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The BRNN would like to announce the recent publication of Images of America: Pisgah Inn by our 2018 Blue Ridge Naturalist of the Year, Marci Spencer.  As many of you know, she takes great pleasure in researching our mountains and forests, collecting stories about where the people have evolved from this land that we love.  Her commitment to chronicling these histories captures accounts of the lives and events resulting in many of the places we enjoy today. 

This collection focuses on the Pisgah Inn, using a more visual technique of chronological photos and captions to tell its tale.  All one hundred plus pages include pictures with details of Pisgah National Forest, Buck Spring Lodge, the Blue Ridge Parkway and the human interactions with them.  There were plans for a release party for the book at the Inn, but in this time of distancing, this is the best we can do right now.  We wanted you to be aware of Marci’s most recent book by Arcadia Publishing, and that it is available from Malaprops in Asheville. (828-254-6734)

By Donna Duffy

Nature Notes

Salamanders and Mountains

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By Linda Martinson

During these days of pandemic, there is time to contemplate our mountain views. The view is always changing, but the mountains seem timeless and they almost are.

Photo by Linda Martinson

The Blue Ridge Mountains in the Appalachians are 1.2 billion years old and among the oldest mountain ranges in the world. The highest peak is Mount Mitchell at 6,684 feet, and the range has an average elevation of 2,000 – 4,000 feet. The Appalachian Mountains have been uplifted and eroded during at least four different periods over millions of years, and these cycles of mountain formation and erosion have resulted in an ancient and persistent mountain range with amazing biodiversity.

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Nature Notes

An Affordable Housing Development

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By Charlotte Caplan

It was one of the unusually warm days in March and we were having lunch on the front porch when we noticed that there were dozens of small bees flying around inspecting the shingled walls, rustic furniture and log pile.  What were they looking for? Clearly not food. Then it dawned on me: these were mason bees checking out the local real estate.

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