Students Study Whitetail Deer impact on forest understory
Through the cooperation of Matthews State Forest and forester Zack Olinger, and along with Alan Webb (Ag teacher), and Rachelle Rasco (stem lab manager) from Carroll County High School, BRDC initiated a research project at one of the two deer exclosure sites on MSF. This project is expected to encompass not only this fall semester, but also a spring 2016 return visit or two for further comparisons.
Through the cooperation of Matthews State Forest and forester Zack Olinger, and along with Alan Webb (Ag teacher), and Rachelle Rasco (stem lab manager) from Carroll County High School, BRDC initiated a research project at one of the two deer exclosure sites on MSF. This project is expected to encompass not only this fall semester, but also a spring 2016 return visit or two for further comparisons.
On August 21st, Evan Worrell and Scott Jackson-Ricketts (from Blue Ridge Discovery Center) gave a brief introductory explanation to the students about the project and what to expect. We handed out a research model, and encouraged them to familiarize themselves with the steps involved.
On September 9th, the 13 students arrived on a bus and joined Evan and Scott for a day of plant investigations. We also had on hand Dr. William Dunson whose experience in plant identification and deer plot studies proved to be of great help.
The practice of establishing deer exclosures dates back to at least the 1930s, and has been used to study the long term effects of deer browsing on forests. The basic approach is to choose a site that includes room for both the exclosure and control plots. Size of the plots is determined by proper and available space. 25% direct sunlight is required for both plots. The exclosures are fenced off from deer but are accessible to the research teams.
Our research goals are to follow guidelines of scientific inquiry which include building hypotheses based on early discussions about forest habitat and successional growth. We separated the students into four teams and divided the 32 square foot plots into four sections, assigning one group to one section each both inside and outside the exclosures.
The research process involves adhering to an agreed upon series of protocols. Mapping out both plots into grids for detailed studies is essential. Data collection and documentation are the driving components. Type of tree cover, living or dead, descriptions of overstory (canopy) and understory growth including stumps, measurements of trunk diameter at approximately three feet from ground level, as well as total height of trees have been noted. Types of vegetation are broken down into these categories: trees, woody shrubs, herbaceous, graminae (grasses) and miscellaneous. Cover percentage of each vascular plant species was determined by means of a sampling frame, and numbered on the grid.
On our first field day, we spent some time going over the layout, measuring tree diameters and heights, describing the canopy and familiarizing ourselves with our field guide library. Then we went about attempting to identify all of the plants, and counting species populations. It was quickly noted that inside the exclosure, more plants were thriving compared to the control plot that was fully available to browsing deer.
Zach closed the day’s activities with a summation of Matthews State Forest’s management goals, processes and tied that to the issues facing foresters through the white tail deer’s expanding impact on tree seedling survival…especially our native oaks.
For our second field trip, held on October 21st, (more than a month later), we concentrated on improving our ID skills as well as making a greater effort on securing an accurate population count. Evan directed the students to rotate, giving each quadrant a much more thorough investigation. This intentional redundancy proved to be a most valuable tool and led to a higher degree of accuracy. We did find differences between our two investigations, and surmised that some of the smaller plants might not have been visible under the leaf litter until fall winds blew the leaves away.
Through the encouragement of Dr. Dunson, (now in Florida), Evan employed the Simpson Index for cataloguing and assimilating our data…which were entered into a spread sheet from which graphic analysis became more available and easier to understand. The Simpson Index takes into account total species diversity. Evan and Scott returned to the high school on November 17th to share the results of the students’ hard work, and to explain our accumulative findings. There were some surprises.
Young Explorers turn their attention to the rocks and may never look back!
Geology is literally at the foundation of everything having to do with Natural History, the root of it all, but even beyond that, there is the spectacular emotion that comes over a person when they spot a shiny speck in the dirt that might be a crystal. These two powerful draws pulled the Young Explorers out into the field on Saturday November 21, 2015 for a day of rockhounding, history lessons and exploration.
Geology is literally at the foundation of everything having to do with Natural History, the root of it all, but even beyond that, there is the spectacular emotion that comes over a person when they spot a shiny speck in the dirt that might be a crystal. These two powerful draws pulled the Young Explorers out into the field on Saturday November 21, 2015 for a day of rockhounding, history lessons and exploration.
The day started at 9am with 8 kids and 4 adults headed west towards Saltville. Our first stop was along route 603 at a road cut along Fox Creek Falls. In that cut we could see a dense conglomerate that represented a fast flowing stream much like the current Fox Creek. You can clearly see the rounded rocks touching one another to indicate the tumultuous flowing water. With closer inspection one can study the layout of the individual stones in the conglomerate and identify the direction of water flow.
The next stop was also along 603 where we had clear views of still-water sedimentary rock where one could observe the very distinct layers that defined varying seasons of silt and speed of erosion. Circular scars in the form of bore holes were left by geologists at both sites and made the kids jealous that they could not retrieve such perfect samples of geologic history.
Our third stop took us to a site that none of us had ever visited, just across I-81. It was a small limestone quarry in the valley along highway 107. With eyes peeled for fossils the group quickly realized that the quarry held a wealth of tiny crystals and set their sights on scouring the crushed stone for dolomite and quartz vugs. One very spectacular specimen sparkled amidst the limestone: a small quartz crystal that is referred to as a "Saltville Diamond". Even at just 6 millimeters in diameter it's beauty shone like an engagement ring in contrast to the limestone and dolomite it was perched on. We also found multiple curious formations in the limestone that tell a distinct geologic story...
"Saltville Diamond"
From there we headed over to The Museum of the Middle Appalachians in Saltville, VA where we intended to study their impressive local geologic and ice age mammal displays. Instead we ended up talking with their curator almost entirely about the history of Saltville and the importance of salt to humans. Mildly disappointed on the focus and a bit behind schedule we left the Museum and headed west to "The Great Channels of Virginia". Although the curator drew us a treasure map for a local fossil collecting site we had to skip over the site to begin our strenuous 6 mile round trip hike before the day got any further along.
After a quick lunch in the route 80 trailhead parking lot, we gathered our explorer packs and set off on foot towards the Great Channels. This fascinating geological feature is part of a State Natural Area Preserve that encompasses 721 acres around Middle Knob on Clinch Mountain. The peak of which caps out at just over 4,200ft and hosts a fire tower as a beacon for the destination. Geologists speculate that the 400 million year old sandstone formation was cracked to its current state during the last ice age when the power of ice wedged the rocks apart to create the channels.
The hike to the top gave us clear alternating views of the Blue Ridge's Mount Rogers and Whitetop Mountain in the Southeast and the 4,600ft evergreen cap of Beartown Mountain to the Northeast with the West Virginia coal laden mountains off to the far north. The trail spanned millions of years of geologic record with layers and layers of sandstone rocks as we climbed to the top. One particular section held a mass of fossil deposits including Trilobites.
Trilobite Fossil
At about 3,800ft in elevation the forest dramatically changed to a rhododendron understory and the harder sandstone formations began their presence along the trail cut.
As the trail leveled out and the destination came into reach, the kids (and adults) picked up the pace and excitement. We arrived at the peak and fire tower, a little bit confused about what and where the Channels were but eager to seek out the reason we had made the journey. After a short inspection we found a sign that pointed the way.
Of all things that can influence one's emotion, perhaps a dramatic change in space is the most powerful. The wonderment of a new spectrum of senses will heighten your attention to detail and bring on a wave of excitement like no other. In the case of the The Great Channels that change could not be more dramatic. One goes from a vast windswept and sun-bleached peak where the ruins of a shelter bare evidence of brutal exposure... to the flip opposite: a series of crevices that feel as cozy and protected as a hobbit hut.
The light switches from the glaring bright white of a clear November day to a soft ambient sandy glow filtered by 40' tall moss lined walls. You go from being a speck in a near endless Appalachian vista to being a wedge between rock walls that are sanding holes through your pack as you explore deeper. Your steps echo through the seemingly hollow white-sand and moss-lined bottoms of the crevices. The wind may be howling above at 40mph but you would never know it inside of the Channels. The air is still, humid and cool but not cold. The rocks are cold, and damp to the touch, but with the ever-present texture of 80 grit sandpaper. The walls are a surface of endless undulations and soft curves that beckon you along the path. Around each corner lies another irresistible dark crack with soft light glowing at end. The few trees that have taken root in the Channels climb straight as arrows to the window of light above . You have to brace yourself between the rocks to tilt your head back far enough to find that same light. The sounds are all still, quiet and reflective, except the occasional "WOW! you've got to check this out" echoing from around the corner, but which corner? It is a maze of channels that feels like it repeats endlessly but uniquely at the same time. It is a wonderment everyone should experience sooner rather than later.
Running out of daylight we had to cut our exploration of the channels short at just 45 minutes and reverse course to avoid hiking in the dark. With such a short trip this adventure just cracked the door of our curiosity about the Great Channels. We will be back to answer the many questions aroused by the hike. The explorers in us stood on the edge of the steep ridge looking west, longing to continue the adventure into the ridges and valleys before us but alas we must turn around and refocus our attention on the yet unexplored coves of our homeland: The Blue Ridge.
The hardy group made the chilly trek back to the cars, arriving just as darkness set in at about 5:45pm. The parking lot resolution was that we needed sustenance! The drowsy caravan headed east to Marion and 27 Lions where Mrs. Benish treated us all to brick-fired pizza and coca-cola! After twelve hours in the field this impressive group of explorers put another notch in their belt with this bond forming western quest to the Great Channels of Virginia.
2016 Program Planning Session
We held our annual program planning session for the 2016 slate of activities this past Wednesday, November 18. Joining the round table work session were 10 enthusiastic contributors.
We held our annual program planning session for the 2016 slate of activities this past Wednesday, November 18. Joining the round table work session were 10 enthusiastic contributors: Brenda Bonk (BRDC President), Aaron Floyd (BRDC Executive Director),Scott Jackson-Ricketts (BRDC Program Director), Lisa Benish (BRDC Program Coordinator), Evan Worrell (BRDC Guide), Heidi Breedlove (BRDC Field Nurse), Katie Trozzo, Cynthia Taylor, Susan Gleason, and Niki Weir. A fantastic lunch made by Becca at Backwoods Bean, cookies made by Susan, and tea/coffee brought by Brenda fueled the brainstorm session.
Lots of great ideas were brought to the table, but a few generated a lot of excitement. Here is the short list of new 2016 programs that gained priority by the end of the day: The Blue Ridge Amazing Race Competition; BRDC Discovery Birthday Parties; Primitive Technology Camp; Explorers Club for Adults (Blue Ridge Expeditions + fun activities); Whitetop Site Section (Fall Naturalist Rally/Bio Blitz); Northern Saw-whet Owl Banding Station; and New River Adventure Camp.
We kicked the meeting off with short introductions and then discussed the BRDC mission where everyone realized that they knew the essence of BRDC a lot better than they thought: to inspire creativity, discovery and critical thinking through interest driven and hands on activities focused on the Blue Ridge Mountains. We briefly reviewed the 2015 programs and then jumped right into the work session by framing the discussions with a series of questions for the group to answer. Individuals jotted their thoughts on sticky notes and we then discussed and grouped them into categories for clarity. The following is documentation of the results.
Question 1:
What are some of the major issues in our region that you feel like BRDC could impact?
Answers:
Disconnect from Nature: Our community not interacting with nature, lack of understanding and connection with our surroundings
Education: A failing Public education system; inferior educational opportunities; lack of desire for continued education; lack of inspiration and negative attitude for learning (not being fun)
Community: Gaps between diverse groups; Isolation of Hispanic Families; Conflicts between Science and Church; fear of new things
Health: Mainly for youth: obesity, healthy diet, being active,over use of technology
Access: Limited access to recreation opportunities (both perceived and real); Size of area the residents engage with - limited view of the Blue Ridge
Economy: Poor Economy; Low Average Income of Residents; Low population & lack of human resources; finding a balance between economy and protecting natural resources
Environment: Water Quality; Impact of farming (christmas trees/cattle); Chemical use in schools and along roadways, the perception that nature will clean up after us
Question 2:
What defines a successful BRDC program?
Answers:
Autonomy: Flexible participant-driven activities; Fostering responsibility and participation of youth; true exploration mentality
Building Relationships: Building relationships with people and nature; developing mentor type relationships; fostering cooperation among participants; when connections are made between all participants (kids, teachers, volunteers); establishing the idea that someone cares
Discovery: Achieving the “wow” moment; fun learning environments; new discoveries made; joy exhibited by participants
Personal Development: New ways of thinking; Exposure to alternative views/perspectives; exploration mentality; building new skills; Developing leadership qualities
Curiosity: continued curiosity after the program; inspiring further discovery; participants leave wanting more; participants questioning their surroundings
Sharing: Participants sharing their experiences and discoveries with other participants and friends; Growing the BRDC community; Media attention following events; Positive word of mouth through out the community; Participants bringing friends and family to future events.
Feedback: Measuring quality through the reaction of kids/parents/teachers who participate
Question 3:
What are your New Program Ideas for 2016?
Answers:
Most Popular Programs:
The Blue Ridge Amazing Race Competition
BRDC Discovery Birthday Parties
Explorers Club for Adults (Blue Ridge Expeditions + fun activities)
Whitetop Site Section (Fall Naturalist Rally/Bio Blitz)
Northern Saw-whet Owl Banding Station
Summer Camps:
Primitive Technology Camp (building an experimental archaeology site)
Space Camp (Astronomy & Physics)
New River Adventure Camp
Archaeology Field Camp (Excavation of a New River Cave Shelter)
Fly Fishing Camp (Exploring the Blue Ridge through fishing)
Natural History Camp
In-school Programs:
Drawing, reading and using Maps
Dissections (based off of owl pellets)
Terrarium (based on Trout in the Classroom)
General Activities (for in-school, camps or clubs)
Big Day for Trees (Identify and document as many different trees as possible)
Birding Big Day
Search for Record Trees
Adult Snorkeling
Kamana Program (Nature connection)
Project Phenowave
Nature Drawing
Geotropism
Microscope Slides
Herbarium
Journaling
Technology: Field App Course
Photography
Spelunking
Poetry Slam
Art: Patterns in Nature
Other Program Concepts:
Science Fair
BRDC Film Series (Social Event)
Gardening in Schools (Reproducing native habitats on school grounds)
Plant Shoe (Citizen Science project recording wild woodland medicinals)
Adopt a Stream
Botany Course
Oral History Project (Documenting the old timer way of life)
Question 4:
What models do you think could inform BRDC programs?
Answers:
Great Smoky Mountain Institute at Tremont
SEEDS Field Camp
Moondance Adventures
Highlands Biological Station
Mountain Lake Biological Field Station
University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast Research Laboratory (Summer Field Camps)
UGA Marine Science and Coastal Ecology Program: Outdoor Field Studies
Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation: Rocky Knob BioBlitz
Question 5:
Who are the BRDC “audiences”?
Answers:
Kids:Grade Schoolers, High Schoolers, Home Schoolers
Young Adults: College Students, Graduate Students
Families
Adults
Locals
Outsiders
Tourists
Underprivileged
Overprivileged
Nature Lovers
Nature Skeptics
Minorities
Challenge!!
Write a narrative from the perspective of an audience persona for one of the most popular choices for new programs.
Narratives:
Primitive Tech Camp/Bushcraft/Living Museum Native Amer. Village
Homeschooler: Noah, 10 yrs:
"Since the world is my classroom this camp was perfect for me! I loved the hand's on discovery and creative activities: making my own Native American "artifacts", tanning a real deer hide with its own brain, cooking Indian food that they would have made hundreds of years ago. I liked listening to the real Native American, Mr. White Eagle, as he told us Indian folklore stories and showed us how to wrap an arrowhead around a shaft. Our group of kids got to plan our own Native American village based on real archaeological finds. We all came up with our own Indian names and Mr. White Eagle painted all our faces with real Native American symbols. It was all cool and I learned so much. My mom has assigned me a report to write of this experience and I can hardly wait!"
Whitetop SiteSection
The old white chick (local nature lover, 50+years old, with 2 years of college):
"I heard about this event through friends that live in western Grayson County who have participated in what they call the Mt. Rogers Naturalist Rally. Having never been before, I was attracted to the idea of a fall event since I love fall in the mountains anyway.
But I had no idea what a site section was, so asked for an explanation. My friends couldn’t really give me much of an answer except to say that all of us would be looking for different critters and plants, and that experts would be on hand to help us. My particular interests are wild flowers and birds, and it worked out that I was given a choice on what I wanted to explore. We had great fun, especially when we compared notes after a day of scrambling around the mountain. It also felt good to be a part of something scientifically important."
BRDC Discovery Birthday Parties
Persona: A middle age mother of three kids age 4, 6, 8 who lives in Grayson County. It’s her son’s birthday and she wants to celebrate with a fun, new experience rather than streamers and clowns.
"BRDC is just so wonderful! For a reasonable price, I was able to host a memorable birthday for my son’s 8th birthday without all the hassle of intricate planning or inviting a clown. BRDC actually had a list of all the activities they could facilitate. My son chose fresh water snorkeling and we had 8 of his friends out on the expedition. BRDC provided equipment, guides, and instruction. The kids loved it! The best part was that the parents didn’t have to do a thing other than invite the kids and bring cake and snacks. It went so well that we are planning my daughters 6th birthday. She wants to have a sleep over with an astronomy lesson."
Space Camp
11 year old boy
"I really liked the BRDC Space and Science Camp. I got to do lots of hands on experiments with other kids. We got to be outside all day and night too. We were busy all day doing things. I have always been interested in science but now I got to do science and really see how things work. At night I learned a lot about planets and constellations and even about how the stars change with the seasons and in different hemispheres. Also learned how people have followed the stars all through history. It is neat to have a tie to the past and be excited about all the things science can do in the future too. It was lots of fun to be outside and stay out all night with old and new friends doing things that I am interested in."
Northern saw-whet Owl Banding Station
Local, 4th grade, underprivileged girl
"I really wasn't interested in learning about birds at all, but my class studied owls. Then we got to do a cool activity where we dissected owl pellets- what the owl throws up after it eats. There were tiny skulls of mice and stuff and it was really neat."
"I thought I knew what owls looked like, then I saw a picture of the Saw Whet owl- what a weird little owl! Very small with such big eyes. Apparently scientists don't know a lot about those little birds and nobody in my class had ever seen one since they fly at night."
"We got to visit a banding station on a field trip and meet the scientists who are studying the owls and learn about how they catch them. I think it would be a really neat job to be a bird scientist and get to stay up all night studying owls."
Excavation of Cave Shelter
16 year old female
"It was a great experience to excavate a unique cave site. I didn’t realize all the preparation that goes into setting up a dig. The measuring, photographing and documenting was tough. I enjoyed learning about the tools used in archaeology and how to use them. It was dirty, tedious work but very rewarding. I would like to learn more about dating the artifacts we found."
The Amazing Race
Middle aged woman, outsider with kids
"I am a visitor to the area along with my husband and our 9 year old son and 7 year old daughter. We heard about this nature scavenger hunt that was happening up at Grayson Highlands Park and decided to participate. It was a delightful opportunity for my kids to quickly make friends and join in the excitement. The activity created an atmosphere of interaction and cooperation. Parents too were swept up in the fun. We enjoyed meeting all the local folks. The game itself introduced us to some of the natural wonders of the area."
"We are presently searching for land in Grayson County and are looking forward to becoming active members of BRDC!"
Fly Fishing Camp
12 Year old girl with two younger sisters
"My dad taught me how to fish when I was seven, but not this kind of fishing. I love anything outdoors especially on the river. I struggled at first with the casting but I got better at it on the second day. Besides getting to explore a bunch of beautiful places, my favorite part was learning how to tie flies. I've got three chickens at home that I'm planning on collecting feathers from. I was very impressed by Mrs. Benish and her casting skills, she casted much better than the guy who was also teaching. I wish I would have caught more fish during the camp, but I guess I need to practice more. Next, I really want to learn to fish from a kayak!"
Blue Ridge Expedition
From the perspective of a 7 year old who attended a BRE family hike.
"We had SO much fun on our BRDC expedition! First, we met Scott and Evan in the parking lot and they explained what we would do on the hike and they gave us BRDC journals to draw pictures and identify what we encounter on the hike.
Our hike was on Jun 22, 2015, first we checked the air temperature and I entered that in my journal. Before we made it to the woods, Scott pointed out a Phoebe, I entered it specifics in the species sited section of the journal.
Once we made it to the river we tested the water temp, depth, clarity, and PH. My mom told me it was very important that the water was healthy and it was all OK. We saw some water bugs too. We saw some deer scat along the trail. Our next trip is__________. I hope we see a_________ and I'm going to invite my friends on the next excursion."
Owl Pellet Journal: A Collaboration with Grayson County’s 4-H and Blue Ridge Discovery Center
Our local 4-H has established a tradition of bringing owl pellet dissection to 4th grade science classes for a number of years. Covering the geographic extent of Grayson County ‘s elementary schools required two days, the first beginning in Fries and ending in Fairview, on the 4th of November. In between we hit Baywood. On our second day, November 11th, we started at Independence Elementary and finished up at Grayson Highlands School. For the two days our student total reached 119.
Our local 4-H has established a tradition of bringing owl pellet dissection to 4th grade science classes for a number of years. Covering the geographic extent of Grayson County ‘s elementary schools required two days, the first beginning in Fries and ending in Fairview, on the 4th of November. In between we hit Baywood. On our second day, November 11th, we started at Independence Elementary and finished up at Grayson Highlands School. For the two days our student total reached 119.
Actually, the owl pellet dissection exercise has been around for many years across our country in both public and private/home school environments. It remains a premier hands-on entry science project, always successful because the kids are mostly in control of their investigations. These pellets come from barn owls, which true to their name, inhabit barns and other large human made structures that are typically situated in an agricultural environment and especially open country that includes vast fields. All owls and indeed most raptors produce pellets, but finding pellets outdoors is difficult, and the pellets don’t hold up well under varying weather conditions. The barn floor provides a better pellet harvesting zone.
Owls swallow most prey whole, and at some point in their digestive process the bones and fur are separated and eventually rejected prior to digestion, and coughed up in the form of a mucous covered ball, or pellet. These pellets reveal what animal the owl had for a meal, and have offered scientists the opportunity to not only better understand the diet of owls, but also what small mammal populations are about in a given area of study. When kids sit down to inspect an owl pellet, they are in fact performing real science.
Naturally, for a kid’s first time owl pellet experience, there are some gross-out hurdles to overcome. They are told that pellets are not poop, not puke, and have been sterilized. Still, until they get started, skeptical expressions remain the norm. It doesn’t take long, though, for all of that initial reluctance to give way to full on excitement. It always happens. Once they start finding the tiny skulls and other bones and begin to identify the critter meal, they are hooked.
When conducting an owl pellet program, all we need for each student aside from their very own pellet, is a bone chart and a couple of simple tools like tweezers and a toothpick. We explain that this is part archeology, part forensic science, and it is up to them to match the bones to the chart as they dig away. Of course we help, and if time allows we bring out the magnifying glasses and sometimes even microscopes.
An hour for 4th graders is just about right, but often at the session’s end we hear cries of despair, that they were having so much fun, and can we do this again? For this recent session, my favorite comment was, “I don’t like this, I love it!” As one girl was leaving the class to wash her hands, she turned to me and said, “Now I know I want to be a scientist!” Exactly.
I would like to thank the following teachers: Megan Boyer (Fries), Ginger Burnett (Baywood), Angela Martin (Fairview), Jennifer Aldred and Kasey Hallman (Independence), and Roberta Paisley (Highlands).
Also, special thanks to Grayson County 4-H for including Blue Ridge Discovery Center.
Young Explorers Find an American Chestnut Tree
The plan was to find an American Chestnut Tree in the wild, a rarity. Saturday morning, the club headed out in search of this mighty tree.
Last Thursday night, the Young Explorers Club met at the Grayson County Public Library to plan and prepare for their Saturday Field Trip. The plan was to find an American Chestnut Tree in the wild, a rarity. They made leaf presses and learned about the American Chestnut Tree.
Using the learning box donated by the American Chestnut Foundation, the members learned about some of the history of the American Chestnut Tree and how the blight nearly eradicated this mighty tree in a very short period of time. They examined the leaves and burrs of the American Chestnut Tree and compared them to the Chinese Chestnut, Japanese Chestnut and the Chinquapin. They also read about the chestnut blight and viewed samples of bark damaged by this fungus.
Saturday morning, the club headed out in search of this incredible tree. Samples of the leaf were studied during the car ride to the destination. Having an idea where to find one, they began their quest.
Very shortly after setting out, one of our youngest members brought to our attention, the first possible American Chestnut leaf. Everyone circled to investigate and determine whether we had found a tree. The leaf was a great match but they were uncertain as the tree from which it came was very small, basically a sapling. They placed the leaf in their presses for further review later. With no other identifying features such as a burr, they moved on.
Traveling along the trail for over an hour, the group was becoming disheartened as the chances of finding the tree seemed slim. They were looking along the trail for signs of burrs and up in the canopy for correctly shaped leaves. Finally, a member pointed up to a tree and asked if that could be it? It was fairly tall so binoculars were used to get a better look at the leaves. It appeared to be a match! Next they traveled down to the tree and looked for other identifying features such as burrs. Burrs were found and it was decided that they had found an American Chestnut Tree. Everyone was very excited! They collected some leaves, placing them in their presses, and some burrs.
With goals accomplished and spirits lifted, they headed back. Explorations continued as wildflowers, butterflies, large trees and mushrooms were added to the findings of the day. Once back at the trailhead, everyone sat together and enjoyed lunch while writing in their journals.
Into the vehicle they went for the second half of the trip, to visit the American Chestnut Foundation's Glenn C. Price Research Farm in Meadowview, VA. This facility does extensive research on the American Chestnut Tree and Chestnut blight. Several strains of the fungus are grown in the lab for use in their research as well as the plantings that take place in the fields. The Chinese Chestnut Tree is blight resistant so researchers are backcrossing the American and Chinese Chestnut Trees trying to get a blight resistant American Chestnut Tree with the physical characteristics of the American Chestnut Tree. This is a long and tedious process of collecting and planting nuts, as well as inoculating, measuring, and culling trees. Extensive work is being done to bring back this amazing tree.
The American Chestnut Foundation was having a Chestnut Celebration! The group enjoyed foods made from chestnuts such as cookies, brownies and hummus, fresh made apple cider, crafts and music. Drawings were held for door prizes and raffle items and three of our members won prizes! A hayride through the Chestnut Orchards to view the trees used for their research ended the afternoon.
Everyone had a great time searching out the extremely rare American Chestnut Tree and celebrating its successes. It is a remarkable tree that was once so plentiful in our forests. They left with the hopes that they will one day see it flourish again in our Blue Ridge Mountains.
Fall at Bluff Mountain
On Sunday, October 11, the Blue Ridge Discovery Center sponsored a tour hike to the Nature Conservancy's Bluff Mountain Nature Preserve on a perfect fall day. Temperature in the low 60's, light breeze under a cerulean sky, the forest at near peak fall coloration, the group of eleven hikers strolled through some of the rarest ecologies in the Southern Appalachian Mountains.
On Sunday, October 11, the Blue Ridge Discovery Center sponsored a tour hike to the Nature Conservancy's Bluff Mountain Nature Preserve on a perfect fall day. Temperature in the low 60's, light breeze under a cerulean sky, the forest at near peak fall coloration, the group of eleven hikers strolled through some of the rarest ecologies in the Southern Appalachian Mountains.
Above 4500 feet it appeared there had been a frost already and most of the herbaceous flora was burned and wilted. Then red, sugar and striped maples were in their fall glory. The mountain holly leaves were chartreuse and the females were spangled with brilliant red berries that shown like gems in the afternoon light. Flowers were few and far between, a smattering of closed gentian along the trail and in the fen, and tiny polygala at Perkin's Rock and the mesic glade. There was teaberry with full red ripe berries in the glade as well. A lone raven checked us out at Perkin's Rock as it soared on up the ridge towards the summit of the preserve, Cowface, where the elevation reaches 5,100 feet.
The group went off trail to visit a healthy 60' tall American Chestnut. The ground underneath the tree was littered with spiky hulls of the chestnuts but no nuts, the squirrels, grouse and deer had beat us to them.
At the vertigo bench, the dead oak that resembles a Can Can Dancer at full kick inspired a spontaneous Can Can line from four of the women hikers. They preformed admirably in spite of the slope and wet rubbly footing.
There continues to be damage from the hemlock adelgid around the Bluff, but continuing up the trail to the mesic glade the trees appear to get healthier and arriving in the glade the hemlock trees are specimens of health. An observation: where the trees are clumped in groves they are less healthy than where they are singular and spread apart.
A more pleasant stroll with good company through one of natures wonderlands sponsered by BRDC is hard to imagine!
Blue Ridge Illustrated: Oaks of Matthews State Forest
14 students spent two hours in the field defining the difference between the bark, acorns, leaves and tree structure of six species of oaks in the forest while effectively blocking out the myriad of other species in the forest. Their investigative efforts began the latest BRDC poster: The Oaks of Matthews State Forest.
Anytime one dives into a new field of identification, be it birds, butterflies, flowers, or in this case trees, it is best to choose one "family" of similar species and hone in on those for clarity. That is exactly what we did at Matthews State Forest last Friday morning with the Galax High School Art Class. 14 students spent two hours in the field defining the difference between the bark, acorns, leaves and tree structure of six species of oaks while effectively blocking out the myriad of other species in the forest. Their investigative efforts began the latest BRDC poster: The Oaks of Matthews State Forest.
The exploration began with a compare and contrast exercise in the shapes of leaves collected from the forest floor. First they decided which were representatives of oaks and which were not. Then they defined a rounded lobe versus a pointed lobe to separate the white oaks from the reds. Lastly they looked at color and sinus depth to separate the collection of leaves into five clearly defined species.
We then filtered back into the woods to find the leaves hanging on the trees where they documented each species with bark and leaf rubbings. Once the trees were identified the students scratched the forest floor for acorn samples to take back to the classroom. On our return trip we added one more species to the list, a post oak just off the path for a total of six species. They begin the in-class scientific illustrations this week!
Identified in the forest were:
Northern Red Oak, Quercus rubra
Black Oak, Quercus velutina
Scarlet Oak, Quercus coccinea
White Oak, Quercus alba
Post Oak, Quercus stellata
Chestnut Oak, Quercus prinus
Galax Middle School Attends Hokie BugFest
Heidi Breedlove (BRDC volunteer), Mark Robinson, (Galax 5th grade science teacher), and Scott Jackson-Ricketts (BRDC Program Director) hopped on a bus with our young charge to make the trip to Virginia Tech’s annual Hokie BugFest.
The phrase ‘herding cats’ has become an over-used cliché describing the management of groups of animals, often people, and especially kids. But that term is unavoidably applicable to our experience this last Saturday, October 17th, as BRDC hosted 15 middle school students through the Galax Remedial Program. On Thursday before our trip, Aaron and Lisa Benish (BRDC volunteer guide) were smart to help the students create their own tee shirts, which were bright green, and fairly easy to spot. Heidi Breedlove (BRDC volunteer), Mark Robinson, (Galax 5th grade science teacher), and Scott Jackson-Ricketts (BRDC Program Director) hopped on a bus with our young charge to make the trip to Virginia Tech’s annual Hokie BugFest.
Begun in 2011, the festival claims to have grown by about 2000/year, with last year’s attendance reaching 6,112. If indeed that statistic held true this year, our 15 kids were snaking through a crowd of 8,000. According to their website, “Hokie BugFest is an annual fall festival celebrating the science of entomology -- a function of the Virginia Tech Department of Entomology.” With 40 booths, including BRDC’s (manned by Executive Director Aaron Floyd and board member Clyde Kessler), 9 tables, 7 activity rooms, and several scheduled presentations on the stage, the kids had their options, and we our hands full.
These selections included many VTech entomology specific booths dedicated to various orders of insects and spiders. The students were able to play with giant cockroaches, watch live bees in a portable hive, study exotic butterflies, and participate in Jeopardy modeled contests. They all spent some time upstairs, taking in the spider lair, face painting, and the crafts room. But the event that drew the most excitement was the Bug Chef’s demonstration. David George Gordon is apparently some kind of celebrity, and knew how to captivate his audience. Our group of kids squeezed up front, and several made it up on stage to assist in bug cooking. The grand finale was the deep frying of a tarantula, and two of our lucky lot ate spider legs. ‘Bug breath’ became a theme.
In preparation for this field trip, BRDC had been working with the remedial class on identification and capture of a variety of insects. We created killing jars, where the butterflies and grasshoppers, etc. could be humanely dispatched. Then we pinned them in a display case, which we brought with us to enter in the festival’s collection contest. On the bus heading to Blacksburg, we worked on creating and applying labels, including more identification. By the time we arrived, the collection was ready for submission. As it turned out, there were more collections entered in the contest than the judges were expecting, but we managed to earn a trophy for honorable mention, of which I think there were three. The kids were proud.
In the 3 hours we were playing cat and mouse, the kids exhausted themselves. Much thanks goes to Mark and Heidi, who along with me, were able to not lose one of the 15. In our estimation, the field trip was a huge success, and the students expressed appropriate appreciation.
Galax Enrichment Week - Aquatic Adventures
Despite the LOW pressure system hanging over the area bringing inches of rain, the students enthusiasm remained HIGH. They spent the week away from campus at Dannelly Park enjoying Aquatic Adventures.
Despite the LOW pressure system hanging over the area bringing inches of rain, the middle school student's enthusiasm remained HIGH. They spent the week away from campus at Dannelly Park enjoying Aquatic Adventures.
Once given an introduction to water quality and testing procedures, we began the week by collecting data such as temperature, weather and water conditions, pH, dissolved oxygen, and bacteria from Chestnut Creek. This information was then recorded on data sheets. Students used pipettes, titration tubes, syringes and droppers to accurately measure water and chemicals. It was a great hands-on experience in chemistry as they became familiar with sterile technique, meniscus measurement and scientific method.
Tuesday the weather sent us indoors. Matthew State Forest was generous enough to allow us to use their cabin, so we utilized this space to learn about the various flies used in fly fishing. Using vices, chenille, hackle feathers, hooks and thread, the students made woolly buggers, a fly that imitates many things and can be used in multiple scenarios. Everyone seemed to enjoy this great rainy day activity.
Wednesday brought no rain, so we separated into three groups and rotated between three activities at Dannelley Park. Scott Jackson-Ricketts led the fish bugs activity. Waders were put on and the students clambered into the creek to see what they could dredge up. A seine net is placed downstream across the creek and hand rakes, as well as hands, were used to stir the bottom to uncover the macro-invertebrates living below the surface. We removed the net and carried it to a table collecting the aquatic insects in ice trays filled with water. They identified the aquatic insects using a dichotomous key field guide. As with the water quality testing done on Monday, this is an exercise in determining stream health. Brenda Bonk lead the second activity in which the students learned the life cycles of the macro-invertebrates most commonly found; mayflies, stoneflies and caddisflies. They had relay races requiring them to match all three aquatic insects' life cycles and the flies that imitate them. And finally, Lisa Benish had the third group learning the parts of the fly rod, fly reel and fly line. The rod and reels were put together and basic casting technique was taught in preparation for fishing days.
The rain held off for us once again on Thursday so we commenced to setting up our fly rods and reels. We did a quick tutorial on how to cast fly line and off to the creek we went with our handmade flies to catch some fish! Lack of trout sent us to a fish pond where we changed our flies from woolly buggers to poppers. Several students caught bluegill and were very pleased with their catch!
We started Friday afternoon finishing up our water quality testing. Students examined the petri dishes that contained the bacterial growth from the water collected on Monday. We counted the number of E. coli colonies that grew on that petri dish and recorded that information on the data collection sheets. They were surprised to see the number of bacterial colonies that grew from our water. Hopefully this will emphasize the need to keep our streams healthy and clean. Once again we put our rods together, attached our flies and headed off to a local pond to catch some bass and bluegill. Just about everyone caught a fish!
So even though the weather was damp and dreary, spirits were not! The students loved getting out of the classroom and out of doors exploring, discovering and sharing their aquatic habitat.
Galax Enrichment Week - Primitive Technology
Galax Middle School Students spent the week at Matthews State Forest learning all about basic materials through a course on primitive technology.
Galax Middle School Students spent the week at Matthews State Forest learning primitive technology as part of their intercession enrichment. A primary goal due to the on-slaught of rain, was shelter! Students spent two days cutting, lashing and erecting a longhouse that was used as shelter from the elements. Patrick Shell, Aaron Floyd, Scott Jackson-Ricketts and Lisa Benish assisted thirteen boys and girls build this structure strong enough to climb upon and keep them all out of the rain. They learned lashing techniques and structural principles.
Additionally, they learned about other essential things needed for survival using materials found in their surroundings. Clay, donated by Hoffman Pottery, was used to build vessels that could hold food and/or water. Students were given small slabs of clay and using different techniques, made small pots or bowls. They made pinch pots and coil pots. Pinch pots can be formed and shaped by hand using a methodical pinching process in which the clay walls are thinned by pinching them with thumb and forefinger. Using the coiling technique, it is possible to build a thicker and/or taller vessel. To do this you take the clay and roll it into a long roll. It is then built up by placing one coil on top of the other. Leaves, bark and acorns were collected and used to make impressions in the clay for decorative purposes. There were lots of unique creations made by the students.
Another type of vessel made by the students were baskets. They gathered vines from the forest that were of an appropriate thickness and yet still flexible enough to bend without breaking. Oriental bittersweet and virginia creeper were excellent sources of material. Also collected was inner bark from green maple saplings used to make the longhouse. This became the lashing material for the base structure of the baskets due to its strength. Students connected the rib structure using the inner bark and then commenced weaving the virginia creeper vine and smaller oriental bittersweet around the ribs to form their baskets. Handles were attached using more of the inner bark lashings. The end results were quite impressive!
Tools were another necessity throughout the entire week. Aaron Floyd brought his collection of arrowheads and primitive artifacts to share with the students. A short geology lesson and types of local materials that would have been used were discussed and shared. The fun began as Aaron demonstrated flintknapping, a primitive method for making stone tools. All students donned safety glasses and leather gloves ready for making arrowheads. Leather across the thighs readied the students for the flakes that were removed by the billet, an antler that is used to strike the chert or flint to remove flakes for thinning the stone. The pointed end of the antler, the pressure flaker, is used to remove small flakes and shape the tool. Everyone attempted to leave with a tool. It was discovered that tool making is not such an easy feat.
Students ended the week with a better understanding of the basic materials available for use in providing food and shelter. They learned how innovative, difficult and time consuming meeting our basic needs can be when restricted to collecting materials from nature. Great fun was had and new skills were learned by all. Thank you Matthews State Forest for hosting the mini-camp and Mr. Parnell for assistance! If you would like to see the long house structure you can visit Matthews State Forest on the north side of Hwy 58 and walk along the trail/road to the left of the cabin.
Blue Ridge Discovery Center’s Fall Mushroom Walk
Twelve curious hikers joined Ken Crouse for his second annual BRDC mushroom walk on Saturday, September 19th. We met at Cox’s Chapel Low Water Bridge at 10am for a brief introductory show-and- tell prior to carpooling to a location across the river and into the woods.
Twelve curious hikers joined Ken Crouse for his second annual BRDC mushroom walk on Saturday, September 19th. We met at Cox’s Chapel Low Water Bridge at 10am for a brief introductory show-and- tell prior to carpooling to a location across the river and into the woods.
It was a ‘beautiful’ morning, crisp and clear, but also very dry following a week of bright, sunny days and low humidity...not the best of conditions for a mushroom foray. However, cool nights and mornings also trigger the fruiting of many fungi, so we had at least one thing in our favor.
Ken took us into damp areas, which proved to be productive enough to keep us busy identifying and comparing a wide variety of mushroom species. It is the purpose of most mushroom hunters to harvest for the kitchen table. Ken focused on offering descriptions of what to look for in great detail, how to sort through similar looking species from safe to deadly. The general morphology of a mushroom is an indicator, but the base of the stem and ‘root’ structure, careful inspection of the underside of the cap, and spore prints all add up to the level of confirmation needed to be certain of identification. Other clues include gill structure and attachment, smell, bruising color, and habitat. In fact, Ken said he usually employs seven systematic taxonomic features to assure a firm ID, and has not once in his long mushroom hunting life experienced any gastronomical discomfort from eating fungi. There are several spore dispersal systems besides gills, and serve to link specimens to family...such as the boletes which have fleshy tubes or pores, or the tooth fungi in the Hydnaceae family, puffballs which form spores inside, and club and coral fungi, which disperse spores from a fertile outer surface.
After collecting a number of specimens, we drove to a local picnic area where, and while taking lunch, Ken spread out field guides and our collection for a more thorough discussion on identification.
Following is a full species list from our day in the woods:
BRDC 9/19/15 Mushroom Walk, River Ridge Farm
Austroboletus gracilis – Graceful Bolete
Tylopilus plumboviolaceous – Lilac-brown Bolete
Suillus granulatus – Granular-stalked Bolete
Polyporus badius – Black-footed Polypore
Stereum ostrya – False Turkey Tail
Stereum complicatum – Bracket Mushroom
Trametes versicolor – Turkey Tail
Oxyporous populinus – White Polypore
Tyromeces chioneus – Cheese Polypore
Phellinus rimosus – Cracked Cap Polypore
Daldinia concentrica – Carbon Ball
Chlorocibora aeruginescens – Green-wood Stain
Lycoperdon perlatum – Gem-studded Puffball
Lycoperdon pyriforme – Pear-shaped Puffball
Schleroderma citrinum – Poison Pigskin Puffball
Scuttelaria scuttelina – Eyelash Cup
Hygrophorous praetensis – Waxy Cap
Clitocybe dilitata – White Clitocybe
Russula variata – Variable Russula
Marasmius sicca – Orange Pinwheel
Marasmius rotula – White Pinwheel
Crepidotus mollis – Jelly Crepe
Mycena pura –yellow Mycena
Mycena luteopallens – Walnut Mycena
Panellus stipticus – Luminescent Panellus
Collybia confluens – Tufted Collybia
Ramaria conjunctipes – Violet Coral
Usnea sp. – Tree Beard Lichen (Medicinal)
For a brief review of fungi see: http://eol.org/pages/5559/overview
Scott Jackson-Ricketts
Ken Crouse
Signs of Fall
Although signs of the fall season are usually evident enough from changes in the weather, there are many clues from nature that a seismic shift in the seasons is occurring. Even if you did not have a calendar, you should be able to predict the month if you study the many signs that nature provides.
Although signs of the fall season are usually evident enough from changes in the weather, there are many clues from nature that a seismic shift in the seasons is occurring. Even if you did not have a calendar, you should be able to predict the month if you study the many signs that nature provides.
During a recent walk on our farm I picked up a handful of nuts from the forest floor. Can you identify the acorns, shagbark hickory nuts, black walnut, buckeye, hazelnut, and chinquapin? These provide a bountiful crop for wildlife to harvest and hide away for the future. Many such nuts are never recovered by rodents and germinate.
There are many soft fruits in the forest including this nannyberry. It is Viburnum lentago and is one of many viburnums which produce "haw" fruit which are prized by animals of all kinds. The variation in fruit color is interesting since it illustrates how plants communicate the ripeness of their fruits to frugivores. It would be disadvantageous for the fruits to be eaten before they are ripe, since the seeds are not mature, so unripe fruits are often unpalatable or even poisonous. The change in color from green to red, yellow or black that signals ripeness is easily recognized and is so familiar to us that we often fail to understand the evolutionary meaning.
Grasses are also producing seeds and I here illustrate this with one of my favorites, Indiangrass. Grasses do not have pretty flowers and they are wind pollinated so we do not always consider them to be beneficial to animals. But the seeds are eaten by a wide variety of birds and over an extended period. So it is important to allow grasses to flower and mature seeds in the fall and leave them in the fields during the fall and winter as wildlife food. Grasses can also be quite beautiful at this stage of growth.
One distinct sign of fall around our ponds is the rapid decline in insect activity and a change in the species present. For example the large common green darner migrates south and is replaced by the similarly sized shadow darner. The autumn or yellow legged meadowhawk is the last dragonfly to emerge in the north and likely the last one seen before winter. The male shown here is a beautiful red color to advertise its virility. The appearance of odonate species that specialize in cooler conditions seems to be a classic case of avoidance of competition by a temporal shift in activity.
Eastern tiger swallowtails are a common butterfly in our area but we almost never find the caterpillars which feed on black cherry and tulip poplar. This caterpillar found its way to our porch and has changed from green to brown as it approaches the time for pupation. It has two false eye spots which may confuse avian predators into thinking it is a scary snake. In addition when disturbed it protrudes an osmeterium which looks very much like the tongue of a snake. These mechanisms to avoid predation illustrate how intense the efforts of birds are to find and eat caterpillars, and how gullible birds can be when confronted by these elaborate ruses.
When I see large golden garden spiders on their webs I know it is fall. These spiders over-winter as eggs or young spiders and gradually grow to an adult size over the summer. The large female builds a characteristic orb web with distinctive zig-zag patterns called stabilimenta that strengthen the web, and may attract insects and warn birds not to fly into the web.
The migration of hawks is a characteristic fall phenomenon and I recently noticed this juvenile red shouldered hawk in a tree on our farm. The juvenile plumage pattern seems to be good camouflage and signals a lack of maturity to adult hawks. We do not see red shouldered hawks during the breeding season so this must be a bird that is migrating south. They make use of rising currents of warm air or thermals to minimize their energetic cost of long distance flight.
Although the arrival of fall signals the end of the growing season for most animals and plants, it is a time of many changes in the world of natural history that are of great interest. So get out and enjoy the beauties of fall and observe how a few species wax while most others wane in abundance.
Educational resource planted last Fall shows us life!
Last fall, BRDC, led by Sarah Osborne, planted a brand new butterfly garden on the grounds of the Galax High School as part of the Fall 2014 Middle School Enrichment Program. The results a year later are astounding!
On September 15th we started a second Young Explorers Club with seventeen pumped up 10-13 year olds. The program kicked off our 2015-16 Galax After School Enrichment Program. We will be meeting with the kids two days a week and taking one extended Saturday field trip each month during the school year. The Young Explorers will earn a Junior Naturalist Certificate over the course of 2015-16.
For our first session the group gathered to discuss official club items in the classroom. After talking about the array of subjects we will be studying and what it means to be a naturalist, we honed in on insects in preparation for an October 17th field trip to the Hokie BugFest in Blacksburg. Our first club activity was to visit the butterfly garden on school grounds to do some maintenance and field investigation.
Last fall, BRDC, led by Sarah Osborne, planted a brand new butterfly garden on the grounds of the Galax High School as part of the Fall 2014 Middle School Enrichment Program. The results a year later are astounding! The garden is lush with life and the sharp eyes of the students quickly discovered a Monarch butterfly, then a caterpillar, then a bigger caterpillar, then three chrysalises and a caterpillar forming it's chrysalis! They were ecstatic to say they least!
Monarch Caterpillar
Hanging Caterpillar
Monarch Chrysalis
Monarch Butterfly
In the short time available the students weeded out the crab grass, collected seeds to be planted in the spring and found an array of insects in the garden. We are looking forward to studying the garden in detail during the coming weeks. The students will also be building a club insect collection to be entered into the insect collection contest at the Hokie BugFest.
What a fantastic resource for young scientists to explore life! Every school needs a pollinator garden.
Students conduct first survey of Deer Exclosure Plot
For our first research day, 9/9/15, the students focused on describing the forest floor and canopy densities, comparing percentages of herbaceous and rocky or barren coverage, taking a census of all the trees within an approximately 80 foot radius of the deer exclosure including diameter, height and species of each tree.
Over the course of the last seven years the Matthews State Forest performed proscribed burns to eliminate the white pine understory on this portion of their land holdings. Within that time frame, a forest road was cut through the area. A sixty year old stand of (mostly) white pine sits on the south-west side of the road, and on the north-east side sits a mixed hardwood forest of approximately 80 years maturity. Further management was brought about by thinning some of the hardwoods, opening up the canopy (called shelterwood), with the goal in mind of allowing oak seedlings an opportunity to emerge. All of this occurs on a moderate slope with a north-east aspect, and was not seeded by human hand.
In the thinned hardwood stand, (at latitude 36 degrees, 37’ 39.80”N and longitude 80 degrees, 57’ 17.50”W), a deer exclosure was erected one year ago to study the effect of deer browse on woody growth and its impact on forest regeneration in respects to timber management.
Under Blue Ridge Discovery Center’s direction, a group of Carroll County High School students from Alan Webb’s forestry class (within the AG department) has been recruited to study both the deer plot and adjacent grounds as control plots. Zach Olinger, forester with the MSF, has agreed to play a significant role as this research team collects data from both inside and outside the exclosure.
For our first research day, 9/9/15, the students focused on describing the forest floor and canopy densities, comparing percentages of herbaceous and rocky or barren coverage, taking a census of all the trees within an approximately 80 foot radius of the deer exclosure including diameter, height and species of each tree.
The class of 13 students was broken down into four separate teams. We also had, besides Alan and Zach, Rachelle Rasco, STEM lab teacher from CCHS, Dr. Bill Dunson, retired biology professor, Ayla Wilk, intern from VTech, and Evan Worrell and Scott Jackson-Ricketts from BRDC. The adults split up to assist the four teams with careful plant inventories both within and without the exclosure. Careful notations were taken including the numbers of each species identified within established grids.
During the afternoon session, Zach shared a brief history of the state forest along with descriptions of forest management principles and land use. Evidence of deer browse was noted, along with discussions of wildlife management versus forest management, two distinct approaches led by two distinct state agencies: Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and Virginia Department of Forestry.
This research program is designed to take place throughout the 2015/2016 school year, with a minimum of four field trip examinations of changes within and without the deer exclosure. Along with the field trips, self-guided learning will take place in the classroom through various media oriented research outlets such as the Internet. The students are to form hypotheses relative to the deer study and submit their conclusions in a professional format at year’s end.
Young Explorers find possibly the ugliest but coolest creature in the Blue Ridge Mountains
Suited up and ready to roll we made our way downstream to form lines of snorkelers. With 64 deg water even the experienced snorkelers were hesitant, but once the crew laid flat and got their heads in the water the elation began to ring out.
Young Explorers Club goes snorkeling for Hellbenders
On Thursday September 3, 2015, BRDC hosted a sign up and preparatory meeting for the Young Explorers Club at the Independence Public Library where twelve young explorers signed the membership rules and code of conduct to become the founding members of the club. During the meeting we discussed the basic premise of an explorers club and introduced them to the hobby of being a naturalist. In preparation for our first outing, a snorkeling trip to the South Fork of the Holston River, we studied up on fish species with the Guide to Freshwater Fishes of Virginia and discussed the hellbender. The following Saturday we met up and carpooled over the mountain to Buller Fish Hatchery and the South Fork of the Holston River which is part of the Tennessee River watershed to explore the riches of a mountain stream.
With the water low and the sun shining bright it was the perfect day to explore the creek bottom. After a short study of the Mount Rogers National Geographic Map (part of the naturalist packs) the club took on the challenge of squeezing into wetsuits. Suited up and ready to roll we made our way downstream to form lines of snorkelers. With 64 deg water even the experienced snorkelers were hesitant, but once the crew laid flat and got their heads in the water the elation began to ring out. The group worked their way up stream finding all sorts of creatures. The occasional scream or snorkel muffled rambling of excitement signaled the next great find. Trout, darters, sculpin and crayfish were everywhere! Rhiannon became the group fish whisper as she surfaced with multiple sculpins and darters in hand for everyone to have a close look.
We worked our way up stream in 16" of water searching every crevice and crack for creatures of the deep, until the leading edge discovered the stone cold face of a hellbender under a large rock! Everyone got a chance to peak over the edge and come face to face with one of the ugliest creatures of the Blue Ridge. Hellbenders are often referred to as Mud Puppies by locals and have a mottled light brown and dark brown skin that resembles the coloration of a brown algae covered rock. On first look, one would not recognize the motionless hellbender for a salamander, not the least of the reasons being that it was over 20" long! Two beady pale blue eyes sat at the front of the head and kept a watch out for unsuspecting crayfish or snorkelers in this case! Lifting up the rock we got to see the full extent of the salamander. Handling the spectacular creature gently, everyone observed its "white finger nails" and long flat tail that it uses to propel itself in the water. Being careful to return the rock to its exact position, we let the hellbender crawl back into its hiding place. We were left stunned by the simultaneous beauty and ugliness of the hellbender. As such a docile creature it is easy to feel sympathy for its vulnerability but then you remember it eats crayfish for a living and is basically pure muscle! For more information about the hellbender, its distribution and threats, please visit: http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/hellbender/
Luke enjoying the waterfall!
The afternoon was capped off with a refreshing dunk under the cascading waterfall of the dam. The explorers found a large air pocket behind the water and took turns disappearing into the deafening roar of the water. After a gearing down we documented the species observed in our journal and each member got a Hellbender poster and one of the Crayfish of Virginia courtesy of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. Everyone departed wishing we could keep on exploring and excited for the next trip afield!
The Young Explorers Club
Milkweed Madness
If you manage a field, you face a conundrum in deciding your specific goals and if, when, and how often to mow. If you want to retain the field, you must eventually mow it, but preferably no more than once per year to minimize negative effects on wildlife. Otherwise woody vegetation will eventually move in and convert the field into a woodland. But the speed of this succession is highly variable in different locations. Mowing more than once per year usually converts the field into short grasses which are minimally useful to wildlife. But when do you mow?
If you manage a field, you face a conundrum in deciding your specific goals and if, when, and how often to mow. If you want to retain the field, you must eventually mow it, but preferably no more than once per year to minimize negative effects on wildlife. Otherwise woody vegetation will eventually move in and convert the field into a woodland. But the speed of this succession is highly variable in different locations. Mowing more than once per year usually converts the field into short grasses which are minimally useful to wildlife. But when do you mow? A traditional approach is to wait until late August after all birds have nested. This has the drawback that it disrupts the replacement of the early cool season grasses (such as fescue) by warm season grasses (which is stimulated by earlier mowing), and limits the amount of food and cover that will be in the field during the non-growing season. Another issue is what the impact would be on milkweeds. We have large numbers of the common milkweed, Aesclepias syriaca, and want to keep them healthy for monarch butterflies.
Monarch Butterly on Milkweed
You would think that mowing would be bad for milkweeds and monarchs. I have found this not to be true because monarchs in our area primarily pass through in late summer and early fall. By August, milkweeds which are not mowed are past blooming, are dry and senescent, and suitable as food for milkweed tussock moth caterpillars, but not monarchs. If the fields are mowed in mid-June to early July, the milkweeds quickly regrow and some are blooming within about 5-6 weeks. There are then many young tender leaves suitable as food for monarch caterpillars. The photo taken Aug. 23 shows a field mowed on July 15; some plants are blooming and there are many tender young plants. It is likely that if open field-nesting birds such as meadowlarks are disrupted by early mowing, they will quickly re-nest.
Black Swallowtail
Monarchs Mating
Monarch Butterfly
Adult monarchs feed on the nectar from milkweed flowers, as do other butterflies such as this female black swallowtail. Monarchs also derive nectar from a variety of other flowers such as this ironweed. Many such nectar sources other than milkweeds are found not in the mowed grasslands, but around the wetter edges which are mowed less frequently. We have found that mowing as infrequently as every 3-5 years can be effective in maintaining a bio-diverse field attractive to insects and birds. Hand cutting of woody stems and selective mowing of problem areas with invasive infestations such as Canada thistle can help maintain these natural flower gardens as nectar sources. Burning in late winter can sometimes also be beneficial in controlling unwanted plants and in releasing nutrients from dead plant material, depending on your goals.
I urge you to consider the possibilities for milkweed cultivation in your local situation, either from the natural growth in fields, or plantings in your yard. Experiment to see what works best in your circumstances. Try cutting some plants down at different times to see if the subsequent re-growth provides a useful means of providing better food for our marvelous monarch butterflies.
Bill Dunson
Galax, VA and Englewood, FL
Fished Wilson Creek Tenkara Style
Amelia Hulth with the Grayson Highland State Park, graciously arranged an eager group to join us for a lesson on Tenkara fly fishing on Wilson Creek Friday, August 21.
Tenkara is a traditional type of fly fishing practiced in Japan for hundreds of years. The rod is telescoping and has no reel making it an excellent choice for fishing our mountain trout streams. Amelia Hulth with the Grayson Highland State Park, graciously arranged an eager group to join us for a lesson on Tenkara fly fishing on Wilson Creek Friday, August 21.
Aaron Floyd and myself were joined by two women, a gentleman and three of his sons along Wilson Creek Trail to learn about Tenkara. After some introductory information about Tenkara and fly fishing, fly imitation and reading water for brook trout, we commenced to casting lessons stream side. Everyone picked up the technique quickly and efficiently.
We hiked along the trail in search of accessible pools in which to encounter the elusive brook trout. Separating into small groups, we took turns casting into the pools and runs in the hope of catching this beauty of a trout. The boys climbed rocks and falls (almost as much fun as fishing...almost) in order to reach a great hole. They stalked, in true form, a big brookie from the ledge up above. The fish took but the set was missed. A classic brook trout moment! All the fishers got their flies on target but to our dismay, they landed no fish.
Our infamous guide and seasoned Tenkara fly fisherman, Aaron saved the day with a catch. Everyone left with new skills: Tenkara fly fishing, knot tying, and how to remove their fly from a tree. But most importantly, how much beauty a mountain stream can hold and how simple it is to enjoy it.
Rainbow Trout
Announcing The Young Explorers Club!
The Explorers Club is a group of 16 youth that will come together to explore, discover and share the wonders of the Blue Ridge.
Attend a meeting to join the club!
The Young Explorers Club is a group of youth ages 9-18 that will come together to explore, discover and share the wonders of the Blue Ridge. BRDC's goal for establishing this Club is to create new ideas and avenues for exploration and critical thinking for our youth and to foster a new generation of explorers interested in sharing our biodiversity with others.
The Explorers Club will go on one official exploration each month and hold a preparatory meeting prior to each outing. We will offer each member a naturalist pack and Naturalist Certificate and how to earn its possession.
For more information visit: The Young Explorers Club
Report on Hike to Sullivan Swamp
On the weekend of August 15, 2015, Devin Floyd, BRDC Co-Founder, took a group of explorers to Sullivan Swamp in Grayson Highlands State Park. On this hike participants explored one of Virginia's rarest ecological treasures.
Land of Fire and Ice:
Exploring Sullivan Swamp, a Southern Appalachian Shrub Bog
On the weekend of August 15, 2015, Devin Floyd, BRDC Co-Founder, took a group of explorers to Sullivan Swamp in Grayson Highlands State Park. On this hike participants explored one of Virginia's rarest ecological treasures. The ecosystem visited is classified as a southern Appalachian shrub bog, of which there are only about 30 on the planet. There are at least three occurrences of this ecosystem in the Mount Rogers area, and these bogs are the largest of those documented to date, covering about 8-10 acres each. This journey through time began with a brief introduction at the Massey Gap parking lot. From there participants traversed the rugged grassy shrub meadows and balds to the north, up the slopes to Wilburn Ridge, and eventually down into a giant bowl-shaped swale that harbors the bog.
The geology of this mountain is a primary factor that has shaped the plant and animal communities that live upon it. It is the volcanic rock, known as rhyolite, that is resistant enough to hold the mountain high through eons of weathering. It is rhyolite that is homogenous enough to weather to a smooth round top, resulting in the globally rare balds and bogs that haunt Grayson Highlands. Because the rocks hold the mountain up, and because of their shape, form, and mineral content, unique ecosystems reside there. Participants were transported back in time to experience the origins of this rock and imagine what the landscape may have looked like when this rock was formed.
The group stood atop a ridge above the bog as Devin relayed 750 million years of geologic change in a 15 minute story, followed by 5 minutes of Q-n-A. Here are some highlights:
Fire. 750 million years ago, Virginia was turned 90 degrees clockwise from its present position. It also rested far south of the equator. We would have been in the center of a giant super continent scientists refer to as “Rodinia”. All the continents were crammed together into one huge landmass, and they had remained so for nearly 400 million years. But, 750 million years ago, the time had come for those continents to begin moving away from each other again. When this happened, great rift valleys opened up – the valley floor dropped a mile in places – albeit slowly, maybe a couple inches per year. Southwest Virginia, and the Mount Rogers area, were at the location of one of these valley openings, and in the valley floor were numerous cracks and fissures that coursed deep into the earth. Through t deepest of these fissures erupted massive and violent volcanoes. Standing at Grayson Highlands on the volcanic rock, one may look out and superimpose the modern Mount St. Helens … it is estimated to be a fairly good comparator. The volcanic molten rock at the core of the volcano cooled to become rhyolite, and gave birth to the rocks we see today at Mount Rogers, Whitetop, and Pond Mountain (NC).
Ice. After the volcanoes cooled and as the continents continued to spread apart, great inland lakes and seas came and went through time. The high mountains along the rift margins played host to massive glaciers. One may imagine, long ago, big and deep mountain lakes with glaciers reaching out upon them, ice faces sheering and dropping into the lakes – the round pebbles and cobbles freed by melting ice and sinking to the bottom - lodging in the muck. Today, at places like Grindstone Campground, near Konnarock, one may put their hands on those “drop-stones” and the maroon muck they landed in at the bottom of an ancient lake.
Mount Rogers Was Buried below sediment, rocks and ocean: One thing that I find surprising is that, before we had mountains, we had ocean. While Mount Rogers was once a formidable volcano, and while it rises to 5,728 feet today, it has spent the majority of the last 600 million years buried beneath miles of sediment, rock and water. Those old rift valleys eventually filled with clay, silt, sand and rock – thousands of feet of it! Through the shifting and colliding of continents, the rise and fall of oceans, the highlands of Southwest Virginia weren’t highlands at all! The area lay buried, its ancient origins preserved in the rock around it, until only 60 million years ago.
Old Rocks, Young Mountains: Yes, we often hear that the Blue Ridge and the larger Appalachians are very old. There is a good bit of pride wrapped up in this, but also a heavy dose of oversimplification and inaccuracy. It is the rocks in the mountains that are ancient (some of them more than 1 billion years old), not the shape of the land. The high and round topped landforms that we call mountains are not that old, despite the age of the rocks in them. In fact, because they aren’t born of continental collision, and because they are so small, the Appalachians aren’t even technically considered “mountains” by geologists. Some will tell you the Appalachians are 1.1 billion years old (in reference to an ancient and extinct mountain range known as the Grenvilles). Some will say they are 300 million years old (in reference to the massive, and extinct, Alleghanian Range that once covered most of Virginia, centered on Richmond). However, patterns seen in both ridge tops and river pathways indicate that our present day mountains are the result of gentle uplift that has happened in the past 60 million years. So, when someone asks you, “how old are the Appalachians?”, you may tell them that the mountains are about 45 million years old and still lifting (though at the same rate as they are being eroded down), but the rocks they hold are more than 1 billion years old in places. You can also say that there were times in the last 125 million years when the entirety of Virginia was flat and covered by sea water (with the soon-to-be Appalachians waiting beneath the surface for that uplift). With geology, it’s always more complicated than the story that is told. So keep an open mind and a vivid imagination, and explore the existing knowledge and ongoing research that unveils the details of the past.
The Pleistocene Epoch: After exploring the geologic past, we moved forward in time to the last ice age. It is here that we find the final major geologic event that shaped the terrain we witness today. While glaciers blanketed and carved the North American landscape as far south as Pennsylvania, those ice masses did not venture south of Maryland. However, there were young glaciers beginning to form in the highest reaches of the Appalachians. There were places that were so cold that ice accumulated faster than it could melt, for centuries, accumulating to tens and hundreds of feet. The locations for this “peri-glacial” activity are scattered and few, but where they occurred they left their scars upon the landscape. One such place is the Mount Rogers area. At the headwaters of Quebec Branch, just below Wilburn Ridge, is a giant flat-bottomed bowl-shaped landscape feature. It’s so big that it hides right before your eyes. The bowl looks as if it had been scooped out by a giant ice cream scooper - its regularity in shape and symmetry are notable. The sheer weight of the peri-glacial ice and its slow downslope creep carved the fine-grained rhyolite. In its wake remained the ideal conditions for the formation of the largest Southern Appalachian Shrub Bog in the world.
Megafauna and Lightning: One of the primary things being investigated by scientists today at Grayson Highlands is how fire and grazing animals effect grassy/shrub balds and shrub bogs. During the last ice age and right up to the time of European settlement they had an enormous impact on these landscapes. Periodic wildfires would clean out trees like red maple, serviceberry and red spruce, and make room for the fire resistant mix that still dominates the balds and bogs today.
It is all too easy to see the wild feral ponies on the landscape today and begin asking questions about the negative impacts they might be having. It is also a modern habit to prevent forest fires. However, the folks at Grayson Highlands and the Division of Natural Heritage are experimenting. With a long view of land management and ecosystem conservation one must look deep into the past and investigate long-standing patterns. One of those patterns that would have been in place on these ridges, throughout the eons, is wind-swept lightning fires. With time, and between fires, the landscape gradually becomes more flammable. The red spruce is downright explosive, as is the dried tinder of dead or dying heath and grasses. This builds to a critical mass that can do nothing but embrace a lightning strike in a way that cleans the system out – resets the ecosystem clock – maintains the character of these open meadows and savannahs. To further aid in the process, herds of elk and even bison, mastadon, and whooly rhinoceros, would have been denuding the flora and disturbing the soils. With these animals gone, it can only be surmised that perhaps it is not so bad to have a modern megafauna present (pony) to provide some of those important and hidden ecosystem services. To the credit of the Department of Conservation and Recreation and Grayson Highlands State Park exclusion zones are being designated so these complicated factors may be investigated with some control. The grassy shrub balds are due for a fire, as the brambles, red maples, and spruces seedlings are beginning to convert the open spaces to a young spruce forest. One can imagine that this could have happened periodically in prehistoric times – short-lived forests replacing the fields between episodes of natural fire. In the end, it is likely the shallow soils, the harsh climate and the unique soil drainage conditions that maintain the floral structure of the balds and bogs….more so than fire or fauna.
Climate Correlation: With terrain exceeding 5,000 feet, climatic conditions at this site were (and still are today) most similar to those found in upstate New York and southern Canada. It has been estimated that climbing 1000 feet in elevation in Southwest Virginia is the rough ecological equivalent of traveling north 200 miles. The temperature drops about 2.5 degrees in the climb. Simply put, the forest around you changes to look more “northern” the further up you climb. The same thing happens when you “round the bend”; that is, switching from the south side of a mountain to the north side, at the same elevation. This can be the ecological equivalent of traveling north 200 miles, or up 1000 feet. At Grayson Highlands, Mount Rogers, and Whitetop, we are gifted with great terrain change over short distance, and thus the variety in ecosystems is great.
From Bald to Bog, and the Treasures There-in: The participants launched down the rim of the bowl, transitioning from the dry and windy ridges to the low and protected bog. Devin explained the importance of indicator species: the group of plants you must look for if you want to find the bog. The conditions in the bog are just right for these indicator plants, and in the absence of them, one can conclude they are not in the bog. So, we began to search for and investigate some of those species: sphagnum moss, cinnamon fern, and tawny cotton-grass. In doing so participants transitioned into an ever-softer ground surface and eventually onto the pillow-like surface of the thick sphagnum moss. To classify as a Southern Appalachian Shrub Bog, one must have at least 50% sphagnum ground cover.
The micro-climate of the site can be felt in the air. As described prior, the high elevation is enough to create a cool climate that supports northern species of plants and animals. However, an additional factor that further cools the air is the sphagnum moss itself. Its ability to retain moisture prolongs water evaporation at the surface. This creates a continuous cooling effect at the surface, and undoubtedly increases the potential of the site to harbor northern species like northern white violet and cranberry.
Once in the bog, one can see the formidable wall of Catawba rhododendron that prevents access to the vast majority of the ecosystem. But enough “bog” is accessible at the edges to allow one a glimpse into this unique world. In the meadows of cotton-grass and bog sedge were tiny streamlets engulfed with sphagnum. Hummocks of cinnamon fern and highbush blueberry supported little plant communities. The insects and birds became active after a midday storm. Dark-eyed juncos, black-throated blue warblers, chestnut-sided warblers and brown thrashers kept the shrubs alive and dancing. Meadow fritillaries and eastern tailed-blues alighted on autumn sneezeweed and whorled wood aster.
During the departure participants learned about blueberry shrub diversity in the highlands. Picking up where survey left off three years ago, they made an effort to identify the blueberry shrubs in the bog. Two species were confirmed: Vaccinium corymbosum (northern highbush blueberry) and Vaccinium simulatum (mountain highbush blueberry). We still hope to find cranberry and southern mountain cranberry…maybe on our next expedition to Sullivan Swamp!
Species Observed in Sullivan Swamp, 8-15-2015
Fauna
Boloria Bellona, meadow fritillary
Cupido comyntas, eastern tailed-blue
Datana ministra, yellow-necked caterpillar
Dumetella carolinensis, gray catbird
Equus ferus caballus, feral wild pony
Grammia virgo, virgin tiger moth
Homo sapiens sapiens, modern human
Junco hyemalis, dark-eyed junco
Poecile atricapillus, black-capped chickadee
Setophaga caerulescens, black-throated blue warbler
Setophaga pensylvanica, chestnut-sided warbler
Toxostoma rufum, brown thrasher
Zenaida macroura, mourning dove
Lycophytes and Bryophytes
Cladonia uncialis uncialis, lichen
Dendrolycopodium obscurum, common ground-pine
Lycopodium clavatum, staghorn clubmoss
Sphagnum recurvum, recurved peatmoss
Polytrichum commune, common haircap moss
Monocots, Dicots, Gymnosperms
Acer pensylvanicum, striped maple
Acer rubrum, red maple
Amelanchier laevis, smooth serviceberry
Carex atlantica, prickly bog sedge
Carex lurida, sallow sedge
Eriophorum virginicum, tawny cottongrass
Helenium autumnale, autumn sneezeweed
Houstonia serpyllifolia, thyme-leaf bluets
Hypericum canadense, Canada St. John's-wort
Kalmia latifolia, mountain laurel
Lycopus uniflorus, northern bugleweed
Menziesia pilosa, minniebush
Oclemena acuminate, whorled wood aster
Picea rubens, red spruce
Pinus strobus, white pine
Pyrus Americana, mountain ash
Rhododendron catawbiense, Catawba rhododendron
Ribes rotundifolium, Appalachian gooseberry
Scirpus cyperinus, woolgrass
Scirpus expansus, woodland bulrush
Solidago patula, rough-leaved goldenrod
Solidago rugose, rough-stemmed goldenrod
Trillium undulatum, painted trillium
Vaccinium corymbosum, northern highbush blueberry
Vaccinium simulatum, mountain highbush blueberry
Viola macloskeyi ssp. Pallens, northern white violet
Pteridophytes (Ferns)
Cystopteris fragilis, fragile fern
Dennstaedtia punctilobula, hay-scented fern
Osmundastrum cinnamomea, cinnamon fern
Thelypteris palustris, eastern marsh fern