Geography & Nature

 

 

Alderman, J. Anthony. Wildflowers of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Chapel Hill, NC : The University of North Carolina Press, 1997.

This field guide is packed with information on 205 species of wildflower that grow along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Brief descriptions of the flowers are arranged by color and supplemented by color plates at the back, as well as name and site indexes. This guide also includes a list, with descriptions and maps, of the 75 best wildflower viewing sites along the Parkway. Also includes a brief glossary of botanical terms.

 

Catlin, David T. A Naturalist’s Blue Ridge Parkway. Knoxville : The University of Tennessee Press, 1984.

An older guide, but still an excellent source of information. Written for the layperson, this source covers topics ranging from geology of the Southern Appalachians to trees to fish, and makes them accessible. Includes appendices and indexes, photographs, and color plates.

 

Alden, Peter and Gil Nelson. National Audubon Society Field Guide to the Southeastern States. New York : Alfred A. Knopf, 1999.

Broader in scope than the other resources, but it is so comprehensive that it will be an invaluable aid to any nature treasure hunter along the Parkway. This compact guide won't take up much room in a backpack, but it still covers everything from topography and astronomy to flora and fauna. Part III, Parks and Preserves, contains a section devoted to the Parkway. Includes many color photographs and illustrations.

 

Virtual Blue Ridge - Parkway Nature
http://www.virtualblueridge.com/parkway/nature.html

Topics at this site include: Geology, Appalachian Ecology, Resource Management, Birds, WIldflowers, and Trees. Each section includes a few short essays (a long paragraph or two) on various topics, written for the layman. The Wildflowers section consists of a bloom chart that also includes mileposts. The chart in the Trees section is also handy -- it includes common name, family, and fall color. Overall, this site provides some good, basic information on ecology, flora and fauna. Interesting and easy to digest, thanks to the brevity of the individual topics.

 

National Park Service - Blue Ridge Parkway - Nature and Science
http://data2.itc.nps.gov/nature/index.cfm?alphacode=blri

This is the direct link to the Nature & Science page that can be found on the main NPS Blue Ridge Parkway site. It features short essays (a bit longer that those at Virtual Blue Ridge) on topics ranging from "Wetlands, Marshes and Swamps" to "Amphibians." The essays avoid terminology that is too technical, and are accompanied by photographs. While it lacks charts similar to those of Virtual Blue Ridge, it is an appealing, informative site, with a potpourri of interesting essays.