Planning under way to transform Chimney Rock into state park

A master plan is in the works for the newly created and ever-expanding Chimney Rock State Park.

The core portion of the park is Chimney Rock itself, a long-running private attraction now under state ownership. Numerous tracts in the vicinity have been cobbled together over time with the help of land trusts to bolster the land holdings for a total of 4,300 acres in the Hickory Nut Gorge region of Rutherford County.

A master plan will outline the development of facilities such as a visitor center, restrooms, picnic areas, roads, trails and other amenities. The plan should be finished by spring 2010.

The master plan will thoughtfully balance conservation and recreation in the stunning landscape, according to Lewis Ledford, director of the state Division of Parks and Recreation.

Only 1,000 acres of the park is currently accessible to the public. The state park might not be done growing yet. The Nature Conservancy has indicated it will throw in another 800 acres it holds title to in the area.

Horse Sense of the Carolinas introduces Summer Farm Days

A free course on horse care will be hosted by Horse Sense of the Carolinas at their Marshall horse farm on July 18.

In addition to a hands-on horse care, including washing, cleaning, and grooming the horses, participants will get an introduction to natural horsemanship and horse psychology.

The session will be repeated Aug. 22. To reserve a spot contact Shannon@HorseSenseOTC.com or 828.683.7304.

Highlands garden tour offers best of the best

The Mountains in Bloom garden tour in Highlands will be held July 10 and 11, offering a sneak peak of private gardens on the grounds of some of Highlands’ most elegant homes and estates.

From a leisurely stroll through an expansive and refined English country estate to a vintage garden recreated to match the 1800s home, the garden tour is sure to inspire any green thumb.

Tour-goers can ride a shuttle from garden to garden. Tours run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Shuttles depart from the Highlands Civic Center.

In conjunction with the garden tour is a line-up of garden-related festivities.

A Home & Garden Shop at the civic center will feature the best in live plant material and unusual and distinctive items for the garden and patio. Nearly 20 vendors will have their wares on display, from Highlands to Atlanta.

A line-up of free lectures and demonstrations including decorating a Christmas tree, cooking with herbs and working with orchids.

For tickets or more information visit go to www.mountainsinbloom.com or call 828.526.4949.

Reining in runoff is not as hard as you think

The Haywood Waterways Association will lead a free tour of water quality projects around Waynesville from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, July 18.

The tour is geared toward landowners, homebuilders, developers and contractors to learn about the technical and financial resources available to help install state-of-the art water quality measures. The tour will visit five projects that focus on minimizing impacts of livestock and agriculture, stabilizing eroding stream banks and capturing rainwater run-off.

The sites are: a stream restoration project at Francis Cove United Methodist Church, a stream restoration project on Richland Creek at the Waynesville Recreation Center, a rain garden at Hazelwood Elementary School, and best management practices at two livestock. Haywood Soil & Water Conservation District and N.C. Cooperative Extension Service supported and guided the water quality projects.

To reserve a spot, contact 828.226.8565 or christine.haywood waterways@gmail.com by July 16.

Walk among butterflies at WNC Nature Center

A butterfly exhibit at the WNC Nature Center in Asheville brings the fanciful insects to life as visitors walk through a giant enclosure in their midst.

Visitors can even spritz themselves with a spray bottle of sugar water before walking through the giant mesh greenhouse to lure the moths and butterflies to land on them.

Butterflies are important plant pollinators and are important in the food chain for birds, reptiles and mammals. Unfortunately, butterfly numbers and diversity are declining worldwide because of contamination and habitat loss.

The butterfly exhibit will stay up through Sept. 7. Admission to the WNC Nature Center, which also includes everything from wolves and otters to a petting zoo, and is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors, and $4 for children. 828.298.5600 ext. 306.

Explore slipping connection between kids and outdoors

The annual Mountain Wildlife Days event in Cashiers will kick-off next Thursday, July 16, with a forum on “Getting Children Involved in the Wonders of Nature.”

It will address the growing disconnect of children from the natural world, coined nature-deficit disorder.

“There are many of us who are deeply concerned regarding today’s children’s disconnect from the natural world,” said John Edwards, organizer of Mountain Wildlife Days. “After all, our future depends on the children of today and their attitudes regarding the values of the natural world of tomorrow.”

Edwards hopes to engage parents, grandparents, teachers and anyone who spends time with young people on ways to get them in touch with nature. The forum will encourage audience participation, including brainstorming ways to get children involved in nature and sharing their own experiences.

Speakers in the forum include:

• Dr. Jayne White, a professor in the School of Education and Child Development at Drury University in Springfield, Mo., will examine the importance of getting children outdoors as it relates to their overall physical, mental, and spiritual development.

• Janis Brannon, a science teacher and outdoor programmer for Summit School, will present highlights of their outdoor education endeavors.

• Clayton Lopez, a parent, will share a simple, yet exciting, outdoor experience he had with his young son, illustrating the benefits derived from an “outdoor moment.”

• Muddy Sneakers will present an interesting and informative look at , an organization dedicated to getting kids outside, will talk about their work.

• John Bryant, a student from the Duke Divinity School, will briefly relate how his parents were influential in getting him involved in the outdoors and helping him formulate a deep appreciation for God and nature.

• Adam DeWitt of the Cradle of Forestry will explain some of their “Nature-Oriented Parenting” resources available for children, parents, grandparents and schools.

On Friday and Saturday, July 17 and 18, the annual Mountain Wildlife Days event will feature a line up of hikes, nature walks, live animals, wildlife talks and nature programs designed to connect people with the wildlife around them. Read more about the full-line up in next week’s edition.

The event will be held at the Sapphire Valley Resort Community Center located 3 miles east of Cashiers just off U.S. 64. 828.743.9648 or 864.934.1935.