Autumn Wildflower Walk

Fries hosts fall wildflower walk
Sunday, Sept. 3

The town of Fries will hold its first fall wildflower walk on Sunday, Sept. 3, beginning at 9:30 a.m., to showcase more than two dozen spectacular flowering plant species.
There is no charge for admission and no registration required. Just show up. The tour begins on foot at the Fries Depot, 510 Riverview Ave., Fries. That is the start of the New River Trail State Park, where the tour takes place.

“Our spring ephemeral wildflowers are well known along the New River trail,” said Fries Tourism Director Nan Chase. “They are like the tiny jewels of the forest. But the fall wildflowers are equally beautiful – and many of them huge – so we want to show them off too.”

The wildflower walk will be led by local naturalist Ashley DeCarme, who has worked for Virginia State Parks and Virginia’s Natural Heritage Program. She currently teaches science and technology at Grayson County High School, and also leads the spring wildflower walks sponsored by the town of Fries.

Her focus will be on plants that bloom in late summer and early fall, and how each species is affected by both its physical environment and by other plants, animals, and human activities in the area. Featured plants will include evening primrose, common sneezeweed, frost aster and eastern prickly pear.

The pace will be leisurely, with frequent stops. Organizers of the walk will supply a souvenir checklist for plant identification and reference.
For information contact Fries tourism at friesevents@gmail.com or 276-235-9294. For lodging options see www.friesva.com.