There’s no better time than autumn and participating in activities at Blackwater Falls August 29 – September 1, 2022 include crafts, nature walks, and outdoor thinking. Activities begin at the nature center and are hosted by Park Naturalist Paulita Cousin, Kenny Noland and staff. Join in the fun.

MONDAY August 29, 2022
Nature Center Open: 10:30 a.m. -5:00 p.m.

10:30 a.m.
Constellations and Planets Craft
Join the attendants for some astronomy fun crafts. It gets us interested in star gazing. FREE

11:00 a.m.
Nature Journaling
Throughout our history, many people have kept journals of their observations and experiences. Aldo Leopold, John Muir and James Audubon are just to name a few. Keeping a journal will enrich your experience and skills as a naturalist.

The goal is not to have an artistic portfolio but to create memories. Learn how to take along a journal as another option to enjoy the outdoors and create a sense of peace and well being while journaling. About 1 hour, some walking. Craft fee: $5.00

1:00 p.m.
Mason Jar Lantern Craft
Join the attendants to create an illuminated gold flecked or silver flecked mason jar. Craft fee: $5.00

2:00 p.m.
Pollinator Walk
Kenny invites you for a stroll around a planted pollinator zone and a no-mow zone . Along the way listen about different pollinators, their importance and why pollinator fields are important. About 1 hour. YPP

3:00 p.m.
Butterfly Globe Craft
Join the attendants to create a mini butterfly globe decoration. Craft fee: $2.00

TUESDAY, August 30, 2022
Nature Center Open: 10:30 a.m. -5:00 p.m.

9:00 a.m.
Beginners Bird Walk
Join park
naturalist Paulita Cousin for a stroll around the area listening and looking for feathered friends. About 45 minutes, 1 mile. Be you a avid bird watching or simply enjoy birds, join us. YPP

1:30 p.m.
Nature Film– The Resilient Forest
Join the staff to watch this film about early history and the cultural identity of residents of the Appalachian Forest Heritage Area. About 1 hour. YPP

3:00 p.m.
Tie Dye an Orb Craft
Join the staff to use colorful paint in a glass orb for a tie dye look. Craft fee: $3.00

WEDNESDAY, August 31, 2022
Nature Center Open: 10:30 a.m. -5:00 p.m.

10:00 a.m.
Strolling into History
Let’s meet at the trailhead of Gentle Trail to stroll along this paved path to an overlook to see Blackwater Falls. Along the way hear about some history of the area and how Blackwater Falls became a state park. About 30 minutes, 1⁄4 mile. YPP

11:00 a.m.
This n’ That Craft Session
Join the staff for a choice of several end of season craft projects. Craft fee varies up to $4.00

1:00 p.m.
Fossil Find Craft
In order to study the history of life on earth, paleontologists study fossil remains of the organisms that once lived here. This Fossil Find Activity invites participants to become paleontologists by finding and gently removing the sediment to expose real trilobite replicas (small, ocean dwelling creatures that lived over 250 million years ago). And the mini-paleontologists even get to take their finds homeland. This activity requires patience and time to uncover trilobites. Craft fee: $2.00 YPP

3:00 p.m.
FBI Hike
This is a kid friendly detective walk where we search for evidence of “criminal activity” within our natural world. About 1 hour, some walking. YPP

THURSDAY, September 1, 2022
Nature Center Open: 10:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
10:30 a.m.
Water Wonders
Let’s learn about the water cycle and the connections between the water cycle and all living things. About 30 minutes 1/4 mile. YPP

12:00 p.m.
Tree themed Craft
Join the staff for a craft related to trees. Craft fee: $2.00

1:30 p.m.
We All Need Trees Walk
How many different products we get from trees and more in this stroll around the nature center area. About 1/2 mile, 1 hour. YPP

2:30 p.m. Skulls, Skins and Scat
Learn how to identify a predator or prey skull, the purpose of fur and how to identify scat. About one hour. No walking. YPP

Watch for these upcoming September activities at Blackwater Falls State Park
Labor Day Weekend 2-5, 2022
SeptemberFest 8-10, 2022
Astronomy Weekend 15-17, 2022
Leaf Peepers Weekend– 23-25, 2022

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