When: November 8, 2025 @ 10:00 am
Explore the tiny yet complex world of mosses and liverworts
Luscious, damp, and leafy, mosses are miniscule rainforests in your backyard. A single boulder may be home to hundreds of subtly different species, all sheltering a variety of microscopic animals like tardigrades and rotifers. We often overlook these tiny plants due to their small stature, but each one is equipped with ingenious adaptations that allow them to thrive in some of the harshest conditions on earth; mosses can be found happily photosynthesizing on bare rock faces, exposed tree limbs, even nooks in sidewalks or roofs!
Join Skye for this casual event to discover the secrets of the mosses. We will discuss how they utilize their diverse toolbelt to make a home in the odd places in the forest, learn how to identify a few common species that you can find almost anywhere, and appreciate these teensy creatures’ clever beauty. Participants are encouraged to bring their own naturalist tools such as hand lenses/loupes, but magnifying devices will be available for those without their own. This event is suitable for those who are curious but may not want to commit to a long hike; minimal walking is required to enjoy this opportunity. We will take a quick walk from the parking area to the event area, but once we arrive we will be concentrating on the bryophyte diversity within a ~200ft section of stream.
This event is geared towards beginner naturalists 12 and up, but experts are welcome to attend to share their own knowledge with the group! Younger children are welcome as well, but may not grasp all the information shared during this event. This event will run until around noon. Participants should bring plenty of water, sun protection, warm layers, and any naturalist tools they may want such as a hand lens, notebook, or field guide. We also encourage bringing waterproof shoes (for easy viewing of the specimens in the creek), water-resistant pants (for kneeling or sitting on the ground to closely observe specimens), and something to sit or kneel on (we will be stationary for long periods of time.)
We will meet at the Bartram Trail parking lot on Hickory Knoll Road in Franklin just before 10:00am on Saturday, November 8th. See the map below for exact location. This event will run until 12:00pm.
This walk is donation-based, with a suggested donation of $15 per person. Please give what you can; your support allows us to protect the special creatures, plants, landscapes, and heritage of WNC for all to enjoy! Donations can be made online (select “upcoming event” from the dropdown box), or by cash or check at the event.
This event is weather-dependent. Please leave pets at home. Email Skye ([email protected]) with any questions. To register for this walk, fill out the form below.
Meet your teacher!
As Mainspring’s Outreach Director, Skye Cahoon inspires people to connect with their local landscape and value the conservation efforts that protect it. As a kid, she could often be found climbing trees, hunting for salamanders, or chasing fish at the swimming hole. Her passion for nature grew with her, and in 2020 she earned her Zoology B.S. from the University of Maine. Integrating her experience in wildlife research with her excitement about the natural world, Skye now strives to make science fun and accessible. She leads a variety of educational programs here at Mainspring, and enjoys continuing to learn about the diverse and fascinating creatures that call the Southern Appalachians home.
Please treat your registration as a formal ticket. Read this event description thoroughly and ensure that the date, time, and location work for your schedule. We monitor event sign-ups, and restrict group size to ensure you have a quality experience out in the woods with us. If you register and can no longer attend, email Skye at [email protected]. Thank you!
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