appalachian trail ·
Invasive Exotic Plants ·
Roan Highlands
No comments
Help Protect The Roan Highlands And Appalachian Trail By Removing Invasive Exotic Plants
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) is seeking volunteers to participate in an invasive exotic plant workshop on Saturday May 7, 2011 at the Roan Highlands. There is no charge for the event, and participants will receive free guidebooks for the identification and control of invasive exotic plants.
The workshop, hosted by the ATC and the Southern Appalachian Cooperative Weed Management Partnership (SACWMP), will educate hikers and the general public about the threats of invasive exotic (IE) plants, how to identify and inventory IE species, and how to remove these plants, protecting native biodiversity along the Trail.
The Roan Highlands have lovingly been called the “Crown Jewel of the Southern Appalachians”. Roan is home to over 800 plant species, 27 globally-rare plant communities, and 33 rare species. Roan has the highest concentration of rare species found along the entire Appalachian Trail, and invasive-exotic plants are one of the greatest threats to its fragile ecosystems.
Volunteers will target coltsfoot, wild chervil, garlic mustard and other weeds which are known to occur in the Roan Highlands. Participants should meet at 10:00 a.m. at the Carvers Gap parking area on NC 261 / TN 143 (Carvers Gap, NC 28705). The morning will begin with a brief educational workshop that includes distribution of guidebooks and other materials useful for the identification and management of IE plants. Afterward, the group will work along the A.T. and nearby roads to map and control any IE plants that are encountered.
The ATC will provide all equipment needed for the workshop and inventory. Volunteers are asked to bring lunch, two quarts of water, rain gear, sturdy hiking boots or shoes, and clothes appropriate for hot or cold weather. Carpooling is available from the Forest Service Building in Asheville (160A Zillicoa St.) leaving at 8:15 a.m. on Saturday and returning to Asheville by 6:00 p.m.
Individuals or groups interested in volunteering or requiring more information should contact John Odell with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy as soon as possible by e-mailing jodell@appalachiantrail.org or calling (828) 254-3708.
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
Read More
The workshop, hosted by the ATC and the Southern Appalachian Cooperative Weed Management Partnership (SACWMP), will educate hikers and the general public about the threats of invasive exotic (IE) plants, how to identify and inventory IE species, and how to remove these plants, protecting native biodiversity along the Trail.
The Roan Highlands have lovingly been called the “Crown Jewel of the Southern Appalachians”. Roan is home to over 800 plant species, 27 globally-rare plant communities, and 33 rare species. Roan has the highest concentration of rare species found along the entire Appalachian Trail, and invasive-exotic plants are one of the greatest threats to its fragile ecosystems.
Volunteers will target coltsfoot, wild chervil, garlic mustard and other weeds which are known to occur in the Roan Highlands. Participants should meet at 10:00 a.m. at the Carvers Gap parking area on NC 261 / TN 143 (Carvers Gap, NC 28705). The morning will begin with a brief educational workshop that includes distribution of guidebooks and other materials useful for the identification and management of IE plants. Afterward, the group will work along the A.T. and nearby roads to map and control any IE plants that are encountered.
The ATC will provide all equipment needed for the workshop and inventory. Volunteers are asked to bring lunch, two quarts of water, rain gear, sturdy hiking boots or shoes, and clothes appropriate for hot or cold weather. Carpooling is available from the Forest Service Building in Asheville (160A Zillicoa St.) leaving at 8:15 a.m. on Saturday and returning to Asheville by 6:00 p.m.
Individuals or groups interested in volunteering or requiring more information should contact John Odell with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy as soon as possible by e-mailing jodell@appalachiantrail.org or calling (828) 254-3708.
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
Continuing northbound along the Appalachian Trail for another 0.7 miles (technically walking eastward) we reached our next destination, Jane Bald. In between Round and Jane we lost and regained about 200 feet before reaching the 5807-foot summit of Jane Bald.
Local legend has it that the peak received its name after a woman named "Jane" died of milk sickness while crossing the mountain (milk sickness is poisoning by milk from cows that have eaten white snakeroot).
At roughly 1.9 miles the Appalachian Trail takes a turn towards the left. At this junction you’ll see a side trail that continues straight ahead. This will take you to the summit of Grassy Ridge Bald.
Grassy Ridge Bald dominates the center of Grassy Ridge. At an elevation of 6189 feet, it’s one of the highest grassy balds in the Appalachian Mountains.
