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APRIL 1- 3

April 20

Naturalist:BioBlitz – 2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Meet at Shelter 3 in the campground. Price is $0/person, $5/attendee +donation, $5/donation (no attendance), $10/attendee +donation, $10/donation (no attendance). Register for the event. “A bioblitz is a communal citizen-science effort to record as many species within a designated location and time period as possible.”

Join us as we learn about amazing tools such as iNaturalist that scientists and citizens alike can use to identify wildlife in their own backyard! As we discuss what citizen science is, and the importance of it, we will be scouring the Tom Gray trail to see what we can find. By participating in this program you are serving an important role in collecting species data for Roan Mountain State Park.

This program is suitable for all ages and is a great way for families to learn and explore nature together! We will meet at Shelter 3, located in the campground next to the camp store and playground. The campground is located directly past the tennis courts on the right. Participants should bring sturdy hiking shoes, a device with the iNaturalist app installed (we can help on location if needed), and plenty of water.

Tomahawk Toss – 4 p.m. – 5 p.m. Register for the event. Price is $5. Learn to throw a tomahawk! Join Ranger Holland as we have fun learning a popular frontier pastime.

Tomahawks provided. No previous Tomahawk-throwing experience is required to enjoy this fun program. Meet at Shed #3. 

 

April 21

Raptors of the Roan – 11 a.m. – Noon – Meet at the Roan Mountain State Park Conference Center. Join Roan Mountain State Park at the aviary (located at the park headquarters building) to meet our owl ambassadors and aviary staff. Participants will become familiar with the rich and unique diversity of birds of prey (raptors) found in the park and surrounding area of Roan Mountain. This is a great way to learn of many local raptor birding destinations and events! Of course, meeting our live education owls is an experience all its own! Pets are not allowed in the vicinity of the aviary unless in the case of service animals at a distance set by the program staff. 

Tree Cookie Clock & Pyrography – 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Meet at the Conference Center. Price is $25 and you can register for the event. Come on out and try your hand at building your very own tree cookie clock! We will discuss all the stories that these tree cookies can tell us and talk about the concept of dendrochronology. As we repurpose fallen lumber from the park to create our very own masterpieces, you will get the chance to make it your own or maybe make it for a friend!

We will be working with paint and wood burning pens that are provided for this event. This program is best suited for people 15 years and older and registration is required as spaces are limited. This event will meet at the conference center located across from the park office and aviary.

Wild Edibles Woodland Stroll – 2 p.m. Price is $5/ages 12 and under, $10/person. Register for the event. Join Ranger Holland for a woodland stroll as we learn about wild edibles in the forest. This program involves light to moderate hiking and will be an interactive learning experience. Program cost is $10 per person. Ages 12 and under $5. We will meet at the park headquarters prior to going to the program area. 

 

April 26

Highway 143 Garlic Mustard Pull Day – 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. Meet at Roan Mountain State Park Conference Center. Register for the event. Join Roan Mountain State Park and the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy for a day of pulling non-native Garlic Mustard plants along the lowlands and along Highway 143 throughout Roan Mountain. This invasive plant is able to outcompete other aquatic vegetation and create monocultures that snuff out flowers needed by our pollinators. This annual event will meet at the Roan Mountain State Park Headquarters building at 9:30 a.m. where staff will split volunteers up into working groups to move along the highway in search of areas of Garlic Mustard to tackle. The park will provide volunteers with work gloves and tools. This volunteer event is limited to 30 participants. Plucking out the pesky invaders when they’re young and tender isn’t hard work, but it does take a lot of hands! Volunteers are encouraged to bring water bottles and snacks for the day. We will break for an hour lunch period at noon where volunteers could bring a packed lunch or utilize one of the many local dining options in the village of Roan Mountain. The event will conclude with a weigh-in of the pulled Garlic Mustard.

 

April 26-28

2024 Spring Nature Rally by Friends of Roan Mountain – Meet at: Roan Mountain State Park Conference Center. Register for the event. Join the Friends of Roan Mountain for the 65th annual Spring Nature Rally. This event is held at Roan Mountain State Park with the park Conference Center as the registration and main meeting area. Nature rally field trips and activities vary in location and time as described on the Nature Rally brochure. Registered participants can expect a full weekend of nature hikes, talks, and adventures they will remember their entire lives. To learn more about the Spring Rally or to register to participate, please visit the Friends of Roan Mountain website at https://www.friendsofroanmtn.org/.