RMR-079: Old Growth Grasslands, a preview with Dr. Dwayne Estes

Posted on by February 2, 2018

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Old-Growth-Grasslands on Round Bald

I was stunned to learn a new term: Old Growth Grasslands.

Are you stunned too?  I have never heard that term before. It is so descriptive of the balds. I will think that with each step on the trail on the Roan Mountain Highlands.

Dr. Dwayne Estes will present The Southeastern Grasslands Initiative: Charting a New Course for Conservation in the 21st Century, at the Winter Naturalists’ Rally on Saturday, February 17, 2018. The Rally is sponsored by your Friends of Roan Mountain and will be held at the Roan Mountain State Park Conference Center.

Dwayne is a professor of biology at Austin Peay State University and the director of the Southeastern Grasslands Initiative. 

CLICK on the PLAYER ABOVE to listen to a preview with Dwayne.

If you are as intrigued as I am, go to the Southeastern Grasslands Initiative and learn more.

Dwayne’s presentation will be Saturday morning, February 17, 2018, at Roan Mountain State Park Conference Center. The Rally is sponsored by the Friends of Roan Mountain. For more information and to register online go to www.friendsofroanmtn.org

LINKS:

Winter Naturalists’ Rally brochure 

Online Registration for the Winter Rally

Southeastern Grasslands Initiative

 

RMR-078: The Mystery of the Missing Shortleaf Pine – A preview of the Winter Naturalists Rally with Lisa Huff

Posted on by January 31, 2018

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RMR-078: The Mystery of the Missing Shortleaf Pine – Some Answers at the Winter Naturalists’ Rally

short-leaf pines

image from the USDA Southern Research Station

Tennessee State Natural Areas Program Stewardship Ecologist, Lisa JHuff, will present The Mystery of the Missing Shortleaf Pine.

This tree used to be found in the southern forests. The disappearance hasn’t gone unnoticed.

CLICK on the Player above to listen to a preview with Lisa.

You can join us by the big fireplace at the Roan Mountain State Park Conference Center for Lisa’s presentation at the Winter Naturalists’ Rally, on Saturday, February 17, 2018. The Rally is sponsored by your Friends of Roan Mountain.

For more information and to register online go to www.friendsofroanmtn.org

LINKS:

Winter Naturalists’ Rally brochure 

Online Registration for the Winter Rally

RMR-077: Ranger Marty Silver at the 55th Annual Fall Naturalists’ Rally – Sept. 9, 2017

Posted on by January 16, 2018

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Ranger Marty Silver at the 55th Annual Fall Naturalists’ Rally – Sept. 9, 2017Ranger Marty Silver - photo by Erin Carder Photography

This is going to be your day if you are a fan of Marty Silver Ranger 

You will get the 3-peat: 

12:00 p.m. – Ranger Marty’s Nature Photography slideshow in the Roan Mountain State Park Conference Center.  

1:30 p.m.- Ranger Marty will lead you on a Wildlife Tracking hike.

7:30 p.m.-  RangerMarty will present Birds of Prey for your after dinner enjoyment.

 

LINKS:

Fall Naturalists’ Rally – schedule and registration brochure

Easy Online Registration

Friends of Roan Mountain

RMR-076: Meet Jess Schaner, Roan Mountain Naturalist for the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy for 2017

Posted on by July 3, 2017

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Meet the Southern Appalachian Highlands Roan Naturalist for 2017

S.A.H.C. Roan Naturalist
Jess Schaner

One foggy afternoon I met Jess Schaner on the Appalachian Trail at Carver’s Gap. She was on the job.

Her job is to meet visitors to the Roan Highlands and educate them about the proper care and appreciation of the Roan Highlands.

Jess has a background in botany and has a very fine appreciation of the rare plant community of the Roan Highlands. 

She is also an avid learner. Jess has already been on botanical orientation hikes with Jamey Donaldson of the Baatany Goat Project, and Gary Kauffman, botanist for the N.C. Pisgah National Forest. 

Jess has the energy and enthusiasm to make a big impact this summer on the Roan. 

CLICK on the player above to hear a brief introduction to Jess.

RMR-075: 71st Rhododendron Festival (June 17-18) Changing Lives

Posted on by June 14, 2017

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71st Annual 
Rhododendron Festival
June 17-18

The 71st Annual Rhododendron Festival is more than just another festival.

It is changing lives.

There are good reasons this Festival attracts thousand of visitors to Roan Mountain.  High-quality crafts and art, good food and great music in a friendly atmosphere.

But this doesn’t happen by chance. It is the result of a lot of hard work all year long by the Roan Mountain  Citizen’s Club.

The Festival is the primary fundraising activity by the Club. They use the Festival proceeds to fund college scholarships to the students of Cloudland High School in Roan Mountain. This is changing lives of people in Roan Mountain. Generations of lives have been changed because of the scholarships funded from the Rhododendron Festival.

Click on the player above to listen to a conversation with Citizen’s Club President, Brian Tipton.

71st Rhododendron Festival flyer

 

Click here for the 71st Rhododendron Festival schedule.

 

 

LINKS:

** NEW ** – Rhododendron Festival map with parking areas

Rhododendron Festival

Roan Mountain Citizens Club

Rhododendron Festival map with parking areas (coming soon)