The Maryland Native Plant Society

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  • Field Trip: Fall Foliage Hike at Dora Kelley

Field Trip: Fall Foliage Hike at Dora Kelley

  • 11/03/2012
  • 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
  • Alexandria, VA

Registration

Sponsoring Organization: Ford Nature Center

Title:Fall Foliage Hike at Dora Kelley Nature Park

General Description: Adults are invited to explore fall’s emerging beautiful colors in this hike through the eastern section of the Holmes Run Gorge at Dora Kelley Nature Park in the City of Alexandria. The program features a presentation on tree and native plant identification by Rod Simmons, plant ecologist, and Jennifer Millwood, naturalist.  We will see many species of native trees and shrubs, including most of the upland oaks.  We will also see a number of plant communities, including old-age Oak-Heath Forest.
 
Dora Kelley Nature Park, at the eastern end of the Holmes Run Gorge, is one of Alexandria’s largest and most important natural areas. The scenic Holmes Run Gorge is one of the most floristically and geologically diverse areas of northern Virginia and comprises a large, deep stream valley that is regionally significant for its massive bedrock exposures, sections of old-age forest, and uncommon to rare flora.

See 'Remnant Natural Areas in Parks, Waterways, and Undeveloped Sites in the City of Alexandria, Virginia: Beauregard Street Corridor' at http://alexandriava.gov/48838 for more on the flora and natural communities, including uncommon to rare species, of Dora Kelley Nature Park and environs.

Leaders: Rod Simmons and Jennifer Millwood

Directions: Shirley Highway (395) to King St. (Rt. 7) west exit.  Gradually move to left lane after exiting and take left onto Beauregard St. at bottom of hill (Beauregard St. becomes Walter Reed Dr. at this intersection at edge of City of Alexandria and Arlington County).  Follow Beauregard St. south and uphill past Seminary Rd. and downhill to Sanger Ave.  Take right onto Sanger Ave. and continue a short distance to its end.  Turn left into parking area (shared entrance with school) and proceed to parking lot at woods edge and park.  Meet at the Ford Nature Center, 5750 Sanger Ave. 

Registration: Please RSVP Jennifer Millwood at (703) 746-5559 or Jennifer.Millwood@alexandriava.gov.

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