Mount Rogers Spring Naturalist Rally

The weather held out! As with most Rallies, rain or snow can happen (and usually does) and although it was predicted…it stayed away allowing for a beautiful weekend outdoors. The 49th annual Mount Rogers Spring Naturalist Rally drew a large crowd of enthusiastic participants last weekend reaching the highest attendance yet and included a full house in residence. BRDC provided high quality food throughout the weekend using locally sourced ingredients and prepared with love by Chef Micah.

Our keynote speaker Dr. Marcella Kelly, Virginia Tech Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation, shared her Virginia Appalachian Carnivore Project. Her research focused on the perception of increased coyote populations and its impact on white-tailed deer. The data provided powerful insight into the predation on white-tailed deer and opens up questions for further study…we can’t wait to find out more!

Dr. Marcella Kelly

Field trips on Saturday included several new opportunities such as Weather Survival in the Wilderness, Camera Trapping and Land Snails. Birding, Geology, Mushrooms, Butterflies, Nature Drawing, and the tried and true trips from the past, also remained popular.  

Special thanks to all of the volunteers and Board (baking desserts and providing greens) who worked to make the event a success! The wonderful support of our volunteer guides was greatly appreciated as they lead 25 different field trips during the weekend. There were full day kids programs, night programs, and 6 walk and talk programs as well. Last but certainly not least was the wonderful porch pickin’ provided by the Nale sisters and their family: Lindsey Nale, Ashley and Gary Hultman, and Dave and Christine Hultman.

Additional thanks go out to all the donations provided for our Raffle: Matt Reilly, Vortex Optics, Barbara Kingsolver, Dark Hollow Roasters, Marion Outdoors, VADWR, GHSP, Karen Doyle, American Chestnut Foundation, Marceia Holland and many others. Thank you all so much for your generosity.

All in all, the 49th annual Mount Rogers Spring Naturalist Rally was an inspirational weekend of sharing through exploration and discovery in the wonders of the Blue Ridge.
 

Kicking Off a Summer of Discovery

From festival to forest to field, there is much to discover across the Blue Ridge during the summer. Check out what we have been up to with our friends!

A Weekend of Music and Fun 

On June 15th, we had the opportunity to not only participate in the Wayne Henderson Music Festival, but also to provide the 2019 children’s activities. Despite the past record of rainy days, the sun paid a visit for the day to make the weather even more beautiful for the full day ahead. Throughout the day while getting to listen to the amazing performances, we got to make journals, leaf poundings, buttons, and other crafts. In addition to creating things together, we also got to listen to storytelling and participate in rope trick lessons, courtesy of some of our incredible volunteers. 

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Konnarock Discovery Day Camp: Session I

On June 17th, we kicked off the first session of our Discovery Day Camp based out of Konnarock! Despite the prevailing storms that came throughout the week, we got to participate in activities that focused on every aspect of the nature around us. From collecting and learning about different trees of the area, to having first-hand experiences with native and non-native animals, everyday was a little adventure.

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Galax Discovery Day Camp: Session I

This past week, Blue Ridge Discovery Center had the pleasure of providing Discovery Day Camp for kids in the Galax area! Every day was focused on a different aspect of nature. We explored all things from birding to stream ecology and hydrography! The students learned so much, including what constitutes an owl pellet (pictured). All in all, the week was a success and our campers walked away with a greater appreciation for the physical world around them.

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Discovery Day Camp Photo Album

KTS Historic Photos

Recently we were gifted a treasure trove of over 500 historic photos of the old Konnarock Training School by Sheila (Blevins) Brown and the Blevins family. Their family managed to keep this invaluable resource safe since the school closed in 1959, nearly 60 years ago. The three albums appear to have been compiled over the lifespan of the school, from 1924-1959, with photographs ranging from the construction of the facility to field trips up Whitetop Mountain to yearbook-style portraits. We here at Blue Ridge Discovery Center are very honored to have been entrusted with this resource.

Historic Photo Album 1

Historic Photo Album 2

Historic Photo Album 3

Our first step has been to digitize the photographs, and we will be delivering copies to the Grayson County, Smyth County, and Washington County Historical Societies. In the long run, these photos will form the core of the historic interpretive displays about the property, but in the short term, we have created a page to view the photos on our website, which is listed below.

The full wealth of information in this archive has yet to be discovered. It will take the eyes of family members and the community to draw out the entire story. Please share this archive with friends and family so they can let us know more about these photos. Anyone with more information can contact us at info@blueridgediscoverycenter.org.

The timing of this gift could not be better. With the imminent restoration of the building, these historic photos are directly informing our design decisions. But beyond that, these photos are giving us an incredible insight into the landscape at that time. By observing the background carefully you will see landmarks, trees that where saplings then and a massive stump now, old roads and paths, outbuildings, pastures, and more. There are photos of a steam powered excavator, a basketball game in the 20’s, the old Roosevelt Farm, early girl scout activities, and Whitetop’s bad weather (ha!).

One of the greatest joys of scanning these at 600dpi and looking at them full-screen is realizing that when a photographer goes to take a photo, kids will be kids regardless of the era! Their fidgeting, their expressions, picking on one another, the poses, and their boundless smiles are timeless and tell all!

A Reunion of the Konnarock Training School Alumni

Blue Ridge Discovery Center and the Konnarock Retreat House hosted the alumni of the historic Konnarock Training School and their families on July 7th, 2018. Since the 1960's this group has been getting together to share stories and pass down the oral history of the KTS.

The group has dwindled but the ones in attendance were no doubt as feisty as ever. Beyond the stories of polishing the dining room floor with the weight of their rumps being pulled around on a rug, of climbing out on the roof for fresh air, tending the school garden, of the inspiring Biology teacher Mrs Kirby, and riding the school truck to Whitetop. Beyond all of that. The most inspiring part of the event was the engagement of their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. It is very clear that the impact of the Konnarock Training School has reverberated throughout the community for generations, affecting the trajectory of all sorts of families. It is a powerful idea, to build an educational institution, but often times it is difficult to see the broad-reaching impacts.

This weekend, we not only got to look into the past, but we also got to see our future, an insight into the potential impacts BRDC can have on individuals, families, and a community. It was heartwarming and inspiring and we can't wait to continue that legacy in Konnarock!

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Cottage Renovations Underway

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Cottage Floor Plans

Over the past month, Blue Ridge Discovery Center has begun renovations on the cottage adjacent to our center! Our aim is to move our offices out there by the Spring Naturalist Rally in early May and set up shop! Our new office will allow us to offer some programming, establish fundraising headquarters for the center, get to know the Konnarock community, secure the site, and most of all, be an example of what is to come!

This project has made swift progress due to some invaluable support by volunteers, donors, and the hard work of local contractor David Hood. We began with a volunteer demo session that prepped the site in a heartbeat, demoing old flooring, fixtures, trim and cabinets. With a generous private financial contribution, we began restoring the structure, fixing leaks, guttering, insulating and installing the flooring. Local materials suppliers have contributed essential in-kind donations, including Grayson Millworks who is producing custom period white oak molding and Berry Home Center who has supported BRDC with building supplies, along with a brand new set of cabinets and countertops for the project! If you don't know Berry Home Center, you should: http://www.berryhomecenter.com/

Many thanks to all involved, we look forward to hosting you at our new offices this spring!

Our Future Center

For the past nine years, Blue Ridge Discovery Center has operated without a physical place, utilizing state, federal, and private property to implement programming. Although that period allowed us to develop a strong resume of impact-driven programs, we were constantly faced with the question: Where is your Center?

Today, Blue Ridge Discovery Center (BRDC) is very excited to announce the site of our future home! In partnership with the Konnarock Retreat House (KRH), BRDC has received the generous contribution of the historic Konnarock Training School, in Konnarock, VA. Located at the base of the highest mountain in Virginia, the property is ideally situated to explore, discover, and share one the most dynamic ecosystems in North America. With this Center, we have the opportunity to fulfill our long-term vision by offering residential education, supporting research, and outfitting our very own interpretative center. 

Built in 1925, this structure stands today with a storied past of education and community service. Constructed by the Lutheran Church with the support of the Hassinger Lumber Company, the building operated as a girls school for 34 years, serving a chronically underserved mountain population. In 1967 the property was purchased by the United States Forest Service as part of the Mount Rogers Recreation Area. It housed the original Konnarock Trail Crew that built the vast network of trails currently giving us access to the high country. In 1974, it hosted the formation of the Mount Rogers Naturalist Rally, an event that BRDC continues today! After sitting empty for many years, the USFS deeded the property back to the community in 2006. With the mission to restore the historic structure, the Konnarock Retreat House was formed and began fundraising. Having stabilized the building and saved it from certain destruction, KRH came together with Blue Ridge Discovery Center earlier this year to marry a perfect match of a placeless non-profit with a property needing an institution to continue its legacy of community service. Today, we are honored to take on that challenge, continue the great work of those who came before us, and to call Konnarock our future home. 

Arriving at this historic step required the sacrifice and dedication of many. As President of the Konnarock Retreat House, the late Dr. Jean Hamm championed the history, mission, and value of this property without rest. Her strength in leadership, no doubt preserved the building and its legacy. The same can be said of Peggy Baldwin, a Whitetop resident who attended the school as a child and who was instrumental in having the property transferred from federal ownership back to the community. The entire KRH board deserves credit for countless hours of on the ground volunteer service and at the same time, having the broader awareness to connect BRDC with this opportunity.

Blue Ridge Discovery Center gives special thanks to its broad network of supporters who have been with us for many years and helped develop our organization. In particular, the Harris and Francis Block Foundation, and the Judge Matthews Foundation who believe in our mission to inspire curiosity, discovery, and stewardship through the wonders of the Blue Ridge. 

What all of these people have in common is that they have a great love for this region and have dedicated their lives to sharing what makes it so special. We stand now, with the potential of achieving that great goal of elevating our collective understanding and appreciation of the Blue Ridge. 

We would like to invite you to join us for an Open House on December 9, 2017, from 10 to 2 pm, where we will share our full vision of how this property can serve the community. This is also an opportunity to gather stakeholder ideas, build inspiration, and together step into the future of Blue Ridge Discovery Center. 

- Aaron Floyd, Executive Director, Blue Ridge Discovery Center

Directions to the Open House and Center:

From Troutdale (Hwy 16)

• Turn from Highway 16 onto Rte 603, Fairwood Rd. 

• Continue 10.4 miles to a stop sign

• Turn Left onto Whitetop Rd/Konnarock Rd towards Damascus (Rte 603/600 Combined) 

• Travel 500ft and the Center will be at the intersection of Whitetop Rd and Konnarock Rd, where Whitetop Rd turns left and goes towards Elk Garden and Whitetop.

From I-81 North or South

• Take Exit 35 at Chilhowie, VA

• Turn South onto VA-107 (This road may change names a number of times but you do not turn off of it)

• To arrive at the Center, travel 11.4 over Iron Ridge and back down towards Konnarock and the base of Whitetop Mountain

• The Center will be at the intersection of Whitetop Rd and Konnarock Rd, where Whitetop Rd turns left and goes towards Elk Garden and Whitetop.

From Damascus (Hwy 58)

• Head East on Hwy 58 out of town, turning left just under a mile out of Damascus to stay on Hwy 58 (Hwy 91 continues straight towards Mountain City)

• To arrive at the Center, stay on straight on Hwy 58/Konnarock Rd for 12.5 miles (very curvy road and Hwy 58 turns right to go to Whitetop) 

• The Center will be at the intersection of Whitetop Rd (Rte 600) and Konnarock Rd (Rte 603), where Whitetop Rd turns left and goes towards Elk Garden and Whitetop.

For more information about the Open House, or our future Center, please email info@blueridgediscoverycenter.org

Mount Rogers Spring Naturalist Rally

Although the weather kept some away, the 43rd annual Mount Rogers Naturalist Rally drew a large crowd of enthusiastic participants during the second weekend in May.  The Rally was held in memory of Wallace Coffey, Rally co-founder, and Claude Greever, long-time Rally supporter and guide.

For the 2nd year in a row, BRDC partnered with the Independence Farmers Market www.independencefarmersmarket.org to provide high quality and locally sourced ingredients for the Farm--to-Table meal, which featured slow smoked, local, pasture-raised pork, plenty of local veggies, home-made breads, and a garden salad to die for. Home-made desserts finished off the meal. With all profits from the dinner returning to the community center, those in attendance made for a successful fundraiser. 

As rain poured outside, keynote speaker George Constantz, author of Hollows, Peepers, and Highlanders: An Appalachian Mountain Ecology, spoke to a packed house at the Konnarock Community Center after the Friday night dinner.

Field trips on Saturday included several new opportunities such as Caving, Intro to Birding and Ecology of Grassy Balds, while many of the tried and true trips from the past also remained popular.  With the rain giving way to cloudy skies and even a little bit of sunshine, conditions were wet but good for the hearty naturalist who didn’t mind a little mud.

Special thanks to all of the volunteers and committee members who worked to make the event a success! The wonderful support of our volunteer guides was greatly appreciated as they lead 26 different field trips during the weekend as well as two kids programs.  The Rally was held in memory of Wallace Coffey, Rally co-founder, and Claude Greever, long-time Rally supporter and guide.

All in all, the 43rd annual Mount Rogers Naturalist Rally was an inspiring addition to the long tradition of this exploration and discovery event within the Blue Ridge. 
 

2016 Mt. Rogers Naturalist Rally

What a fantastic Rally weekend!  There was so much to explore and share!

This year’s dinner was a partnership with the Independence Farmer’s Market  providing high quality, local ingredients for the Konnarock Community Center to prepare a super meal.  After dinner, speaker Sarah Ross, Executive Director of the UGA Center for Research and Education at Wormsloe, gave a great talk about Monarchs, Milkweed and the importance of insects.

This year's field trips included birding, salamanders, tree ID, bio survey, wildflowers, a hike to Mt. Rogers, big tree hike, wild edibles, drawing from life, mammals, geology, and much more.

Sarah Ross explains the importance of insects

Checking out a Red-breasted Nuthatch

Jack-in-the Pulpit or is it Jill-in-the-Pulpit? We learned to tell the difference in the male and female Jack -in-the Pulpit.  This one is a male.

Pausing to look up the medicinal use of Wild Yam

The kids enjoyed programs just for them

Witch Hobble in the snow on Whitetop

The wild edibles field trip was very popular

Some of the folks who camped at Grindstone

Saturday night's salamander hike was epic due to the rain and warmer weather
 

Lots to explore on the bio survey

Fly fishing Sunday morning

Lots of critters visited the kids program Saturday

Fiddleheads peaking through Thursday's snowfall

Participants sampled some foraged treats

Comfy & dry Junco nest

Saturday's community dinner at Grindstone Campground

Learning to cast at Grindstone Campground with Lisa Benish. Check out those straight lines!

Blue Bead Lily at Grindstone Campground

Special thanks to all of the folks who made the Rally such a great success: the organizers, guides,  Friday night speaker, participants, cooks, volunteers, and BRDC staff.