Winter reveals nature: architectural branches and pockets of evergreen, discovery of tracks and how wildlife handles the cold and a renewed landscape perspective.  You’re invited to these activities January 20 – 23, 2023. There is no cost to attend unless indicated.

FRIDAY, January 20, 2023  

Nature Center Open: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

9:30 a.m. Birds at the Lake

Take a walk along Pendleton lake in search of feathered friends. Let’s explore birds of water, shore and woodland. About 1/2 mile, 1 hour. YPP

11:00 a.m. 

Fitness Walk

Join the park naturalist, Paulita, in the overflow/bus graveled parking area near the park intersection to head out on a walk. We will mostly keep to park roads but some trails may be taken based on trail conditions. This is a guided hike but mainly for physical fitness. About 1 hour. 1-2 miles.

1:00 p.m. 

Life in the Cold

Join the park naturalist to learn about the adaptations and behaviors exhibited by animals

and plants during the winter. About 45 minutes. YPP

2:30 p.m. 

Owl Winter Long

Join the seasonal naturalist as we dive into the world of owls! How many live in West Virginia? What are you likely to see or hear in the winter? About 45 minutes. YPP

SATURDAY, January 21, 2022

Nature Center Open: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

9:00 a.m. 

Bird Bingo Walk

Join the park naturalist to help fill the bird feeders at the nature center then go for a walk to play a game of search Bingo for feathered friends. About 1 hour. YPP

10:00 a.m. 

Kids Discovery Time

Join volunteer, Beverly, for a reading from a book “What’s in Your Pocket?” and perhaps some puppet fun. What will you put in your pocket? About 20 minutes. YPP

11:00 a.m. 

Raptors of West Virginia

Listen and learn about some of the raptors that call West Virginia home (No Live birds). About 45 minutes. YPP

12:00 p.m. 

Crafting Fun

Join the attendant, Victor, to use shaving cream (yes shaving cream)  and watercolor to create a work of art. Craft fee: $2.00

2:00 p.m. 

Campfire Fun: Chili & Cornbread in a Dutch Oven

Join the naturalist’s at the campfire for songs, stories, basic campfire cooking and more. We will cook up a recipe for demonstration. About 1 hour, YPP

3:00 p.m. 

Finding Your Way and Craft– Join the attendant for a short film about reading a bearing, taking a bearing, what contour lines indicate, magnetic declination and more. Program includes the creation of a cardboard compass for $2.00. Supplies limited to first come basis. About 1 hour. YPP

SUNDAY, January 22, 2023

Nature Center Open: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

10:00 a.m. 

Waterfall Hike– Join naturalist Kenny, at Blackwater Lodge Lounge fireplace to group up to walk Elakala Trail. This trail can be icy, as well as, rugged with exposed roots, rocks and mud. About 1 hour, one mile. YPP

12:00 p.m. Native Bees and Candle Making

Join Kenny the naturalist for a talk about native bees (and non-native honey bee) while creating a candle to take home. Two candle options available with one bee wax or honeycomb. Supplies

limited to first come basis. Craft fee: $4.00. About 1 hour. YPP

2:00 p.m. 

Paint a Gnome Craft

Join the attendant, Victor, to use colorful paint on a miniature plaster gnome. Supplies limited to first come basis. Craft fee: $3.00

3:00 p.m. Mushrooms of West Virginia

Join Kenny the naturalist for this presentation about some of the mushrooms found in West Virginia. About 70 minutes. YPP

MONDAY, January 23, 2023

Nature Center Open: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

10:30 a.m. 

Herb Greenhouse Craft

Join the attendant to create a herb garden for your house. Craft is at the Nature Center. Craft fee: $2.00 YPP

12:00 p.m. 

Friendship Bracelet Craft

Join the attendant, Brittany, at the nature center  to create a fun bracelet for free.

1:00 p.m. 

The Resilient Forest Film

Join the attendant for this documentary about the settlement, early history, industrialization, folklife, recreation, conservation and forestry practices that have formed the cultural identity of residents of the Appalachian Forest Heritage Area. About 1 hour. NR. YPP

For more information regarding nature-based activities at Blackwater Falls, email paulita.l.cousin@wv.gov. Other activities may be scheduled and posted at Blackwater Falls Lodge and Nature Center.

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