Video of August Presentation

The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation’s Kids in Parks program has been establishing a network of trails designed for kids and families with the goal of improving both their health and well-being and the health of our parks, public lands, and nature. The program, founded in Asheville, has more than 200 trails in the country, and more than 1.5 million users, and counting. During this presentation, the program’s Director, Jason Urroz, will discuss the need for the program, the history and growth of its trail network, data demonstrating its success, and what’s in store for the future. One thing is for sure, after the presentation, you’ll want to get your kids, grandkids, or random kids from the neighborhood in parks!

Ready, set, snap! Connect with fellow nature lovers from around the world in the 2020 City Nature Challenge, a worldwide bioblitz held April 24 – 27 that encourages participants to get outside and celebrate their region’s biodiversity by taking photos of plants and animals found in their communities and uploading them to iNaturalist. This year, the Challenge will not be a regional competition but rather a four-day global citizen-science collaboration that embraces the healing power of nature and supports scientists worldwide. The Arboretum will be serving as the lead institution for the Western North Carolina region and will be offering a variety of online programming for adults and youth in conjunction with the Challenge.

The Blue Ridge Naturalist Network is honored to present the 2019 BRNN Naturalist of the Year to Jonathan Marchal, the Youth Education manager at The North Carolina Arboretum, who has been an integral and critically important part of the Youth Education program at the Arboretum since its inception in 2005. During these 14+ years, the Youth Education program has grown from 3,000 to 26,000 participants, and there will be hundreds more young participants as Jonathan fully realizes his vision for programs well beyond the Arboretum and Buncombe County.

This event is for members and their guests.
Please bring a dish to share.
6:00pm
The Cathedral of All Souls
9 Swan Street
Asheville, NC