The Joyful Botanist: Something Spicy

Many of the first signs of springtime are subtle. There are little shifts in the breeze as the sun begins to feel a bit warmer and remains in the sky a little bit longer each day. Birdsong increases morning and evening, and other flying beings begin buzzing around looking to forage some pollen and nectar. 

Notes from a plant nerd: Go, go chasing butterflies

Every year at the beginning of fall, an amazing thing happens in North America, and the Southern Appalachian Mountains.

Welcome monarchs to the mountains

The Mountain Monarch Festival will return to Gorges State Park in Transylvania County for its second year 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, celebrating the monarch butterfly during its migration season.

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