The Spring wildflower bloom has been going on for about a month and a half now. It kicked off with the maroon and yellow fingerling petals of the trout lily, the delicate white (and sometimes pink or purple) blossom of the spring beauty. Those have pretty much passed, and now we’re on to the bluets, ladyslippers, Dutchman’s breeches and more. The point? The show won’t last much longer, which is why today we’re recommending wildflower hikes for the coming weekend.
Saturday
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Starflower is out and about Friends of Lake Norman Spring Wildflower Discovery Hike, 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., Lake Norman State Park, Troutman. These hour-long hikes in search of spring wildflowers will be led by a retired N.C. State Park ranger. More info here.
- Spring Tree ID Hike, 2 p.m., Lake James State Park, Nebo. Check out the new growth of spring on this ranger-led hike on the Holly Discovery Trail. More info here.
- Bentonville in Bloom, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Pretty much what the title says in this program that’s an official event of the NC Science Festival. Learn more here.
Sunday
- Eno River Association Sunday Wildflower Hike: Pump Station, 2 p.m., Northside Christian Church parking lot, 3901 Cole Mill Road, Durham. 1.5-mile hike on the Pump Station Trail at Eno River State Park, in search of the Ladyslipper orchid and more. Registration required, by going here.
- Butterfly Bingo, 2 p.m., Hammocks Beach State Park, Swansboro. Part of the reason for the spring bloom is to keep pollinating butterflies busy. Come see who in particular is flitting about and what exactly they’re pollinating.
New trail opening
We love an opening — a new trail opening — and there’s one Saturday from 10:15 a.m. to 1 p.m., at then Triangle Land Conservancy’s Brumley South Nature Preserve in Chapel Hill. As part of Operation Earth Day, TLC is opening a new 3.5-mile trail network. The event is free, but preregistration is required, by going here.
Earth Day events
For a rundown of Earth Day events in the state, check out the N.C. Environmental Education calendar, here, where you’ll find events on Friday (the actual Earth Day), Saturday and Sunday.
No reason not to GetOut! this weekend!
Enjoy.