It’s that time of year! The Headwaters Master Naturalists join the likes of the Edith J. Carrier Arboretum at JMU, Wild Virginia, and the Shenandoah National Park in offering guided Wildflower Walks to the public. With just a short season for these ephemeral beauties, the more opportunities to get out to experience their magic, the better.

This is the sixth year for the Headwaters Chapter’s Shenandoah Mountain Wildflower Walks. HMN Chip Brown coordinated the first event (which was officially rained out) as part of his Cohort II basic training class project in 2013. He has been heading them up ever since.

Lynn Cameron, with the Friends of Shenandoah Mountain, has been integral to each event, leading walks and providing support, advice and outreach. Stirring up appreciation and love for the tremendous assets provided by the mountain at our doorstep is an important goal of this effort for all involved.

More about the HMN Wildflower Walks on Shenandoah Mountain including a link for the free registration HERE.

Other area-wide Wildflower Walks

• Edith J. Carrier Arboretum Director Jan Mahon leads a series of weekly Wednesday morning wildflower walks through the arboretum at James Madison University in April and May. Details here.
• Wild Virginia‘s mid-April wildflower walk at the Hone Quarry Recreation Area filled up fast. It is led by local wildflower enthusiast Michael Seth. More here.
• Wild Virginia will host a May 5 wildflower walk along the Shenandoah Mountain trail and in Ramsey’s Draft Wilderness. Details and registration here.
• The Shenandoah National Park will celebrate wildflowers in early May with a host of activities including a youth art contest. Their May 5-6 wildflower weekend schedule is full of walks and programs including a botanical art workshop instructed by HMN Betty Gatewood. Find the full line up and descriptions here.