Snorkeling the New!
We have the wonderful privilege of hosting Jim Herrig, from the US Forest Service, the man who developed the wildly successful Freshwater Snorkeling Program in Cherokee National Forest! Jim is packing all of his equipment up: snorkels, masks and wetsuits, and making the trek north to give us a full demonstration of the program so Blue Ridge Discovery Center can implement it right here in our watershed.
Jim will be leading us on an exploration of the South Fork of the New River at the 221 Access State Park. We will be searching for all types of creatures including fish, snails, crayfish, insects and salamanders! Come slip into a wetsuit and experience the river like you never have before!
PLEASE CONTACT LISA BENISH TO SIGN UP: lisa@blueridgediscoverycenter.org
WHEN?
August 8, 2015
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
WHERE?
The New River State Park: 221 Access along the South Fork of the New River.
WHO?
Sign-up is Required! Please contact Lisa Benish at: lisa@blueridgediscoverycenter.org
Minimum Age: Ages 12 and up
Limited Participation: The program can serve a maximum of 24 people!
COST?
As a demonstration program this event is FREE! Please consider signing up for a BRDC Membership to support the organization and stay connected!
WHAT TO BRING?
- swim suit
- wading shoes/ strap on sandals
- towel
- lunch and water to drink
- plastic bag for wet clothes
- sunscreen
SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES:
We are going to start out learning safety protocol, techniques and a little about the watershed we are exploring. We will then suit up and get in the water. Hopefully everyone will be able to find a wetsuit that fits. We will get in the water for about an hour and explore the substrate for fish, snails, crayfish, insects and salamanders. After a lunch break we will return to the water for another hour of exploration!
ALTERNATE PLAN:
If a big rainstorm clouds the water then we may look to an alternative location along the South Fork of the Holston River (a separate watershed) for our snorkeling site.
*If you are not super excited about this program then check out this video showing Jim's program:
