Mount Rogers Winter Naturalist Rally
Feburary 21, 2026
The core of the mountains come to life far earlier than most realize. Attend this “dead of winter” rally to see how life persists through harsh conditions, study snowflakes and ice phenomenon, the region’s earliest flower blooms, night skies and exposed geology.
Past Keynote Speaker
Human-Wildlife Conflict with Kathleen Black
Human activities can change the landscape, creating challenges and opportunities for wildlife that sometimes result in conflict. Learn about how VDWR prevents and addresses human-wildlife conflicts across the state, as well as recommendations for encouraging wildlife around your home while discouraging unwanted visitors.
Kathleen Black is a district wildlife biologist with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (VDWR). She fell in love with the mountains of southwest Virginia as an undergraduate at Virginia Tech, then spent several years moving around the country for seasonal work and graduate school before returning to the area to put down some roots. She is passionate about helping people and wildlife coexist through her work with VDWR. Outside of work, she can often be found working in the garden, poking around in the woods, or curled up with a good book.
past Saturday morning Programs
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Join Monica Hoel and Walker Catlett for a waterfowl prowl at the Saltville Wellfields. Monica is a certified member of Virginia Master Naturalists, Holston Rivers Chapter, and an enthusiastic birder and believer in the power of nature and lifelong learning. Walker has over a decade of birding experience in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and spent this past summer as a Breeding Bird Atlas Technician for the mountains region of North Carolina.
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Tiffany Leach with the Aquatic Wildlife Conservation Center (AWCC), located in Marion, Virginia, works to restore freshwater mussels in Virginia. It was established by the Virginia DWR and has successfully produced 40 species of freshwater mussels. These animals play an important role in improving water quality for our rivers. During the visit, you will see mussels at various ages and the aquaculture systems that serve as their temporary homes.
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Ever wanted to make your own rope with materials you can find outside? Then this program is for you! Join Doug Meyer, who has spent his life working with primitive technologies, as he walks you through the process of making cordage!
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The skull is all at once one of the most enigmatic, complex, and to some, even foreboding parts of the anatomy of animals, but did you know that you can learn nearly the entire life history of an animal by looking at its skull? Join Virginia Tech wildlife conservation alumnus Josh Ward for an exploration of animal skulls, including hands-on experience with the skulls of several of Virginia's iconic animals!
PAST Saturday afternoon Session I Programs
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Are you interested in learning how to use trail cameras or want a few more tips? Join Brandon Bernhardt, district wildlife biologist with Virginia DWR, to learn the basics of camera trapping out in the field. Topics and demonstrations will include camera set-up and settings, placement, and photo ID.
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Join naturalist Cade Campbell to search for animal tracks and signs, learn how to identify them, and piece together ecological stories about survival in the harsh Blue Ridge winter.
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Artist Debbie Yates and daughter Molly bring you into their wonderful world of creativity through clay with this introduction to throwing your own bowl! If you want to keep your bowl, there is a $5 fee for Debbie to glaze and fire it. (This program has a 15 person limit)
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Arthur Merschat, PhD, USGS, will lead a short excursion to examine landslides from Hurricane Helene, as well as Quaternary and Neoproterozoic geology in Konnarock valley.
PAST Saturday afternoon Session II Programs
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Vernal pools are some of Virginia's most unassuming wetlands, yet they provide critical habitats for native wildlife. Join Wally Smith, a biologist with The University of Virginia's College at Wise, for a discussion of these unique habitats and the wildlife species that call them home. This session will also visit BRDC's seasonal wetlands to discuss how constructed habitats can mimic naturally-occurring pools.
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It is not uncommon to expect a beautiful summer day for a hike in the mountains and find yourself drenched mid-hike after riding out an unexpected thunderstorm in the afternoon.
Dr. Doug Miller will share some basic reasons explaining why weather at higher elevations is so changeable and why it is a particular challenge to forecast weather for the southern Appalachian Mountains (SAMs).
The session will start with the basics on the importance of observations and scientific knowledge in making accurate weather forecasts and describe the challenges of both factors in the SAMs. There will be plenty of time devoted to mini Q & A pauses throughout the session for us to gain improved insights on why the local TV weather personality misses so many times on their forecast of the conditions at your favorite hiking spot in the mountains.
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Trees are the largest, oldest, and by some metrics the most complex living organisms on Earth. Join naturalist Mark Archibald for a gentle walk around the BRDC campus to learn about trees, winter tree identification using tree shape, bark, twigs, buds and leaf scars, and some of the many current threats to trees.
Please note, while we aim to run every program listed above as scheduled, any program’s scheduled time may change depending on guide availability, weather, or other reasons. Programs must have at least 3 registered participants to run; programs with less than 3 participants may be cancelled and participants asked to attend another program.
Winter Rally Schedule
Saturday
8:00am: Registration - Trip Selection Breakfast (Pre-registration Required)
9:00am - 10:00 am: Guest Speaker and Youth Programs
10:00am - 12:00pm: Morning Hikes and Youth Programs
12:00pm - 1:00pm: Lunch (Pre-registration Required)
1:00pm - 3:00pm: Afternoon Field Trips and Youth Programs
3:00pm - 5:00pm: Afternoon Field Trips and Youth Programs
Get our brand-new Rally shirts while supplies last!
Available in two colors—Green and Military Green—in unisex sizes S, M, L, XL, & XXL. Shirts are 52% cotton and 48% polyester.
INTERESTED IN BECOMING A BRDC MEMBER?
Blue Ridge Discovery Members get 25% off on all Naturalist Rallies! Click the button below to explore other member benefits and join the BRDC family.
