Remote Rally Update!
MRNR, Event Recap Lisa Benish MRNR, Event Recap Lisa Benish

Remote Rally Update!

The Mt Rogers Naturalist Rally: Backyard Edition is off to a fantastic start! It is delightful to have so many participants in our iNaturalist project. We love seeing you getting outside to Explore, Discover, and Share with us.

Read More
Birding Burke's
Event Recap Lisa Benish Event Recap Lisa Benish

Birding Burke's

Per usual, the weather was cool and damp, but that had no bearing on the birds or the company when ten of us traveled the approximately 10-mile radius of the high elevation limestone valley known as Burke’s Garden. The reason for our February visit? Birds.

Read More
Explorers Go Underground
Event Recap BRDC, Admin Event Recap BRDC, Admin

Explorers Go Underground

BRDC's Explorers Club recently travelled to Speedwell to explore underground with expert caver Bill Grose. When the group climbed down into the cave entrance, they found themselves in a wild, seemingly uncharted world. The air was immediately cooler (which is why everyone dressed in layers) and all natural light disappeared. Stalactites hung above like chandeliers.

Read More
Early Spring Wildflowers on the New River Trail
Event Recap BRDC, Admin Event Recap BRDC, Admin

Early Spring Wildflowers on the New River Trail

On Easter Saturday, 23 people joined Blue Ridge Discovery Center’s Explorers Club for our annual wildflower walk on the New River Trail. The 57-mile trail is the state’s “most narrow state park,” and the section between Low Water Bridge near Fries and Fries Junction, where a 12-mile spur trail heads to Galax, is a special spot for early spring wildflowers. Hike leader Carol Broderson briefly discussed the history of botanizing in Virginia and the fate of the “great forest” that covered the Appalachians. 

Read More
Explorers Club Hike to Cascade Falls
Event Recap BRDC, Admin Event Recap BRDC, Admin

Explorers Club Hike to Cascade Falls

13 Explorers hiked to Cascade Falls in Giles County last Saturday.  It started out a cold, misty morning, but quickly warmed as the group made their way up the trail following Big Stony Creek over many rock steps and bridges.  There were a great many cascades to explore along the way, and a beautiful display of fall color overhead.  Along the way, the group collected a variety of leaves for later identification.

Read More