Fire is one of the most powerful forces in nature. With the power to reduce anything in its path to ashes, it has become something many people fear. However, fire does so much more good than it does destruction. It has been harnessed as a tool we have used for centuries for warmth, for cooking meals, for forging tools and powering machines. Not only is it a tool for humans, it is also a tool for many environments, including the Blue Ridge Mountains. The ecosystems of the Blue Ridge that have been developed for centuries were predominantly shaped by fires, both naturally occurring and created by humans.

After a brief hiatus due to Blue Ridge Parkway closures, the naturalists of Blue Ridge Discovery Center returned to the windy overlook last month where we stationed ourselves for the 2026 Mahogany Rock Hawk Watch. Over the course of 13 days, we spotted 595 individuals across 12 species!

How’s your garden growing? Mother Nature’s garden is abundant this time of year! The high country is ripe with summer fruits and we aren’t the only critters enjoying the bounty.