Celebrate the 10th Annual New River Gorge Wildflower Weekend
Join us for these events that celebrate National Park Week!
Glen Jean, West Virginia, April 15, 1013 – Spring in West Virginia highlights our 10th annual New River Gorge Wildflower Weekend, April 19th – 21st, where we celebrate the glories of Appalachian spring. Free programs that highlight these natural wonders are scheduled at New River Gorge National River, Babcock State Park, Hawks Nest State Park, Little Beaver State Park, Pipestem Resort State Parks, Tamarack “The Best of West Virginia,” and The Clay Center. These programs are also a celebration of National Park Week, April 20th – 28th, http://www.nationalparks.org/national-park-week.
The New River Gorge region lies at the core of the globally significant Appalachian forest and contains the most diverse flora of any river gorge in central and southern Appalachia. Over 75,000 acres of natural habitats are protected in regional parks, all havens for plants and animals. Besides providing essential habitat for endangered mammals, rare birds and amphibians, a dedicated plant enthusiast could find 1384 different species of plants within the boundaries of area national and state parks.
The ever-changing seasons and topography of the gorge offers an amazing glimpse into the varied habitats of the New River Gorge. Spring begins with the first solitary bloom of a skunk cabbage, bloodroot, or trout lily by the riverside in early March. April offers a forest carpeted with wake robin, great trillium, Dutchman’s breeches, and Virginia bluebell. The understory is alive with redbud and dogwood. The season finale has showy displays of Catawba rhododendron, flame azalea, Fraser magnolia, and tulip poplar into the last days of May.
Here are the event programs that highlight this season and our shared stewardship of these natural treasures. All programs are free. Bring water and wear sturdy hiking shoes for all guided walks. We hope you’ll join us for this celebration of spring in Appalachia!
For more details about this event or area National Park Service sites visit http://www.nps.gov/neri, check out the park Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/newrivergorgenps. Stop by or call any New River Gorge National River visitor center (304-574-2115 or 304-466-0417). For more details about West Virginia State Park sites visit www.wvstateparks.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
Sunday Apr 21, 2013
Sunday, April 21, 2013
- Spring Birding at Babcock. 8:00 am to 9:30 am, 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: Nature of Brush Creek. 10:00 am to 12:00 pm, 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.
- Rails & Redbuds Stroll. 10:30 am to 12:30 pm, Hawks Nest Rail Trail trailhead in Ansted, WV. Walk this creek-side rail trail to discover what’s blooming near the river’s edge on this leisurely 1.5 mile walk.
- Little Beaver’s Natural Wonders Walk. 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm, park office at Little Beaver State Park in Beaver, WV. The water’s edge is a place to find many of nature’s wonders, be it the still waters of the lake or along the edge of a mountain stream. Discover the watershed on this 1.1 mile hike.
