Do you ever wonder what life fills a river? There’s more in the flowing waters than you might think. Join in on a hands-on Bluestone Stream Stomp with a ranger this week to discover what aquatic insects and other life reveal about the life of a river. This is one of several programs in parks this week. All programs are FREE unless otherwise noted. Wear comfortable walking shoes for guided walks. Water, snacks, camera, and binoculars are other useful tools to bring along. Below is a list of this week’s featured ranger programs in area national parks.
Tuesday, July 7, 2015:
Ranger on the Rock
5:30 pm - 7:00 pm. Meet at Grandview’s Main Overlook. Come and go as you please for this informal program with a ranger at one of the best views of the New River Gorge. Enjoy the scenery and discuss area natural and cultural history.
Wednesday, July 8, 2015:
Bluestone Stream Stomp
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm. Meet at the base of Pipestem Resort State Park’s tram. Explore the river ecosystem as you help a ranger to determine the water quality of the Bluestone River. Be prepared to get your hands and feet wet as you look at the aquatic insects and creatures that live in the river. Bring $2.25 for the return tram ride.
Ranger on the Rock
5:30 pm - 7:00 pm. Meet at Grandview’s Main Overlook. Come and go as you please for this informal program with a ranger at one of the best views of the New River Gorge. Enjoy the scenery and discuss area natural and cultural history.
Thursday, July 9, 2015:
Ranger on the Rock
5:30 pm - 7:00 pm. Meet at Grandview’s Main Overlook. Come and go as you please for this informal program with a ranger at one of the best views of the New River Gorge. Enjoy the scenery and discuss area natural and cultural history.
Friday, July 10, 2015:
Art in the Park Workshop
10:00 am – 4:00 pm. Meet at Sandstone Visitor Center in Sandstone, then carpool to locations in the park to paint. Join park volunteer “Resident Artist” Cecil Glenn Runions for plein air (paintings created outside using natural light) experiences in the park, using watercolor and acrylic paints. Bring your own equipment. Come and enjoy a day listening, learning, and experiencing the park in a new way. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED: call Sandstone Visitor Center 304-466-0417 (limited to 10 participants per workshop, ages 12 and up).
Ranger on the Rock
5:30 pm - 7:00 pm. Meet at Grandview’s Main Overlook. Come and go as you please for this informal program with a ranger at one of the best views of the New River Gorge. Enjoy the scenery and discuss area natural and cultural history.
Saturday, July 11, 2015:
Grand Birding
9:00 am – 11:00 am. Meet at the Grandview Visitor Center. 1.0 mile walk. Stroll through the park looking and listening for birds of the New River Gorge. Bring binoculars and a favorite field guide or some will be provided.
Art in the Park Workshop
10:00 am – 4:00 pm. Meet at Sandstone Visitor Center in Sandstone, then carpool to locations in the park to paint. Join park volunteer “Resident Artist” Cecil Glenn Runions for plein air (paintings created outside using natural light) experiences in the park, using watercolor and acrylic paints. Bring your own equipment. Come and enjoy a day listening, learning, and experiencing the park in a new way. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED: call Sandstone Visitor Center 304-466-0417 (limited to 10 participants per workshop, ages 12 and up).
Bluestone Walk
10:00 am - 11:30 am. Meet at the base of Pipestem Resort State Park tramway. 2 mile walk. Walk within Bluestone National Scenic River for a mile and return. Along the way, enjoy the flora and fauna of the area and discover regional history. Bring $2.25 for the return tram ride.
Bluestone Turnpike Hike
10:00 am – 4:00 pm. Meet at the base of Pipestem Resort State Park tramway. 10 mile walk. Take a walk on the wild side through Bluestone National Scenic River and explore the beauty and diversity of this remote area. Hikers will travel with a ranger along the Bluestone Turnpike Trail, which runs along the Bluestone River to Bluestone State Park. A FREE shuttle will be provided for the return trip to Pipestem State Park. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and bring a lunch and plenty of water. Please call Sandstone Visitor Center (304-466-0417) to register.
Historic Thurmond Tour
11:00 am - 12:00 pm. Meet at the Thurmond Depot Visitor Center. 0.5 mile walk. What was life like in one of the New River Gorge’s most renowned towns? Meet a ranger in Thurmond’s historic district for an informal tour of this once bustling railroad town, hearing stories of days gone by.
Ranger on the Rock
5:30 pm - 7:00 pm. Meet at Grandview’s Main Overlook. Come and go as you please for this informal program with a ranger at one of the best views of the New River Gorge. Enjoy the scenery and discuss area natural and cultural history.
Sunday, July 12, 2015:
Art in the Park Workshop
10:00 am – 4:00 pm. Meet at Sandstone Visitor Center in Sandstone, then carpool to locations in the park to paint. Join park volunteer “Resident Artist” Cecil Glenn Runions for plein air (paintings created outside using natural light) experiences in the park, using watercolor and acrylic paints. Bring your own equipment. Come and enjoy a day listening, learning, and experiencing the park in a new way. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED: call Sandstone Visitor Center 304-466-0417 (limited to 10 participants per workshop, ages 12 and up).
Historic Thurmond Tour
11:00 am - 12:00 pm. Meet at the Thurmond Depot Visitor. 0.5 mile walk. What was life like in one of the New River Gorge’s most renowned towns? Meet a ranger in Thurmond’s historic district for an informal tour of this once bustling railroad town, hearing stories of days gone by.
Ranger’s Choice (two locations)
2:00 pm – 3:30 pm. Meet at Canyon Rim Visitor Center in Lansing or Sandstone Fall boardwalk. Come and go as you please for this informal talk with a ranger. Topics and hands-on exhibits vary at each location, focusing on different aspects of recreation, natural history, or cultural heritage of the New River Gorge. The topic of this week’s program at Sandstone Falls is water safety.
Don’t forget that there is still time to enter the 2015 Hidden History Photo Contest. Contest entries are due July 27, 2015. Contest rules and entry forms are available online at www.nps.gov/neri.
For more information about participating sites visit:
National Park Service: http://www.nps.gov/neri, http://www.facebook.com/
About the National Park Service
EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA
The National Park Service cares for special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage. For more information about the National Park Service, visit http://www.nps.gov.
Date and Time
Tuesday Jul 7, 2015 Sunday Jul 12, 2015
