Avian Adventures, Blue Ridge Birders, Community Programs, Event, SWVA
Annabelle Muriano
Help Scientists by Collecting Data with the ...

For four days each February, birdwatchers of every skill level can participate in a global event for the love and wellbeing of birds.

Help Scientists by Collecting Data with the Great Backyard Bird Count
School Programs
Lisa Benish
Science In Nature Program: Session II

Join us October 14th through November 18th (one day per week) for Session II

Science In Nature Program: Session II
Naturalist Gift Guide
BRDC, Admin
A Naturalist's Book List

With all of the wonderful apps available, it is still a good idea to have a shelf of guides to call on.  We love paging through them while planning our next exploration, exploring their beautiful illustrations, and carrying our favorites with us for quick reference.

A Naturalist's Book List
Galax Enrichment Program
BRDC, Admin
Galax Enrichment Week - Primitive Technology

BRDC recently hosted a Primitive Technology course as part of Galax Middle School Enrichment Week. The students were engaged with a variety of hands-on activities that connected them to skills used by early American Indians and materials found in their backyards.

Galax Enrichment Week - Primitive Technology
Book Club
Anonymous
(July 2014) 4. The Sixth Extinction: An ...

"Over the last half a billion years, there have been five mass extinctions, when the diversity of life on earth suddenly and dramatically contracted. Scientists around the world are currently monitoring the sixth extinction, predicted to be the most devastating extinction event since the asteroid impact that wiped out the dinosaurs."

(July 2014) 4. The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History, Elizabeth Kolbert

"rocks"

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Flat Rock Church, Striped Granite

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Flat Rock Church, October 2, 2010
What is this rock, and why is it here?

Over twenty people from the Flat Rock community and the Independence Methodist Church attended yesterday evening’s geology program presented by Fred Newcomb, and hosted by Blue Ridge Discover Center. Fred has taught middle and high school students geology and earth history for 33 years. Before that he was employed as a petroleum geologist for several major oil companies and worked in North Africa and Southeast Asia. He and his wife, Beth (also a teacher), live in Grayson County.Fred began his program at 4:00 PM, setting up outside under a grove of trees. Flat Rock Church and community center are built upon a large outcropping of granite, which gave rise to the inspiration to share some deep history of this unique place. Along with two tables of rocks and other demonstration tools, Fred also handed out printed material to help illustrate the content of his discussion.

Beginning with some basic rock identification, Fred drew our attention to the composition of granite in general, and the striped granite on site specifically. From there he took us back in time, explaining the theory of plate tectonics, origin of the continents, radiometric age dating and eventually pulled us back to the moment and the rock we were sitting on. During the hour and half, he entertained many good questions, explained things with uncanny clarity, and took time afterwards to help identify rocks that some of the community had brought to share.

As the bright autumn sun gave way to brisk breezes, a fire was built and a hot dog roast initiated. Before I departed, one elder member of the community asked me if we could do an astronomy program some day, to which I replied, certainly.

-Scott Jackson-Ricketts