New River Gorge Wildflower Weekend - Beckley, Bluefield & Lewisburg News, Weather, Sports

New River Gorge Wildflower Weekend kicks off Friday.

Here are the events you don't want to miss:

Friday, April 27, 2012

Wildflower Wonders: Seek & Enjoy!

1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., auditorium at Tamarack in Beckley, WV.  Spring in
Appalachia is a wonder to experience! See the great diversity of
wildflowers and ways to capture such beauty, yet leave nature in place.

Blooms of Glade Creek

1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Glade Creek trailhead on Glade Creek Access Road in
New River Gorge National River near Prince, WV.  Explore the blooms and
buds on this 2.0 mile leisurely stroll along Glade Creek, a beautiful
mountain stream.

Wildflower ID 101: Basics of Field Guide Skills

6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Glade Creek Grist Mill at Babcock State Park in
Clifftop, WV.  Bring your favorite wildflower field guide (or use one of
ours) for a close-up look at spring blossoms on this easy walk.
Useful Blooms: Not Just a Pretty Face

7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., lodge lobby at Hawks Nest State Park in Ansted, WV.
Take another look at wildflowers in this talk about the   edible and
medicinal uses of plants.

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Early Birding at Grandview

7:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m., Grandview – Shelter #4 at New River Gorge National
River in Grandview, WV. Bring your binoculars and get an early start with
the local neighbors – birds.

Hike Into Spring!

9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Grandview – Shelter #4, 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 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.

Youth Art in the Parks: Fun Art for Kids

2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Grandview – Cliffside Amphitheatre, New River Gorge
National River in Grandview, WV. Wildflowers won't be the only splash of
color this weekend. Kids and parents, celebrate nature through fun art
projects.

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Spring Birding at Babcock

9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Glade Creek Grist Mill, Babcock State Park in
Clifftop, WV. Stroll the diverse habitats of Babcock in search of the
region's more secretive beauties—birds.

Falls & Flowers: the Nature of Brush Creek

10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., nature center at Pipestem Resort State Park in
Pipestem, WV. Enjoy beautiful waterfalls and blooms along Brush Creek on
this easy 2.5 mile round trip walk. Meet at the nature center to car
caravan to the trailhead.

Youth Arts in the Parks: Fun Art for Kids

11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Canyon Rim Visitor Center, New River Gorge
National River in Lansing, WV. Wildflowers won't be the only splash of
color this weekend. Kids and parents, celebrate nature through fun art
projects.

Wildflower Stroll

3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., lodge lobby at Hawks Nest State Park in Ansted, WV.
Take a moderate stroll to see what grows at Hawks Nest on this 1.0 mile
wildflower scavenger hunt for all ages.

Sandstone Visitor Center (304) 466-0417, Canyon Rim Visitor Center (304)
574-2115, or visit www.nps.gov/neri.