Sherry Hogue
Wildflower Weekend
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Celebrate Spring in Appalachia at the Fourteenth Annual New River Gorge Wildflower Weekend Join us for ranger-guided programs in local national and state park sites! April 28-30, 2017 
Are you ready for spring? Celebrate the glories of Appalachian spring from the rim of the gorge to the river at the Fourteenth Annual New River Gorge Wildflower Weekend, April 28 to 30, 2017! Explore the area's natural diversity at programs in New River Gorge National River, Babcock State Park, Hawks Nest State Park, Little Beaver State Park, Pipestem Resort State Park, and Tamarack. All programs are free! Bring water and wear sturdy hiking shoes for guided walks. Snacks, binoculars, a hand lens, and a favorite field guide are also useful. For more information call 304-466-0417. Download a schedule for the 2017 Wildflower Weekend.
2017 Wildflower Weekend Schedule:Be a Citizen Scientist:Each of us can help others discover more about the rich biodiversity of the New River Gorge region. Contribute your nature observations as a citizen scientist any time of year. Lead others by example as well practice Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics on every park adventure.Share Your Nature Observations Explore, learn, and record your observations for FREE. 1. Download the iNaturalist app on your smart device from the app store. 2. Make an iNaturalist account. 3. Join the New River Gorge National River project list. 4. Start making observations in the park and become a citizen scientist, sharing your sightings anytime. Nature Arts at Tamarack:Youth Arts in the Parks 2017 Appalachian Spring Wildflower Art ExhibitApril 2 through May 1, 2017 8:00 am to 8:00 pm daily Art exhibit in the theater lobby of the Hulett C. Smith Theater and the David L. Dickirson Fine Arts Gallery. Students from Fayette, Nicholas, Raleigh, and Summers Counties celebrate regional ecology through art in this special exhibit. Each work was inspired by an area wildflower. #NRGYAP Afternoon with the Artists April 28, 29, and 30, 2017 10:00 am to 6:00 pm daily Artist studios and on site at Tamarack. Come and go as you please to see how nature inspires artists. Tamarack artists demonstrate their skills. Friday, April 28, 2017Handy Work for Earth Day: Garlic Mustard Pull Celebrate Earth Day and lend a helping hand to the ecosystem. Team up with park staff to help remove a troublesome invasive species, garlic mustard. Wear long sleeves, long pants, sturdy walking shoes, work gloves, and bring water. Reservations requested by April 24 • 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, Glade Creek trailhead on Glade Creek Access Road in New River Gorge National River near Prince, WV. Call 304-465-6534 or email Layne_strickler@nps.gov or • 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, Pipestem Resort State Park in Pipestem, WV. Meet at Pipestem’s Nature Center. Follow the County Line Trail to the River Trail, then finish at McKeever Lodge. Transportation back to your vehicle will be provided. Call 304-466-1800 ex. 344 Hawks Nest Botany Blast 11:00 am to 1:00 pm Hawks Nest Rail Trail parking on Hawks Nest Road (CO 60/2) just off US 60 in Ansted, WV. Bring your favorite nature apps or field guide to discover the flora of Mill Creek. See waterfalls on this easy 2 mile walk. Try new ID tools and record your findings. Some field guides will be available. Twin Falls Spring Nature Explosion CANCELED 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm Meet at the lobby of Twin Falls Lodge at Twin Falls Resort State Park in Mullens, WV. Enjoy an afternoon of Earth Day crafts, nature games, and activities for the entire family.This hike has been canceled due to unforeseen circumstances. InstaMeet Nature Adventure 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm Endless Wall Trail’s Fern Creek Trailhead in Lansing, WV. Come together to connect, explore, and celebrate the biodiversity of the New River Gorge and your creativity with your camera. Make friends, take photos, and exchange ideas. All ages, levels of experience, cameras, and smart devices are welcome. Share your photos using #NRGWFW and follow @newriverNPS on Instagram. Saturday, April 29, 2017Smart Tech Birding at Grandview 7:30 am to 8:30 am, Grandview Shelter #4 at New River Gorge National River in Grandview, WV. Bring your smart device loaded with your favorite bird ID apps and your binoculars to get an early start with our avian neighbors. Have fun with new birdwatching tech tools or use traditional guides. Binoculars will be available. Hike Into Spring! 9:00 am to 1:30 pm, Grandview Shelter #4 at New River Gorge National River in Grandview, WV. Join naturalists on a leisurely 2.5 mile hike from Grandview down to the New River, finding wildflowers and other natural wonders along the way. Be prepared for some steep terrain as we travel down an old dirt road. A free return shuttle will be provided. Reservations requested by April 24; call 304-466-0417 Falls View Hike CANCELED 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm Meet at the lobby of Twin Falls Lodge at Twin Falls Resort State Park in Mullens, WV. Explore a variety of habitats on this 1¼ mile easy hike on the Falls Trail. This hike has been canceled due to unforeseen circumstances. Old Growth Science Trek 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm Meet at Patterson House at Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park in Summersville, WV. Hike to Pierson Hollow’s old growth forest to take a close look at this diverse ecosystem. Bring your favorite field guides or smart devices pre-loaded with nature apps to help document as many species as we can, plus keep an eye out for rare or threatened speicies. Be prepared for an easy 1 mile hike with some moderate terrain. Sunday, April 30, 2017Spring Birding at Babcock 8:00 am to 9:30 am Glade Creek Grist Mill at Babcock State Park in Clifftop, WV. Stroll the diverse habitats of Babcock in search of regional beauties, birds. Bring biniculars, your favorite field guides, or smart device pre-loaded with nature apps. Some binoculars will be available. Hawks Nest Botany Blast 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm Meet at Hawks Nest Rail Trail parking on Hawks Nest Road (CO 60/2) just off US 60 in Ansted, WV. Bring your favorite nature apps or field guide to discover the flora of Mill Creek. See waterfalls on this easy 2 mile walk. Try new ID tools and record your findings. Some field guides will be available. Falls & Flowers: the Nature of Brush Creek 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm Meet at the Nature Center at Pipestem Resort State Park in Pipestem, WV. Enjoy waterfalls and blooms along Brush Creek on this moderate 3 mile walk. Those who wish can add an extra mile to thier day’s walk by hiking down to the Bluestone River. Meet at Pipestem’s Nature Center to car caravan to the trailhead 20 minutes away. Hot ID: Skills with Apps and Guides 2:30 pm to 5:00 pm Stone Cliff Trail near Thurmond, WV. Hike 2 miles along the New River and try your hand at species identification using the hottest flora and fauna ID tools, from new technologies to traditional field guides. Bring your favorite nature ID tools, like field guides or smart device pre-loaded with nature apps. Some tools will be available. Share your favorite nature identification tips and techniques too. |
Last updated: April 28, 2017