Inclement Weather Policy
Hikes may be cancelled in the event of inclement weather such as thunder and lightning. Notifications will be sent out via phone and email. Due to the unpredictability of weather patterns in our area, cancellations may occur as late as the morning of the scheduled meeting date.
Spring/Summer/Fall Public Programs
Free Educational Offerings At Holmes Educational State Forest
These programs are free but you MUST SIGN UP to participate. Call now (828-692-0100) or email (holmesesf.ncfs@ncagr.gov) to reserve your spot! The guided hikes will only last a few hours, but there is so much more at Holmes Educational State Forest to learn about and explore on your own time! We offer hiking trails, picnic areas, and a variety of educational exhibits. Category II, III NC EE certification and CEU credit are available upon request.
2025 Spring Wildflower Series
Join N.C. Forest Service rangers for a moderate, ¾-mile hike to observe and identify spring wildflowers! This unique forest ecosystem supports an incredible diversity of plant life, and different wildflowers can be observed each month. Each hike is limited to 10 participants and will meet near the main kiosk in the parking area. We recommend bringing comfortable shoes, a water bottle, a camera and a wildflower field guide if you have one.
- April 5: 2-4 p.m.
- April 19: 2-4 p.m
- May 3: 2-4 p.m.
- May 17: 2-4 p.m.
- May 31: 2-4 p.m.
Other Free Educational Programs
Introduction to Bluebirds
- April 29: 2-3 p.m.
Join retired wildlife biologist and cofounder of the South Carolina Bluebird Society, Ron Brenneman, to learn about how you can attract Eastern bluebirds to your property! Participants will learn about bluebird habitat, how to set up proper nest boxes, how to predator-proof nest boxes, feeding characteristics and how to identify other bird species that may nest in your box. Limited to 20 participants. There will be a PowerPoint presentation in the picnic shelter followed by a short walk to view nesting boxes.
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These programs are free, but you MUST SIGN UP to participate. Call now (828 692-0100) or email (holmesesf.ncfs@ncagr.gov) to reserve your spot! The guided hikes will only last a few hours, but there is so much more at Holmes Educational State Forest to learn about and explore on your own time! We offer hiking trails, picnic areas and a variety of educational exhibits.
Professional Development for Formal/Non-Formal Educators
HESF periodically host professional development workshops for formal and non-formal educators. Workshops include but not limited to Investigating Your Environment, Project Learning Tree, and Tree Identification for Educators. Please contact the office for more information on Continuing Education Units for Teachers and/or Environmental Education Certification credits.
Most NCFS and HESF educator workshops will fall under the following categories. NCEE Category I: Approved Instructional Workshops, NCEE Category II: Outdoor Environmental Education Experiences and/or Continuing Education Units for formal teachers.
Resources
This page was last modified on 04/28/2025