Cliffs of the Neuse State Park celebrates the frog, Haw River State Park celebrates wild flowers, and Asheville celebrates the fleet of foot with a trail run. It all happens Saturday, your last chance to celebrate April.
By Emily Reeves, intern
Coast: Save the Frogs
April 30 — Saturday — is International Save the Frogs Day; Cliffs of The Neuse State Park near Goldsboro promises a hopping good celebration in observance. Participants will be able to take part in various activities that give you the chance to learn about the challenges frogs face.
After a presentation in the Visitor Center, there will be a hike in search of frogs residing in the park.
Saturday forecast: High of 79, low of 61, mostly cloudy.
Vital Stats: Save the Frogs Day, Cliffs of the Neuse State Park, Saturday, 2 p.m., meet at the Visitor Center. Contact cliffs.neuse@ncparks.gov, call 919.778.6234, or go here for more information.
Looking ahead: Fitness Hike at Goose Creek State Park, Washington, Saturday, May 7, 10 a.m, bring a way to track your steps on a brisk-paced 5-mile hike. More information here.
Piedmont: Spring wildflowers
I have a friend who says late April is the perfect time of year to see flowers. Wildflowers are in peak bloom, their perky color accentuated by the grass and trees, which are the greenest of greens.
Saturday, a Haw River State Park ranger leads a wildflower hike on the new Great Blue Heron Trail in its just-opened Iron Ore Belt Access area. The trail runs near wetlands, through meadows and beneath mature hardwoods; it’s terrain ideal for wildflower viewing and perhaps glimpsing a wood duck, or if you’re lucky, the day’s international guest of honor (see Coast entry, above), the frog.
Saturday forecast: High of 74, low of 60. The day will be cloudy, but don’t forget sunblock!
Vital Stats: Wildflower Walk, Haw River State Park, Browns Summit, Saturday, 10 a.m. to noon. Contact haw.river@ncparks.gov, call 336.342.616, or go here for more information.
Looking ahead: Salamander Search at Pilot Mountain State Park, Saturday May 7 10am -12pm, learn about the lifestyle of a salamander then hike to explore and search for some in their habitats. More info here.
Mountains: 2016 Camp Cedar Trail Run
Saturday, Asheville is hosting the inaugural Camp Cedar Cliff Trail Run on 350 acres of mountain forest that is part of The Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove. There will be a 5K, an 8K, and a Kids Fun Run. Proceeds benefit the camp. After the runs, participants will be able to enjoy camp activities, food, and fun, while they wait for the award ceremony and raffle drawing.
Saturday forecast: High of 79, low of 60, chance for afternoon thunderstorms.
Vital Stats: 2016 Camp Cedar Trail Run, Camp Cedar Cliff, Asheville, Saturday, 8 a.m; $25 for the 5K, $30 for the 8K. Contact 828.450.3331, or find more information, including trail elevations and maps here.
Looking ahead: Life of a Park Ranger, Gorges State Park, Friday, May 13, 5:30 p.m., learn about the many different hats a park ranger wears while enjoying some S’more’s over an open fire. More info here.
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Those are our thoughts on the weekend. Find more options at the sources listed below.
Coast
CapeFearCoast.com
Comprehensive calendar for the Cape Fear/Wilmington/southern N.C. coast searchable by date and event name.
Coastal Guide
Comprehensive calendar including nature programs from a variety of coastal conservation and research agencies that offer nature programs. Covers the entire coast.
Crystal Cost Tourism Authority
Comprehensive calendar focusing on the Crystal Coast. Good source for programs offered by N.C. Coastal Federation, Cape Lookout National Park, N.C. National Estuarine Research Reserve and other costal conservation and research agencies that offer nature programs.
NCCoast.com
Comprehensive calendar including programs for the Outer Banks and Crystal Coast.
North Carolina Coast Host
Comprehensive calendar for the entire coast that lets you search for events by day, by region, by county, by city or by event (based on key word).
This Week Magazine
Primary focus is the Crystal Coast (North Carolina’s coastal midsection).
Mountains
Asheville Citizen-Times
From the main page, click on “Outdoors,” then WNC Outdoors calendar.
Blue Ridge Outdoors
Searchable calendar lets you extend your reach to events throughout the mid-Atlantic and Southeast (or you can just limit it to North Carolina). Also lets you search a boatload of categories, ranging from Hiking, Mountain Biking and Climbing to Trail Running, Triathlon and Road Walking.
The Mountain Times
From the main page, click on “Calendars,” then Main Events.
Piedmont
Charlotte
Charlotte Observer events calendar
Comprehensive calendar searchable by category, including Nature, Recreation, Recreation & Wellness, Running
Charlotte Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.
Triad
GoTriad.com
Comprehensive calendar includes a Sports & Recreation category.
Piedmont Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.
Triangle
Triangle.com
Comprehensive calendar searchable by category, including: Birding, Boating, Cycling, Nature, Rec & Wellness, Recreation, Running, Swimming, Tennis, Yoga.
Carolina Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.
Statewide
Great Outdoor Provision Co.
Calendar includes three weekly events for each of its seven markets: Chapel Hill, Charlotte, Greensboro, Greenville, Raleigh, Wilmington and Winston-Salem. Search by market.
Office of Environmental Education
One calendar for the numerous Environmental Education Centers statewide.
North Carolina State Parks
Lets you search for programs at the state’s parks, recreation areas and natural areas by location, by month, by topic. To reach the calendar from the home page, click on “Education,” then “Fun & Free Programs at Parks.”
National Forests in North Carolina
From the home page, click on Carolina Connections for news updates on the state’s four national forests as well as hints on recreational opportunities and a detailed rundown of recreation areas and the amenities at each.
U.S. National Wildlife Refuges
Rundown, by month, of regular activities at the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service refuges in North Carolina.
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