Press Release from MountainTrue:
BLITZ THE BLUFF WITH MOUNTAINTRUE
Second Annual Bluff Mountain Bio-Blitz To Inventory Diverse Ecosystem
Hot Springs, N.C. — Join MountainTrue on the second annual Bluff Mountain Bio-blitz happening on Saturday, June 3 in the Pisgah National Forest near Hot Springs, North Carolina. During the Bio-blitz, expert and amateur naturalists will work in teams to document the biological diversity of Bluff Mountain.
“This event is a great opportunity for people to hike in a unique and diverse ecosystem, learn from expert naturalists, and see our native species and habitats first hand,” explains Josh Kelly, MountainTrue Public Lands Field Biologist.
This event is open to the public and donations are suggested. Blitzers will have the option of taking part in either moderate or strenuous hikes led by expert-level naturalists.
Bluff Mountain is a massive peak that rises more than 3,500 feet above the French Broad River to a height of over 4,600 feet. Bluff has many of the conditions associated with some of the most diverse sites in the Blue Ridge: high elevation relief, complex geology with circumneutral conditions, and numerous streams, springs, and seeps. These conditions should provide an ideal habitat for an abundance of rare and common species, yet few biological inventories of Bluff Mountain have occurred.
Bluff Mountain bio-blitzers will endeavor to inventory the biological diversity of Bluff Mountain. MountainTrue will provide maps and resources to help standardize data collection to participants. After the bioblitz, all the data collected will be submitted to the US Forest Service as part of a citizens’ proposal for protective management of Bluff Mountain.
Expert-level naturalists and knowledgeable locals participating include ornithologists, botanists, ecologists, mycologists, entomologists and lichenologists.
The Bluff Mountain Bio-Blitz nature inventory is hosted by MountainTrue and the Hot Springs Mountain Club on June 3. Interested participants should meet at 8 a.m. at Hot Springs Community Center, located at 43 Andrews Avenue North, Hot Springs, NC 28743. To RSVP or to get more information, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2017-bluff-mountain-bio-blitz-tickets-34519919007?aff=es2
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