RMR-010: “Flora-Lore” – Tavia Cathcart – much more than just flowers

Posted on by November 6, 2014

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Tavia Cathcart is a master story teller and a wildflower fanatic. So of course when she combines these two talents she calls it “Flora-Lore”.bloodroot-flower
Her presentation at the Friends of Roan Mountain’s 55th annual Spring Naturalists’ Rally is titled: The Wonders of Wildflower.

After hearing her enthusiasm about wildflowers you will be caught up in her excitement too.

The Rally starts on Friday evening May 3, at the Roan Mountain State Park conference center.  Tavia’s presentation will follow the dinner Friday evening, May 3.

Here is a special treat: the 2013 Friends of Roan Mountain Spring Newsletter.
Nancy Barrigar has done an excellent job with this publication. (Even if she did put my picture in it.)

LINKS:

Spring Naturalists Rally brochure,registration and schedule

Friends of Roan Mountain Spring 2013 Newsletter

Creasy Mahan Nature Preserve, Goshen KY

Tavia’s books:

Wildflower of Tennessee, Ohio Valley and the Southern Appalachians       Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest

RMR-009: Friends of Roan Mountain 55th Annual Spring Naturalists’ Rally preview

Posted on by April 16, 2013

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This week’s podcast is an overview of the 55th Annual Spring Naturalists’ Rally coming to Roan Mountain on May 3-4-5. I received my Friends of Roan Mountain Spring Naturalists’ Rally brochure and schedule. What a great line-up of hikes! Nineteen hikes and activities plus two  really exciting evening programs.

violets_opt

Check out the schedule for yourself. You’ll have a hard time deciding which activities to include in your day on the mountain.

Many “Kid Friendly” hikes are included so the whole family can enjoy the Roan Mountain weekend.

 

LINKS:

55th Annual Spring Naturalists Rally schedule and registration

Roan Mountain State Park online campground reservation

RMR-008: Invasive Weeds Eradication Efforts

Posted on by September 25, 2014

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garlic-mustard-flower-and-leaves

Invasive garlic mustard flower and leaves.

Invasive weeds are a threat to native wildflowers and other plants.

Some are introduced on purpose by unknowing homeowners. But most arrive on Roan Mountain by accident.

Some times the seeds of invasive weeds are carried by in mud on car tires or in tread of hiking boots.

Once they are established they are very hard to eliminate.

The solution is as our old friend Barney would say “Nip it in the bud!”

successful-garlic-mustard-pullers

Successful garlic-mustard-pullers, Cheyenne, Jamie, Megan, and Adam, should be proud of their hard work

Volunteers can “nip it in the bud”at the March garlic-mustard pull and again at the April pull.

Action now will make a big difference in the future of Roan Mountain.

The pull in 2012 was a very successful effort. Many dedicated volunteers gave their time and energy.

Here are some of the volunteers from last year and the proof of their labor.
The bags are full of the invasive garlic mustard weed. These will be carefully destroyed.

The spring garlic mustard pull is important because the weeds have not gone to seed. So each plant that is not pulled now could mean many, many more plants that will need pulling next year.

The schedule garlic-mustard pulls are March 23 and April 20.  Contact the Roan Mountain State Park for registration information: (423) 772-0190

Elm tree flower. (image by (c) 2003 Steven J. Baskauf)

Tree of the Week:

The tree of the week is another early flowering tree: the Slippery Elm.

On your next hike on Roan Mountain, see if you can spot these flowers in the elm.

LINKS

Roan Mountain State Park

Tennessee Natural Areas

Roan Mountain Campground Online Reservations

RMR-007: Hiking in Late Winter and Flowering Trees

Posted on by September 25, 2014

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Smooth Alder flowers and catkins in late winter. (Image from North Carolina Native Plant Society)

RMR-007 Late Winter Hiking

March means that winter is lingering, but the days are getting longer and warmer. It is a great time to go for a late winter hike.

Any hike or walk before the trees leaf out will reveal more views. You can see things that will soon be hidden from view until next winter.

This is a great time of year to hike the forested parts of Roan Mountain.

Stop by the Roan Mountain State Park Visitor’s Center. (It is on 143 about two miles from the intersection with Hwy 19-E. Look for the large foot-bridge over the Doe River to to get from the parking lot to the Visitor’s Center by the waterwheel.)

Get a park map. The very helpful people at the information desk will show you the best hiking trails for your skill level.

Things to look for on your hike: flowers. The surprising thing is that some trees are flowering now.

Tree of the week: Smooth Alder

With us today is today is Dr. Frosty Levy of the East Tennessee State University Department of Biological Sciences. He is going to tell us about a flowering tree that at we can see on Roan Mountain and in the Park.

LINKS

E.T.S.U. Department of Biological Sciences

Here is a link to the Google Images Search for: Smooth Alder

North Carolina Native Plant Society

RMR-005: Green Alder Balds more rare than grassy balds?

Posted on by February 5, 2013

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alder-baldJamey Donaldson, Roan Mountain botanist, has been studying the ecological history of the rare glacial relic found on the Roan.  His research has revealed that the green alder actually pre-dates the grassy balds. But don’t take my word for it, join us at the Winter Naturalists’ Rally, February 16, to learn the rest of the story.

LINKS:

Friends of Roan Mountain

Winter Naturalists’ Rally brochure and schedule

Winter Naturalists’ Rally registration