Wrap Up July in Nature: Blackwater Falls

July wraps up at Blackwater Falls State Park July 28-31, 2023 with an about nature and discovery of small or very old things such as amber. From bats and moths to creature features, things to do begin at the nature center unless posted otherwise. You’re invited and encouraged to visit our trails, the falls areas, the Nature Center, and Pendleton Lake.

FRIDAY, July 28, 2023
Nature Center: 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Night Flyers
3:30 p.m. BATS!
Join the naturalist or this presentation about Bats. Perhaps play a bat and moth game with the naturalist. YPP

4:30 p.m. LIGHT POLLUTION AND SOLUTION YOU!!
Join the park naturalist in Blackwater Falls Lodge for a presentation about light pollution. About 45 minutes. This is a great program for lighting pathways and
security. YPP

5:00 p.m. RAMBLIN’ RANGER
Find the naturalist in Blackwater Lodge Lobby to ask questions about park trails, find out the weekend activities or simply check out their mystery object of the day and perhaps do a fun activity. The naturalist will be available until about 7:00 p.m. YPP

7:30 p.m. CREATURE FEATURE – FIREFLIES! & Craft.
The harbingers of summer in West Virginia. These nocturnal flashers light up the night typically from May until August and can be identified to species by their unique flash pattern and color. Join the naturalist to learn about these lightning bugs then stay to look for these flying marvels along with moths in the next program. Enjoy creating a firefly craft for free. YPP

SPECIAL EVENING PROGRAM!
8:30 p.m. It’s National MOTH Week Celebration and Fireflies!
Meet at the Blackwater Falls Nature Center Join park naturalist’s and Friends of Blackwater, Aaron Graham, to Celebrate National Moth Week through an evening of observing hordes of moths and fireflies. There will be multiple black light stations set up around the nature center that attempt to draw in moths for us to observe, take pictures, and identify as they land on our backdrops. This is a good way to observe handfuls of moths at one location at once and give you a sense of how many moths can be right around your house! We also will be taking the opportunity to attempt to identify fireflies by their flash pattern. The area will be set up until 10:00 p.m. Stay for a little while or the entire program. All ages welcome. Family activity. YPP

SATURDAY, July 29, 2023
Nature Center: 10:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Saturday Fun!
9:30 a.m. WARBLER WANDER
Join the park naturalist to walk along the lake in search of feathered friends. Forgot your binoculars? The naturalist may have a pair you can borrow for the walk. About 1 hour, some walking. YPP

11:00 a.m. SKULLS, SKINS, SCAT AND SLIME!
Join the park naturalist, to learn how to identify a predator or prey skull, the purpose of fur and how to identify scat. Afterwards, create a small baggie of slime to take home. About one hour. No walking. YPP

12:00 a.m. T is for TREE
Join the recreation assistant for this kid friendly program. Children use fun activities to explore our natural and built environments. This activity is geared toward our young learners, but all ages are welcome! About 30 minutes. YPP

2:30 p.m. PREHISTORIC AMBER/COPAL CRAFT
Join the recreation assistant for this craft activity. The sample fossilized over millions of years! Leaves, flowers and insects have been found trapped inside and scientists have learned a great deal about prehistoric times by analyzing the DNA of these little extinct creatures perfectly preserved by the hardened resin that surrounds them. (Just like in the movie Jurassic Park!). The amber/copal comes in its natural state (dull and “crusted”) and we provide the simple tools to remove the crusty shell and polish the piece into a smooth, lightweight golden gem. If you polish a piece really well and look closely, some even contain an insect! . The amber can be polished in anywhere from 30-45 minutes or more depending upon the piece and the shininess desired! Recommended for ages 6 and up. Supplies Limited to first come basis.
Craft fee: $4.00. YPP

4:00 p.m. MICROSCOPY FUN
Join the seasonal naturalist to explore the use of a microscope. Recommended for 8+ years of age. Microscopes may need to be shared. About 1 hour. YPP

SUNDAY, July 30, 2023
Nature Center: 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Rocks-Fossils-Arrowheads
10:30 a.m. FOSSILS AND CRAFT

Learn how fossils are formed and what fossils and then create your own fossils. Supplies limited to first come basis. Craft fee: $2.00 YPP

1:00 p.m. ARROWHEAD CRAFT
Let’s take a look at our arrowhead display then create an arrowhead necklace for $1.00 or pound your initials into a leather arrowhead shape for $1.00. YPP

2:00 p.m. GEOLOGY STROLL at PENDLETON POINT OVERLOOK
This is an easy stroll at Pendleton Point Overlook of Blackwater Falls State Park to listen about the geology of Blackwater Falls and Canyon. About 45 minutes, 1⁄4 mile. YPP

MONDAY, July 31, 2023
Nature Center: 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

10:00 a.m. NATURALIST LOOP WALK
Join naturalist Kenny in Blackwater Lodge Lobby for a walk along a section of three park trails. About 2 miles. We pace this walk. There is good conversation and area interest.70 minutes. YPP

11:00 a.m. LEAF RUBBING CRAFT
Join the recreation assistant to use crayons or colored pencils to rub a leaf plate imprint on a piece of paper. Free.

1:30 p.m. PICKLEBALL
Join the staff to try and play the fastest-growing sport in the US, rising popularity
over the past couple years. About 1 hour.

3:00 p.m. LEAF POUNDING CRAFT
Hear a little about history in the rings and craft. . About 1 hour. YPP

Folks hosting these activities include Paulita Cousin, Lead Naturalist, Kenny Noland, Kyra Sovine and the conversationalist Victor. Learn more about Blackwater Falls State Park when you attend activities. For more information email blackwaterfallssp@wv.gov.