Photo credits: Florrie Funk

After a very long hiatus, the Blue Ridge Naturalist Network has restarted its outdoor programs with a series of early spring wildflower walks at the Twin Bridges area near Saluda.  Four separate groups visited the area between April 1st and 7th, with a total of 22 members participating either as participants or hike leaders.  A short walk yielded a rich variety of wildflowers, as attested by the attached photos . Our hike leaders have recorded over 50 species!  This event would not have been possible without our volunteer walk leaders – Ken Czarnomski, Barb Harrison, Charlotte Caplan, Lou Dwarshuis, and Marilyn Kolton.  We owe them a huge debt of thanks for their commitment of time and energy.
This event is being followed quickly by a return to Big Creek in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  In May we are planning more wildflower walks at a higher elevation in the Mount Pisgah/Buck Spring area.  More information to follow on that shortly.

Video link of Digging Deeper Into Gardening.

During the last year many of us have discovered the hidden benefits of gardening and the myriad ways that nature lifts our spirits. In this talk we will discuss some of those benefits, how to use our gardens to engage all the senses, and dive into some simple garden assessment to explore ways – both large and small – to increase our enjoyment of our outdoor spaces.

EVENT: Friends of the Western North Carolina Nature Center

DATE:  February 9, 2021

SUBJECT: Friends of the Western North Carolina Nature Center -Discover who we are, What we are proud to do, and Meet several of the animals who help us teach!  We learned about how the Western North Carolina Nature Center connects people with the animals and plants of the Southern Appalachian Mountain Region by inspiring appreciation, nurturing understanding, and advancing conservation of the region’s rich biodiversity.