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Natio al Par( Ser#ice U0S0 3epartme t o' t$e I terior New River Gorge National River P. O. Box 246 104 Main Street Glen Jean, WV 2 !46 "04#46 #0 0! $%one "04#46 #0 &1 'ax

For Immediate Release

CONTACT: National Park Service Richard Altare !"#"$$#!"%&

Welcome Sweet Spri !" Ele#e t$ A %al New Ri#er &or!e Wild'lower Wee(e d Join us for ranger-guided programs in local National and State Park sites! &le )ea * West +ir!i ia* April ,-* ,.-/0 Spring in 'est (irginia highlights one of the earth)s greatest natural treasures* the biologically diverse southern Appalachian forest. This +eekend)s %% th annual Ne+ River ,orge 'ildflo+er 'eekend is a celebration of this ama-ing natural heritage* April ./ 0 .&* .!%". This event highlights the glories of the season and our shared ste+ardship of these natural treasures at Ne+ River ,orge National River* Tamarack* 1abcock* 2a+ks Nest* 3ittle 1eaver* and Pipestem Resort state parks. So +hat is so special about this area* the cause for such celebration4 The Ne+ River ,orge has the most diverse flora of any river gorge in central Appalachia. Ne+ River ,orge National River and area 'est (irginia State Parks help preserve this unbroken and globally significant section of the Appalachian forest ecosystem. 1esides providing essential habitat for endangered mammals* rare birds and amphibians* a dedicated botanist can find over %"!! species of plants in these park sites. The reason for this diversity of plants stems from the varied topography of the gorge* the northern flo+ of the Ne+ River that provides a path+ay for southern plants to migrate and gro+ along the +armer sheltered riverbanks* and the higher elevations of the gorge that provide habitat for northern species. 5n the Ne+ River ,orge spring begins +ith the first solitary bloom of a skunk cabbage* bloodroot* or trout lily by the riverside in early 6arch. April offers a forest carpeted +ith +ake robin and great trillium* dutchman)s breeches* and (irginia bluebell* and the understory alive +ith redbud and dog+ood. The finale has sho+y displays of 7ata+ba rhododendron* flame a-alea* 8raser magnolia* and tulip poplar into the last days of 6ay. 'ith over &.*!!! acres of protected habitat* Ne+ River ,orge is a haven for a great diversity of both plants and animals. These public parks are places any of us can explore to discover such +onders* especially during events like Ne+ River ,orge 'ildflo+er 'eekend. All programs are 8R99: 1ring +ater and +ear sturdy +alking shoes for guided +alks. Snacks* binoculars* a hand lens* and a favorite field guide are also useful. Advanced reservations are re;uested for the Garlic Mustard Pull programs and the Hike Into Spring! at ,randvie+. 8or further information or to make reservations !"#"$$#!"%&. 2ere is the programs schedule for this year)s event< Frida1* April ,2* ,.-/ 2andy+ork for 9arth =ay< ,arlic 6ustard Pull

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The National Park Service cares for special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage.

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>< ! am to %.<!! pm* ,lade 7reek trailhead on ,lade 7reek Access Road in Ne+ River ,orge National River near Prince* '( ?< ! am # %%< ! am* 6eet in the lobby at 6c@eever 3odge at Pipestem Resort State Park in Pipestem* '(. 7elebrate 9arth =ay and lend a helping hand to the natural forest at one of t+o locations. Aoin park staff to help remove a troublesome invasive plant species* garlic mustard. 'ear long sleeves* long pants* sturdy +alking shoes* +ork gloves* and bring +ater. Space is limited. Reservations re;uested by April ..B call !"#"$$#!"%&. 'ildflo+er 5= %!%< 1asic 8ield ,uide Skills .<!! pm to "<!! pm* 3ong Point trailhead off ,ate+ood Road near 8ayetteville* '(. 1ring your favorite +ildflo+er field guide Cor use one of oursD for a close#up look at spring blossoms on this ..! mile +alk through old field* forest* and near a mountain stream. Eouth Arts in the Parks Performance 7elebration $<!! pm to &< ! pm* auditorium at Tamarack in 1eckley* '(. See ho+ nature has inspired performance arts of choral* dance* instrument* and the spoken +ord. This celebration of ecology through art features performances by students of Ansted 6iddle School)s Sho+ 7hoir* 1eckley#Stratton 6iddle School Reading 7lass* 7F=A 6ountain Academy of 6usic* @aren)s Academy of =ance* and Nicholas 7ounty 2igh School)s String 9nsemble. Sat%rda1* April ,4* ,.-/ 9arly 1irding at ,randvie+ &< ! am to >< ! am* ,randvie+ 0 Shelter G" at Ne+ River ,orge National River in ,randvie+* '(. 1ring your binoculars and get an early start +ith the local neighbors 0 birds. 9xplore several habitats to see feathered creature hang#outs. 2ike 5nto Spring: ?<!! am to %< ! pm* ,randvie+ 0 Shelter G"* Ne+ River ,orge National River in ,randvie+* '(. Aoin naturalists on a leisurely ../#mile hike from ,randvie+ do+n to the Ne+ River* finding $! to &! different species of blooming +ildflo+ers and other natural +onders along the +ay. The %*"!! foot elevation change offers an abundance of early and late blooming species in one hike. 1e prepared for some steep terrain as +e travel do+n an old dirt road. A free return shuttle +ill be provided. Reservations re;uested by April ..B call !"#"$$#!"%&. Afternoon +ith the Artists "<!! pm to $<!! pm* Tamarack)s front entrance garden and art studios in 1eckley* '(. 7ome and go as you please to see ho+ nature inspires the arts. See Tamarack artists demonstrate their skills. Try your hand at /#minute photography in the garden Ccameras +ill be availableD. 9xplore the art gallery and Eouth Arts in the Parks exhibit at your leisure. 3ittle 1eaver)s Signs of Spring 'alk < ! pm to /<!! pm* park office at 3ittle 1eaver State Park in 1eaver* '(. See spring in bloom on this leisurely %. ! mile discover +alk throughout the park. 3ook for +ildflo+ers* signs of animals* and much more.
EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA

The National Park Service cares for special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage.

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S% da1* April ,5* ,.-/ Spring 1irding at 1abcock ><!! am to ?< ! am* ,lade 7reek ,rist 6ill* 1abcock State Park in 7lifftop* '(. Stroll the diverse habitats of 1abcock in search of the region)s more secretive beautiesHbirds. 8alls I 8lo+ers< the Nature of 1rush 7reek .<!! pm to "< ! pm* nature center at Pipestem Resort State Park in Pipestem* '(. 9nJoy beautiful +aterfalls and blooms along 1rush 7reek on this moderate .! mile round trip +alk. 6eet at the nature center to car caravan or shuttle to the trailhead. 2a+ks Nest (ie+s I 1eauties 'alk .<!! pm to "<!! pm* 2a+ks Nest State Park in Ansted* '(. 6eet outside the park gift shop near the main overlook and the park)s original stone buildings Cnot at the lodgeD. 9xplore the +alk+ay to the vie+s at the main overlook* as +ell as a forested loop trail* the original section of the park built by the 777. 'alk %.! mile on this leisurely stroll through this beautiful and historic area* seeing nature)s +onders all around. April - t$ro%!$ ,6* ,.-/ Eouth Arts in the Parks ><!! am to ><!! pm daily* art exhibit in the the center courtyard vestibules and the =avid 3. =ickirson 8ine Arts ,allery* Tamarack in 1eckley* '(. Students from 8ayette* Nicholas* and Raleigh counties celebrate regional ecology through art in this special exhibit* +orks inspired by the nature of our public parksH especially +ildflo+ers. +++.tamarack+v.com 8or more information about area National Park Service sites visit http<KK+++.nps.govKneri* check out the park 8acebook page at http<KK+++.facebook.comKne+rivergorgenps* follo+ us on T+itter at https<KKT+itter.comKNe+RiverNPS* or stop by any Ne+ River ,orge National River visitor center. 8or more details about 'est (irginia State Park sites visit +++.+vstateparks.com or stop by any state park. A7o%t t$e Natio al Par( Ser#ice E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R AM E R I C A The National Park Service cares for special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage. 8or more information about the National Park Service* visit http<KK+++.nps.gov. 56A,9 caption< (irginia bluebells. Photo by Aodi 8rench#1urr. GGGG

EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA

The National Park Service cares for special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage.