2021 Mt Rogers Naturalist Rally: "Scavenger Hunt" Edition
Grab your ticket to the “Scavenger Hunt” Edition of the 2021 Mt Rogers Spring Naturalist Rally!
Grab your ticket to the “Scavenger Hunt” Edition of the 2021 Mt Rogers Spring Naturalist Rally! This is the 47th year of the Mt Rogers Naturalist Rally and we have reinvented it this year to allow for exploration and discovery within the Mt. Rogers National Recreation Area (MRNRA). Our amazing Rally guides have assisted us with the development of this “Scavenger Hunt” chock full of challenges and natural history information. Although there will be no large gathering or group meal, you will have the same opportunity to learn about the amazing Mount Rogers area.
The Mt Rogers Naturalist Rally: “Scavenger Hunt” Edition is a self-guided, hands-on exploration of the biodiversity within a 7.5 mile radius of the Blue Ridge Discovery Center and within the MRNRA suitable for all ages. Participants will be provided clues to locate and explore unique and special locations, complete challenges, detours, and roadblocks, earn chances to win great prizes, and share findings!
From May 1st through the 9th, you may participate as many days as you like, start anytime you like, and travel at your own pace and convenience. You will:
Utilize a map and clues
Complete challenges.
Contribute to citizen science
Earn chances to win great prizes
and, Learn about the natural history of the Mt Rogers area
We even developed a special “Scavenger Hunt“ edition Rally t-shirt!
As always, raffle tickets are available for purchase to support the Rally with daily chances to win great prizes including a guided fly fishing trip with Matt Reilly, a weekend getaway for two in coastal SC, Vortex binoculars, a MagicScope, loaded naturalist pack, local swag, and more!
Share a full week of exploration and discovery in the Mt Rogers area on our Mt Rogers Naturalist Rally “Scavenger Hunt”!
Blue Ridge Explorers Club on the New
Stormy weather turned the July Blue Ridge Explorers Club "Full Moon Float" into a "Sunny Day Float" on a different section of river.
Stormy weather turned the July Blue Ridge Explorers Club "Full Moon Float" into a "Sunny Day Float" on a different section of river.
1 great egret, numerous Canada geese, dragonflies & damselflies hitching rides on the boats, big rocks, glorious weather and great folks.
Explorers Club Spring Wildflower Walk
Carol Broderson led a group of 17 explorers on an early spring, wildflower walk along the New River Trail last Saturday.
Carol Broderson led a group of 17 explorers on an early spring, wildflower walk along the New River Trail last Saturday. Carol is a Mt. Rogers Appalachian Trail Club volunteer, and also works with the Trails to Every Classroom program.
The wooded slopes adjacent to the trail were carpeted with spring wildflowers including Blood Root, Red Trillium and Early Saxifrage.
Partial Species List:
Bloodroot Sanguinaria canadensis
Blue Cohosh Caulophyllum thalictroides
Bluets Houstonia caerulea
Columbine Aquilegia canadensis
Common Blue Violet Viola sororia
Cutleaf Toothwort Cardamine concatenata (formerly Dentaria laciniata)
Dutchman's breeches Dicentra cucullaria
Early Saxifrage Saxifraga virginiensis (saxigfrage means rock breaker)
Flowering Dogwood Cornus florida
Golden Ragwort Packera aurea
Mayapple Podophyllum peltatum
Recurved Buttercup Ranunculus recurvatus
Eastern Redbud Cercis canadensis
Red Trillium Trillium erectum
Spring Beauty Claytonia virginica
Star Chickweed Stellaria pubera
Trout Lily Erythronium americanum
Wild Ginger Asarum canadense
Yellow Fumewort Corydalis flavula