When was the last time you experienced complete darkness? You may have noticed, but dark skies are getting somewhat harder to find due to light pollution from human activity, which has detrimental consequences to our planet—and our own health. This week is International Dark Sky Week, a time to appreciate darkness, and reflect on what steps we can take to conserve dark skies!

Every April, we celebrate different people, projects, and scientific discoveries that are made possible through the public working with researchers on collaborative projects. Together as a community, people all around the globe practice this public participation in the scientific process with a shared goal to increase our collective knowledge. Read on to learn how you can get involved in community science at the Blue Ridge Discovery Center!

At the end of every dragging, gray Appalachian winter, those of us who live in the high country long for the rush of green, verdant warmth that comes with the mountain spring. The Lettuceleaf Saxifrage (Micranthes micranthidifolia), known locally as “branch lettuce,” is one of the first signs (and delicacies) of spring, named for a semiaquatic love for small creeks and streams with crystal-clear, cascading water.