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September 1-30

 

September 19

Roan Mountain National Public Lands Day Event – 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Meet at the Roan Mountain State Park Visitor Center Porch. Register for the event. Roan Mountain State Park celebrates Tennessee Serves and National Public Lands Day with a special volunteer work event alongside Tennessee First Lady Maria Lee! Volunteers will work alongside park rangers and First Lady Lee on two projects – a native garden restoration project at our historic Miller Farmstead as well as removing invasive plants along the Doe River and Moonshiners Run Trail to restore native plant communities along the Doe River Valley through the State Park. This event will run from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. EST and will meet at the Roan Mountain State Park Visitor Center for introductions and an overview of the volunteer work options as follows: Register to volunteer today at https://tnstateparksvolunteer.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=970792

Miller Farmstead Work Event (max limit of 30 volunteers): Join Ranger O’Day at the historic Miller Farmstead for a landmark re-landscaping project. The Miller Farmstead is listed on the National Register of Historic Places because it represents a relatively-intact example of an Appalachian-style farmhouse and outbuildings of the early 20th century.  Our landscaping project will include digging, weeding, planting, mulching, and re-organizing plant beds and borders surrounding the Miller Farmstead. With your help, the gardens will be converted to a new design, primarily featuring native perennials. Converting to native landscaping will allow our gardens to be in harmony with the surrounding flora and fauna of Roan Mountain. In addition, native landscaping is more easily-maintained and provides a feast for the eyes as plants mature. Volunteers should dress for the weather, with layers and closed-toe shoes. Insect repellant, sunscreen and hats are recommended. Tools and gloves will be provided, although volunteers with gardening equipment are welcome to bring their own. Bring your favorite reusable water bottle to #GoGreenWithUs.

Moonshiner Run Invasive Plant Removal and Bridge Repair Event (max limit of 20 volunteers): Join Ranger Phil Hylen along the 0.95-mile Moonshiner Run Trail and adjacent Doe River as they work to remove invasive Japanese Knotweed and Multi-flora Rose from the area. Both of these invasive plants were introduced to North America through horticulture and landscape trade and have spread into wild areas since the early 1900s. If left alone, these two species will spread rapidly and choke out native plants which are relied upon by pollinators and other local critters. Volunteers will learn to identify these non-native plants before working as a team to cut plants back as park employees treat the cut rose stems and knotweed nodes with selective herbicides. This treatment will be the first in a 3-year battle against these plant species in this area with the end result being a restoration of native plants back along the valley of the Doe River. After treatments are complete and as time allows, volunteers will work on the Moonshiners Run trailhead bridge to replace wooden decking and handrails on one of the most scenic Doe River crossings located within Roan Mountain State Park. Volunteers should dress for the weather with layers and closed-toe shoes. Insect repellant, sunscreen and hats are recommended. Tools and gloves will be provided. Bring your favorite reusable water bottle to #GoGreenWithUs.

 

September 21

Tree Cookie Canvas and Pyrography – 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Meet at the Conference Center. Price is $15 and you can register for the event. Come on out and try your hand at creating your very own tree cookie creation! 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 event will meet at the conference center located across from the park office and aviary.

 

September 28

Peg Leg Mine Geoventure – 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Meet at the Visitor Center Porch. Price is $10 and you can register for the event. Join Park Ranger Phil Hylen at the Roan Mountain State Park Visitor Center porch to take part in a unique iron mining history and geology tour of the Peg Leg Mine. Located on the edge of the Cranberry iron ore vein, the Peg Leg Mine offers participants a 1.2-mile hike through Southern Appalachian Cove forest to see how iron mining in the mountains was conducted at the turn of the 20th century. While exploring, participants will take on the role of iron miners in the late 1800s, test iron deposits for quality, and open your very own iron ore and geodes. This guided experience is limited to 20 participants with a ticket fee of $10 per person. This program will begin and end at the Visitor Center Porch. Be sure to dress for the weather and bring a camera!

The hike portion of this program will take part on a moderate 0.6-mile portion of the moderate-difficulty Peg Leg Mine Loop Trail. The tread is natural terrain with a steady 7-10% grade incline. The Peg Leg Iron Mine has wooden stairs leading down to the old entrance of the mineshaft and surface mine areas. For more information about if this hike is for you, please check out the Essential Eligibility Criteria link on the event page.

Wild Edibles – Forages of Fall – 2 p.m. Price is $5/ages 12 and under, $10/person and you can register for the event. Meet at park headquarters prior to going to the program area. Join Ranger Holland as we create and sample a small selection of food and drinks made from wild edibles and other ingredients! This program will be an interactive learning experience, allowing participants to use their culinary creativity while combining wild and escaped cultivated ingredients commonly found along backpacking trails and woodlands in the fall.