Upcoming program revels in wildlife

The fifth annual Mountain Wildlife Wilderness Days will be held Friday and Saturday, July 18 and 19, at the Sapphire Valley Community outside Cashiers.

The line up of presentations and exhibits will connect people with “wild things” and “wild places.”

“It is hoped that the more that is learned about the created things of nature, the more intimate and connected we become,” said John Edwards, organizer of the event.

The keynote speaker Friday evening is Dr. Rocky Nation, a biology professor at Southern Wesleyan University. His outdoor interests include running, kayaking and backpacking. Nation will draw the connection between Christian teachings and caring for nature.

“If we are true children of God, we have a tremendous treasure in nature,” Nation said. “Christian environmentalism is not a contradiction in terms. As a matter of spiritual concern, the 21st century church would be remiss to neglect the protection of wilderness”.

Sponsors include the Cashiers/Highlands area, along with The Jackson-Macon Conservation Alliance and the Sapphire Valley Resort. The schedule follows:

Friday, July 18

• 7 p.m. Bluegrass by “Last Road.”

• 7:45 p.m. “The Spiritual Aspect of Wilderness” talk and discussion

Saturday, July 19

• 10 a.m. “Saving Our Wild Places in North Carolina” by Wild South

• 11 a.m. “Wild Raptors,” live birds by Balsam Mountain Trust

• 1:15 p.m. “Wild Ones Among Us,” by a wildlife rehabilitator

• 2 p.m. “Co-existing with the Black Bears in the Mountains” by photographer Bill Lea

Admission is $5 for adults. Children are free. For more information call 828.743.7663.

Plants to take center stage at conference

The Cullowhee Native Plant Conference will attract more than 400 people for an impressive line-up of programs, exhibits and fieldtrips held Wednesday, July 23, through Saturday, July 26.

Western Carolina University will play host to the 25th annual event. The conference is not your average garden club get together. It showcases the latest research and techniques in conservation and ecology. Fieldtrips include more than a dozen guided hikes to explore different plant communities with knowledgable ecologists.

Despite the focus on academia, the conference is well-attended by those with an interest in the field of plant ecology.

Topics include the conservation of native flora, promotion of native flora, propagation of native plants, and the use of native plants in the landscape.

Among the conference speakers is Jamie Ross, co-producer of the new PBS series called “Appalachia,” set to air nationwide in early 2009. Ross will present “Part One: Time and Terrain,” a sneak preview of the series.

“We are very excited about showing the film at the Cullowhee Conference,” Ross said. “The episode chronicles the birth of the mountains and the evolution of the great forest, and will give plant enthusiasts a historical context for understanding the region’s rich biological treasures.”

The keynote speaker, Tom Wessels, will give a talk called “The Myth of Progress: Toward a Sustainable Future.” Wessels, an ecology professor in New England, looks at the modern lifestyle through an ecological perspective.

The conference fee is $125. Housing and meals on campus are extra. For more information call 828.227.7397 or go to nativeplantconference.wcu.edu.

Me? Draw? A bird?

A crash course on how to draw birds will be held at 7:30 p.m. Monday, July 14, at the Highlands Civic Center.

Nationally recognized nature artist and illustrator John Sill will teach everyone in the program how to draw a bird by emphasizing structures important in identifying birds. The exercise will be particularly useful to birders and birders-in-training, bringing home the key characteristics used to tell one bird from another.

Paper and pencil will be provided. Sill lives in Franklin and has drawn illustrations for numerous nature publications, books and art exhibits. The program is hosted by the Highlands Plateau Audubon Society. Light refreshments will be served at 7 p.m.

Contact Brock Hutchins at 828.787.1387 for additional information.

Conservation as art

The Land Trust for the Little Tennessee will host an opening reception for collage artist Laura Adams entitled “Bee Balms to Bears: The Conservation of a High Mountain Farm,” from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, July 11, at The Artists’ House Too on Everett Street in Bryson City.

The show, entitled Conservation/ Reclamation also includes art by Joe Zarra.

Adams’ collage works represent the natural beauty of conservation in action. Adams and her husband, David, placed their 98-acre tract of land near Big Ridge into a conservation easement with LTLT last winter. The Jackson County property is within close proximity to four state Natural Heritage Areas that contain numerous rare species and exemplary or unique natural communities, including Robinson Creek Gorge and Panthertown Valley.

“We wanted to try and preserve what we could of a disappearing mountain landscape,” said Laura Adams. “There aren’t many places like this left. This area of Jackson County is so remote and beautiful. It deserves protection.”

As evidenced in her artwork, Adams has developed a creative passion for the wildlife, wildflowers and natural beauty of their property and the surrounding areas.

For more information go to www.lauraadams.com or call 828.488.1317.

Know a hero?

Wild South is seeking nominations for the Roosevelt-Ashe Society Conservation Awards.

The awards will honor often unsung heroes for their work to protect the Southeast’s wild places.

“These awards exist for people who believe they can move a mountain,” said Randy Talley, co-owner of The Green Sage. “The ideal nominee did what it took and became a champion for all of us to believe we can change this world, we can stop our destructive behaviors, we can make a difference.”

Categories are Outstanding Philanthropist, Outstanding Volunteer, Outstanding Business and Outstanding Youth.

“Conservation groups know that we cannot realize our vision with staff and volunteers alone,” said Tracy Davids, Wild South Executive Director. “Success requires the support of each citizen who believes in the power of a Southeast with healthy, intact ecosystems.”

Nomination forms can be found at www.wildsouth.org or call 828.258.2667. The deadline is Aug. 15.

Rough Creek bike trail now open for business

Those wanting to check out the new mountain bike trail in the Rough Creek Watershed can jump on board a group ride every Tuesday during the month of July.

A 10-mile trail system in the Beaverdam area of Haywood County is located on the 830-acre watershed preserved by the town of Canton. The new trail system was just opened to the public last month.

The trail consists of three loops: a figure-8 with a horseshoe protruding from the upper left corner. The loop portions of the trail have a fairly gentle grade, but a one-mile approach trail from the parking area — imagine a handlebar at the bottom of the figure-8 — gains 700 feet in a mile.

Meet 5:30 p.m. in the Ingles parking lot off exit 31 along I-40. carpool to the trailhead. Rides will be led by David Tate. Email dtate@brinet.com if you plan to go.

Mountain bikers to celebrate summer

The Fontana Fest Mountain Bike Festival is rolling into town July 18 through 20, providing a weekend of camaraderie for bikers and their families.

The festival is based at Fontana Village Resort, home to its own first-class mountain bike trails. Group rides will also be held at near-by Tsali Recreation Area. In addition to lots of riding, there will be live bands, games, contests, bike demos and guided hikes. Kids won’t be left out, with their own rides and games to take part in.

People can camp in a large field at Fontana Village, come for the day or get a cabin or room. The cost is $30 pert person or $50 for families. Proceeds from the festival go to The Mountain Community School Bike Club. For more, go to fontanafest.com.

Cherokee culture focus of Zahner series

A talk called “Cherokees and the American Revolution: A Cultural Landscape in Flux” will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 10, at the Highlands Nature Center as part of the Zahner Conservation Lecture series.

The speaker, Russ Townsend, is the tribal historic preservation officer for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. He has worked as a professional archaeologist and holds several degrees in anthropology.

The presentation will focus on Cherokee culture during the years that culminated with the American Revolution. A brief investigation of the Cherokee during the Revolutionary War will turn to a discussion of how both the physical and cognitive maps of the Carolinas changed as a result of the conflict and lead to the birth of two new nations. The cultural landscape of the Cherokees would be markedly different as the Cherokees entered the 19th century.

The Zahner Conservation Lecture Series is held each Thursday during the summer months. For a complete schedule, visit www.wcu.edu/hbs.

Parkway urges etiquette

With traffic on the Blue Ridge Parkway burgeoning with summer, accidents are on the rise, prompting a little safety refresher from the folks at the parkway.

• Don’t rush. The very heart of the visitor experience is a slower pace, allowing opportunities to absorb and reflect on the beauty and history. • Expect curves. The tight, spiraling curves that make the Parkway special and unique can catch the unobservant operator off guard.

• Pull over to let others pass. If you are going below the speed limit and notice other vehicles piling up behind you, pull over at an overlook to let them by. Otherwise, people behind you will get antsy and tailgate or attempt to pass where they shouldn’t.

• Respect bicyclists. Pass bikers like you would another vehicle. Wait until you have a good line of sight and there’s no on-coming cars before passing. Pull into the other lane to give the biker lots of clearance. Don’t try to squeeze by a bicyclist on a curve if you can’t see whether there’s approaching traffic rounding the bend.

• Remember the Parkway slogan: “Enjoy the View, Watch the Road.”

Closures at Chimney Rock State Park

Portions of a cliff-side trail system at Chimney Rock State Park have been closed following the death of a toddler who fell from the trail.

The closure affects the Cliffside Trail and much of the Skyline Trail — a loop that incorporates more than 40 structures necessary to navigate the sheer rock faces, including boardwalks, handrail systems and platforms. All of the park’s principal natural features remain accessible to the public on alternate trails.

Chimney Rock, named for a giant pinnacle rock formation, came under the state park system last year after the state bought the land from private owners, who planned to sell off the property. The state has been assessing the trails and park infrastructure since acquiring it, according to state park officials. Planning staff are considering alternate ways to present the cliff-side hiking experience and to broaden the overall visitor experience.

Bele Chere 5k racks up the runners

Runners are signing up for the biggest road race of the year: the Bele Chere 5K in Asheville.

Over 1,200 runners are expected for the race, held on Saturday, July 26. The race starts in front of the McCormick Field baseball stadium and winds its way through downtown before ending on Charlotte Street. Meanwhile, the Asheville Tourists Fun Run is held around the bases at the ballpark.

“The race is a microcosm of what running in Asheville is all about,” said Greg Duff, the race director and owner of Glory Hound Events. “We have a few uphill climbs, a few fast descents and tremendous support from the city, our sponsors and many volunteers.”

From the race’s end, it’s a short walk back to the stadium for refreshments, the finish of the Asheville Tourists Fun Run, door prizes and the award ceremony. Award winners will see their name on the stadium matrix board.

To register, go to www.ashevilletrackclub.org and follow the links to set-up events and click on “Other Races.” Or, pick up a registration form at Jus’ Running and Foot Rx in Asheville. Check out race info and a course map at www.ashevilletrackclub.org.