June 15th, 2019
Open to the public, however, spaces are limited: Reserve your spot now!
bioblitz [bahy-oh-blits] noun
1. an intense period of biological surveying by scientists, naturalists, and volunteers in an attempt to record all the living species within a designated area.
2. our kind of fun!
3. all sessions FREE!
1. an intense period of biological surveying by scientists, naturalists, and volunteers in an attempt to record all the living species within a designated area.
2. our kind of fun!
3. all sessions FREE!
We're geeking out and taking names!

Saturday the 15th
10:00 - 1:00 Session 1: In the Forests and Fields
1:00 Lunch back at the Lodge
2:00-5::00 Session 2: In the Forests and Fields
5:00- 6:00 Session 3: Microscope Happy Hour BYOB
6:00 Dinner
7:00 Party Time You are welcome to linger here, bring musical instruments, games...but we recommend you checking out the live music at the nearby Pretty Penny Cafe that night. The band, MA'AM, is great and the Pretty Penny has a nice menu in a lovely historic building in Hillsboro.
Sam Norris, a retired field biologist and lifetime naturalist, will join us at the Yew for a day in the forest, fields, creeks, and ponds. He was a rare species biologist for the Heritage Program at WV Division of Natural Resources for about 20 years, and worked (mostly as botanist) for US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Forest Service, as a private environmental consultant, etc. We was president of the WV Mycological Association (now the WV Mushroom Club), a founding member of the WV Native Plant Society, life member of West Virginia Entomological Society, and one of the creators of the WV Master Naturalist program. He's also an artist/illustrator who has specialized in natural science subjects. His areas of special interest include vascular plants, spiders, insects, and fungi.
Our Site
Our property encompasses a variety of microclimates and ecosystems for study: hardwood forests, streams, open meadows, ponds, and ridge tops are just a few examples of the diversity our 500 acres have to offer. Help us create a baseline for species data, promote ecological stewardship and work towards a prosperous and sustainable future in these mountains--and enjoy the company of fellow biology experts and enthusiasts.
10:00 - 1:00 Session 1: In the Forests and Fields
1:00 Lunch back at the Lodge
2:00-5::00 Session 2: In the Forests and Fields
5:00- 6:00 Session 3: Microscope Happy Hour BYOB
6:00 Dinner
7:00 Party Time You are welcome to linger here, bring musical instruments, games...but we recommend you checking out the live music at the nearby Pretty Penny Cafe that night. The band, MA'AM, is great and the Pretty Penny has a nice menu in a lovely historic building in Hillsboro.
Sam Norris, a retired field biologist and lifetime naturalist, will join us at the Yew for a day in the forest, fields, creeks, and ponds. He was a rare species biologist for the Heritage Program at WV Division of Natural Resources for about 20 years, and worked (mostly as botanist) for US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Forest Service, as a private environmental consultant, etc. We was president of the WV Mycological Association (now the WV Mushroom Club), a founding member of the WV Native Plant Society, life member of West Virginia Entomological Society, and one of the creators of the WV Master Naturalist program. He's also an artist/illustrator who has specialized in natural science subjects. His areas of special interest include vascular plants, spiders, insects, and fungi.
Our Site
Our property encompasses a variety of microclimates and ecosystems for study: hardwood forests, streams, open meadows, ponds, and ridge tops are just a few examples of the diversity our 500 acres have to offer. Help us create a baseline for species data, promote ecological stewardship and work towards a prosperous and sustainable future in these mountains--and enjoy the company of fellow biology experts and enthusiasts.
Why Here?
During the Ice Age, while much of North America was covered by glaciers and ice, many Northern species sought refuge in the Southern Mountains of Appalachia. Because the glaciers didn't reach this far South, many species that didn't survive the harsh climate up North remain here, laying the ground work for the biodiversity "hot spot" across Central and Southern Appalachia.
We sit among the oldest mountains in the world. These mountains have had a chance to grow and sink, creating a wide range of elevation, from isolated peaks to deep river gorges, resulting in a variety of habitat and genetic diversification. The biodiversity of the region is high both in terms of abundance and variety, and many of the species are "endemic" to the region, meaning they are only found here. For example, more species of salamander exist in the Southern Appalachians than anywhere else in the world!
During the Ice Age, while much of North America was covered by glaciers and ice, many Northern species sought refuge in the Southern Mountains of Appalachia. Because the glaciers didn't reach this far South, many species that didn't survive the harsh climate up North remain here, laying the ground work for the biodiversity "hot spot" across Central and Southern Appalachia.
We sit among the oldest mountains in the world. These mountains have had a chance to grow and sink, creating a wide range of elevation, from isolated peaks to deep river gorges, resulting in a variety of habitat and genetic diversification. The biodiversity of the region is high both in terms of abundance and variety, and many of the species are "endemic" to the region, meaning they are only found here. For example, more species of salamander exist in the Southern Appalachians than anywhere else in the world!