Walnut Creek Preserve, Mill Spring, NC (2026)

The Preserve is set up, not as a resort, but rather as an area for equestrian land use as well as the preservation of natural beauty in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Lake Lure is nearby, a famous resort community known for boating and its golf courses

There are 2100 acres of pastures and forested lands within the Preserve. The variety of indigenous plant life is substantial, includ

ing both rare and threatened plants. Many wild animals are found within the lands. In order to maintain the survival of these animals and plant life, only 25 sites will be offered from the lands within the preserve. Lot sizes average twenty acres each. The balance of the acreage will be protected as deeded conservation lands. The entire development was created to emphasize hiking, conservation and horseback riding trails. The small farm acreages are set in the midst of the larger acreage with more than fifty miles of trails for hiking and riding. Many other opportunities for recreation and cultural emphasis are nearby, including Asheville's artist colony, Chimney Rock and the Flat Rock North Carolina state theater.

06/20/2026

You are invited to the NATURE CENTER …
WHAT: Walnut Creek Preserve Speaker Series: Amazing Birds of Prey
WHEN: JULY 17 @ 10:30 am – 12 pm
COST: FREE
TOPIC: Experience the awe-inspiring world of raptors, with LIVE BIRDS—from their adaptations to their partnership with humans. This is a family-friendly event, bring the kids!
SPEAKER: Jeff Curtis, Curtis Wright Falconry
LOCATION: Anne Elizabeth Suratt Nature Center at Walnut Creek Preserve. 179 Wood Thrush Lane, Mill Spring, NC 28756
DIRECTIONS: CLICK LINK, then SCROLL DOWN: https://conservingcarolina.org/walnut-creek-preserve/
Find out more: https://conservingcarolina.org/event/walnut-creek-preserve-speaker-series-amazing-birds-of-prey/
RSVP: Email Pam Torlina, [email protected] with questions or for more information.
NOTE 1: Contact Pam Torlina, [email protected], with questions or for more information. If for some reason you are unable to make it on the day of the program, please either revisit our calendar event and update your RSPV or email [email protected] so your spot can be opened up to someone else. Thank you!
NOTE 2: The Walnut Creek Preserve Speaker Series programs are made possible thanks to a partnership between Conserving Carolina and the Walnut Creek Preserve.
NOTE 3: Walnut Creek Preserve is PRIVATE PROPERTY and guests are only allowed on the property by invitation (a planned event or scheduled group). Thank you.
TOPIC: Join us and explore the fascinating world of birds of prey. Learn about their remarkable characteristics and adaptations. You’ll also be introduced to the ancient art of falconry and its long-standing human connection, gaining insight into the vital role raptors play in our environment. This program will be great for the whole family and include LIVE BIRDS, so bring the kids!
Jeff Curtis got interested in birds of prey back in college when he worked with a rehabilitation group on his campus. He has been a licensed falconer for 14 years. He owns Curtis Wright Falconry and has been sharing his passion for raptors with the public at his home and at the Biltmore Estate for 11 years.
RSVP is requested, but not necessary to attend the event! Please join us!

Experience the awe-inspiring world of raptors, with LIVE BIRDS—from their adaptations to their partnership with humans. This is a family-friendly event, bring the kids!

05/16/2026

You are invited to the NATURE CENTER …
WHAT: Walnut Creek Preserve Speaker Series: Talking Turkey!
WHEN: JUNE 20 @ 10:30 am – 12 pm
COST: FREE
TOPIC: Talking Turkey!
SPEAKER: Stephen Tillotson, Chimney Rock State Park Ranger
LOCATION: Anne Elizabeth Suratt Nature Center at Walnut Creek Preserve. 179 Wood Thrush Lane, Mill Spring, NC 28756
DIRECTIONS: CLICK LINK, then SCROLL DOWN: https://conservingcarolina.org/walnut-creek-preserve/
Find out more: https://conservingcarolina.org/event/walnut-creek-preserve-speaker-series-talking-turkey/
RSVP: Email Pam Torlina, [email protected] with questions or for more information.
NOTE 1: Contact Pam Torlina, [email protected], with questions or for more information. If for some reason you are unable to make it on the day of the program, please either revisit our calendar event and update your RSPV or email [email protected] so your spot can be opened up to someone else. Thank you!
NOTE 2: The Walnut Creek Preserve Speaker Series programs are made possible thanks to a partnership between Conserving Carolina and the Walnut Creek Preserve.
NOTE 3: Walnut Creek Preserve is PRIVATE PROPERTY and guests are only allowed on the property by invitation (a planned event or scheduled group). Thank you.
TOPIC: Did you know that Wild Turkeys were once in the running to be our National Bird? They were also on the brink of extinction, but now their population has bounced back. Come join a NC State Park Ranger to share storybooks about these fascinating animals and their unique adaptations. This will be a great program for the whole family, so BRING THE KIDS!
Park Ranger Stephen Tillotson has been with the NC State Park system for over 20 years, with the last 13 years here at Chimney Rock State Park. He is a certified NC Environmental Educator that has led a few hundred public programs over the years. Come enjoy some of the dad jokes he has perfected and test the ranger’s knowledge of North Carolina natural history.
RSVP is requested, but not necessary to attend the event! Please join us!

Photo by NC Park Ranger Staff Date: June 20, 2026 Time: 10:30 a.m. Location: Anne Elizabeth Suratt Nature Center at Walnut Creek Preserve Speaker: Stephen Tillotson, Chimney Rock State Park

04/18/2026

You are invited to the NATURE CENTER …
WHAT: Walnut Creek Preserve Speaker Series: Bugs in Motion – Filming Insects to Appreciate Biodiversity & Advance Science
WHEN: MAY 16 @ 10:30 am – 12 pm
COST: FREE
TOPIC: Lights, camera… antennae! Step into the miniature world of insects and see how high-speed filming is unlocking big discoveries in science and conservation.
SPEAKER: Dr. Adrian Smith, Head of the Insect Behavior Research Lab at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and faculty of the Department of Biological Sciences at North Carolina State University.
LOCATION: Anne Elizabeth Suratt Nature Center at Walnut Creek Preserve. 179 Wood Thrush Lane, Mill Spring, NC 28756
DIRECTIONS: CLICK LINK, then SCROLL DOWN: https://conservingcarolina.org/walnut-creek-preserve/
Find out more: https://conservingcarolina.org/event/walnut-creek-preserve-speaker-series-bugs-in-motion-filming-insects-to-appreciate-biodiversity-advance-science/
RSVP: Email Pam Torlina, [email protected] with questions or for more information.
NOTE 1: Contact Pam Torlina, [email protected], with questions or for more information. If for some reason you are unable to make it on the day of the program, please either revisit our calendar event and update your RSPV or email [email protected] so your spot can be opened up to someone else. Thank you!
NOTE 2: The Walnut Creek Preserve Speaker Series programs are made possible thanks to a partnership between Conserving Carolina and the Walnut Creek Preserve.
NOTE 3: Walnut Creek Preserve is PRIVATE PROPERTY and guests are only allowed on the property by invitation (a planned event or scheduled group). Thank you.
TOPIC: Arthropods and insects are some of the most inspiring and incredible creatures that live right outside (and sometimes inside!) our door. But because of their small size and cryptic lifestyles, it can be hard to see and appreciate what they do. As a research scientist and a media maker, Dr. Adrian Smith works to visualize, study, and tell the stories of these creatures. During this presentation, he’ll show some of his work filming the behaviors of things like trap-jaws ants, beetles, moths, springtails, and more. His goal is to illuminate the lives of animals to both advance research science but also create new ways of appreciating our own local biodiversity.
Dr. Adrian Smith is the Head of the Insect Behavior Research Lab at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and a faculty member in the Department of Biological Sciences at North Carolina State University. He is also the creator of the popular YouTube channel Ant Lab.
RSVP is requested, but not necessary to attend the event! Please join us!

Lights, camera… antennae! Step into the miniature world of insects and see how high-speed filming is unlocking big discoveries in science and conservation.

Address

Mill Spring, NC
28756

Telephone

+17576469588

Website

http://www.walnutcreekpreserve.com/

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Walnut Creek Preserve