Field Trips

FIELD TRIPS

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Grandfather Mountain State Park

Banner Elk, North Carolina

6:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

50-person maximum capacity

Price: $82

Description: Explore North Carolina's natural beauty at Grandfather Mountain State Park! Attendees will enjoy the scenic 2-hour charter bus ride to the mountain, where you will be greeted by the park's expert naturalists. From there, you will have the option to shuttle to the famous Mile High Swinging Bridge first or participate in an educational program highlighting the rare and endangered plants and animals found on Grandfather Mountain. There will also be time for self-guided tours of the park before returning to Charlotte in time for the evening Icebreaker Event.

Bring your binoculars, camera, hiking shoes, and a raincoat. This trip is rain or shine. You are encouraged to bring your own snacks and water. Boxed lunches will be provided.

Grandfather Mountain website: https://grandfather.com/visit/

Latta Nature Preserve

Latta Nature Preserve Birding and Carolina Raptor Center Hospital Tour

Huntersville, North Carolina

9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

20-person maximum capacity

Price: $34

Come visit Latta Nature Preserve for a combined field trip of a guided birding walk and a tour at the Carolina Raptor Center’s Raptor Hospital. Latta Nature Preserve’s green peninsula spans 1,400 acres which extends into Mountain Island Lake, making it Mecklenburg County’s largest nature preserve. The Carolina Raptor Center is home to a zoo trail with over 30 birds on exhibit and the Raptor Hospital. The Raptor Hospital admits 800-1,000 raptors each year. The guided birding portion will be led by Ron Clark (bio below) and takes approximately 2 hours. The Raptor Hospital tour will allow you to see behind the scenes with an up-close look into the hospital on a guided tour with the Hospital Staff. Boxed lunches will be provided.

Ron Clark bio: Ron Clark has been a friend of Carolina Raptor Center for the past 28 years and an avid birder for just as long. Ron leads up to 3 walks a month for the local Audubon Society around Mecklenburg County as well as leading birding trips all around the United States.

Latta Nature Preserve map: https://izbnc.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Latta-NP-Brochure-and-Map-small.pdf