MRNR, Event Recap Lisa Benish MRNR, Event Recap Lisa Benish

Spring Naturalist Rally Begins this WEEKEND!

Its not too late to get in on the fun! This Saturday, May 1st begins the Mt Rogers Spring Naturalist Rally: Scavenger Hunt Edition.

Its not too late to get in on the fun! This Saturday, May 1st begins the Mt Rogers Spring Naturalist Rally: Scavenger Hunt Edition.

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

If you can’t get over this way for the event, 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!

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Event Recap Lisa Benish Event Recap Lisa Benish

Budding Botanist Program

Let your Budding Botanist explore nature in a program designed specifically for preschool aged children.

Let your Budding Botanist explore nature in a program designed specifically for preschool aged children. They will spend time exploring Della’s Branch Nature Trail with Blue Ridge Discovery Center guides and participate in sensory nature activities. Adult accompaniment is required for this program. Masks will be required for all attendees. There will be two identical sessions of this program. Limit 15 participants per event.

Ages: 3-5

Dates: Saturday, March 20th, 10:00 AM–11:30 AM - OR - Saturday, April 17th, 10:00 AM-11:30 AM

Location: Blue Ridge Discovery Center, 6402 Whitetop Rd, Troutdale, VA 24378

Cost: FREE! Registration preferred

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Natural History, Event Recap Lisa Benish Natural History, Event Recap Lisa Benish

Get Outside along the Henley Hollow Trail

Join BRDC guides on a short hike along Henley Hollow Trail.

Blue Ridge Discovery Center’s Get Outside Program connects families to nature through hands-on, active, outdoor natural history activities. This program includes observational hiking, an outdoor activity, and natural history education. Participants will get outside with their families to explore, discover, and share their experiences during a short hike along Henley Hollow Trail on Hwy 21 towards Speedwell.

This Saturday’s (February 27th), hike begins at 2:00 pm. Activities include a scavenger hunt and the chance to earn a BRDC patch. This program is FREE, but registration is required. (Includes all instruction, materials, and supplies.) Space is limited. Participants are responsible for face masks and reusable water bottles. Email lisa@blueridgediscoverycenter.org to be notified of future event dates or questions.

Supported by Twin County Community Foundation grant.

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Event Recap Lisa Benish Event Recap Lisa Benish

Get Outside This Weekend!

Get Outside with BRDC guides on a hike along Beaver Dam Creek Walking Trail!

Blue Ridge Discovery Center’s Get Outside Program connects families to nature through hands-on, active, outdoor natural history activities. This program includes observational hiking, an outdoor activity, and natural history education. Participants will get outside with their families to explore, discover, and share their experiences during a short hike along Beaver Dam Creek Walking Trail in Hillsville, Va.

This Saturdays (January 30th), hike begins at 2:00 pm. Activities include a scavenger hunt and the chance to earn a BRDC patch. This program is FREE, but registration is required. (Includes all instruction, materials, and supplies.) Space is limited. Participants are responsible for face masks and reusable water bottles. Email lisa@blueridgediscoverycenter.org to be notified of future event dates or questions.

Supported by Twin County Community Foundation grant.

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Event Recap Lisa Benish Event Recap Lisa Benish

Earth Day Wildflower Walk

Carol Broderson and special guide, Snow Ferreniea enlightened us with their vast knowledge of wildflowers.

Such an exciting time! Spring brings with it a lovely display of ephemerals, birds and buds. Each April, BRDC, along with guides, volunteers and members, hike the New River Trail beginning at the low water bridge in Fries searching out the wildflowers. Carol Broderson and special guide, Snow Ferreniea enlightened us with their vast knowledge of wildflowers. A special thank you to them both!

This is the third year that I have joined this walk and I have yet to be disappointed. I will not bore you with the details but we had along an avid birder and a forester so we were triply treated this day. Here is our wildflower list and a few photos of the lovely plants: 

Dead Nettle, Holly, blue violet, golden ragwort, gill over the ground*, spring beauty,  common chickweed, garlic mustard*, wild geranium, coralbells, wake robin, jewelweed, black cohosh, blue cohosh, wild ginger, cutleaf toothwort, cranefly orchid, sweet white violet, dutchman's britches, early saxofrage, yellow fumewort, wood aster, solomon's seal, stonecrop, false solomon's seal, star chickweed, bishop's cap, may apple, waterleaf, canada violet, spiderwort, scouring rush*

*invasives

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