BLUE RIDGE NATURALIST OF THE YEAR FOR 2017

Scott Dean to be honored by the Blue Ridge Naturalist Network

On just about any given day you can locate Scott Dean in his office. Seasonally, that is somewhere along any roadside or trail in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Scott is easy to spot along the side of the Parkway bent over studying plants. Usually, about a dozen wildflower students holding their copies of field guides are swarming around him. A definite traffic stopper. This year Scott will be honored at the annual meeting of the Blue Ridge Naturalist Network as “The Naturalist of the Year”. The event will take place at Zabriskie Parish Hall, at The Cathedral of All Souls in historic Biltmore Village, 9 Swan St. Asheville, NC at 6:00 p.m. on November 16th. Friends of Scott Dean are invited to attend. Blue Ridge Naturalist Members are invited to bring a dish to share at this annual meeting. This event is open to the public. 
Every year since 2013, the Blue Ridge Naturalist Network has selected a person who has influenced the public in understanding the environmental complexity, ecological relationships, exceptional biodiversity and surrounding beauty of the WNC Blue Ridge region. Scott is one of those special people who through his leadership in education, mentorship, and community service provides that knowledge to inspire others to find their way to contribute. Above all else, we honor his vision as one of the founding members of the Blue Ridge Naturalist certification program at the North Carolina Arboretum. His numerous accomplishments also include services to UNC Asheville Wildflower Pilgrimage, Western North Carolina Nature Center, and to the Town of Weaverville Tree Board.