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Geography and the Environment
 Everywhere, from "State of the Planet" to "The Lion King," we are learning how everything is interconnected. This includes the very land beneath our feet along the Parkway: the Appalachian mountain range. The Geology shapes the thin layer of dirt above it, and in the process shapes our history and our future.
The Appalachian Ecology page takes this relationship a step further. Putting the pieces together so that we can see how everything connects to everything will help us answer our environmental questions.
Resource Management Issues and Activities
The Parkway doesn't just talk about protecting its resources, though. An entire division is dedicated to protecting each piece of the environment that makes up the park. Here's a listing of the the most significant Natural Resource Management projects underway on the Parkway at this time.
Flora and Fauna
Are the rhododendron blooming yet this spring? Find out on the Wildflowers page!
The plants and animals of the Parkway are some of our favorite visitor attractions. Wildflowers in the spring, autumn leaves in October, spotted fawns and black bears... These are some of the most obvious examples, but there are literally millions more if you know where and how to look. Sometimes the plant or animals that you don't see are important, such as the rare bog turtle or Heller's blazing star. For most visitors, though, it helps to have a list of what they might see. That's why we've given you a start with our Birds, Wildflowers, and Trees pages.
Natural Interpretation
So how do you learn about the flora and fauna? Interpretive programs! Most people think of interpretation as changing one language into another, and here on the Parkway that's a pretty good definition of what the rangers do. They translate the natural language of the mountains into something that visitors can understand. Special programs on the Natural History are given by rangers during the summer months at most developed areas. To find out more about Interpretive Programs being offered, contact your local Ranger's office.
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