Smithsonian Associates Shenandoah National Park, October 20th and 21st

I’ll be returning to Shenandoah National Park leading the Smithsonian associates tour on Sunday and Monday, October 20 and 21st. We’ll be there for the height of the fall color change and stay at the historic Big Meadows Lodge. Two moderate 3 to 4 mile hikes will touch on flora, wildlife, geology, climate and local natural history. 

Interpretive highlights include:

-Land assignment statement and a brief review of Paleo, Archaic and Woodland Indian habitation of the mid-Atlantic 

-Evolution of the Appalachian Mountains and Shenandoah in particular

-Regional ancient volcanism as related to modern topography

-Differing geologic features including Greenstone, Old Rag Granite and Sandstones found south of our location

-Glacial Effects on the regions native biota and corresponding post glacial northward migration of forest communities from southern refugia 

-Modern forest composition of Oak-Hickory woodlands and the demise of American Chestnut trees

-Survey of Common Native Wildflowers and Birds

-Native mammals of the park with an emphasis on bear life-history and human interactions

- Current conservation issues and invasive species with a focus plants