As Hurricane Helene strengthened in the southern Gulf of Mexico, a predecessor rain event (PRE) was impacting eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina with significant rainfall, saturating the soil of the region. After making landfall in Florida as a major hurricane, Helene tracked almost due north and caused major devastation in western North Carolina due to flooding and landslides, along with uprooted trees and the resulting power outages. Join Dr. Doug Miller as he discusses “The Unfolding of Helene as Witnessed by Two Gauge Networks in Western North Carolina”.

Ever wanted to make your own rope with materials you can find outside? Then this program is for you! Join Doug Meyers, who has spent his life working with primitive technologies, as he walks you through the process of making cordage!

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.

Join Dr. Phil Shelton, Emeritus Professor of Biology at UVA College at Wise, as he discusses the place of ferns in plant evolution, fern anatomy and life history, and identification of local ferns.

Road salt is a really powerful tool- it keeps roads and sidewalks safe in the winter. But when road salt runoff enters streams, it can cause enormous damage to the ecosystem and our infrastructure as well. Join Naturalist Educator, Brendan Murphy, for a short discussion on responsible road salt use followed by a field study where we will collect salinity measurements from four local streams.