The Sewanee Herbarium events are now following a seasonal schedule. Spring and summer offerings will be wildflower walks. Fall will bring various activities focused on art, and winter’s events will be instructional, i.e., plant identification using field guides. Nature journaling will be an on-going, year-round offering.

Foster Falls, Saturday, Aug. 20, 9 a.m., with Mary Priestley. This has long been a favorite spot for late season wildflowers that thrive in the open sun, such as blazing star and numerous asters. Meet at the Foster Falls parking area for this one-to-two-hour easy walk in the power line right-of-way above the gorge with optional short but steep trek to the bottom of the falls and back to see some trees and ferns. Contact the South Cumberland State Park Visitors’ Center for directions (931) 924-2980. Want to take a dip after the walk? Bring your suit. Foster Falls is also a wonderful place for a picnic.

Mountain Goat Trail, Saturday, Aug. 27, 9 a.m., with Yolande Gottfried. The Mountain Goat Trail is a paved walking/biking trail following an old railroad bed. We will walk a short section of it to spot late summer wildflowers. Meet in the parking lot of the Franklin County/Sewanee Airport at 262 Airport Road.

Nature Journaling, A group meets for nature journaling Thursdays from 9–11 a.m. Come try it out – stick with it if you like. Bring an unlined journal (or a few sheets of unlined paper) and a pen or pencil. No experience needed. For more information email <mpriestley0150@gmail.com>. All times are CST or CDT.

Wear appropriate shoes on all of these walks. Risks involved in hiking include physical exertion, rough terrain, forces of nature, and other hazards not present in everyday life. Picking flowers and digging plants are prohibited in all of the above-mentioned natural areas.

For more information on these or other Sewanee Herbarium events, please get in touch with Yolande Gottfried by email at <ygottfri@sewanee.edu>.