Brendan Murphy 3/24/25 Brendan Murphy 3/24/25

Signs of Spring at BRDC

March 20 marks the beginning of spring for the Northern hemisphere. It’s the vernal equinox; the day the sun rises on the North pole, we start having more than 12 hours of daylight, and the halfway point between the solstices. As the temperatures rise and the soil wets, new signs of life appear all around! Keep reading for some early spring appearances we've noted on campus.

Neil Fredericksen 12/10/24 Neil Fredericksen 12/10/24

All it's Clocked Up to Be: Circadian Rhythms

Have you noticed that the days are getting shorter? You’re not the only one! We’re a little under two weeks away from the winter solstice, and subtle seasonal shifts like cooler temperatures and shorter days affect plants and animals (including humans!) in significant ways. Keep reading to learn about circadian rhythms and how animal and plant behavior changes throughout the year!

Brendan Murphy 11/26/24 Brendan Murphy 11/26/24

Snow Science and Winter Folklore

Winter is arriving in the Blue Ridge! Watching the snow fall is a beautiful sight to behold (if you feel prepared for it!) but for the curious, snow can spark a lot of questions.

Brendan Murphy 11/19/24 Brendan Murphy 11/19/24

Out of Season Happenings

If you’ve ever thought that a warm November day feels more like spring than fall, you’re in good company. Many species depend on specific environmental cues to trigger physiological and behavioral changes.

Olivia Jackson 4/23/24 Olivia Jackson 4/23/24

Moons of the Year

As April’s full moon is overhead, let’s look at the cultural significance of moons and why we have moon phases at all!

Annabelle Muriano 12/12/23 Annabelle Muriano 12/12/23

Wildlife Preparing for Winter: Reptiles

Snakes, lizards, and turtles all call the Blue Ridge Mountains home, but these animals are rarely seen in the cold. So, where do reptiles go during winter?

Keely Doyle 9/7/22 Keely Doyle 9/7/22

Pre-Order Your Fall Naturalist Rally T-Shirt!

Our Mount Rogers Fall Naturalist Rally is a little over a month away and we could not be more excited! We have opened pre-orders for the limited edition Fall Naturalist Rally t-shirt.

Keely Doyle 8/30/22 Keely Doyle 8/30/22

Residential Overnight Programs at BRDC

Blue Ridge Discovery Center is thrilled to welcome Carroll County Middle School next week for our residential overnight program with their rising 6th graders!