For those of you familiar with this area, this time of year brings beautiful new life blooming all around us. The spring flowers of our Laurel Highland region are truly unique and spectacular. If you haven’t yet witnessed this, now’s the time to get outside and experience it for yourself. Last month, MWA held a wildflower walk on the Gorge section of the Indian Creek Valley Trail so that folks from the community could do just that. Despite a few spurts of rain, we were able to share and enjoy the beauty of the Gorge with almost 30 people — and 4 dogs!
With the help of our friend Lisa Smith, a wonderful guide and nature enthusiast, we were able to identify many different types of flowers and plants, including native and non-native species, as well as invasives. Invasive species of plants hold a particular importance because of their ability to disrupt the ebb and flow of our natural ecosystem. This issue is becoming increasingly popular as many environmental groups, clubs, and individuals are actively trying to eradicate these plants in order to preserve natural flora habitats. So not only was our wildflower walk a chance to enjoy the annual bouquet of natural beauty provided by the woods around us, it also served as a reminder of the fragility of this beauty, and the need for outdoor enthusiasts to remain vigilant and protective of what we all hold dear.
Over the next several weeks, we will be highlighting different species of wild flowers and plants in our area. Check back for more blog posts about the native, non-native, and invasive plant and flower species of the Laurel Highlands. In the meantime, get out there and see the beauty for yourself!