COME BE “OUT IN THE OUTDOORS”!

Calling WNC’s LGBTQIA+ community! Let’s gather to share the company of nature and our fellow community members. On the second Saturday of every other month, we will come together to create a welcoming and inclusive outdoor space as we wander in the woods, connecting to each other and the natural world around us. We’ll take the time to notice, appreciate, and learn about the creatures that call this place home, from the tiny beetles to the mighty trees. Along the way, we will find a spot to stop and enjoy a seasonal treat. Friends, family, and allies are welcome too!

This month, we are Out at Tessentee Bottomland Preserve just in time to catch the migrating songbirds coming back into town! Over 150 bird species have been recorded at Tessentee, so we’re bound to see and hear some interesting critters. Of course, we’ll admire the wildflowers and other spring delights, too.

We’ll meet at Tessentee Bottomland Preserve (2249 Hickory Knoll Rd, Franklin, NC 28734) at 10:00am, on Saturday, April 13th. Total distance covered will be less than 2 miles, with minimal elevation gain. Trail conditions will vary from wide, flat, and even to narrow and steep. Please register on our website to attend this event.

Email Skye with any questions. This event is weather-dependent

MEET YOUR LEADERS

Skye (she/her) is Mainspring’s Conservation Outreach Associate. In her role at Mainspring, she inspires communities to engage and connect with nature. She is a queer naturalist who has studied blackbirds in New Hampshire, quail in Florida, and sagebrush songbirds in Montana.

Gillian (she/her) is an Americorps VISTA serving as the Volunteer and Service Programs Coordinator with the Nantahala Forest Service. She is a queer conservation practitioner who strives to build community by connecting with others in nature and working to ensure that public lands are a welcome and safe space for all.