Kris Stewart obtained her Ph.D. in Biology (Plant Ecology) from Florida International University. Formerly a native of Wisconsin, she spent her career as an environmental consultant in western New York and South Florida, specializing in wetland science. She transitioned to teaching Environmental Science and General Biology. She currently teaches online. While teaching, Kris spent six years as a seasonal Park Ranger at six national parks. As a new Asheville resident, she is focused on learning about her new botanical home. She loves hiking, botanizing, travel, and singing in a choir.
Carlton S. Burke is a naturalist and educator who resides in Mills River, North Carolina, located in the mountains of the western part of the state. He took an early retirement in 2005 from the Western North Carolina Nature Center where he had been on staff for over 25 years, serving most of that time as the Curator of Exhibits.
Carlton operates Carolina Mountain Naturalists, an educational service which offers live wildlife and nature programs to various organizations such as schools and camps. He also serves as a field instructor with Muddy Sneakers, a non-profit educational organization based in Brevard, NC, which partners with public schools to help teach their fifth-grade science curriculum to students on day-long learning expeditions to nearby natural areas in national forests, state parks, etc. Carlton also teaches various classes for the Blue Ridge Naturalist Certificate Program based at the NC Arboretum in Bent Creek and is a NC State and Federally Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator.
Carlton is also the co-host of the weekly radio program NATURE NEWS which airs on WTZQ 1600 AM and 95.3 FM out of Hendersonville, NC on Saturday mornings.
BRNN Naturalist of the Year recognizes individuals who have dedicated themselves to the Southern Appalachian naturalist community in exceptional ways.
Thom Green, Outreach Manager for North Carolina Restoration Initiative (HRI) will discuss the importance of hemlock trees in our Western North Carolina ecosystems, how the hemlock woolly adelgid is threatening them, and what is being done by HRI and others to combat the pest.
Thom moved to North Carolina in 2014 to earn an MS in biology with a focus on forest ecology from Western Carolina University. He has been with HRI since 2017 managing the adelgid in North Carolina’s remaining hemlock stands and educating landowners and the general public about what they can do for the hemlocks.
The Blue Ridge Naturalist Network is an outgrowth of the Blue Ridge Naturalist Program through the N C Arboretum. Our interest is in the natural world and environmental issues, with a foundation based in science.
