Bringing in the New Year

Happy New Year from BRDC!

With the beginning of a new year, we wanted to take this time to reintroduce the faces behind BRDC.

Aaron Floyd, our executive director, is our fearless leader and visionary behind BRDC’s development.

Lisa Benish, our program director, ensures that our mission is met by inspiring youth and community members to engage with the natural world.

Ali Singleton, our landscaper/educator, is focused on developing our landscape with native plants for both people and wildlife to enjoy.

Chris Hartless, our facilities maintenance warrior, works tirelessly to keep the wheels of progress turning.

Lauren Peery, our naturalist/educator, plays a huge role in leading youth and community members to discover the wonders of the Blue Ridge.

We thank you for your continued support of BRDC, and for following our growth over the years. We have some really exciting things coming up this year, and we’re so excited to share them with you!

The Twin County Community Foundation Partners With BRDC for the 2021 Get Outside Program

The Twin County Community Foundation (TCCF) continues to support Blue Ridge Discovery Center through a grant to get families outside engaged in nature. The purpose of the Get Outside Program is to address the physical, mental, and cognitive health of youth and their families in Grayson and Carroll Counties and the City of Galax. Attendees will participate in a natural history activity while reaping the physical and mental benefits of time spent outside.

BRDC will provide sixteen educational outdoor hikes to include an enriching activity for youth and their families to various public locales throughout 2021. The main components of this program include: observational hiking, reflection, and a nature-focused activity. Through the Get Outside Program, we aim to promote physical and emotional well-being and instill a love for the place we call home. In meeting our mission to inspire others to discover new areas of interest, we can collectively help them live an active and healthy lifestyle.

The Get Outside Program kicks off on Friday, January 1st with the 2021 First Day Hike! Families are invited to join BRDC from 2:00-3:30 pm at Dannelly Park in Galax for this unique program in conjunction with the nationwide First Day Hike event. This program is FREE to participants! Click the button below to learn more and to register. Space is limited and registration is required.

Thank you, Twin County Community Foundation, for your continued support! 

Cottage Rain Garden Completed

The BRDC Cottage Rain Garden, funded through the Virginia Conservation Assistance Program (VCAP), has been completed!

VCAP is a cost-share opportunity facilitated by the Virginia Soil & Water Conservation Districts as a way to help citizens manage stormwater, erosion, and nonpoint pollution issues on private property. Originally created for the Chesapeake Bay watershed, it has since expanded to the remainder of Virginia. With the help of both the Clinch Valley and Evergreen districts, BRDC was approved to create a rain garden behind our office building, known as “the cottage.” 

This rain garden accepts stormwater from the roof of the cottage. The water moves to the gutters, which connects to an underground pipe system, and empties out into the 120-square-foot, bowl-shaped garden. The soil was amended to absorb and hold water by combining compost and natural soil. A selection of shade and water-loving native plants was sourced from Wood Thrush Natives in Floyd, VA, Gardens of the Blue Ridge in Danielsville, GA, and transplanted from our own property here at BRDC. The plants include white turtlehead, common sneezeweed, cardinal flower, great blue lobelia, umbrellaleaf, red trillium, wild geranium, Turk’s cap lily, and many more. Mulch was added to hold moisture, protect the surface of the soil, and ultimately complete the image of the rain garden.

The Cottage Rain Garden is situated along Della’s Branch Nature Trail on BRDC’s campus. School groups, members, and visitors of all ages are able to meander by the lush streamside garden, and have the opportunity to further understand the importance of stormwater control and the power of native plants in water management. 

Check out these resources for your own rain garden!

https://gardensoftheblueridge.com/

http://woodthrushnatives.com/

https://vaswcd.org/vcap#

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Project Photos

Giving Tuesday

WHAT IS GIVING TUESDAY?

Each year, the Tuesday following Thanksgiving is known as Giving Tuesday. For 2020, Giving Tuesday falls on December 1st. This global movement gives everyone the power to make a positive change in the lives of others and is a fundamental value anyone can act on. We all have gifts to give, and this year you can make the greatest impact by contributing to the community while supporting the next generation of stewards and community leaders.

HOW CAN I MAKE AN IMPACT?

This year during Giving Tuesday, we find ourselves thankful for the generosity of past gifts that have brought Blue Ridge Discovery Center to where it is now: on the brink of launching into one of the greatest treasures of the Blue Ridge Mountains!

With restoration of the historic Konnarock Training School underway, we are now raising funds to furnish this incredible building. This Giving Tuesday, we invite you to help transform an empty shell of a building into the Blue Ridge Discovery Center by making a tax-deductible contribution toward furnishings for the schoolhouse. You may considering giving the value of one of the following items, or simply give the value of your choice. Surprise a loved one by making a gift in their honor! Who wouldn’t appreciate an honorary toilet in their name?

Honorary value ideas:

• Curtain panel, $25

• Lamp, $35

• Dining service for four, $50

• Wooden chair, $75

• Dorm cubby, $100

• Dorm mattress, $150

• Dining table, $200

• High-efficiency toilet, $300

• Bunk bed, $500

• Natural history museum displays, $1,000

• Species Room Naming Rights, $10,000*

If you wish to give in honor or memory of someone, please include a note with your contribution.

*Please contact Keith Andrews, Campaign Chair, to discuss naming opportunities at (276) 237-3654 or keith@blueridgediscoverycenter.org.

HOW DO I GIVE?

1. Online. You can easily make a tax-deductible gift online by clicking the button below.

2. Mail-in Option. Checks can be sent to Blue Ridge Discovery Center, 6402 Whitetop Rd, Troutdale, VA 24378.

Gifts can be made at any time, not just on Giving Tuesday. Thank you for your generous support of our mission and vision!

Note: We will not be participating in a Facebook campaign this year for Giving Tuesday.

Irruption of the Pine Siskin

Patterned like a sparrow but shape, action and calls reveal a goldfinch in disguise. These very small songbirds are members of the finch family. Their primary range is in northern North America but they sometimes invade southward in large numbers coming to feeders along with other members of the finch family.

Pine siskin - notice the sharp pointy beak

If you have not been fortunate enough to see them, this is the year to look! This is one of the biggest irruption years in recorded history for these finches. So strong that they are even migrating at night. This is likely due to depleted conifer seeds in their native montane and boreal habitats. They are not shy and will readily take nyjer and sunflower seeds. 

If you put out feeders for our feathered friends, you are likely to see them right now. It’s the first time I can recall seeing them at mine! What caught my attention was the slight bit of yellow on the wings. At first glance, they can easily be mistaken for female purple finches, winter colored American goldfinches, or even a sparrow. I wondered if I might have just been overlooking them as one of our other winter finch visitors all along.

Pine siskin on the left and Purple finch (female) on the right - notice difference in wing patterns/color and brow.

As I spent more time observing the vast numbers of finches at my feeder, I became more aware of the variations in the finch species visiting. It was intriguing and challenging to identify them. The house finch, purple finch, American goldfinch, and pine siskin are so similar! Here is a link to help differentiate them. Mainly, the bill is sharp and more pointed than the others and they have a touch of yellow on their wings and tails. The house and purple finches were another level of challenge. This link will help you get a grasp on them! Purple finches are also on the swing with larger numbers likely for the same reason as the pine siskins.

American goldfinch - notice the white on the wing bars and the lack of streaking on the chest

Male and female Purple finches - notice the extensive coloring on the male and the strong white brow on the female.

The Pine siskin is a gregarious little bird! Get out your feeders, add some nyjer and sunflower seeds, and have a watch!

How to Fly (In Ten Thousand Easy Lessons)

I got my copy of How to Fly (In Ten Thousand Easy Lessons) by Barbara Kingsolver in the mail recently and I can't stop picking it up, flipping to a random page, and leaping off the cliff into its deep waters. I turn to it when the stress of Covid-19 overwhelms and my head hurts from problem-solving. The book is both an escape and a lesson at the same time. I usually come away from a passage with a smile and a point of clarity, as if my muddled brain was rewired by an expert electrician.

Her ability to slowly unwrap a message draws you past the end of one poem and into the next. But beyond the beautiful language and compositions, this book of poems speaks directly to our mission at Blue Ridge Discovery Center. It is an incredible combination of humanity and science interwoven through keen observations and creative critical thought. As a whole, the collection is truly a 21st-century perspective, mined from the vast body of knowledge compiled by centuries of forward-thinking scientists and naturalists that came before her.

No doubt the timing of this release is coincidental, but these poems are so fitting for our crazy pandemic times when each of us needs an extended hand to hold. There is something in this book for everyone, no matter your troubles or where you come from. The prose is uplifting, always tapping into positive potentials and even some of the darker-toned poems manage to be supportive in their truth-telling.

If you haven't picked this book up yet, trust me, you NEED to. Thank you Barbara for being a mother to us all and championing the BRDC mission!

-Aaron

PS Check out Ephemera on page 93 dedicated to BRDC!

Upcoming Events

As the temperatures cool down, Blue Ridge Discovery Center isn’t slowing down! With darkness settling in sooner in the evenings, we are entering the prime season for stargazing. And with trees and shrubs losing their foliage, the winter months allow for fewer visual obstructions during birdwatching, including sighting rare wintering birds from the far north. There’s something for everyone over the coming months. Join us! Click event titles for more information.

Exploring Astronomy
Friday, November 20th, 5:30-7:30
All ages!

Seedling Scientist
Saturday, November 21st, 2:00-3:30
Ages 3-5

New River Christmas Bird Count (hosted by BRDC)
Saturday, December 19th, 9:00-5:00

Mt. Rogers Christmas Bird Count (hosted by Allen Boynton)
Sunday, December 20th, 9:00-5:00

Burke’s Garden Birding Trip
February 6th, 8:00-5:00
All ages!

Great Backyard Bird Count
February 13th, 10:00-2:00
All ages!

BRDC Welcomes Lauren and Chris to the Team

BRDC is growing! Lauren and Chris joined the team this year and are busy helping us meet our mission as we work to create the Center for a grand opening in 2021.

Lauren Peery - Naturalist/Educator

Lauren was born and raised in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Carroll County, Virginia, with a deep-rooted passion for the region’s unique ecosystems. 

Lauren earned a Bachelor of Science in Integrative Studies from George Mason University in 2012, with a concentration in Conservation Biology and a Minor in Environmental Sustainability. In college she studied at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia as part of an immersive, experiential learning semester.  Lauren was a Forest Ecology Intern at SCBI, cataloging Northern Red Oak tree data in a large forest dynamics plot, a site of the Smithsonian’s Global Earth Observatory Network. Back at Mason, she was selected by the National Wildlife Federation as one of twelve Campus Ecology Fellows for a grant proposal to conduct a natural resource inventory of one of GMU’s last remaining woodlands. She also worked as a field interpreter/environmental educator for the Potomac Environmental Research and Education Center in Fairfax County, VA, leading engaging local ecosystem field programs for K-12 students. Upon graduation, Lauren was awarded the GMU New Century College Outstanding Integrative Studies Graduate Award for her interdisciplinary and experiential research and study. She pursued additional studies at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, earning a Graduate Certificate in Natural Resources in 2015.  

Since escaping the suburban sprawl and moving back to the Blue Ridge in 2014, Lauren pivoted “from earth to sky”, working as an astronomer at a private resort astronomical observatory. She leads guests of all ages from around the world in nightly stargazing and telescope tours, teaching people about the wonders of outer space and the importance of protecting dark skies from light pollution. 

Now at Blue Ridge Discovery Center, Lauren is reconnecting to her roots and utilizing her passions and skills in science communication and public speaking to foster curiosity, discovery, and stewardship in people of all ages through the wonders of the Blue Ridge. She employs her own experiential-based  background to guide participants in inquiry-based education techniques to understand and appreciate the specialness of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

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Chris Hartless - Facilities Maintenance

Chris was born and raised near Richmond, Virginia. After graduating with a masters in experimental psychology from Radford University, he spent time doing research in Indianapolis. He has taught as an adjunct professor at Emory and Henry College and now resides with Blue Ridge Discovery Center.

Here, Chris’s strengths lie in his enthusiasm for combining problem solving with a strong work ethic to tackle the unique challenges of an historic property and its developing interpretive grounds.

Chris spends much of his time wandering the outdoors with his dog Riley, making music, thinking, and being happy.

Seedling Scientist Program Offered for Preschoolers

Let your Seedling Scientists 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 10 participants per event.

Ages: 3-5

Dates: Sunday, October 18th, 3:00 PM–4:30 PM - OR - Saturday, October 24th, 2:00 PM-3:30 PM

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

Cost: FREE! Registration is required.

Science In Nature Program: Session II

The Science in Nature Program is a chance for your child to experience science-focused, hands-on, experiential, project-based activities in the Blue Ridge Mountains. 

Throughout this 6-week program (one day per week), children in 4th through 5th grade will observe and conduct scientific investigation, research and restoration projects, and environmental literacy.

Session I included: observation through exploration, species identification using keys and field guides, citizen science projects, herbarium contributions, and plant propagation.

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

Kettles over Mahogany Rock

This past weekend is historically the peak migration time frame for Broad-winged hawks over Mahogany Rock in Alleghany County, NC.  So…BRDC staff and volunteers spent Saturday through Monday looking up! We were not disappointed.

Saturday was cloudy and cold and sitting (or standing) looking up into the sky for 7 hours is not for everyone. For those who love it though, the chance to see the mass migration of Broad-winged hawks is worth it. Unfortunately, we were only presented with around 13 Broad-winged hawks along with a couple of other raptors. With the predicted improvement in the weather for Sunday, everyone left looking forward to the sunshine, warmth, and another chance!

Sunday was indeed a better day with 1,413 Broad-winged hawks showing up over a couple of hours. Several large kettles circled above us (only visible with binoculars as they were so high) before souring away to Central and South America. Monday however was spectacular!

There were a couple of 300-600 bird kettles early in the day but around 12:30 pm, they showed up in mass! In a matter of minutes around 1,900 Broad-wings came up over the tree line and just kept coming; some coming down low enough for identification with the unaided eye! By the end of the day, we had 3,140 Broad-winged hawks recorded for the Hawk Migration Hawk Watch data bank.

Huge kettle over Mahogany Rock (photo credit Allen Boynton)

Along with the Broad-wings, Bald eagle, Merlin, Peregrin falcon, Osprey, Red-tailed and Red-shouldered hawks, American kestrel, Copper’s hawk, and Sharp-shinned hawks were seen.

Official Count for September

Many thanks to the many counters and observers this weekend! Special thanks to Allen Boynton, Harrol Blevins, and Bill English for your time, dedication, and expertise!

BRDC Joins Grayson County After School

In April, BRDC applied as the co-applicant with Grayson County Public Schools for the 21st Century Community Learning Center grant to provide hands-on, experiential programs to the students of Fries School and Independence Elementary School. We were notified in late August that we had received this grant and will happily be working with the Grayson County Public School system!

Community learning centers operate before and after school, during school breaks, Saturdays, and during summer vacation to provide educational services for families of participating children. Blue Ridge Discovery Center will be working with Fries School and Independence Elementary School providing enrichment activities after school three to four days a week, Saturdays, and during the summer. BRDC will be focused on science, nature, and life-long rewarding hobbies such as fly fishing,

With the COVID pandemic, both BRDC and school staff are working hard to provide these programs virtually and remotely until in-person is safely allowed. It is a difficult task but we are working together to make it happen for the youth of our communities.

The 21st Century Community Learning Centers program is authorized under Title IV, Part B, of the federal Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015. Funding is provided by the Virginia Department of Education.

September & October 2020 Events Calendar

Between capturing the remaining vestiges of summer and welcoming fall, there is a lot to appreciate about September! Can you join us for one of the following events?

2020 Mahogany Rock Hawk Watch
Annual raptor count through Hawk Watch International
September 18th-21st
10:00-2:00 daily

Science in Nature Outdoor Program (Session I)
6-week program for 3rd-5th graders of Washington & Smyth County
Happening now through October 7th
Wednesdays, 9:00-3:15

Science in Nature Outdoor Program (Session II)
6-week program for 3rd-5th graders of Washington & Smyth County
October 14th - November 18th
Wednesdays, 9:00-3:15

Youth Outside Program
Hiking & nature observation program for 6-10 year-olds in Grayson & Carroll Counties and the City of Galax
Happening now through October 30th
Wednesdays 2:00-4:00 & Fridays 10:00-12:00
Various locations

Click on event titles for more information and to register. Hope to see you soon!

Schoolhouse Wetland Comes to Life

Over the course of the last month, the space in front of the schoolhouse has undergone a significant transition at the hands of dedicated volunteers. What was recently a grass lawn is now a complex rain garden where wetland is skirted by meadow in a diverse habitat teeming with native plants.

The purpose of this rain garden is multi-faceted. The wetland will provide stormwater management, accepting and filtering rainwater from the schoolhouse roof. The wetland and meadow will also be a space where program participants, members, and visitors can explore habitats representative of nearby natural plant communities. Once complete, the landscape will include an ADA accessible boardwalk, meandering stepping stone pathways, and opportunities for observation, education, and reflection.

Beyond these physical characteristics and programmatic benefits, the wetland project has also been a catalyst for fostering strong connections within the greater BRDC community. To help make this project possible, the Marion Morning Rotary, Rotary Club of Marion, Rotary Club of Washington County, and Rotary Club of Hillsville joined forces to partner with BRDC on a grant to support the installation of the rain garden. Members of these Rotary Clubs, along with the Washington County Master Gardeners, have also dedicated many hours of volunteer service to physically creating the wetland, including amending the soil, preparing the wetland “bowls”, and planting thousands of plants from Wood Thrush Native Nursery and Mid Atlantic Native Plant Farm.

The transplants are now establishing themselves within and around the bowls, with additional work slotted for around the perimeter. In time, the stepping stone pathway will be completed and the boardwalk will be installed. Finished or not, several species of butterflies have already discovered this new buffet of nectar sources!

Thank you, Rotarians and Master Gardeners, for bringing the Center landscape to life!

Project Gallery

BRDC Responds to Virtual Learning by Offering Outdoor Programs to Local Youth

For Fall 2020, many schools within the Blue Ridge Discovery Center service region are moving to virtual (online) learning, and some school schedules include dedicated time off each week. During this unique time, BRDC saw an opportunity to provide regional youth with weekly outdoor experiences ranging from nature hikes and journaling to scientific inquiry and data collection. Starting next Wednesday, September 2nd, BRDC is offering a series of hands-on programs that coincide with the schedules of regional schools.

Our Science in Nature Program is geared toward 3rd-5th graders of Smyth and Washington Counties, and will be based out of the Blue Ridge Discovery Center Field Station. Participants can choose to register for either or both 6-week sessions. Session I will take place on Wednesdays from September 2 - October 7. Session II will take place on Wednesdays from October 14 - November 18.

For youth aged 6-10 in Grayson & Carroll Counties and the City of Galax, the Youth Outside Program will take place at local outdoor venues on Wednesday afternoons (2:00-4:00) and Friday mornings (10:00-12:00). Participants will have an opportunity to register for one or more of the times and locations that work best for them to engage in games, crafts, scientific inquiries, free exploration, and more.

Space is limited, so register your child(ren) today!

Health and safety guidelines are in place and will be followed daily, including daily health screens, physical distancing, and the wearing of face coverings. No person experiencing signs of illness will be permitted to participate in BRDC programming.

Seeking Applications for Naturalist/Educator

Update: the application period for this position has ended. Stay tuned for future opportunities!

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Position Announcement

Job Title: Naturalist/Educator
Hours: Full-time - 40hrs/week
Reports To: Program Director
Location: Blue Ridge Discovery Center, Konnarock, Virginia
Salary: Based on experience

Join Blue Ridge Discovery Center as a Naturalist/Educator (N/E) and help connect our regional youth and adults to one of the greatest natural treasures in the East. This is an excellent opportunity to make an impact in our community while continuing to grow and develop your naturalist skills. Working as a Naturalist/Educator will involve some of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of your life. 

POSITION DESCRIPTION

This full-time position at BRDC is responsible for serving the organization with a personal commitment to inspire curiosity, discovery, and stewardship through the wonders of the Blue Ridge. The N/E position requires dedication to experiential learning, natural history/science education, and lifelong learning. This role coordinates and executes natural history/science programming both in the classroom and in the field during our school programs, community programs, and summer camps. The N/E works with all ages of participants including grade school kids, summer camp attendees, researchers, and adults. You will be expected to work in a wide variety of settings, including in the field, classrooms, public events, and BRDC facilities with travel in Carroll, Grayson, Smyth, and Washington Counties and the City of Galax, VA. The N/E works closely with and directly reports to the Program Director.

OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE:

• Energetic, outgoing, enthusiastic, positive, inquisitive, goal oriented, hard working personality

• Can inspire and empower others to engage in natural history

• A strong base of natural history knowledge, preferably focused on the Southern Appalachians

• Passion for and eagerness to expand and share their own personal knowledge

• Bachelor's degree in environmental education, outdoor recreation, biology, or similar

• Experience in environmental education working closely with youth and/or general public

• Excellent verbal and written skills

• Able to meet the physical demands of outdoor activities related to BRDC programming

• Willingness to work in inclement weather conditions and wilderness settings

• Can provide their own transportation

BENEFITS:

• Competitive Salary

• Paid Federal Holidays

• Assistance with certifications as required

• Travel reimbursement

ABOUT BLUE RIDGE DISCOVERY CENTER

Blue Ridge Discovery Center (BRDC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring, discovering, and sharing the natural history of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Founded in 2008, BRDC has built a reputation for implementing innovative hands-on experiential learning programs and initiatives. Working with all age groups from children to adults, including curious kids, professional researchers, and amateur naturalists, BRDC draws on a deep web of knowledge about local natural history to illustrate relationships within the rich flora, fauna, and geology that make up the unique Blue Ridge ecosystems. Emphasizing curiosity while establishing a life-long appreciation for the natural wonders of the Blue Ridge region are goals that shape BRDC’s work and its vision.

BRDC’s MISSION is to inspire curiosity, discovery, and stewardship through the wonders of the Blue Ridge.

We are an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, age, pregnancy, disability, work-related injury, covered veteran status, political ideology, marital status, or any other factor that the law protects from employment discrimination.

Summer Mt. Rogers Naturalist Rally Announcement

Due to ongoing safety protocols surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, the Blue Ridge Discovery Center Summer Mt. Rogers Naturalist Rally has been canceled. This event was previously scheduled for August 14-16, 2020.

The MRNR is a longstanding tradition dating back to 1974, and is one of our favorite ways to connect with families, naturalists, and long-time rally goers from near and far. We hope to return to our regular schedule next year as long as it is safe to do so. The 2021 Spring MRNR is scheduled for May 7-9, and the 2021 Summer MRNR is scheduled for August 20-22.

Although we had great success with a remote version of the spring rally, BRDC will be shifting focus toward the development of our Center during this time. If you feel comfortable doing so, you can continue making a difference during this time of social distancing by volunteering to assist with work on our grounds. There are several project opportunities that can be conducted outside and/or individually. If you would like to volunteer to assist with work on and around our grounds, please contact Rachel at: outreach@blueridgediscoverycenter.org.

Despite not gathering together in person, there are still many ways you can Explore, Discover, and Share the wonders of the place you call home! Let us know what you are discovering via Facebook or Instagram @blueridgediscoverycenter!

BRDC Summer Camp Announcement

Dear Camp Families,

We have made the decision to scale back on summer camps due to the ongoing threat of Covid-19. We are canceling all camps for the month of June and are limiting participation for the rest of the summer to a level that ensures we can meet safety guidelines. At the core of our decision-making process is first and foremost our ability to provide a safe environment for participants along with staff. Secondly, as a community-funded non-profit, part of our decision-making process is how to best serve our community in a time of great need. It is essential now more than ever for our youth to spend time outdoors, away from screens, and have access to essential education opportunities. Couple this with parents' need for childcare to relieve pressure from work and the situation becomes critical. The scale of our operations and mission puts us in a unique position to assist our community during this threat. We are therefore giving you our full commitment to providing a safe and enriching summer.  

Below you will find updates regarding this summer. Please feel free to reach out at any point with concerns or unanswered questions. BRDC is preparing modified safety protocols at this time and will have those available for parents to review prior to camp. This is an evolving situation, so more updates will come as the summer progresses. If at any point we are not able to operate the remaining camps due to state and federal mandates, or if the threat evolves to the point in which we cannot offer these services safely, full refunds will be provided to all participants.

Updated Summer 2020 Schedule (please visit: Summer Camps for more information):

Overnight:

• New River Expedition (11-17), July 8-11, 2020

• Wilderness Discovery (11-17), July 27-31

• Fly Fishing Camp (11-17), August 4-8

• Birding Expedition (11-17), Fall 2020

Day Camps: 

• Discovery Day Camp: Session I (6-10), July 13-17*

• Discovery Day Camp: Session II (6-10), July 27-31*

Canceled:

• All Galax Day Camps have been canceled

• All Science in Nature Camps have been canceled

• Konnarock Day Camp Session II July 20-24 is canceled (Session III now becomes “Session II”)

*The two remaining day camps will be located on the BRDC Campus.

If your camp has been canceled: 

We are as disappointed as you are with this cancelation. We hope your kid will be able to join a BRDC camp in the near future. Considering that this is a difficult time economically for both families and non-profits like Blue Ridge Discovery Center, we are making three options available concerning refunds for all cancelations: 

1. Credit towards space in another camp so long as space allows. 

2. Make your registration fee a tax-deductible donation to BRDC.

3. Full refund of the registration fee.

Please email us as at your earliest convenience about your preference and we will process right away.

Sincerely,

Aaron Floyd

Executive Director, Blue Ridge Discovery Center

Special Poetry Reading by Barbara Kingsolver for BRDC

We have the opportunity to share with you the live poetry reading by acclaimed writer and trained biologist Barbara Kingsolver. Barbara has generously offered a personalized, signed copy of the limited edition How to Fly (In Ten Thousand Easy Lessons) with each $100 donation to Blue Ridge Discovery Center. Make a Contribution Now

On Friday night, in place of our traditional featured speaker, Kingsolver settled into the Blue Ridge Discovery Center cottage to read from her forthcoming poetry book for a remote, online audience of Naturalist Rally participants. This featured presentation of the Mt. Rogers Naturalist Rally offered viewers an inspiring perspective of the natural world - a world that is not separate from us, but which includes us. And if we are part of it, shouldn’t we know a bit more about it?

How can we see the wonders of nature, the interconnectedness of organisms through a biologist’s eyes? How can we know that the unusual, white ghost pipes popping up from the forest floor aren’t mushrooms or that the brainless mussel has such an intelligent reproductive strategy? How can we be hopeful and let that hope fuel a stronger future?

There’s just one easy step: read Barbara Kingsolver’s new book of poems. How to Fly (In Ten Thousand Easy Lessons) is due to be released September 22, 2020.

Wonders Revealed: A Recap of the Spring MRNR

The first-ever remote version of the Mt. Rogers Naturalist Rally has concluded, and we couldn’t be more pleased with the results. During this 10-day Backyard Edition, we invited participants to “explore, discover, and share the wonders of the place they call home.” And explore, they did!

iNaturalist by the Numbers

From May 1st-10th, 373 participants from 16 states engaged in the MRNR Backyard Edition through iNaturalist observations, expert guide webinars, and youth activities. Within the Mt. Rogers Naturalist Rally: Backyard Edition iNaturalist project, 118 observers submitted an impressive 5,096 observations of 1,204 species!

Here’s the break-down of observations:

• 661 species of plants

• 193 species of insects

• 126 species of birds

• 80 species of fungi

• 26 species of mammals

• 23 species of arachnids

• 22 species of amphibians

• 19 species of reptiles

• 14 species of ray-finned fishes

• and 22 species not listed in the above categories

Some favorite sightings included red fox pups by Carrie Holt, a ruby-throated hummingbird nest in an unusual location by Allen Boynton, an early hairstreak by Bruce Grimes, and a Canada goose atop a nest by Dennis Ross.

Species Shirt Winners

All those who contributed to the iNaturalist project were automatically entered to win a BRDC Species Shirt each day from May 2nd - 8th. Congratulations to our daily winners!

• May 2nd: Carolyn Unger

• May 3rd: Nicole Freeman

• May 4th: John Unger

• May 5th: Shawn Kurtzman

• May 6th: Shelley Gelbert

• May 7th: Theresa Burriss

• May 8th: Tamara Lowry

Raffle Winners

Those who purchased raffle tickets were also in the running for a whole host of great prizes thanks to our generous sponsors. Congratulations to our raffle prize winners!

• May 2nd: Jacqueline Sloop - Journal & Prismacolor Pencils; Leonard Lowe - Guide to the Bats of Virginia; Amelia Williams - VDGIF Collector’s Buck Knife in Wooden Box

• May 3rd: Kim Maison - VDGIF Vintage Trout Patch Hat & Tee; Rebecca Currin - Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Virginia; Joan Kark - Guide to the Snakes & Lizards of Virginia

• May 4th: Adrianna Nelson - Guide to the Turtles of Virginia; Stephanie Kelly - Birding for Beginners; Rebecca Gibbons - VDGIF Vintage Waterfowl Patch Hat & Tee

• May 5th: Beverly Stepp - Native Seed Packets & Bulbs; Karen Gilmer - VDGIF Vintage Elk Patch Hat & Tee; Susan Brown - Green Cove Collective Camp Socks & Sticker

• May 6th: Heather Bunch - Guide to the Salamanders of Virginia & VDGIF Tee; Matt Andrews - Green Cove Collective Run Strong Socks & Sticker; Karen Gilmer - Lessons of a Lakota

• May 7th: Nathan Ferguson - Green Cove Collective Trail Crusher Socks & Sticker; Susan Lowry - Green Cove Collective Camp Socks & Boot Jack Soy Candle; Leonard Lowe - VDGIF Collector’s Buck Knife in Sheath

• May 8th: Melanie Williams - Green Cove Collective Run Strong Socks & Salve; Mac McCord - Green Cove Collective Trail Crusher Socks & Journals; Vicki Pruitt - Species Specific Birdhouse by Lonesome Dove Woodcraft

• Grand Prize Winners: Kevin Divins - Vortex Diamondback HD 8x42 Binoculars; Betty Edmonson - Guided Fly Fishing Trip with Matt Reilly Fly Fishing

Learning to Fly

On the evening of Friday, May 8th, participants gathered via webinar to hear from acclaimed Virginia-based writer Barbara Kingsolver as she read from her forthcoming poetry book, How to Fly (In Ten Thousand Easy Lessons). It is possible, during this featured presentation of the MRNR, that we learned to fly or to sheer sheep. But what’s more likely is that viewers came away with ten thousand inspirations for appreciating the natural world, which is never as simple as we may think.

Field Trips from the Sofa

To wrap up the 46th annual Mt. Rogers Naturalist Rally, the weekend of May 9th & 10th was jam-packed with webinars hosted by some of our favorite guides. The beauty of this format was the ability to communicate a lot of great information through a variety of visuals, including VABBA website navigation, drawing demonstrations, and deeper investigation of species you might not see during a single field trip in person.

If you missed any of these webinars and want to learn more about Observations Through Art with Suzanne Stryk, the Life History of the Carolina Wren with Dr. Steven Hopp, Insects with Shawn Kurtzman, the VA Breeding Bird Atlas with Ashley Peele, Edible Wild Plants from Backyard to Backwoods with Ben Casteel, or Pollinators and Native Plants with Nancy Adamson, you can still catch the recorded webinars on the Blue Ridge Discovery Center Facebook Videos page. Note: Salamanders with Dr. Kevin Hamed is no longer available for viewing. Catch his program next time!

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Next Up

Interested in joining us for the next Mt. Rogers Naturalist Rally? The Summer MRNR is currently scheduled for August 14-16, 2020. Mark your calendar and keep an eye out for event updates as we near August. And until then, feel free to share your nature observations to our social media pages!