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Roan Mountain Winter Naturalist’s Rally
February 21
Join Friends of Roan Mountain on Saturday, February 21st at the Roan Mountain State Park Conference Center for a winter celebration of the Roan Highlands! Since 2007 the Winter Naturalists’ Rally has drawn hardy nature enthusiasts from far & wide to Roan Mountain on a Saturday close to Valentine’s Day. The 2026 Winter Rally continues this celebration of our natural world by providing expert speakers on topics concerning the environs of the Roan Highlands. Top naturalists volunteer their time and energy to make the event both enjoyable and educational for people of all ages.
9:00 am – Registration
Beginning at 9:30 am – Our featured morning speakers:
9:35 am -Monica Johnson, CPRP, M.S., CIG, Roan Mountain State Park Manager
Program: “Roan Mountain State Park Hurricane Helene Recovery and Eastern Hellbender Research
10:30 am -Dr. Blaine Schubert, Executive Director of the Center of Excellence in Paleontology and Gray Fossil Site & Museum.
Program: “The Gray Fossil Site, Appalachian Bears, and Beyond”
11:30 am – Kelly Celeste Porter, M.F.A., East Tennessee State Faculty, Graphic Design and Visual Communication
Program: “Slowing Down to See More: The Benefits of Nature Journaling”
12:30 am – Lunch -Bag lunches available by pre-paid reservation. Deadline for reservations is Tuesday, Feb. 17th.
1:15 pm – After Lunch Activities: – Meet at the Conference Center
Indoor Program: “Seeing, Not Perfecting: A Beginner’s Nature Journaling” Leader: Kelly Porter. Materials provided
Hikes will leave from the Roan Mountain State Park Conference Center. Pre-registration for these activities is not required. Meet trip leaders at the Roan Mountain State Park Conference Center at 1:15.
Hike #1. Peg Leg Mine Trip leader: Philip Hylen, Park Ranger at Roan Mountain State Park. (easy, kid friendly)
Hike #2. Fungus Finds in Winter Trip Leader: Mike Gartin
Roan Mountain has many deep connections to the boreal forest. Learn about these ancient similarities while exploring the ecology of winter in the spruce-fir forest. (carpooling; moderate; kid-friendly)
For a complete brochure and to register Online:
* Visit our website: https://www.
Friends of Roan Mountain hosts the annual Spring and Fall Naturalist Rallies and Xtreme Roan Adventures
(the Kids Rally) in late July
Also……
* Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/
