Duke Forest

The Duke Forest recently welcomed the 2026–2027 cohort of Duke University’s CAST Fellows Program for a hands-on exploration of climate and sustainability education in action. The Climate and Sustainability Teaching (CAST) Fellows Program supports faculty as they redesign courses to incorporate climate and sustainability concepts through interdisciplinary, place-based learning experiences. By equipping educators with new tools and perspectives, the program helps prepare students to address pressing environmental and societal challenges.

During the Duke Forest portion of the workshop, fellows explored long-running research sites, discussed forest management and climate resilience, and examined topics such as wildfire, biodiversity loss, and mesophication. Participants also engaged in creative exercises involving storytelling, writing, movement, and sensory observation to demonstrate how arts-based teaching can deepen engagement with complex environmental issues.

Together, these experiences highlighted the value of experiential learning and reinforced the important role Duke’s natural landscapes play in cultivating future climate and sustainability leaders.

Read more here: https://dukeforest.duke.edu/2026/05/19/duke-forest-hosts-climate-and-sustainability-teaching-fellows/

Green Devil Intern Eddie McDonald, MEM/MF ’26, presented at the Climate and Sustainability Research and Campus Impact Showcase about his internship experience with the Duke Forest. Eddie reflected on the wide range of projects he supported throughout the academic year, strengthening both his field operations and administrative skills as he prepares to enter the job market following his December graduation.

From invasive species removal and recreation monitoring to timber cruising, Eddie’s hard work, adaptability, and positive attitude made a meaningful impact on the stewardship and management of the Duke Forest!

Our friends from the Marine Robotics and Remote Sensing (MaRRS) Lab frequently use our two drone flight facilities. They hone their piloting skills by accruing flight hours, test equipment and research methodologies, and give us a bird’s-eye view of the Forest from above!

Please note: Recreational drone use is not permitted in the Duke Forest. Drone use is reserved for approved teaching and research activities only.

Host your next gathering in the Duke Forest! 🥳🌳

Whether you're planning a graduation party, birthday celebration, work retreat, or casual get-together, the Duke Forest has two scenic shelters available for public rental. Both are conveniently located just off NC-751 and offer a rustic, peaceful setting perfect for connecting with friends, family, or colleagues.

The Bobby Ross, Jr. Memorial Shelter at Gate C features a Duke stone fireplace, picnic tables, a grill, and is located next to the 0.8-mile Shepherd Nature Trail. While this site does not have electricity, it offers a wonderful off-the-grid experience surrounded by nature.

The R. L. Rigsbee Shelter at Gate F includes an outhouse, access to electricity and lights, a grill, several picnic tables, and even a volleyball court! Guests can explore the nearby gravel road trail for a peaceful post-meal walk.

To learn more about each shelter, check availability, and reserve your spot, visit our website: https://dukeforest.duke.edu/recreation/picnicking-receptions/

Recently, we hosted a test run for a collaborative research project between PhD student Caroline Rowley, who is studying coyote behavior, and mechanical engineering seniors designing a tracking collar.

To test it, the team worked with Beacon, a highly trained border collie, who was led by his trainer through fields and forests to gather data across habitats. This hands-on effort highlights how the Forest supports innovative, interdisciplinary research and real-world learning for students across Duke.

The 2026 Forest Steward season is underway, with a record 63 volunteers (including 34 new stewards) helping care for the Forest. Serving as our eyes and ears on the ground, they engage with visitors, answer questions, share knowledge about this special place, and flag maintenance needs to our team.

Their presence strengthens both stewardship and community connections across the Forest. If you spot one of these friendly volunteers in a yellow vest, be sure to say hello and thank them for their service!

In the weeks leading up to Earth Day, the Duke Forest came alive with curiosity and discovery as more than 300 local students stepped into the world of environmental exploration. From creekside adventures during Forest View Elementary’s Week at the Creek to hands-on hikes along the Shepherd Nature Trail, young learners immersed themselves in the sights, sounds, and science of the natural world. Students journaled, tracked wildlife, surveyed reptiles and amphibians, and even contributed to real community science initiatives like Caterpillars Count.

In classrooms, they discovered how pollinators quietly power our ecosystems and what it means to care for them. These experiences deepened students’ understanding of their own backyards and planted the seeds for a lifelong commitment to stewardship, growing the next generation of environmental champions right here in Durham.

Gifts from Nicholas School of the Environment (NSOE) alumni to the Duke Forest Improvement Fund made by April 30 will unlock a dollar-for-dollar match to the NSOE Annual Fund.

The Duke Forest and the Nicholas School have long been intertwined, and that partnership continues today—advancing hands-on environmental education for Duke students and driving discovery through research. Celebrate this enduring connection and amplify your impact by making a matching gift today in support of both the Forest and the Nicholas School.

You can make a gift by visiting dukeforest.duke.edu/give.

Join us for a special spring morning exploring the world of butterflies in the Duke Forest. We’re delighted to welcome Jeff Pippen, a former Duke faculty member and leader in butterfly monitoring across North America. Drawing on decades of research, Jeff will share insights into butterfly and insect habitats, what long-term monitoring reveals about environmental change, the importance of pollinators, and how these small creatures help us better understand the health of our ecosystems.

This engaging program will offer a unique opportunity to learn directly from an expert during a seated presentation and walking tour in the Duke Forest. Space is limited. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, a lifelong learner, or simply curious, you’ll come away with a deeper appreciation for the intricate connections that shape our natural world.

Sign-up on our website at dukeforest.duke.edu/events!

The Forest welcomed a wave of returning alumni during Duke's Reunion Weekend, April 10–12, as visitors reconnected with this remarkable landscape just down the road from campus.

A dozen alums and family members joined Executive Director Sara Childs for an engaging tour highlighting past and present research, while nearly 40 others explored the Forest at their own pace on self-guided hikes. Many alumni recalled fond memories of hiking and studying in the Forest as students, while others experienced it for the first time!