APRIL 30, 2009 ISSUE
Grandfather Mountain’s Naturalist Weekend Offers Fun, Education May 15 to 17
Interested in experiencing ‘nature on a whole different level’ with one of the most knowledgeable staff teams in the region? Then head up to Grandfather Mountain from Friday to Sunday, May 15 to 17, for Naturalist Weekend, a program that features a collection of guided walks and fascinating discussions of nature in its different forms. Cost is free with admission to the park.
“It’s really one of Grandfather’s best nature events,” said Chief Naturalist Jesse Pope. “With the amount of information and fun that we pack into one weekend, no other weekend event at Grandfather can compare.”
There will be a Salamander workshop, a Hummingbird banding program, a Guided Nature Walk across Black Rock Trail, a discussion on attracting birds to your backyard using proper feeders and plants led by Assistant Naturalist Kathryn Gray, a Black Bear workshop, a Wildflower hike across the Profile Trail, a Birds of Prey program with Nina Fischesser of the Blue Ridge Wildlife Institute and plenty more.
Keep your eyes peeled, though. Some events require pre-registration.
One such event is Friday night’s Naturalist Night Walk, led by Pope. The walk will take guests on a dark stroll through the woods as they listen for nocturnal birds, especially owls. Only 20 spots are available.
Assistant Naturalist Gabe Taylor will lead an all day hike across one of the premier hiking trails in the southeast. It will start on the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 299, cross the Daniel Boone Scout and Grandfather trails, and end at Grandfather’s famous Swinging Bridge. Registration is limited to 10 people.
Another highlight will be a discussion titled Developing your Naturalist Senses, led by Mount Mitchell State Park Ranger Matt Mutel and taking place at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 17. Registration for this event is limited to 30 people.
The talk will feature a full course meal, from hors d’oeuvres to dessert to foods from the forest. Gamelan Gunung Biru, a traditional Indonesian orchestra from Western Carolina University’s School of Music will also be on hand to provide a natural music experience during Ranger Mutel’s talk.
“His goal is to teach you how to use all your senses to interact with nature,” said Pope.
Perhaps one of the biggest draws for the weekend will be Grandfather Mountain President Crae Morton’s talk on the mountain’s exciting future as it transitions into a state park. There is no registration required to this open talk and, according to Pope, many people’s questions will be answered.
In addition to Naturalist Weekend, Grandfather Mountain will also be hosting its next Nature Photography Weekend in May, on the weekend of the 29 to 31. Aside from regular admission to the park and a special dinner on Saturday, May 30, registration for this event is full. It is, however, a chance to observe experienced photographers at work and plan for a chance to attend the next Nature Photography weekend.
For more information on Naturalist Weekend and to register for events, contact the Naturalist office at 828-733-4326.
For more information on Grandfather Mountain and its upcoming events, click to www.grandfather.com.
Want To Go?
Date: Friday to Sunday, May 15 to 17
Time: During Park Hours
Location: Grandfather Mountain
Cost: Free with admission to park
2009 Grandfather Mountain Naturalist Weekend Schedule
All programs begin at the Grandfather Mountain Nature Museum unless otherwise stated. For events that require reservation, call 828-733-4326.
Friday, May 15
8:30 to 10:30 p.m.—Naturalist Night Walk led by Grandfather Mountain Chief Naturalist Jesse Pope. Reservation Required. 20-person max.
Saturday, May 16
7:30 a.m.—Guided Bird Walk along the lower part of the Profile Trial.
9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.—Blue Ridge Parkway to Swinging Bridge Hike led by Grandfather Mountain Naturalist Gabe Taylor on the Daniel Boone Scout and Grandfather Trails. Reservation Required. 10-person max.
10:30 a.m.—Black Bear workshop led by Tanya Cline, Grandfather Mountain Animal Habitats Manager.
11:30 a.m.—Attracting birds to your backyard using proper feeders and plants that attract birds, led by Grandfather Mountain Naturalist Kathryn Gray.
LUNCH
1:00 p.m.—Grandfather Mountain State Park explanation, a glimpse into Grandfather Mountain’s exciting future, led by Crae Morton, president.
2:00 p.m.—Salamander workshop. Meet at Nature Museum and carpool over to the Profile trail parking lot. Led by Jesse Pope, chief naturalist.
4:00 p.m.—Guided Nature Walk at Black Rock Trail, led by Kathryn Gray.
Sunday, May 17
9:30 to 11 a.m.—Hummingbird Banding Program, Dwayne Martin, Catawba County Parks and Recreation
11:00 a.m.—Birds of Prey with Nina Fischessor of the Blue Ridge Wildlife Institute at Lees-McRae College.
LUNCH
1:00 p.m.—Developing Your Naturalist Senses. A workshop using all your senses to experience nature, including tasting a full course meal, led by Matt Mutel, Mt. Mitchell State Park. Reservation Required. 30-person max.
2:00 p.m.—Animal Behavior program. Led by Megan McCloud.
3:00 p.m.—Animal Tracks and Signs. Led by Gabe Taylor.
4:00 p.m.—Wildflower Hike at Profile Trail. Led by Matt Mutel.
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