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Wonderful Winter Weekend: Blackwater Falls
January 20, 2023 – January 23, 2023
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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