You will learn one advantage the goats have over the machine in restoring the grassy balds of Roan Mountain.

Learn how the goats create an advantage for the rare Grays Lily.

If you would like to be a part of this restoration project, download the Goad Adoption Form.

You can adopt a goat for the 2010 season. You get to name the goat and receive a certificate of adoption and a lock of your goats hair. Pretty cool.

But there are a limited number of goats for adoption.  Adopt yours today.

Check it out here:  Baa-tany Goat Project Adoption Form.pdf

And I hope to see you on the mountain.

Ken

ken@MountainTips.com

Here is a short video with Jamey Donaldson of the Baa-tany Goat Project.

[youtube width="425" height="344"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0XHl2Huwlk[/youtube]

Go here for the Baa-tany Goat Project

Go here for the Friends of Roan Mountain

If you have questions email me: ken@MountainTips.com

Instead of calling in to work to say the raods are too bad, we can go skiing!

Last weekend’s snow storm was another good time.

   It has been too long since I went cross-country skiing on top of Roan Mountain.

 The antique 1980′s cross-country skis that I still use, were noticed and commented on.

And don’t forget next weekend’s Winter Naturalist’s Rally, Saturday at Roan Mountain. Great Outdoor Education:  brochure,  registration

Registrater by Feburary 9.

Let’s go outside and do something!

If you have blown your recreation budget on lift tickets already, then I have a deal for you!

Saturday, February 13, The Friends of Roan Mountain Annual Winter Naturalists’ Rally

Jam packed into one day are: three speakers (INDOORS) and choice of two hikes (OUTDOORS)

Go here: Winter Rally Brochure

Go here: Registration

Kid friendly, and always a learning experience!

I hope to see you ON THE MOUNTAIN!

  Baa-tany Goat Project.

This is the second year of the Baa-tany Goat Project to restore the grassy balds on the Roan Highlands.  This is along the Appalachian Trail from Carver’s Gap, at the North Carolina – Tennessee state line to the slope of Grassy Ridge to the east.

Why? Because I see what will be lost in a few short years if nothing is done.  Jamey Donaldson is the research biologist in charge of the Baa-tany Goat Project.  He presented a pictorial record at one of the Naturalists’ Rallies.  You could see and compare the pictures for yourself.  Or, if you have hiked the grassy balds over  any length of time, you have seen for yourself the ever invasive blackberries growing where there used to be open grassy areas.  If you get a chance to see Jamey’s presentation, you will be stunned by how rapid the invasion really is.

 
So that is why I am interested in helping with the Baa-tany Goat Project.  By goat-sitting for a weekend, Jamey got to go off the mountain for a while.  I got to camp in the gap between Grassy Bald and Jane Bald. And do a little bit to help restore and preserve these wonders.

Saturday, August 1, Friends of Roan Mountain held their first Youth Naturalists’ Rally.

Listen to these enthusiastic kids after a full day on the mountain and ending their day with a 3 mile hike over the grassy balds: [display_podcast]

Register now for the 47th annual

Fall Naturalists’ Rally

coming September 11-13: Friends of Roan Mountain.

Schedule of activities here.

‘see you on the mountain.

Ken@MountainTips.com

http://www.MountainTips.com