Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Guided free hike at Roan Mtn.

Here's a release from the Southern Applachian Highlands Conservancy

"Join the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy for a grassy bald management / goat-viewing hike on beautiful Roan Mountain at 10 am on Saturday, July 25.
This summer, the “Baa-tany Project,” is rotating goats through test plots of vegetation on the high-elevation grassy balds of protected Roan Mountain, in hopes of finding a low-impact method of bald preservation.
Ecologists suspect that historically, grazing animals such as woolly mammoth, bison, elk, and then the cows of European settlers maintained the open balds that characterize the Roan massif. Just to prolong our beautiful day, we’ll continue on to Grassy Ridge. We’ll be able to compare the mechanical efforts with those of the goats up close and personal. The hike will be around 5 miles of moderately steep terrain.
Please dress for the weather and remember to bring hiking shoes, rain gear, backpack lunch, water, and a camera. We’ll break for a picnic in the middle. Directions and meeting location will be sent upon RSVP. This hike is free and open to the public.
For more information contact: Stacy Neiman at (828)253-0095 ext. 205 or stacy@appalachian.org

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