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Creature Feature

CURRENT Creature Feature

If Frogs Could Talk: What are the Amphibians in the Garden Trying to Tell Us?

The only time you should worry about these little croakers is if you don’t see them in the garden.

17-Year Cicadas: They’re Ba-a-ck

Get out the ear plugs—the 17-year periodical cicadas are getting their buzz on.

Making a Difference in Citizen Science Month

Since its founding in 2016, Citizen Science Month—in April—has greatly expanded its numbers as people work to protect species and the natural world.

Hard Headed (Ah, the Early-morning Hammering)

Why have woodpeckers fared better than many other birds in the Blue Ridge region?

New Kind of “Magic Wand” – Appalachian Wild: Rescuers Extraordinaire

This innovative North Carolina facility helps injured and orphaned wildlife, even in the face of current challenges.

Current Issue

Gray Treefrog (Hyla versicolor)

If Frogs Could Talk: What are the Amphibians in the Garden Trying to Tell Us?

The only time you should worry about these little croakers is if you don’t see them in the garden.
It has not been confirmed how cicadas “know” to emerge every 17 years.

17-Year Cicadas: They’re Ba-a-ck

Get out the ear plugs—the 17-year periodical cicadas are getting their buzz on.
Before the coronavirus hit, the emphasis for Citizen Science Month was in-person multi-generational collaboration and learning, as in these photos. Last year’s was fully virtual, as will be the 2021 undertakings.

Making a Difference in Citizen Science Month

Since its founding in 2016, Citizen Science Month—in April—has greatly expanded its numbers as people work to protect species and the natural world.
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Hard Headed (Ah, the Early-morning Hammering)

Why have woodpeckers fared better than many other birds in the Blue Ridge region?
From Top: Eastern Box turtle; North American river otter; baby black rat snake about to emerge.

New Kind of “Magic Wand” – Appalachian Wild: Rescuers Extraordinaire

This innovative North Carolina facility helps injured and orphaned wildlife, even in the face of current challenges.
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Departments

At Coopers Rock State Forest, new Stargazer cabins invite guests to look up through skylights and telescopes.
Country Roads

Even Closer to Almost Heaven

New Stargazer cabins at Coopers Rock State Forest offer a skyward escape in the mountains of West Virginia.

June 29, 2026
©Duncan Seaman
Country Roads

A Mountain Tradition Turns 90 

Visitors flock to Galax, Virginia, each summer for the Old Fiddlers’ Convention, a days-long celebration of Appalachian music.

June 29, 2026
Synchronous Fireflies
Creature Feature

The Light Fantastic

Fireflies are struggling with the effects of artificial light.

June 29, 2026

CALENDAR OF EVENTS