers and/or volunteer trail guides sometimes offer a geology & nature hike. You may be able to request a special date for the Master Naturalist group.
https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/occoneechee-mountain-state-natural-area
Orange County Parks
Blackwood Farm Park and Seven Mile Creek nature Preserve are county parks and would be great for tree id or herpetology.
https://www.orangecountync.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/Blackwood-Farm-Park-2
https://www.orangecountync.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/Seven-Mile-Creek-Nature-Preserve-20
Chatham county
TLC also offers a great hike focused on the 5 different pine trees at White Pines Nature Preserve. They have one scheduled on Dec. 20. White Pines is a great location for a hike but there are no facilities available.
The Lower Haw River State Natural Area is a great sight for birding and wildlife viewing. They have new restroom facilities, a paved parking lot, and a foot path that leads to the old Bynum Bridge. You may be able to request a special program through Friends of Lower Haw River (FLOHA). https://www.lowerhaw.org/activities
Alamance county
The Native Plant Society offers hikes across our state. One to watch for is a hike on a private reserve in Alamance Co.
Speaking of Alamance Co., they just recently opened a new park and trail system called Cane Creek Mountains Natural Area. They have an observation tower! I haven’t been there yet but hope to go this weekend. It would be cool to have a forest ranger (or Mart) lead a hike there and use the tower as a fire lookout.
Durham County
Start the year right on January 1st with the Eno River Association’s Hike the Eno event. More information on their events page: https://www.enoriver.org/events-on-the-eno/