Date: September 23, 2023

Time: 10:30 a.m.

Location: Laughing Waters Retreat – in the orchard

Speaker: Steve O’Neil, executive director of Earthshine Nature Programs

In this program, Steve will be bringing several working examples of his favorite form of renewable energy – solar power.  He will explain how they work and even let you explore them in a hands-on show and tell.  Steve will also bring the SS NaSA PoD, with its 1780-watt rooftop solar array, as the centerpiece.

Steve is from Hendersonville, North Carolina and has worked as an interpretive naturalist for many years and with many organizations. Currently, he is a naturalist and environmental science educator with Trails Carolina and he is the Executive Director of Earthshine Nature Programs. He received is Associate of Applied Science in Wildlife & Fisheries Management from Haywood Community College and his Bachelor of Science in Recreation Mgt./Outdoor Experiential Education from Appalachian State University, and he loves to share his passion for forests, mountains, caves, swamps, and dunes – in search of all things and all places wild and wonderful – with youngsters and adults.

Guests will park in the orchard at Laughing Waters Retreat, accessed from the address below, and walk up a little hill and gravel driveway to the pavilion.  If anyone has mobility challenges, there is the opportunity to be dropped off closer to the pavilion.

For more information about Laughing Waters Retreat Center, visit laughingwatersnc.com.