Friends of the Blue Ridge High Country Chapter

05/31/2026

Trees are on the move! Join NCWF and Spruce Fir Restoration Initiative partners on Tue morning (June 2) to help transplant fraser fir trees at Mt Mitchell State Park. You are welcome to be a part of this restorative work that can help save the endangered Carolina northern flying squirrel and other wildlife. [https://ncwf.org/event/fraser-fir-transplanting-workday-burnsville]

05/28/2026

We are happy to share that Roots in the Garden series starts this evening 5:30 pm brought to you by the Daniel Boone Native Gardens in Boone. Although the concerts are offered for free, donations are accepted to help support the Gardens’ mission to promote the benefits of native plants and healthy ecosystems, and provide a community green space in the heart of the High Country. They have a wonderful lineup this summer. We hope to see you there! [https://www.danielboonenativegardens.org/music]

05/27/2026

If you're planning a trip to the Grandfather Mountain nature park with youngsters, be sure to include a stop at Yonni's Clubhouse, opened in April. [https://grandfather.com/yonnis-clubhouse]

05/26/2026

"All Weather is Local" is what to keep in mind when checking forecasts before heading out. If you live more than 20 miles from one of the 2500 U.S. airports equipped with a weather station where data is collected, your local forecast can be the result of an algorithm. Those algorithms can be challenged when trying to predict weather in the mountains which have a variety of altiitudes and other topographical nuances to consider. To help those algorighms, networks of localized weather stations called mesonets provide more geographically precise data. Luckiy, we have a few mesonets in the NC High Country; two at Grandfather Mountain (top and base), two at Beech Mountain (top and base), one on Poga Mountain, and one on Mt. Mitchell. Still, as most people living and playing in the mountains know, pepare for anything! Here's more about weather forecasting and mesonets: [https://tinyurl.com/mesonets] https://tinyurl.com/mesonets

Don’t blame the weatherman. A meteorologist explains where your local weather forecasts really come from, and what storm scientists are doing to bring them closer to home.

05/24/2026

We have a few spots left for our Elk K**b hike on Friday, guided by state park ranger Marissa Mabe. More info and to register: [https://tinyurl.com/ElkK**bTrails] https://tinyurl.com/ElkK**bTrails

RESCHEDULED - This event has been rescheduled from May 7th to May 29th, 10 am-1 pm due to rainy weather. Please re-register using the same link to reserve your spot. Friends of the Blue Ridge invites outdoor enthusiasts to a unique hiking adventure, “Elk K**b Trails Past and Future,” at Elk K**b...

05/20/2026

The Watauga Couny Public Library has an extensive collection of free seeds available to grow food and wildflowers. The circulation desk will point you in the right direction. Seed pack donations to keep the library stocked are also always welcome.

seed share

05/17/2026

We may be too far south to see this aurora borealis tonight or tomorrow night (best times are around sunset and sunrise):

The splashy nighttime phenomenon will be best observed on Saturday and Sunday nights

05/16/2026

Why do walks in nature help us feel good? Is there something in the air? Well, yes there is and you don't have to go through an athletic workout to benefit. Here's more:

Forests provide countless benefits to people and animals, and one of those benefits is that a forest can actually make you healthier.

05/15/2026

If you like entertaining guests, it's not too late to spruce up your backyard for these fascinating travelers.

A little water, a few flowers, and a few perches will bring these tiny dynamos to visit.