2024 Schedule of Events
Check Back for 2024 Events
Butterflies and Lavender
Date: July 31, 2022
Time: 3:00-4:30pm
Location: SWVA Higher Ed Center | VHF Tent
Hear the amazing migration stories of butterflies. Learn the profiles of several common butterflies and how to nurture them in your yard.
Stream Discovery
Date: Friday, July 29, 2022
Time: 10am-noon
Location: White’s Mill
Registration Required: Call 276-628-1600 by 7/28
Wade in a creek and find insects to see how healthy a stream is.
The Elk Are Back!
Date: July 28, 2022
Time: 7:30-9pm
Location: SWVA Higher Ed Center | Executive Classroom
Virginia has Elk Gap, Elk Creek and Elk Garden, but until recently the state did not have the elk that used to be plentiful. Learn how they were reintroduced to Buchanan County.
Nicewonder Vineyard Tour
Date: July 28, 2022
Time: 3-5pm
Location: Meet at the Nicewonder Vineyards Tasting Room parking Lot
How has Nicewonder Vineyards produced award-winning wines in only five years? Tour the vineyard with its manager. Also, see what is new at Nicewonder Farm--the Inn and the restaurant Hickory.
Hike to the Great Channels
Date: July 28, 2022
Time: 9am-4pm
Location: Meet at Hayters Gap Community Center
Activity: Hiking approximately 6 miles round trip
Imagine squeezing between forty-foot high stone walls. The Great Channels is a unique geologic formation composed of a network of deep sandstone crevices at the top of Clinch Mountain.
Tour of the Arboretum at Veterans Memorial Park
Date: July 27, 2022
Time: 7pm - 8pm
Location: Veteran’s Memorial Park
Can’t tell the difference between an oak and a sassafras? Wonder how old the trees are in Veterans Memorial Park? Hear Town Arborist Kevin Sigmon explain how to identify trees and point out unique tree specimens in the park.
Fly Fishing and Aquatic Entomology
Date: Wednesday, July 27, 2022
Time: 8:30-11am
Location: Virginia Creeper Fly Shop
Registration Required: By Tuesday, July 26
Fly fishing combines science, craft, and sport. Where will the fish be? How do you tie a fly that imitates an insect? How do you cast to reach that pool where the fish are? In this outdoors event , learn how to do this.
Area Fly Fishing Opportunities
Date: Tuesday, July 26, 2022
Time: 6:30-8:30pm
Location: SWVA HEC | Room 240
Free
Fly fishing combines science, craft, and sport. Where will the fish be? How do you tie a fly that imitates an insect? How do you cast to reach that pool where the fish are? In two events, learn how to do this.
Climate Change and Biodiversity
Date: Monday, July 25, 2022
Time: 7:30-9pm
Location: SWVA HEC | Executive Classroom
Free
In nature, “It’s an ill wind that blows no good.” What is the impact of climate change on Southwest Virginia’s environment?
Creeper Trail Ride to Honor Lawrence the Legend
Date: July 23
Time: 8am - 2pm
Location: Virginia Creeper Trail Trailhead
Ride the Creeper Trail with members of the Virginia Creeper Trail Conservancy. The pace will be moderate with plenty of breaks.
A Day at Hungry Mother State Park: Critter Crawl
Date: July 22, 2022
Time: 3-4pm
Location: Hungry Mother State Park
Kayaking on the lake, a bird walk, a "creek crawl", a talk on mammals, hiking on your own or with a group, swimming in the lake, and a picnic lunch--spend a day at this park near Marion.
A Day at Hungry Mother State Park: Magnificent Mammals
Date: July 22, 2022
Time: 2-3pm
Location: Hungry Mother State Park
Kayaking on the lake, a bird walk, a "creek crawl", a talk on mammals, hiking on your own or with a group, swimming in the lake, and a picnic lunch--spend a day at this park near Marion.
A Day at Hungry Mother State Park: Hike to Molly’s Knob
Date: July 22, 2022
Time: 1-2:30pm
Location: Hungry Mother State Park
Kayaking on the lake, a bird walk, a "creek crawl", a talk on mammals, hiking on your own or with a group, swimming in the lake, and a picnic lunch--spend a day at this park near Marion.
A Day at Hungry Mother State Park: Bird Hike
Date: July 22, 2022
Time: 11am-noon
Location: Hungry Mother State Park
Kayaking on the lake, a bird walk, a "creek crawl", a talk on mammals, hiking on your own or with a group, swimming in the lake, and a picnic lunch--spend a day at this park near Marion.
A Day at Hungry Mother State Park: Early Morning Kayak Tour
Date: July 22, 2022
Time: 9-10:30am
Location: Hungry Mother State Park
Kayaking on the lake, a bird walk, a "creek crawl", a talk on mammals, hiking on your own or with a group, swimming in the lake, and a picnic lunch--spend a day at this park near Marion.
Walking Tour of Abingdon Vineyards
Learn about wine from grape to glass. Enjoy a walking tour through the vines, crush pad and barrel room. Stay afterwards for 10% off a wine tasting flight. Meet in the tasting room with comfortable walking shoes, hat and water bottle. Kids and dogs are welcome.
Hike to the Pinnacle NAP
Pinnacle Natural Area Preserve in Russell County has waterfalls, limestone cliffs and an abundance of wildflowers, including several state and globally-rare species. It is owned and managed by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Claiborne Woodall, with DCR’s Natural Heritage Program, will lead a 6-mile roundtrip hike to Big Falls, Grapevine Hill, and the Clinch River. Some portions of the hike are very strenuous.
Hidden Rivers Film Screening
Hidden Rivers is a film that explores the rivers and streams of the Southern Appalachian region, North America’s most biologically rich waters. The one-hour film follows the work of conservation biologists and explorers throughout the region - revealing both the beauty and vulnerability of this aquatic life - and how many people are finding ways to protect these ecosystems.
Nicewonder Vineyard Tour
Explore Nicewonder Vineyards, a new vineyard which is already producing award-winning wines, which are served at Taste, also located on the property. Leading an approximately two-mile hike, the vineyard manager will point out the various varietals and explain the planting method and goals for the vineyard. Afterwards, you may stay to sample the wine and eat a snack or meal at Taste. Nearby a greenhouse and garden are designed to supply fresh vegetables for Taste and Hickory, the upcoming restaurant to open in the inn.
Kayak on the Clinch with Clinch Life Outfitters
Experience the peaceful beauty of the Clinch River from Old Castlewood to Oxbow Lake and the new Clinch River State Park. Clinch Life Outfitters will provide kayaks, equipment and transportation.
Special VHF rate is $25 per person. Limited to 15 people. Age 9 and up.
The Clinch River: SWVA's Hidden Gem
Scott Bowen, the park manager of the Clinch River State Park, will talk about this newly created park with accesses along the Clinch River from Russell County to Scott County. Then, a mussel recovery specialist with the Virginia Department of Fish and Game from Buller Fish Hatchery in Marion will talk about the great variety of mussels in the Clinch and some of the threats to their long-term survival.
Snorkeling on Whitetop-Laurel Creek with Blue Ridge Discovery Center
Details: Snorkel on Whitetop-Laurel Creek with wetsuits, snorkel masks, and changing tents provided by Blue Ridge Discovery Center. Bring a swimsuit and towels. Learn all about the underwater habitat and fish ecology. Ages 6 and up. Limited to 24 participants. Cost is $15. Register by July 23.
Creeper Trail Ride to Honor Lawrence the Legend
The pace will be moderate with plenty of breaks, and mileage can be shortened by joining or leaving the group at places along the trail. Participants should bring their own bikes (or rent one in Abingdon or Damascus) as well as weather-appropriate clothing, water, food and a tire-repair kit. Registration begins at 8 am.
Hops & Cider at Kelly Ridge Farms with Tumbling Creek Cidery Company
See how hops are grown and harvested to provide the cidery and local breweries with locally sourced ingredients and how apples are pressed and processed to make hard cider in the cidery’s production facility.
Abingdon Vineyards Walking Tour
Enjoy a walk through the grape vines with Abingdon Vineyards’ owners, then stay for a wine tasting and picnic along the river!
Hike to the Great Channels
On the hike, participants will also see high-elevation forest communities and learn about the geology and ecology of the area.
Mt. Rogers Trail Club Hike
Join hikers from Mount Rogers Appalachian Trail Club (MRATC) Friday Hikers to find waterfalls and wild ponies on Cabin Creek Trail in Grayson Highlands State Park.
Nicewonder Vineyards: A New Winery
Explore Nicewonder Vineyards, a new vineyard which is already producing award-winning wines that are served at TASTE, also located on property.
Hike to the Great Channels
On the hike, participants will also see high-elevation forest communities and learn about the geology and ecology of the area.
"Hidden Rivers" Film Showing
Hidden Rivers is a new documentary that explores the rivers and streams of the Southern Appalachian region, North America's most biologically rich waters. Co-sponsored by Holston Rivers Virginia Master Naturalists and the Upper Tennessee River Roundtable.