MRNR Aaron Floyd MRNR Aaron Floyd

Rooms for a Naturalist

We are offering 16 beautifully restored rooms with the ability to sleep 68 individuals in the historic 1924 Konnarock Training School!

In 2016 we began a strategic planning process that covered all facets of the organization. The most significant conclusion to come out of that was the acknowledgment that we needed longer periods of engagement with program participants than our 1-2 hour programs. This pointed us to an atypical Discovery Center model: a residential facility! Our vision steered toward “a night in the museum” or “a giant naturalist cabin” … a support structure to launch explorations and discoveries throughout one of the great wilderness regions in the East.

We are so very excited to see that vision come to fruition, with the offering of 16 beautifully restored rooms with the ability to sleep 68 individuals in the historic 1924 Konnarock Training School. The rooms are set up with their own dedicated bathroom, except for the two ends which have Jack & Jill bathrooms. The second floor is all twin XL bunk beds while the third floor is set up with king and queen suites with one room being an entire studio apartment.

This new core asset for Blue Ridge Discovery opens the door to a variety of engagement opportunities, like the dawn warbler chorus, a night of wood frog calls, or after dinner astronomy, but most importantly it provides a house for peer to peer dialog where we can share our observations and ideas. It is a place for rest, sustenance, reflection, research, and sharing, all critical components for fostering curiosity and stewardship.

We have chosen to open this facility for the 48th Annual Mount Rogers Naturalist Rally, an event that was originally founded at the Historic Schoolhouse and one that will soar with the return to a residential support structure. On May 6-8 we will host a variety of educators, professionals, naturalists, and artists all co-mingling for an entire weekend of explorations focused on Virginia’s highest mountains. We have opened the rooms up for reservation to our members and rally participants and have already booked up except one six person room and a few beds. To learn more please check out our room reservation page: https://blueridgediscoverycenter.org/overnight-accommodations

As part of our interpretative mission, each residential room is going to be themed in a particular subject: salamanders, raptors, geology, butterflies, mammals, etc… and we are offering naming rights for these rooms. For instance, one of these rooms has been named the “Golden Eagle Room” in honor of Chester and Ann Robertson, featuring Raptors of the Blue Ridge! This will provide the opportunity for participants to further engage with artwork, collections, and books associated with each subject. If you are interested in sponsoring one of these bedrooms, please reach out to Linda Hylander, chair of our Capital Campaign Committee, at info@blueridgediscoverycenter.org.

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A Year in Review

Look at what you helped us achieve in 2021 and join us in ringing in the New Year!

As we close 2021, a year of stress and uncertainty due to the continued pandemic, social distancing, mask mandates, travel restrictions, and construction projects, the myriad of photos taken throughout the year shows another story. You, our community and participants, coming together to help us meet our mission to inspire curiosity, discovery, and stewardship through the wonders of the Blue Ridge. From naturalist rallies, to summer camps and construction projects, you’ve supported us all year long by sharing, guiding, and giving. Look at what you helped us achieve in 2021 and join us in ringing in the New Year!

Programs

Through the support of local foundations and public schools, we have been able to get youth outside and engaged in nature both on and off campus.

Summer Camps

From June through August, we provided day camps for youth 6-11 years old and overnight camps for youth 11-17 years old. Day camps were held at Matthews State Forest and the BRDC Campus while our overnight camps traveled along the New River, hiked the wilderness areas of the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, fished the Blue Ridge, and explored the 12+ acres of the Center and the adjacent lands.

In The Field

Staff continued to pursue their passion as naturalist on day trips and research projects. Through citizen science and data collection, we learn from nature and each other to better share our stewardship of the place we call home.

Volunteers

We had so many wonderful volunteers join us for a variety of projects. Not everything was for everyone but we managed to find something for all. Many hands make for light work. Hundreds of hours were donated by the volunteers who painted, dug, built, hauled, moved, and lifted all kinds of things to help us build our Center!

Construction

A lot of changes have taken place this year on our schoolhouse! The restoration is nearly complete. The building has had major restoration from floor to ceiling. We also restored a wetland, built trails and a brand new pavilion!

Here’s to 2022!

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The Center Ali Reilly The Center Ali Reilly

Schoolhouse Walkthrough & Update

The schoolhouse took another step towards completion last week with the addition of our gorgeous stained glass window.

The schoolhouse took another step towards completion last week with the addition of our gorgeous stained glass window. Sitting at the forefront of attention in the back wall of the chapel, this beautifully created window depicts the southeastern view from Whitetop Mountain and features rhododendron blooms, trilliums, red spruce trees, and our beloved Blue Ridge Mountains. The piece was brought to life by Marilynn Peacock of The Glass Peacock in Abingdon, Va, and was inspired by the original stained glass windows of the chapel.

We broadcasted a live walkthrough of the schoolhouse, complete with Aaron’s commentary on its progress, last week via Facebook and Instagram. We have downloaded that video to YouTube, which can be viewed here- https://youtu.be/ilXfybXodME , or seen below.

The schoolhouse is now entering phase 2 of construction. The exterior of the building has been polished up with refreshed poplar siding, refurbished windows, and a new roof. On the interior, the foundation has been strengthened and the walls have been demoed. Walking through the building you can imagine children running from the dining room to the front porch to watch the birds fly over our rain garden. You can picture the chapel full of eager learners listening to a wildlife rehabilitator talk about some of his ambassador animals. You can practically hear the giggling coming from the dormitory rooms on the second floor as school groups bond over their excitement for the natural world.

We can’t wait for this space to be bustling with visitors eager for their next adventure. 


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