The BRNN and the West Asheville Library present Rachel Muir speaking about John Muir`s Conservation Legacy.

“The development of the modern conservation movement has its roots in two principal and distinct philosophies.  The first of these is the evolution of a conservation ethos which placed value on the natural world independent of the interests of humankind.  The second is the rapid development of science and the evidence and observation-based perspective that is the basis for scientific thought. Perhaps no figure in American history embodies the merger and the conflict of these two perspectives more than John Muir, (1838 – 1914).  We will examine his personal life and experience to see, through the lens of his life, writings, and activism,  how the conservation movement developed in the United States and spread world-wide. We will also discuss  the relevance of his ethics and the importance of his legacy at a time when the conservation movement is undergoing rapid change.   We will also take a brief introduction to the landscapes preserved through his efforts,  as seen in the National Parks and in the John Muir Trail.”  

Rachel Muir is a scientist emeritus with the United States Department of the Interior.  An environmental scientist and ecologist by training, Rachel worked for a variety of Federal agencies and private firms over her 40 year career, including the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Geological Service and the Executive Office of the President, Office of Science and Technology Policy. In the course of her career she focused primarily on aquatic ecology, wetlands ecology, conservation of imperiled species and impact of environmental contaminants on wildlife and human health. Rachel is an avid gardener, outdoors woman, hiker, triathlete – and a grandmother. 

On Saturday September 21st, eight hardy naturalists gathered to explore some of Western North Carolina’s less appreciated waterfalls.  Under the leadership of Ken Czarnomski, we began with a pleasant 1 mile hike to Laurie Falls in the Shining Rock Wilderness.  We had this fine waterfall all to ourselves, save for a yoga enthusiast enjoying the peaceful scene before we arrived.  Upon returning we made our way up to the Blue Ridge Parkway and had lunch at the Wolf Mountain Overlook, enjoying a profusion of blooming gentians and grass of parnassus, as well as a few lady’s tresses orchids.  After lunch we headed south to Dill Falls, a short hike from the end of a forest service road.  And from there to Courthouse Falls, a similarly beautiful waterfall with an inviting pool at its base, happily enjoyed by a couple of families and an enthusiastic labrador retriever.  On the way back to our meeting place, we stopped along 215 to visit Sunburst Falls, which has the distinction of cascading through a stone road bridge.  Perfect weather and perfect company made this an experience long to be remembered.
Photos by Randy Richardson

The Blue Ridge Naturalist Network is planning a significant presence at the inaugural Smoky Mountain Elk Fest!  https://visitncsmokies.com/smoky-mountain-elk-fest/ The festival will take place at the Maggie Valley Festival Grounds during the weekend of September 13-14. We will have a booth there for Saturday where we will share information on both the BRNN and about the Arboretum’s Eco Explore program. In addition, Scott Dean, Ken Czarnomski and Randy Richardson have agreed to lead guided hikes on the Blue Ridge Parkway nearby.