Connect with us
Outings, Events, & Volunteer Workdays
Piedmont Land Conservancy hosts various events that are designed to connect people with nature. Outings include hikes, farm visits, paddle trips, and more. We would be happy to talk with you or your organization about hosting an outing for your team or group!
Get alerts about upcoming events and outings by joining our email list or following us on social media.
Sign up for our monthly enews to keep up to date with PLC events!
Birding Hike at Ridges Mountain
Friday April 17 | 8:30 - 11:00am
Join Grace Sigmon, bird nerd and Regional Conservation Coordinator at the NC Zoo, and PLC’s Communication Director, Brianna Haferman, for a slow-paced, bird-focused hike through the unique woodlands of Ridges Mountain.
This is a birding focused walk, meaning we’ll start early and take a slow, observational walk focused on identifying birds by sight and sound. We’ll cover about 2.5 miles at a relaxed pace. Portions of the trail include rocky, uneven terrain, so participants should be comfortable with moderate hiking conditions.
Binoculars are highly encouraged. If you have an extra pair, please consider bringing them for folks who might not have them. Birding apps and field guides are helpful but not required. Please bring water and wear weather-appropriate layers with comfortable, sturdy footwear suitable for rocky sections.
This time of year all the beautiful summer migrants will be returning! We’ll keep an ear out for early arrivals such as Wood thrush, Ovenbird, and Red-eyed Vireo, as well as lingering winter birds like Dark-eyed Junco, Yellow-rumped Warbler, and Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.
All experience levels are welcome! No one will be expected to know bird IDs in advance.
Please note that this preserve does not allow dogs. Additionally, there are no bathroom facilities located here.
We hope you’ll join us as we welcome spring birds back to one of our area’s most beautiful preserves!
The outing is open to the public but has a limit of 20 participants.
3rd Earth Day Birthday Celebration at the Thomas Trail!
Sunday April 19 | 2:00 - 4:00pm
Guided Hike at Pilot Knob Trail
Friday April 24 | 10:00 - 11:30am
Join Piedmont Land Conservancy for a guided spring hike on Pilot Mountain State Park’s most iconic trail: Pilot Knob Trail. This 0.9-mile loop circles the knob and offers striking views of sheer rock cliffs, quiet forest stretches, and a strong sense of place. The hike will be led by Dr. Ken Bridle, PLC’s Conservation Advisor and a deeply knowledgeable naturalist. Participants are encouraged to come ready to learn, ask questions, and engage with the natural and cultural history of this remarkable place.
This moderately flat looped trail gains about 203 feet in elevation and is well suited for curious hikers who enjoy learning along the way. The mountain is also home to several rare plant species, including Greenland Sandwort, Dwarf Alum Root, and Bear Oak.
The hike will take place during a wonderful window when spring is just beginning to reach the upper slopes of Pilot Mountain. Expect fresh greens, early blooms, and plenty to observe.
We will meet at the top of Pilot Knob Park Rd at the top of Pilot Mountain.
Guided Walk in Guilford Woods
Various Dates
5509 George Fox Rd, Greensboro, NC 27410
Join Piedmont Land Conservancy staff and volunteers for guided walks through Guilford Woods, a remarkable landscape where natural beauty, cultural history, and community stewardship come together. These walks offer an opportunity to slow down, learn, and experience the Woods.
This 3-mile outing will explore the wooded trails including a stop at the legendary 350+ year-old “Witness Tree.” Trails include some uneven surfaces, so please wear sturdy shoes. We will meet in the gravel lot behind the Alumni Gym on the Guilford College campus (more info given upon sign up). The hike will last about 2 hours.
Walks will be conversational and accessible, designed for adults and older youth who are comfortable walking on uneven natural trails.
We are offering monthly guided walks on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of each month, currently scheduled through March. Space is limited, and advance registration is required.
Sign up for a date below:
Slow Hikers Club on the Laurel Loop at Caraway Creek Preserve
Sunday, May 3 | 2:00 - 4:30pm
829 Jerico Rd Asheboro, North Carolina 27205
If you enjoy soaking in the scenery, savoring every step, stopping to take pictures, and admiring the smallest details along the trail, join our Slow Hikers Club! PLC’s Slow Hikers Club is led by Brianna, PLC’s Communications Director and naturalist in training, who is on a never-ending journey to discover and share the natural world. She loves the version of hiking that is about the journey and the joy of exploring nature at a slow pace. If you’re a casual walker, a plant enthusiast, a photographer, or someone who loves a good trail chat, the Slow Hikers Club is for you.
This outing of the Slow Hikers Club we’ll explore PLC’s Caraway Creek Preserve, walking an approximately 2 miles loop in 2.5 hours, stopping frequently to enjoy the scenery, chat, and see what nature has to offer. We’ll try to name trees and plants along the trail. Cameras and binoculars are welcome, as well as nature ID apps like iNaturalist.
The trail is mostly in the woods, shaded, with a few small hills. It features views of little creeks and quiet hillsides. The trail is entirely natural surface and has many roots and rocks throughout. There will be a few descents and climbs. We’ll take our time, enjoy the view, and make the most of every moment outdoors. No rush, no pressure. Just good company and great hikes.
Space is limited to 20 participants.
Fern Identification Workshop
Saturday, May 23 | 10:00am - 12:00pm
Emily Allen Wildflower Preserve in Winston-Salem
Join PLC Conservation Advisor, Dr. Ken Bridle, to learn the tools to use and plant traits to look for when identifying ferns. We’ll start with a classroom discussion of keys, guides and apps, basic plant structures, and then a scout in the garden to find fresh examples and refine your skills.
With its variety of ferns in close proximity, Emily’s beautiful Friendship Garden is a perfect place to begin to tackle fern identification. We’ll work on honing observation skills and practice identifying ferns in the garden. You’ll also be introduced to other useful resources to identify ferns in our region.
Cost: $30 (free for Emily Allen Wildflower Preserve Volunteers)
Space is limited to 25 participants.
Volunteer Workdays at Emily Allen Wildflower Preserve
Mondays and Saturdays through May
Winston-Salem, NC
Join us for spring workdays at PLC’s Emily Allen Wildflower Preserve. We are so appreciative of all the volunteers who donate their time and energy to maintain the beauty of this 6-acre wildflower garden located near Historic Bethabara in Winston-Salem. The Friendship Garden is home to a unique collection of over 500 species of native plants. Volunteers range from budding wildflower enthusiasts to seasoned experts.
If you would like to spend time with like-minded people in a truly unique garden setting, please join us for a spring workday.
Upcoming Dates
- Monday March 30, 10:00am – 12:30pm
- Monday April 13, 2:00-4:00pm
- Monday April 20, 2:00-4:00pm
- Monday April 27, 2:00-4:00pm
- Saturday May 9, 10:00am – 12:30pm
- Monday May 18, 10:00am – 12:30pm
Your help is needed stewarding PLC’s preserves! Join us for monthly volunteer workdays to help keep them in great shape. Projects may include trail construction and upkeep, property line maintenance, invasive species removal, habitat management activities, and litter pickup.
If you would like to help out, please complete the Volunteer Interest Form if you haven’t already done so. Then RSVP on the trail workday Facebook events by clicking on one or more of the dates shown. If you do not use Facebook, please let us know you’ll be there by emailing our Nature Preserve Manager Mike Santucci at msantucci@piedmontland.org.
Questions? Check out the FAQ on our Volunteer Page.
