Mount Rogers Naturalist Rally History

The history of the Mount Rogers Naturalist Rally (MRNR) traces back to its inception as a humble wildflower walk in 1974. Inspired by the success of the Roan Mountain Naturalist Rally, Wallace Coffey envisioned a similar event for the Mount Rogers area. He designed the format, secured speakers and field trip leaders, and collaborated with the United States Forest Service (USFS). Coffey chaired the Naturalist Rally Committee for its first five years, laying the foundation for what would become a beloved annual tradition. Initially organized by the Wilderness Road Garden Club and the Mount Rogers Planning District Commission, early wildflower walks near Grindstone Campground in 1975 and 1976 saw limited attendance. However, in 1977, the organizers expanded the program to include bird and salamander walks, broadening its appeal.

Held in May to take advantage of the region’s natural beauty, the rally first utilized the Konnarock "Spike Camp" (now the Blue Ridge Discovery Center, BRDC) with the old schoolhouse providing accommodations for speakers and guides. Early attendees paid $3 for dinner and $1 for the rally. The first keynote speakers, Dr. Fred Alsop III from ETSU, who spoke on birds, and Dr. Boyce from Emory & Henry College, who presented on the prehistoric peoples of Southwest Virginia, set the educational tone for the event. In 1984, the rally relocated to the Konnarock Community Center after the chapel floor at the Spike Camp began to collapse during a Friday night presentation.

Over time, the rally evolved to feature a single keynote speaker alongside numerous guides sharing the region's rich natural history. In 2012, Carrie Sparks handed leadership of the MRNR from the Friends of Mount Rogers to the Blue Ridge Discovery Center, ensuring its ongoing success. After 38 years, the rally returned to its historic roots in May 2022, once again hosting its programs in the fully restored Konnarock Training School (“Spike Camp””).

Thanks to the diligent efforts of Ruth and David Ross, the entire collection of MRNR brochures, dating back to 1981, is now available digitally. These documents offer a wealth of knowledge and an impressive list of speakers, preserving the rally’s storied history for future generations. View brochures.