April Special Events
We have several environmental awareness events planned for April. Right in the middle of spring and the month of Earth Day, April is the perfect time for these.
We have several environmental awareness events planned for April. Right in the middle of spring and the month of Earth Day, April is the perfect time for these.
Date: Sat., April 13, 2024
Time: 10 am - 2 pm
Who: Anyone who loves native spring wildflowers
Where: Hone Quarry Picnic Area.
Limit: 30 people
Garlic Mustard at Hone Quarry: Beat It and Eat It!
We are going to beat Garlic mustard by pulling it, and then we are going to eat Garlic mustard pesto! And best of all, we are going to view native wildflowers growing in the Hone Quarry area.
Hone Quarry is a special place on Shenandoah Mountain, alive with all kinds of wildflowers, butterflies, and natural beauty. It even has a beautiful waterfall. The Hone Quarry area is one of Shenandoah Mountain's treasures.
Unfortunately, the invasive Garlic mustard plant is moving into the Hone Quarry area and threatening special wildflowers, like bloodroot, hepatica, and trilliums, that generations of people have come to Hone Quarry to enjoy. This invasive plant out-competes our native plants — both by growing vigorously and by poisoning the soil. It can take over a forest floor in less than a decade, killing not only native plants but also the native butterflies that rely on them. Garlic mustard was brought to this country from Europe by people who wanted to grow it as an herb, not realizing how fast it would spread and how destructive it would be. We can't let it ruin our native biodiversity!
See: Blue Ridge Prism Handout on Garlic Mustard -https://blueridgeprism.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Garlic-Mustard-Fact-Sheet-Blue-Ridge-PRISM.pdf
Fortunately, pulling Garlic mustard is easy and effective, especially in the Spring, before it flowers or produces seed.
PATC's Southern Shenandoah Valley Chapter is joining together with Friends of Shenandoah Mountain; Shenandoah Mountain Trail Crew; Virginia Native Plant Society, Shenandoah Chapter; Virginia Master Naturalists - Headwaters Chapter; and the Virginia Wilderness Committee to rid Hone Quarry of this destructive invasive plant and protect the native biodiversity of this special place.
Note: We never pull or dig any native plants in the National Forest. We are allowed to pull Garlic mustard because it is a harmful invasive plant. Everyone will be trained to identify Garlic mustard.
What to bring: Bring daypack with water, snacks, sun hat, sunscreen, raincoat, mosquito repellent, and garden gloves.
What to expect: Our goal for this worktrip is to pull Garlic mustard in several key areas and have fun while we are doing it. We will start by dividing into small groups (each trained and led by a naturalist), to pull in these areas:
To join this event: Contact Jean Stephens at [email protected] or 443-986-5649.
Time: 10 am - 2 pm
Who: Anyone who loves native spring wildflowers
Where: Hone Quarry Picnic Area.
Limit: 30 people
Garlic Mustard at Hone Quarry: Beat It and Eat It!
We are going to beat Garlic mustard by pulling it, and then we are going to eat Garlic mustard pesto! And best of all, we are going to view native wildflowers growing in the Hone Quarry area.
Hone Quarry is a special place on Shenandoah Mountain, alive with all kinds of wildflowers, butterflies, and natural beauty. It even has a beautiful waterfall. The Hone Quarry area is one of Shenandoah Mountain's treasures.
Unfortunately, the invasive Garlic mustard plant is moving into the Hone Quarry area and threatening special wildflowers, like bloodroot, hepatica, and trilliums, that generations of people have come to Hone Quarry to enjoy. This invasive plant out-competes our native plants — both by growing vigorously and by poisoning the soil. It can take over a forest floor in less than a decade, killing not only native plants but also the native butterflies that rely on them. Garlic mustard was brought to this country from Europe by people who wanted to grow it as an herb, not realizing how fast it would spread and how destructive it would be. We can't let it ruin our native biodiversity!
See: Blue Ridge Prism Handout on Garlic Mustard -https://blueridgeprism.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Garlic-Mustard-Fact-Sheet-Blue-Ridge-PRISM.pdf
Fortunately, pulling Garlic mustard is easy and effective, especially in the Spring, before it flowers or produces seed.
PATC's Southern Shenandoah Valley Chapter is joining together with Friends of Shenandoah Mountain; Shenandoah Mountain Trail Crew; Virginia Native Plant Society, Shenandoah Chapter; Virginia Master Naturalists - Headwaters Chapter; and the Virginia Wilderness Committee to rid Hone Quarry of this destructive invasive plant and protect the native biodiversity of this special place.
Note: We never pull or dig any native plants in the National Forest. We are allowed to pull Garlic mustard because it is a harmful invasive plant. Everyone will be trained to identify Garlic mustard.
What to bring: Bring daypack with water, snacks, sun hat, sunscreen, raincoat, mosquito repellent, and garden gloves.
What to expect: Our goal for this worktrip is to pull Garlic mustard in several key areas and have fun while we are doing it. We will start by dividing into small groups (each trained and led by a naturalist), to pull in these areas:
- Hone Quarry Picnic Area (easy access and short distance, includes area around restroom)
- Hone Quarry Campground (walk through the campground and pull)
- Forest Road 62 from the low water bridge to the Reservoir (good wildflowers here, too)
- Forest Road 62 and Slate Springs Trail from Hone Quarry Reservoir to Hone Quarry Falls (4.3 miles round trip with a wide variety of wildflowers)
To join this event: Contact Jean Stephens at [email protected] or 443-986-5649.
Earth Day Staunton 2024
Our chapter will host a table at Earth Day Staunton. We will spread awareness about the PATC, our work on local trails and encourage participants to enjoy the outdoors nearby. Also, we are planning a children's activity as we expect many to stop by the event.
Theme: STOP THE PLASTIC TIDAL WAVE!
Single-Use Plastic Pollution Affects Us All
When: Sat., April 20, 2024, 11am-3pm
Location: Gypsy Hill Park Bandstand, Staunton, VA
Event Description:
Come celebrate Earth Day with a family-friendly, fun-for-all day
Meet local wildlife with programs from The Wildlife Center of Virginia. Touch stream critters. See a Bee Hive. Take home a tree. Look under the hood of some cool electric cars. Learn from the local organizations that work every day for the Earth.
Food Trucks on site. Bring a reusable water bottle.
How can you help?
We need people to help at our table. All you need is knowledge of our chapter/the PATC and a willingness to share. Contact John Kolp to help ([email protected] or 917-288-2622).
Our chapter will host a table at Earth Day Staunton. We will spread awareness about the PATC, our work on local trails and encourage participants to enjoy the outdoors nearby. Also, we are planning a children's activity as we expect many to stop by the event.
Theme: STOP THE PLASTIC TIDAL WAVE!
Single-Use Plastic Pollution Affects Us All
When: Sat., April 20, 2024, 11am-3pm
Location: Gypsy Hill Park Bandstand, Staunton, VA
Event Description:
Come celebrate Earth Day with a family-friendly, fun-for-all day
Meet local wildlife with programs from The Wildlife Center of Virginia. Touch stream critters. See a Bee Hive. Take home a tree. Look under the hood of some cool electric cars. Learn from the local organizations that work every day for the Earth.
Food Trucks on site. Bring a reusable water bottle.
How can you help?
We need people to help at our table. All you need is knowledge of our chapter/the PATC and a willingness to share. Contact John Kolp to help ([email protected] or 917-288-2622).
Riverfest, Waynesboro
Our chapter will also have a table at Riverfest, Waynesboro
When: SATURDAY APRIL 27, 2024
Theme: The Year of the Eastern Screech-Owl
Time: 10:00 am to 4:30 pm
Event Description: This FREE annual event takes place river-side at Constitution Park South Activities include Reptile World shows, presentations by the Wildlife Center of Virginia, Stream Safari exploration, Fish and Fun Rodeo, canoe rides, kids arts & crafts, interactive exhibits, and more. The day ends with the Great South River Duck Race!
How can you help: We need people to help at our table. All you need is knowledge of our chapter/the PATC and a willingness to share. Contact Michael Groah to help: [email protected]
Our chapter will also have a table at Riverfest, Waynesboro
When: SATURDAY APRIL 27, 2024
Theme: The Year of the Eastern Screech-Owl
Time: 10:00 am to 4:30 pm
Event Description: This FREE annual event takes place river-side at Constitution Park South Activities include Reptile World shows, presentations by the Wildlife Center of Virginia, Stream Safari exploration, Fish and Fun Rodeo, canoe rides, kids arts & crafts, interactive exhibits, and more. The day ends with the Great South River Duck Race!
How can you help: We need people to help at our table. All you need is knowledge of our chapter/the PATC and a willingness to share. Contact Michael Groah to help: [email protected]
SSVC's March: Winter Hike Challenge Winner
Mike Smith is the winner of our toboggan for the March Winter Hike Challenge. He joined us on our St. Paddy Day hike to Kennedy Ridge, Green Pond and St. Mary's River Trail. Congratulations and thank you for all your participation in our chapter.
Pictured below, Mike is fourth on the left.
Mike Smith is the winner of our toboggan for the March Winter Hike Challenge. He joined us on our St. Paddy Day hike to Kennedy Ridge, Green Pond and St. Mary's River Trail. Congratulations and thank you for all your participation in our chapter.
Pictured below, Mike is fourth on the left.
Winter Challenge: Hike Leader, Special Prize
Spring began March 19 and we have completed our final drawing in the winter weather challenge. A special prize of a long sleeve PATC shirt was earned by our hike leader, Howard Davis. With five hikes and an opportunity for an extended outing to Newport News, Howard led the most hikes for us during the winter. Anyone that has hiked with him knows, Howard leads a great hike and is very knowledgeable about trails and nature. It's lot of fun to hike with him!!
Thank you, Howard for everything you do for our club.
Spring began March 19 and we have completed our final drawing in the winter weather challenge. A special prize of a long sleeve PATC shirt was earned by our hike leader, Howard Davis. With five hikes and an opportunity for an extended outing to Newport News, Howard led the most hikes for us during the winter. Anyone that has hiked with him knows, Howard leads a great hike and is very knowledgeable about trails and nature. It's lot of fun to hike with him!!
Thank you, Howard for everything you do for our club.
Update on North River District Challenge:
Three more of our trail maintainers received their 90-mile patches for the North River District challenge this month. Thank you so much for keeping these trails looking great!
Spring has arrived!! Get out and hike these trails. Hikes do not need to be on organized PATC outings.
Joining the Shenandoah Mountain Trail Crew is a great way to learn about trail maintenance and earn hours toward this challenge. Be sure to watch our schedule for their work trips.
For more information on our challenge, click on the link below.
https://www.ssvc.org/north-river-district-challenge.html
Congratulations to Brian Nixon, Larry Ragland, and Mike Tranum.
Three more of our trail maintainers received their 90-mile patches for the North River District challenge this month. Thank you so much for keeping these trails looking great!
Spring has arrived!! Get out and hike these trails. Hikes do not need to be on organized PATC outings.
Joining the Shenandoah Mountain Trail Crew is a great way to learn about trail maintenance and earn hours toward this challenge. Be sure to watch our schedule for their work trips.
For more information on our challenge, click on the link below.
https://www.ssvc.org/north-river-district-challenge.html
Congratulations to Brian Nixon, Larry Ragland, and Mike Tranum.
