A Weekend of Nature Exploration

Spring comes alive in the Blue Ridge this weekend as The Nature Foundation at Wintergreen hosts its newly reimagined Spring Awakening, taking place May 1 to 3, 2026. Formerly known as the Wildflower Symposium, this expanded event reflects a broader exploration of the natural world at its most vibrant moment of the year, when the mountain is in peak spring bloom.

Spring Awakening brings together wildflowers, wildlife, geology, weather, and ecology into one immersive weekend experience. The goal is simple: to help guests better understand the interconnected systems that shape the Blue Ridge landscape.

Across three days, participants can choose from 25 unique experiences, including guided hikes, expert led lectures, and a hands on art workshop. Fourteen field based walks lead guests deep into Wintergreen’s forests alongside specialists in botany, birding, salamanders, geology, and more. These outdoor experiences are paired with 10 lectures that offer a deeper scientific and ecological perspective, often complementing the field sessions for a more complete learning experience.

Highlights of the weekend include birding excursions, salamander searches, tree and plant identification hikes, and discussions ranging from climate history to pollinator relationships and forest ecology. Each program is designed to connect observation in the field with a broader understanding of the systems at work in the Blue Ridge.

The weekend concludes on Sunday morning with a special exploratory trip to the rare vernal pools of Maple Flat, an unusual and ecologically important habitat brought to life by expert interpretation.

In addition to the programming, attendees can enjoy exclusive resort benefits, including 10 percent off spa and wellness services and a one time two hour pass to the fitness center and indoor pool with presentation of a Symposium ticket at check in.