Claytor Nature Center - September BRFAL Meeting

The September meeting for the Blue Ridge Foothills and Lakes (BRFAL) chapter of the Virginia Master Naturalists (VMN) was held at the Claytor Nature Center (CNC - http://www.lynchburg.edu/claytor-nature-study-center) located near Bedford, VA.  The CNC was donated to Lynchburg College by the late A. Boyd Claytor III.  What a great venue for our meeting!

 The CNC is located on 470 beautiful acres on the Big Otter River and located at the foot of the Peaks of Otter.  Our meeting was hosted by Mr. Dan Cohen, Education Coordinator for the CNC.  Dan was gracious enough to give us an overview of the CNC as well as some specifics of his grades K-12 educational outreach program.  Dan trains volunteers to assist him in training the K-12ers.  I have done this myself and have found it very rewarding.  If you are interested in participating, please contact Dan Cohen at 540.587.4061 or cohen.d1@lychburg.edu.

 Following Dan’s presentation and a brief BRFAL business meeting, Dan conducted a short nature tour on the grounds adjacent to the Big Otter River.  We then broke for lunch at the Peaks of Otter Lodge with a nice view of Lake Abbott and the Peaks.

 After lunch we returned to CNC for a tour of the spectacularly beautiful Cloverlea Farm and Memorial Gardens.  The view from the garden is framed by the Peaks of Otter.  You don’t want to miss this.  If you would like to visit CNC, please stop by the Education and Research Center and sign in.  Trail maps are available.  I have attached a few pictures of our day to wet your appetite.

 Rich Brager

 Presentation by Dan Cohen

 Tour of Education Center  

 Dan leading hike               

 Big Otter River                

 Lunch at Peaks of Otter   

 Cloverlea farm house      

 Reflecting pool              

 BRFALers at Cloverlea