MRNR Lisa Benish MRNR Lisa Benish

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

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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”!

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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. ‪

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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

 

 

 

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