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Guest Columnists

CURRENT Guest Columnists

The Mountain Q&A – Lamar Alexander: Hero for the American Outdoors

Lamar Alexander, a Maryville, TN, native, retired in 2021 after serving 18 years in the U.S. Senate. Alexander also served two terms as Governor of TN, was President of the University of TN, and was the U.S. Education Secretary.

Guest Columns: Selected Thoughts from the Past 20 Years

Our Guest Column department began in the May/June 2001 issue and now, a bit more than 20 years later, is being retired in favor of a new Q & A format beginning with the next issue. In commemoration, we present perspectives from the first few

Guest Column: The Power of the Parkway and Partnerships

Carolyn Ward’s distinguished career has spanned three decades from field interpreter at Hungry Mother State Park to CEO of the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation.

Guest Column: The Magic of these Mountains

Rosey Santerre is the Pendleton County Service Forester with the West Virginia Division of Forestry. While not working, she enjoys spending time with her family, growing food and playing in the woods.

Guest Column: The Legacy of Booker T. Washington

Barbara Board is a Franklin County, Virginia native who had a long career with the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service. Upon returning to live in her childhood home, she became president of Friends of Booker T. Washington National Monument.

Current Issue

918d1484-61df-11ec-980d-12f1225286c6-Retired-Senator-Lamar-Alexander

The Mountain Q&A – Lamar Alexander: Hero for the American Outdoors

Lamar Alexander, a Maryville, TN, native, retired in 2021 after serving 18 years in the U.S. Senate. Alexander also served two terms as Governor of TN, was President of the University of TN, and was the U.S. Education Secretary.
41312dce-4658-11ec-b2a4-12f1225286c6-Dan

Guest Columns: Selected Thoughts from the Past 20 Years

Our Guest Column department began in the May/June 2001 issue and now, a bit more than 20 years later, is being retired in favor of a new Q & A format beginning with the next issue. In commemoration, we present perspectives from the first few years.
Carolyn Ward

Guest Column: The Power of the Parkway and Partnerships

Carolyn Ward’s distinguished career has spanned three decades from field interpreter at Hungry Mother State Park to CEO of the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation.
2b5ba5b0-e32a-11eb-8b7d-1244d5f7c7c6-ForestryRomney-4563Vs2-2

Guest Column: The Magic of these Mountains

Rosey Santerre is the Pendleton County Service Forester with the West Virginia Division of Forestry. While not working, she enjoys spending time with her family, growing food and playing in the woods.
a2cb615c-ce9a-11eb-a2a0-1244d5f7c7c6-IMG_0226-2

Guest Column: The Legacy of Booker T. Washington

Barbara Board is a Franklin County, Virginia native who had a long career with the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service. Upon returning to live in her childhood home, she became president of Friends of Booker T. Washington National Monument.
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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