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.