Naturalist's Weekend
May 17-18, 2008
The
Grandfather Mountain Naturalist Weekend is a fascinating collection
of programs and guided walks offered to help guests discover "nature
on a whole different level."
Grandfather's programs pull together presentations of superior quality
because our staff has relationships with the top natural resource professionals
in the region. 
These
exceptional teachers and interpreters bring nature alive for all in
attendance.
All programs and guided walks offered as part of the Naturalist's Weekend are included in the price of admission. Those who attend for both days should keep to their receipt on Saturday and present that for discount admission on Sunday. For details, phone 800-468-7325.
2008 Schedule
| Friday, | May 16 |
| 8-10 pm | Moonlight Meander led by Grandfather Mountain Chief Naturalist Jesse Pope. Meet at the Entrance gate. (Space limited, reservations necessary 828-733-4326) |
| Saturday, | May 17 |
| 7-10 am | Birding the Profile Trail led by Curtis Smalling, Audubon Biologist & Important Bird Area Coordinator. Depart Profile trailhead on NC 105, 1/4 mile north of the intersection of NC 105 & NC 184. |
| 9 am to 3 pm | Grandfather Ridgeline Hike led by Grandfather's original backcountry ranger, Randy Johnson, and Grandfather Mountain Naturalist Gabe Taylor on the Grandfather Trail. Departs Trails parking lot, three switchbacks below the summit. |
| 10:30 am | Black bear workshop led by Tanya Cline, Grandfather Mountain Animal Habitats Manager. Starts in Museum auditorium and ends up with behind the scenes tour of habitats. |
| 11:30 am | Guided nature walk led by Grandfather Mountain Naturalist Katie Christenbury. Meeting place TBA. |
| 1-3 pm | Hellbenders with Lori Williams, NC Wildlife Resources Commission herpetologist. Start in the Museum auditorium with a slide program and then head out to Boone's Fork to turn over rocks in search of the oversized salamanders. |
| 3 pm | Hiking on Grandfather with Randy Johnson, creator of Grandfather's fee-based trail management program. Join Randy in the Museum auditorium for a slide program marking the 30th anniversary of the trail program. |
| 4 pm | Guided Geology Hike led by Anthony Love of Appalachian State University. Meet at the Black Rock Trail, three switchbacks below the summit. |
| Sunday, | May 18 |
| 9-11 am | Hummingbird Banding with Dwayne Martin, Catawba County Interpretive Ranger and one of only four people in North Carolina licensed to capture and band hummingbirds. Meet in the sun room at Mildred's Grill, GM Nature Museum. |
| 11 am | Birds of Prey with Nina Fisschessor of the Blue Ridge Wildlife Institute at Lees-McRae College. |
| 1 pm | Grandfather Mountain's Green Initiatives with Grandfather Mountain President Crae Morton and Trails Manager Luke Appling. Museum auditorium. |
| 2:30 pm | Weather & Dendroecological studies on Grandfather Mountain with Baker Perry and Pete Soule of Appalachian State University. Meet at the Trails parking lot, three switchbacks below the summit, to hike the Bridge Trail. |
| 3:30 pm | Animal Training in Grandfather's Habitats presented by Habitat assistant Megan McCloud. Starts in the Museum auditorium and will move to the habitats. |
| 4 pm | Wildflower walk on the Profile Trail led by Grandfather Mountain Chief Naturalist Jesse Pope. Meet at the trailhead on NC 105, 1/4 mile north of the intersection of NC 105 & NC 184. |
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P.O. Box 129 - US 221 & Blue Ridge Parkway - Linville, NC - 28646
Phone 800-468-7325 Fax: 828-733-2608 Email: nature@grandfather.com
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