About this Event
Whether you’re an aspiring bird nerd or a seasoned beak geek, this class is for you! Birds evolved in the Jurassic period, 150 million years ago, and have persisted through five mass extinctions on Earth. And yet we are surrounded by their birdsong every day—a chorus of calls and songs that reveal stories of survival, kinship, and the pulse of the living world. In this engaging workshop, naturalist, storyteller and longtime Firefly instructor Luke Cannon, will guide you into a deeper relationship with these remarkable creatures and the many ways they communicate, adapt, and thrive.
We’ll begin out in nature, tuning our senses to the rhythms and voices of nearby birds, before gathering for an afternoon of lively conversation and discovery. Along the way, Luke will share fascinating insights into bird evolution, migration, senses, nesting strategies, and the ecological connections that tie them—and us—together.
The melodic tunes of birdsong serve as a sign of peace and safety, tapping into our primal instincts, signaling our nervous system to relax, rest and return to a place of equilibrium. Join in on this beautiful experience, and come ready to listen closely: the birds have so much to say.
This class will be held outdoors on Sunday, March 22nd, 2026, from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm near Asheville, NC.
All Firefly Gathering workshops are hosted in the greater Asheville area, sometimes at private venues. For that reason, the actual venue address will be included in your Welcome email, approximately one week before the workshop. Please note that classes are not actually held at Westgate Parkway.
This class is suitable both for experienced birders and beginners alike! The minimum age is 13, with those under 16 accompanied by an adult.
Stay in touch with our Facebook event: Introduction to Birds & Bird Language w/ Luke Cannon
About the Instructor: Luke Cannon
More than a botanist, Luke Cannon is a long time pursuer and teacher of our astounding natural world. Over the last twenty five years, Luke has instructed numerous nature connection programs and led hundreds of classes, walks and workshops. An avid naturalist and storyteller, Luke blends his studies of deep-ecology with permaculture, animism, survival skills, homesteading, and experiential education. He has taught for the North Carolina Arboretum, Blue Ridge Audubon Society, Organic Growers School, Finger Lakes Native Plant Society, Asheville Mushroom Club, Wild Abundance, and Blue Ridge School of Herbal Medicine to name a few. In 2011 he founded Astounding Earth– dedicated to helping people deepen their relationships with our living planet, and he co-founded the Sacred Naturalist School in 2020. Luke currently lives in the mountains of North Carolina studying and teaching Appalachian Ecology and leading nature connection focused courses and backpacking expeditions. He offers regular public walks and classes to share his knowledge and love of local plants, birds, mammals, mushrooms, soils and ecology. Find his niche in the web at: www.AstoundingEarth.com
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Westgate Parkway, Westgate Parkway, Asheville, United States
USD 40.00 to USD 75.00
