Remote Rally Going Strong

Another stellar day on the iNaturalist Project! The leaderboard shows 97 observers with over 2,800 observations and 840 species…WOW! This is so awesome! The May 5th BRDC species t-shirt winner was ‘themadcollector13’ (Shawn). Congratulations and keep the observations coming!

Our highlight observation today is the gray-foot lancetooth snail photographed and posted by Carrie Holt. Here is what naturalist Cade Campbell has to say about it:

Photo by Carrie Holt

“Hello, fellow naturalists! As I was looking through some of the observations on the MRNR Backyard Naturalist Rally project, I noticed Carrie Holt's (@csholt) observation of a gray-foot lancetooth (Haplotrema concavum) from Saltville, Virginia. This awesome snail is widespread throughout the Blue Ridge Mountains, and lives under leaf litter. They have pale, gray-white shells which give them an almost bleached, skeletal appearance. The shell itself spirals similarly to the horns of a bighorn sheep, or a garden hose. But aside from its unique appearance, Haplotrema concavum has plenty more tricks up its "sleeve." Or should I say, "shell."

Photo by Cade Campbell

The gray-foot lancetooth is predominantly nocturnal, waking up from under the deciduous forest floor to roam across the ground or up the trunks of ambient trees. Not in search of vegetables, but instead, other snails. H. concavum is famous for hunting other snail species with a fascinating methodology. Creeping up beside an oblivious snail, such as a whitelip (Neohelix sp.) or globe snail (Mesodon sp.), they will use their sharp, calcareous radula (ring of "snail teeth" hidden inside their mouth) to "drill" inside the shell of their prey (Pearce & Gaertner, 1996). Once the shell has been penetrated, they engage in a slow-motion attack on the snails; similar to wolves taking down an elk or deer. This has earned them a fitting nickname; the "wolves of the snail world" (Dourson, 2013).

Photo by Cade Campbell

Despite this crazy, bloodthirsty life history, Haplotrema snails are relatively common and very easy to identify. The species name "concavum" comes from the snail's wide umbilicus. The umbilicus is the "hole" or "bellybutton" (or lack of one) on the underside of the snail's shell. Since the gray-foot lancetooth appears to be "coiled up" like a rope, the umbilicus is very wide and open. Also, the snail has a pale gray body to match the shell's appearance. Two other carnivorous snails are native to the Southern Appalachians, but both of these are bright blue, and one is endemic to the Smokies. The other, Vitrizonites latissimus, is endemic to the Southern Blue Ridge and has a fascinating natural history of its own. Cheers and Happy Adventuring, CADE CAMPBELL

Vitrizonites latissimus by Cade Campbell

You can see @csholt 's observation here: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/44838312.

It’s not too late to join the fun and our iNaturalist project. Visit our website to purchase rally tickets and raffle tickets for great giveaways and prizes. The weekend is fast approaching and we still have lots in store for you!

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. 

If you didn’t know, we are giving away a BRDC Species T-shirt each day to a lucky observer. So far the winners are Carolyn Unger, Nicole and Natalie Freeman, and John Unger. Congratulations! We also have great raffle prizes and drawings daily. If you haven’t gotten your rally/raffle tickets yet, there is still time to win some big ticket items. Check them out on our website.

As we mentioned before, the Backyard Edition iNaturalist project is booming with observations. Less than half way through the project, we have an impressive leader board with over 2,300 observations and 700+ species. The greatest collection is in plants, then insects, birds, and fungi, respectively. Kudos to Theresa Burriss and several others very close to her number of 169 observations! We are loving seeing all these wonderful organisms and some really great photos to go with them. One special species photo we’d like to share is Jenny Brown’s trout lily. Thank you, Jenny!

Trout lily by Jenny Brown

As part of the Rally, BRDC staff and a few socially distanced volunteers assisted with our NABA Spring Butterfly Count. This was our first spring count and we had a gorgeous day for it. The Mt Rogers High Country Butterfly Count is a 15-mile diameter circle centered around the BRDC campus. Each individual observer was delegated an area to count throughout the day. The species and total number were low but that is to be expected in the spring. We were still able to count and capture a few photos of some great butterflies. One in particular was an early hairstreak found and photographed by Bruce Grimes.

Early hairstreak by Bruce Grimes

This is a great find as the species is vulnerable throughout the US and imperiled in Virginia. Imperiled means this species is rare and local over a broad range, and highly threatened by the loss of its foodplant to disease. The North Carolina Natural Heritage Program ranks this species as significantly rare. Please enjoy some of the butterfly species photographed this weekend! Thank you, Bruce, Allen, Matt, and Cade for helping us count our precious flying beauties. Stay tuned for our summer and fall butterfly counts and how you can participate.

Thanks to Dennis Ross for his iNaturalist journal contributions thus far. A truly talented and genuine naturalist, Dennis inspires us all to get out and observe our surroundings, take notes, and sketch or paint what we see. Here’s what he says: “I have been using iNaturalist for years, since it was started in California by Scott Loarie as part of his PhD work at Stanford and UC Berkeley. Scott is the son of a close friend from Medical School. I mostly post just for myself, to keep tabs on what I see. I keep a timeline of when flowers bloom, birds appear, and total species in my immediate area (about 700). I also enjoy seeing what everyone else posts and learn much from that. I have made many friends through iNaturalist, some virtual and others I have met. The Mt Rogers Naturalist Rally is off to a great start with so many observations. I am in awe of you all.” DENNIS ROSS

Enjoy this “remote” Rally week. Visit our website, iNaturalist, Facebook, and Instagram for a glimpse of the week through snapshots, observations, blogs, and live webinars. Join us everywhere and don’t miss a thing! See you outside! #MRNR, #BackyardEdition.

The MRNR Usual Suspects: A Note from the Artist

It was May 2018 - and the first Virginia springtime for this Kentucky transplant - when I first learned of the Mount Rogers Naturalist Rally. Everything about the weekend-long, place-based conglomeration of nature lovers and field trips in the mountains sparked my spirit. The 7-year-old tadpole, turtle, and snake collector within me was as giddy as any 7-year-old could be at the thought of getting knees deep in salamanders, small mammals, and biological studies in a new wild place.

There was no question that I would pitch a tent at the nearby Grindstone Campground and spend the weekend among these people, regardless of the impending storms.

It was that weekend, the weekend of the 2018 Spring Mount Rogers Naturalist Rally, that I began to learn what it means to be a naturalist. A naturalist isn’t the field technicians with whom I had conducted amphibian, butterfly, and deer surveys in years past. It isn’t the international students with whom I patrolled the beaches of Greece and Costa Rica for the sake of sea turtle conservation. It isn’t the neighbor who has six bird baths or the woman who puts dandelions on her salad or the guy with the camera at the wetland.

Apparently, a naturalist is every one of these people. People who are fascinated by nature and seek to find its treasures, uncover its secrets. Finally I had found a collection of these naturalists rallying together to explore, discover, and share the wonders of a globally spectacular region. A place I would now call home.

So when BRDC Executive Director tasked me with creating a “usual suspects” design for the new limited edition MRNR T-shirt, five representatives of the naturalists that I find so inspiring on a daily basis popped into place.

The child, struck by fascination, immediately shares his findings with the nearest human.

The admirer, butterfly net in hand, witnesses the winged dance across the spring blooms.

The learner, field guide well worn, journals her observations for further understanding.

The birder, binoculars always at the ready, is eager to add a new species to his life list.

And the photographer, whose lens is nearly as substantial as his patience, captures the very essence of the dewing morning within the subject of his image.

These people are the naturalists. These people are the Rally. These people are me.

It is with great emotion that I thank you for being a part of the 46th year of this incredible event. For supporting Blue Ridge Discovery Center as it immerses all of us in a mixture of wonder and science. For sharing the elements of natural history that you find inspiring. Thank you for being you.

- Rachel Caro, BRDC Outreach Coordinator

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Rachel Caro joined the team at Blue Ridge Discovery Center as a volunteer two days after the 2018 Spring MRNR. She was later brought on as the organization’s first Outreach Coordinator. Rachel brought Aaron’s “usual suspects” vision to life in the Limited Edition MRNR Usual Suspects T-shirt, now available for pre-order in adult and youth sizes. Rachel also drew the 2019 Species Shirts (limited stock remaining). She lives in Abingdon where she is currently working to transition her lawn to native wildlife habitat.

Cabell Foundation Challenge Met!

In May 2019 the Cabell Foundation of Richmond challenged Blue Ridge Discovery Center to raise $200,000 through community support for a 1:1 match. What has transpired in less than a year’s time turned out to be worth even more than that. 

Those who have been involved with BRDC for years, along with others who have only just learned about the organization, gathered for fundraisers and other special events throughout the fall and winter in a collaborative effort to support BRDC’s mission and vision for the creation of a discovery center at the base of Virginia’s highest mountains. These private donations were paired with a significant contribution from the Jack Matthews Foundation, meeting the Cabell Foundation’s challenge and resulting in $400,000 raised for the restoration phase (Phase II) of the future Center!

The BRDC property is now showing visible signs of transformation. An old stone staircase found in the hillside along the driveway leads up to the schoolhouse where the window sashes have been removed for refinishing. Inside, a skeleton of the entryway and dining hall is now visible following the removal of deteriorated plaster and lath.

With construction underway, we are now looking ahead to Phase III of our Capital Campaign. This next phase of fundraising for furnishings, interpretive displays, and landscaping will transition these buildings and grounds into the Blue Ridge Discovery Center.

Expert Guides "Rally" for MRNR Webinars

Artist and MRNR Guide Suzanne Stryk with sketchbook.

The heart of the Mt. Rogers Naturalist Rally lies in the naturalists: those who participate and those who share their areas of expertise with others by guiding field trips. For our first ever Mt. Rogers Naturalist Rally: Backyard Edition, some of our favorite MRNR guides will be leading programs remotely to get you inspired and engaged in the wonders of the place you call home.

All registered MRNR participants will have access to the following webinars:

Rally Kick-off 

May 1st @ 11:00 am Hosted by BRDC Director, Aaron Floyd and Presenter Cade Campbell

Barbara Kingsolver Poetry Reading

May 8th @ 7:00 pm Featured Speaker Join us at 7:00 pm to catch the only public preview of Ms. Kingsolver’s forthcoming poetry book before its release! Grand prize raffle drawing to follow poetry reading.

Salamanders

May 9th @ 9:00 am Explore the incredible salamander diversity that Virginia has to offer with Dr. Kevin Hamed, Collegiate Assistant Professor of Wildlife Conservation at Virginia Tech.

Observations Through Art

May 9th @ 11:00 am  Artist Suzanne Stryk will lead a zoom session designed to enhance your observational skills and record your experiences in the natural world. Have a paper and pencil ready along with something to draw, such as a pod, feather, shell, or bug. See Suzanne’s work, including her series Notes on the State of Virginia at https://suzannestryk.com/.

Life History of the Carolina Wren

May 9th @ 2:00 pm Join Dr. Steven Hopp of Emory and Henry College and BRDC in an online web discussion to explore the life strategy of a favorite backyard bird, the Carolina wren. We will take a close look at how they live, how to recognize them, and use it as a reference point to talk about other birds in our region.

VA Breeding Bird Atlas Workshop

May 10th @ 9:00 am  Interested in helping to further the scientific community’s understanding of bird distribution and breeding activities? Learn about how to contribute to Virginia’s 2nd Breeding Bird Atlas project with Dr. Ashley Peele, the Coordinator of the program and Avian Ecologist with Virginia Tech.

Edible Wild Plants from Backyard to Backwoods

May 10th @ 11:00 am Useful plants are everywhere in every season! Join Ben Casteel, VHCC and 2006 AT thru-hiker, for a webinar focusing on plants and fungi that can be used for food, fiber, and medicine.

Pollinators and Native Plants

May 10th @ 2:00 pm Nancy Adamson, Xerces Society’s Senior Pollinator Conservation Specialist for the Southeastern Region, will be discussing the importance of pollinators and the vital role native plants play in their lives.

Insects

Time & Date TBD  With entomologist Shawn Kurtzman.

Plus

Raffle & Giveaway Winners Announced Live Daily

May 2nd-8th @ 11:46 am  Purchase raffle tickets to participate in the MRNR Raffle. Make at least one observation under the iNaturalist project “Mt. Rogers Naturalist Rally: Backyard Edition” each day to be entered to win a BRDC Species Shirt. Then tune in to our Instagram or Facebook page at 11:46 am May 2nd-8th to see if you’ve won! Why 11:46? BRDC is 11 years old and the MRNR is 46 years old!

Celebrate Earth Day with us!

This Wednesday, April 22nd marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day!

And we’ve come up with some fun ideas for how you can join us in celebrating.

1. Take a walk

2. Make nature art

3. Plant a native flower, shrub, or tree

4. Identify and remove non-native invasive species

5. Watch the Lyrid meteor shower during the earliest hours of April 22nd

6. Register for the Mt. Rogers Naturalist Rally: Backyard Edition

7. Mark your calendar for May 8th for a special livestream poetry reading by Barbara Kingsolver

8. Share your Earth Day activities with us on Facebook for a free MRNR raffle ticket! This year’s Mt. Rogers Naturalist Rally raffle prizes are all about connecting you with the natural world. You could win:

• Guided fly fishing trip with Matt Reilly

• Vortex Diamondback HD binoculars

• Your choice of species-specific Lonesome Dove Woodcraft birdhouse

• Knife designed by local knife designer, Joe Flowers

• Green Cove Collective gear

• Field Guide to Freshwater Fishes of Virginia by Paul E. Bugas, Jr, et al.

• Birding for Beginners by Sheila Buff

• Minimalist Art nature journal & Prismacolor colored pencils

• Seed packets

To be eligible for a free raffle ticket, visit our Facebook page on Earth Day, Wednesday, April 22nd, and check for our #EarthDay2020 post. MRNR registration is required. Purchase additional tickets online to increase your chances of winning while supporting the Mt. Rogers Naturalist Rally!

BRDC Welcomes Ali Singleton as Landscaper/Educator

Blue Ridge Discovery Center is growing! On March 1, 2020, Ali Singleton joined the BRDC team as our first Landscaper/Educator. Ali will be working to apply native plant community and region-specific habitat themes across the Center campus for a fully immersive ecological experience. This approach to landscaping will improve native wildlife habitat while creating engagement opportunities for program participants and visitors!

MEET ALI

Ali hails from the mountains, pastures, and valleys of Shenandoah County, Virginia. A lifelong nature enthusiast, she moved to Southwest Virginia to pursue degrees from Emory & Henry College in biology and environmental studies. Through her education, she was able to travel to Panama to conduct research on frugiverous butterflies, learn about the natural communities of the Blue Ridge Mountains, study organic and sustainable food production, and she discovered a true passion for native plants. 

Having previously worked in the organic vegetable production industry, and with Virginia's Department of Conservation and Recreation's Natural Heritage Division, Ali found herself enthralled with the intricacies of the ecological relationship between plants and animals. She hopes to share these wonders with her community as BRDC's Landscaper/Educator. 

Ali's thoroughness, devotion to lifelong learning, and love of people and nature will help her to execute one of the most forward-thinking landscaping endeavors in the country. Implementing a regionally specific, entirely native landscape that is tailored to exploration and discovery will allow visitors to get a snapshot of the Southern Blue Ridge region in one location.

Ali is currently enrolled in both the Virginia Master Naturalist and Master Gardener programs, is a certified wildland firefighter type 2, and holds both CPR and First Aid certifications through the Red Cross. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, foraging, fishing, gardening, and cooking.

Welcome, Ali!

Courtship

The American woodcock (Scolopax minor), sometimes referred to as “timberdoodle” is a plump, short-legged upland shorebird (classified with sandpipers) about the size of a robin. They spend most of their time on the ground in brushy, young-forest habitats, where the birds' brown, black, and gray plumage provides excellent camouflage, making them nearly impossible to spot. A very little tail and neck and a long beak, make them look a little like a flying football.

On spring nights, the males perform a conspicuous courtship display beginning with a buzzy “peent” call, then launch into the air. They ascend quite high and create a distinctive “twittering” flight sound before ending in a steep dive back to the ground. And then it repeats. This usually happens just before dawn and dusk. Courtship displays can start as early as December in the southern parts of its range and as late as March in the North. Here it begins around mid-February.

American woodcock (Scolopax minor)

Sunday evening, a group of intrigued members gathered to witness this courtship. Loaded in the van and vehicles, we headed to the site armed with high hopes and headlamps. The single male we were able to hear and watch began his dance around 7:40 pm. As he called and flew, we inched closer in hopes of getting a look at him. As the light faded, the odds of actually seeing him diminished but we could hear his calls and twitters and witness his swift swoop back to the ground. It was exciting to be out in the last vestiges of light honing our senses to experience this unique display.

Grayson County & BRDC: A Relationship Worth Investing In

On the sunny Sunday of March 1, 2020, over 50 members of the Grayson County community joined Blue Ridge Discovery Center staff and board members at the New River Wildlife and Conservation Club in Fries, Virginia, to “make new friends, build relationships, and strengthen our community.”

PROGRAMS

BRDC member, volunteer, and camp parent Jenny Brown shares newspaper clippings of her family participating in BRDC programming in 2008 & 2010.

During this special event, guests learned about the myriad hands-on, place-based programs BRDC offers within Grayson County from Program Director Lisa Benish, with inspirational anecdotes from long-time participants Jenny and Savannah Brown. Jenny and her family have been involved with BRDC since 2008 as members, volunteers, community program participants, Mount Rogers Naturalist Rally attendees, day campers, and adventure campers.

Some of the Browns’ most memorable experiences with us have taken place during the Mount Rogers Naturalist Rally, now in its 46th year! Each May and August, we arrange a full weekend of expert-guided programs and field trips across the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. The Spring MRNR on May 8-10, 2020, will kick off with field trip selections, a lasagna dinner, and featured speaker on Friday evening, and continues through a pancake breakfast and field trips on Sunday. Programs take place morning, afternoon, and night, with camping available nearby at Grindstone Campground.

Opportunities continue through the summer with the Galax Discovery Day Camps for ages 6-10. These immersive day camps sold out so quickly last year, we elected to offer three sessions this year from June 8-26. Similarly, we are offering three additional sessions of Discovery Day Camps on BRDC’s campus from July 13-31. Our day camps are all about hands-on discovery, including games, crafts, scientific inquiry, and free exploration.

Youth aged 11-17 will enjoy our overnight adventure camps. With the acquisition of the new BRDC field station, we are able to offer an exciting new adventure camp this year: Science in Nature. This multi-session camp will grant youth an opportunity to become biologists in one of the most biologically-diverse places in the world for one, two, or three weeks while conducting their own research. Campers may be introduced to first-hand experiences in botany, mammalogy, entomology, ornithology, herpetology, aquatic systems, and more before digging deeper into a topic of their choosing. Sessions run weekly from June 8-26. We will also be offering three of our most popular adventure camps: New River Expedition, Fly Fishing Camp, and a fall Birding Expedition.

During the school year, you can find us in the schools unfolding curiosities of the natural world through our K-2 Reading program, helping youth to raise brook trout from eggs as part of our Trout in the Classroom program, and seeing science in action across Matthews State Forest on Natural Heritage Program field trips. During intersession weeks, middle schoolers participate in fly fishing, ornithology, camping, and highland games activities. And for four years now, students have put into practice the scientific process by developing their own projects for the BRDC Grayson County Middle School Science Fair.

BRDC CAMPUS PROJECT

Grayson County Supervisor John Fant emphasizes the value of investing in Blue Ridge Discovery Center.

Surrounded by maps and colorful landscape designs, attendees of this special Grayson County event gathered to hear from BRDC Executive Director Aaron Floyd about developments across the BRDC campus. The schoolhouse property and cottage, and adjacent gas station, field station, and campground comprise the 9 acres that are well on their way to becoming a grand southwest Virginia destination. The future property will boast a residential education facility, interpretive center, biological fiend station, visitor center, researcher housing, a nature trail, and amphitheater, all with a mission to “inspire curiosity, discovery, and stewardship through the wonders of the Blue Ridge.”

John Fant of the Grayson County Board of Supervisors also shared his enthusiasm for the project by noting the impact Blue Ridge Discovery Center will have on Grayson County and Southwest Virginia. Not only will the Center boost the region economically by increasing ecotourism, it is also a unique educational resource worth investing in for generations to come.

Landscape design drawings by Devin Floyd of the Center for Urban Habitats illustrate that this property will embrace the diverse habitats and plant communities that make this region so special while contributing to wildlife diversity and ecological health. This combination of natural history living in conjunction with the human history of these structures contributes to the authenticity visitors will experience when they arrive to this mountain gateway, whether stopping by the visitor’s center for a day visit or settling in for a week-long residential education program.

A drone video playing alongside the crowd captured the essence of the Center’s location at the base of Mount Rogers and Whitetop Mountain, along Laurel Creek, and at the intersection of three major connection points to Grayson, Smyth, and Washington Counties. Drone imaging was arranged by BRDC Board Member Brenda Bonk and was created by Twin County Drone Services.

A drone image shows the field station, campground, and future visitor center (left) with schoolhouse, cottage, and loop drive (right) which comprise BRDC’s 9-acre campus.

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN PROGRESS

Board Vice President and Capital Campaign Chair Keith Andrews inspires all to help BRDC reach the final 7% of our restoration fundraising goal.

Next, Keith Andrews, BRDC Board of Directors Vice President, shared a few inspirational BRDC program anecdotes before launching into the status of our Capital Campaign for the Center. Through the combined support of an Appalachian Regional Commission grant, tax credits, private foundation donations, private donations, and a Cabell Foundation match grant, we have raised 93% of the $2,250,000 needed to restore the historic Konnarock Training School into our future residential education facility and interpretive center. For those who are interested in leaving a lasting legacy at the next level, naming opportunities for the residential “species rooms” are available with gifts of $10,000 or more.

THANK YOU!

Thank you to all who attended to not only hear our story but to be a part of it while it is written. Grayson County and BRDC have been entwined for over a decade, and we are thrilled to continue building on this relationship. A special thanks go out to our event hosts and volunteers: Keith & Pat Andrews, Linda Dykstra-Hylander & Bill Hylander, Brenda Bonk, Deb & Steven Greif, Jennifer Shupe, and Blake Edwards. And thank you to the New River Wildlife and Conservation Club for providing the facility for this wonderful community event.

Virginia Breeding Bird Atlas: Final Season Kick-off Meeting

The following invitation comes to you from the Virginia Breeding Bird Atlas 2 coordinators:

Mark your calendars!

Please come out and join us for the Final Atlas Season Kick-off Meeting at VDGIF Headquarters in Henrico on March 14th, beginning at 10am.

In the morning, we will hear from our guest speaker, Ian Davies, who will talk to us about the increasingly vital role of citizen science for bird conservation.  Additionally, we will get a brief (I promise!) update from the Atlas coordinator, Dr. Ashley Peele, and a perspective on the VDGIF's plans for putting the VABBA2 data into action, by Sergio Harding.

In the afternoon, volunteers can hop around different workshop tables covering everything from mapping to blockbusting to breeding code questions.  Volunteers will have the chance to chat with Atlas coordinators from around the state, network with fellow volunteers, and get a jump on planning for our last summer field season!

Sign up for the event here: https://forms.gle/jakf76SfFwVXLRRY9

Youth HBSP Birding Expedition

Huntington Beach State Park (HBSP) hosts some of the best winter birding in South Carolina, and was the destination for our recent youth birding expedition. Eight youth joined guide Allen Boynton and BRDC staff for a whirlwind weekend of migratory waterfowl and shorebirds.

Along the way, our bird-loving executive director, Aaron Floyd, had us take a detour to an area with recent sightings of the red-cockaded woodpecker, a rarity. Sending a message with an exact location ahead to the parent of one of the kids we were picking up en route, we hoped to meet him at the site where this bird had been reportedly seen. Sure enough, Strummer sent word that he had located the bird and had it in his sights…to hurry up and get here before dark. Minding our speed, we made it just in time for the whole gang to see this wonderful bird! A great start to the weekend.

Since our little detour had us a little late, we pulled over in a safe location and had dinner along the way, arriving at HBSP campground after dark. We set up tents by moonlight and headlamps, and crashed for the night while visions of birdies carried us till light.

The morning was met with hot chocolate to warm us and French toast and bacon to fill us. We met the day head-on in search of birds, beginning at the duck ponds and then the marshes and causeways that bring in the wading birds. There were herons, kingfishers, egrets, sparrows, grebes, pelicans, a few ducks, and cormorants. After lunch, we hit the beach and headed toward the jetty. Here, we saw the shore and ocean birds that prefer the sand and sea. Loons, grebes, gulls, and sandpipers filled the lenses while shells and sea creatures filled our hands. We made it back to camp just before dark and ready for supper! I’m not sure the kids know this, but they put in over 8 miles of walking in search of these birds.

After dinner and a dessert by campfire, we ventured out to see if we could get a glimpse of an owl. With the moon so bright, we could definitely see them, but only got to hear one…the call of a great-horned owl. We returned to camp for sleep. Morning brought hopes of finding more species in a different section of the park.

It was another beautiful sunny day, so after breakfast we checked the ponds again for ducks. We had gadwalls, grebes, teals, and buffleheads. A walk through the maritime forest got us a great view of a northern parula, very rare for this time of year, and an orange-crowned warbler too! Several species were added to our growing list before we had to depart for the drive home. The total for the weekend was 77 species and 827 individual birds seen. Amazing!

Many thanks for our guides Aaron and Allen, for the parents who took strange detours and for getting their kids to us, and especially for such a great bunch of kids who love nature as we do! Please enjoy some of the weekends photos!

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. And raptors in particular. Burke’s Garden never disappoints.

Following a cup of coffee at Maddie’s Place, we hit the road. During the morning half-loop, we got two of our key species: rough-legged hawk and red-headed woodpecker. Numerous other species were seen, including downy woodpeckers, northern flickers, yellow-bellied sapsuckers, kingfishers, a northern harrier, and an eastern meadowlark.

After refueling at Maddie’s Place once again with hearty soup and sandwiches, we set out to conquer the remaining half of Burke’s Garden. Eagles dominated the afternoon species with both the bald and golden being seen! We met another birding group that directed us to the an opportunity to catch sight of the elusive snipe (which we got!) along with several more common species, such as tufted titmice, Carolina chickadees, blue jays, bluebirds, juncos, crows, ravens, and goldfinches. We also caught a glimpse of a male northern harrier!

What we missed were the ducks! Overall, it was a stellar birding trip with 30 species accounts and 774 total individual birds.

Upcoming Events

After sneaking a peek at winter birds this weekend, you’ll have an opportunity to connect with friends in Grayson County, enjoy a wine dinner at Abingdon Vineyards, share your ideas during the Master Plan Meeting II, and catch the only preview of Barbara Kingsolver’s forthcoming poetry book before its release!

2020 Great Backyard Bird Count

Saturday, February 15th, 10:00am - 2:00pm

Hang out on the porch or peer out the windows of the cottage as we participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count! Staff will be at the BRDC Cottage Saturday, February 15th from 10-2 to document the birds found at the Center, and to submit these data on eBird.

This event is FREE! Please register online.

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Special Event: BRDC in Grayson County

Sunday, March 1st, 3:00 pm - 5:00pm

Join us for a special event to make friends, build relationships, and strengthen our community. See what BRDC has been up to in Grayson County, and learn how you can get involved!

We will gather at the New River Wildlife & Conservation Club, 7107 Riverside Drive, Fries, VA 24330.

Kindly RSVP online or by contacting one of the event hosts listed on the event page.

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Abingdon Vineyards Fundraiser for BRDC

Saturday, March 7th, 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Abingdon Vineyards is teaming up with Chef Charles Parker for a (tasty!) fundraiser in support of BRDC's restoration of the Historic Konnarock Training School. Check out the mouth-watering menu, complete with an AV wine pairing with each course.

Gourmet dinner by Chef Charles Parker:

Appetizer

Beef Carpaccio Crostini

Starter

Crab Cakes

Salad

Strawberry Salad with Lemon Dijon Vinaigrette

Entrée

Maple Rosemary Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Roasted Potato and Garlic Cream

Dessert

Lemon-Poppy with Chevre Cheesecake with Rhubarb

Space is limited. Reservations required.

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Women’s Fly Fishing Weekend

Saturday, March 21st - Sunday, March 22nd

This event is SOLD OUT! If you would like to be notified of future events like this, please email outreach@blueridgediscoverycenter.org.

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Master Plan Meeting II

Tuesday, March 24th, 1:30 pm - 5:00 pm

Blue Ridge Discovery Center is developing a Master Plan, and we’d love to have your input! During this 2nd session, we’ll review concepts from Meeting I and explore fresh ideas regarding new topics. Join us!

BRDC Field Station, 6315 Whitetop Rd, Troutdale, VA 24378

Snow date: March 31, from 1:30 - 5:00 pm.

Email Emily Carlson at emily@dialogueanddesign.com at 570-506-1207 if you have any questions.

Please RSVP online or by emailing outreach@blueridgediscoverycenter.com.

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Budding Botanists

Saturday, April 18th, Details TBD

Save the date! Young children and their parents/caregivers will have an opportunity to engage in hands-on, age-appropriate activities at the BRDC Field Station during our first-ever Budding Botanists program.

Members will receive first access to registration as well as discounts to programs throughout the year. Renew your membership today!

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Barbara Kingsolver Book Reading & Signing

Friday, April 24th, 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm

HOW TO BE HOPEFUL: A Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day with BARBARA KINGSOLVER.

Find inspiration in the natural world through the mind of one of Virginia’s most loved writers, and catch the only preview of her forthcoming poetry book before its September release!

All proceeds to benefit nature education with Blue Ridge Discovery Center.

The Lyric Theater, Blacksburg, VA

Tickets: (540) 951-4771 or www.thelyric.com.

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46th Annual Spring Mt. Rogers Naturalist Rally

Friday, May 8th - Sunday, May 10th, Details TBD

Save the date! The Mt. Rogers Naturalist Rally is BRDC’s signature event. Each year we assemble a wide variety of field trips with leaders who are experts in their field and who are able to make natural history understandable and interesting for everyone from inquisitive amateurs to accomplished naturalists. There is something for the entire family with an expert speaker Friday night, field trips Saturday and Sunday, and nighttime programs. Past topics have included salamanders, birding, caving, geology, primitive skills, edible/medicinal plants, general natural history, kids programs, and much, much more! 

Members will receive first access to registration as well as discounts to programs throughout the year. Renew your membership today!

2019 Annual Report

Thanks to the continuous engagement of our community, it has been another exciting year of growing resources, increasing partnerships, and seeing our mission in action! Last year, 2,389 participants collectively spent 13,614 hours engaged in BRDC programming. In fact, 2019 saw the highest number of community programs offered to date.

Learn more about our year in review in the 2019 Annual Report.

Repping the Hellbender!

We were recently asked to collaborate on a short blurb about hellbenders for a new label from the Tumbling Creek Cidery Company: HELLBENDER - HOPPED HARD CIDER. Working with Dr. JJ Bresowar, one of the founders of TCCC and a professor at E&H, we built this fun bit that will be featured on the background of their bottle:

“Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis - eastern hellbender, snot otter, mud dog, gampus, Allegheny alligator; all names for this large cryptic salamander found in cool, clear streams and rivers. It can be docile, but is nearly pure muscle with tough claws to grip slippery rocks, strong jaws to clamp down on its preferred prey of crayfish, and a keeled tail to propel it through rushing waters. Hellbenders are brown with darker spots along their backs, a camouflage in their clear stream habitats. They are found during the day under large rocks, with adults coming out at night to hunt. As the largest amphibian in North America, this ancient giant is resilient, surviving the rise and fall of dinosaurs, ice ages, and the dawn of humans. It shares a common ancestor with the Asian giant salamanders dating back over 130 million years. Its legend as a feared creature of the underworld stems from Appalachian folklore, but more accurately, this unique species is a charismatic icon and bellwether of our cherished cold-water ecosystems. Hellbenders were once found from the Mississippi River to New York State, though most are now restricted to the Appalachian region. Hellbenders remind us of the importance of clean waters and wooded mountainsides in preserving our natural heritage.”

Check out this neat group continuing a deep-rooted apple tradition in the Southern Appalachians: https://tumblingcreekcider.com/our-cider/

Label for the new Tumbling Creek Cider Company’s Hellbender Hopped hard cider.

4th Annual BRDC Middle School Science Fair

Four years now for the BRDC Grayson County Middle School Science Fair!. From kick-off in September to one Friday in December, the students prepare for this event. Encouraged and supported by the staff at Grayson County Schools, hosted by Independence Middle School and run by Blue Ridge Discovery Center, this event supports our youth in their challenge to grasp engineering and scientific methodology. They work hard and it is exemplified in the results of great projects.

Judges step in Thursday evening prior to the event to begin scoring the project’s display boards. They return Friday morning to meet the students face to face and score their presentation. These combined scores determine the winners. Parents, family, and friends are invited to attend this community event so students can share their accomplishments. This year’s winners are:

Carson Green, Conner Huffman, Grayson Highlands School; Let's eat Candy; Grand Prize and Best in School

Kinsey Parks, Independence Middle School; Gingerbreadman and Parachutes; 1st Place 6th grade and Best in School

Jaycee Sutherland, Casey Redifer, Sarah Hale, Independence Middle School; Do Sheep Grow More Muscle in a Field or Barn; 1st Place 7th grade

Shannity Roberts, Independence Middle School; What does Sugary Drink do to Your Pearly White Teeth; 2nd Place 6th grade

Jason Smith, Grayson Highlands School; What Breaks the Paper Towel the Fastest; 2nd Place 7th grade

James Davis, Grayson Highlands School; Moldy Mess; 3rd Place 6th grade

Luke Walls, J. T. Porter, Independence Middle School; Homemade Dog Wheelchair; 3rd Place 7th grade

Shawn McKnight, Fries School; Foil Boat Experiment; Best in School

BRDC is very thankful for all the community support for this great event. We could not have done it without the help of our fantastic volunteer judges: Ms. Deborah Greif, Mr. Travis Belton, Dr. John Kovacich, Dr. Bill Hylander, Ms. Brenda Bonk, Mr. John Fant, Ms. Niki Weir, Dr. Robert Benish, Dr. Ken Kreuzer, Dr. Beverly Fermor, Ms. Heidi Breedlove, Mr. Keith and Mrs. Pat Andrews, Mr. Roald Kirby, Ms. Michelle Pridgeon, Mr. Jerry Kandies, Dr. Linda Hylander, and Mr. Tom Simpson. Many hours were spent reviewing all the 133 projects. Many heartfelt thanks to you all!

BRDC Receives Virginia Wildlife Grant for Freshwater Snorkeling Program

Fish, reptiles, amphibians, crustaceans, macro-invertebrates, and more call Southwest Virginia watersheds home. BRDC’s guided freshwater snorkeling program gets youth unplugged, outside, and immersed in the cool streams and rivers of the Blue Ridge. This fascinating program highlights the organisms living beneath the surface and allows for a safe, non-intrusive engagement with aquatic species.

Blue Ridge Discovery Center has been providing a snorkeling program for several years with limited equipment. Thanks to support by the 2019 Virginia Wildlife Grant Program through a partnership between the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Foundation of Virginia, BRDC will have the means to engage more youth in our freshwater snorkeling program.

Hands-on, experiential education programs such as this connect our youth to the environment and establish the foundation to protect and sustain the integrity of our natural resources. By introducing more young people to the wonders of the Blue Ridge, we can inspire a budding generation of naturalists to be active stewards of the place we call home.

Thank you for your support!

Crayfish in Big Laurel Creek at the BRDC Field Station.

Stonefly larva in in Big Laurel Creek.

Sculpin in Big Laurel Creek.

New Phone Number

Blue Ridge Discovery Center has a new phone number:

(276) 388-3155

Please update your records. Our previous office number, (276) 293-1232, will no longer be in use after December 1, 2019.

Carrier pigeons and smoke signals may also be used to get our attention, but may be a bit less effective.

Happy Holidays!

Give the Gift . . . of a Toilet?

Do toilets and door knobs make good gifts? We think so!

This holiday season, when you give the value of one of the restoration items listed below to Blue Ridge Discovery Center, you are making an impact for generations to come. What’s more, these contributions will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Cabell Foundation in support of BRDC’s Capital Campaign for the Center.

Whether you’re fond of the bark siding or cherish the thought of restoring an historic window that will soon overlook children observing butterflies in a native plant community or studying wetland ecology, there is an element and donation value to match your level of support.

When you visit our Donation Page, consider giving the value* of one of the following restoration items for yourself or in honor of a loved one:

·       2 Square Feet of Floor Refinishing $5

·       Square Foot of Staircase Refinishing $10

·       Door Hinge $15

·       Set of Drawer Pulls $20

·       Door Knob $25

·       Square Foot of Plaster Restoration $30

·       Pendant Lamp $35

·       Panel of Bark Siding $50

·       Wooden Chair $75

·       Linear Foot of Exterior Hand Railing $125

·       Dining Table $200

·       High-efficiency Toilet $300

·       Bunk Bed $400

·       Interior Door Restoration $500

·       Window Restoration $600

·       Front Door Restoration $1,500

·       Species Room Sponsorship $10,000**

*These values represent the cost of items and services, and are being used for symbolic purposes only.

**Anyone interested in sponsoring a Species Room is encouraged to contact Keith Andrews at 276.237.3654.

Thank you for your support!

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BRDC is also participating in Giving Tuesday in support of the Capital Campaign for the Center.

Help us spread the word by sharing our website or hosting a Facebook fundraiser on Tuesday, December 3rd!

Twin County Community Foundation Supports BRDC in Youth Outside Initiative

Through the generous support of the Twin County Community Foundation (TCCF), Blue Ridge Discovery Center will be launching a new Youth Outside Health & Education Initiative in 2020. The purpose of this new initiative is to address the physical, mental, and cognitive health of students in Grayson and Carroll Counties and the City of Galax. The Youth Outside Health & Education Initiative will engage 25 participating classes, approximately 500 students aged 6-11, in outdoor activities through observational high-elevation hiking, reflective field journaling, and natural history education.

With the increase in technology available today, children are spending less time outdoors and less time engaged in physical activity. A sedentary indoor lifestyle is also linked to an overall decline in mental health among adolescents. Hiking in natural areas, especially in dynamic mountainous terrain, provides positive physical and mental health benefits while encouraging a healthy lifestyle.

Pairing physical activity with hands-on, experiential learning allows students to become fully immersed and actively engaged in their learning, with tools to promote critical thinking and creativity, and to accelerate learning. When students share their findings, they are more likely to retain information processed and apply it to situations beyond that experience. Further, Blue Ridge Discovery Center’s lessons are aligned with the Virginia Department of Education Standards of Learning. By providing programming outside of the classroom, BRDC can effectively introduce students to an infinite number of experiences and topics that they find inspiring. This level of ownership contributes to deeper appreciation and understanding, and can heighten enthusiasm for learning.

Through the Youth Outside Health & Education Initiative, TCCF and BRDC aim to promote physical, emotional, and cognitive well-being and instill a love of the place they call home. In meeting BRDC’s goal to inspire youth to discover new areas of interest, we can collectively help this generation to live an active and healthy lifestyle.

This Initiative is also made possible by matching funds through the Harris and Frances Block Foundation.

Thank you for your support!