Boy Scout Resource Ramble

For the second year, the Boy Scouts will hold what they call a "resource ramble" on the scout reservation at Camp Powhatan in Pulaski County. The event, scheduled for Saturday, June 14, resembles a bio-blitz, except that elements of geology and cultural resources are included in the survey.

The 17,000-acre reservation covers parts of the watersheds of Little Laurel and Big Mack Creeks, as well as two ponds. Elevation ranges from 1900 to 3348 feet. Base rock is sandstone, quartzite, shale and dolomite. Forest cover includes mainly dry hardwoods interspersed with pine, hemlock and other conifers.

You can participate in a team or as an individual. The scouts are looking for experts to guide teams in various aspects of natural history, geology and archaeology. Veteran naturalist Clyde Kessler (a contributor to this blog) is already on board to help the scouts with bird identification.

The main event takes place Saturday, but what is described as "rustic accommodations" are available for those arriving Friday evening or staying over Saturday night. Breakfast is available both Saturday and Sunday mornings. Participants are also invited to dinner Saturday evening prior to the Ramble reports and wrap-up session. (Participants are asked to bring lunch for Saturday in the field). You can register as late as the morning of the event, but organizers ask that you register as early as possible so an accurate estimate of the food needed can be made.

After you register, you'll get a topo map of the Reservation along with directions to Camp Powhatan, a schedule and a list of what to bring.

To find out more, direct questions to either Dr. Bill Shiner or Greg Harmon, Program Director of the Blue Ridge Scout Reservation.

Summer course in the natural history of the Smokies

This summer from July 28 through August 2, Dr. Donald Linzey will again teach his popular course on the natural history of the Great Smoky Mountains.

Dr. Linzey, who is professor of biology at Wytheville Community College, has published five books on verterbrates of the eastern United States, and he's been associated with the Great Smokies National Park since the early 60s. The course is titled "Bio 270 General Ecology: Natural History of the Great Smoky Mountains," and it's a three-to-four credit course, depending on particpation.

Students will study the interrelationships between organisms and their natural and cultural environments with emphasis on the wildlife, plant life, geology, and environmental problems unique to the Great Smoky Mountains. It's a six-day residential experience based at the Great Smoky Mountains Institute near Townsend, Tennessee. There will be one pre-trip and one post-trip meeting at WCC. Needless to say, there will be field experience.

Registration for the course begins in April. For more information, call toll-free: 800-468-1195. Reach Dr. Linzey at wclinzd@wcc.vccs.edu.