Archive for the ‘Jefferson’ Category

Donate Used Christmas Trees for Wildlife Habitat

Monday, December 26th, 2011
This is a great idea. I don't know of anyone else doing this, but the George Washington & Jefferson National Forests will be collecting used Christmas trees from December 27 through January 9th. They will only accept clean trees; trees containing sprays, paints, tinsel and other decorative materials are not safe for animals or the environment. You can deliver the trees to the James River Work Center, Dolly Ann Depot on Smokey Bear Lane in Covington, Va from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Simply follow the arrows to the drop off point. The trees will be added to existing brush piles for small non-game species.

“Over the past 12 years, hundreds of Christmas trees were turned into wildlife habitat” said District Ranger Pat Sheridan. “Recycling trees saves valuable space in landfills and keeps pollutants out of the air by eliminating the need to burn discarded trees.” For additional information contact the James River Ranger District at (540) 962-2214.

I'm not aware of Cherokee, or Pisgah, or any other national forests conducting similar programs. If not, this is something others should look at for future policy.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

Posted in Christmas Trees, George Washington, Jefferson, National Forests, Wildlife Habitat | Comments Off

Come Outside and Play Event

Monday, May 30th, 2011
The Forest Service (George Washington & Jefferson National Forests), U.S. Department of Agriculture, in cooperation with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, is sponsoring a “Come Outside and Play” event at Glen Alton in Giles County, Virginia on Saturday, June 4, 2011 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Partners from a number of local organizations will be on hand to teach skills, lead activities, guide hikes, and give presentations. The event will feature a variety of activities for all ages including:

* Wetland hikes (every hour) – Appalachian Trail Conservancy and Virginia Master Naturalists
* Fly tying and hunting macro-invertebrates – Trout Unlimited
* Raptor identification (on-going) – Friends of Hanging Rock
* Kids fishing and fish simulator machine (on-going) – Department of Game and Inland Fisheries
* Leaf and tree identification walks (10 a.m., noon, and 2 p.m.) – Girl Scouts
* Fish identification (ongoing) – Forest Service Center for Aquatics
* Historic lodge tours (11 a.m. and 1 p.m.) – Forest Service
* Chestnut display (ongoing) – American Chestnut Foundation
* Mud Pie Kitchen (ongoing) – Forest Service
* Anniversary of the Weeks Act / Toys of the 1920’s (on-going) – Forest Service
* Free hotdogs and lemonade (11 a.m.) – Friends of Glen Alton

In honor of National Trails Day, three additional guided hikes will begin at 3 p.m. Participants for these hikes will gather at Glen Alton and drive to the trailheads. Craig Mohler will lead a hike on the newly completed Potts Rail Trail; the Appalachian Trail Conservancy will lead a hike on the A.T. starting at Pine Swamp Trailhead; and Brian Hurt will lead a hike to the Hanging Rock Raptor Observatory.

“Come Outside and Play” is part of a larger initiative known as America’s Great Outdoors which encourages all Americans to enjoy their natural and cultural heritage. Outdoor recreation provides Americans physical and emotional rejuvenation and promotes outdoor conservation. Federal agencies provide exceptional recreational opportunities on more than 600 million acres of land that receive more than a billion visits each year.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

Posted in Come Outside and Play Event, George Washington, Glen Alton, Jefferson, National Forests, National Trails Day | Comments Off