Botanist John Knox will lead a nature walk in Brushy Hills Preserve on Saturday, April 26, at 2 p.m. His title for the event is also an invitation: “Beyond Trees: Seeing the Forest Like a Naturalist.”
“We’ll be identifying species as we walk,” said Knox. “We’ll find that trees are a small percentage of the total plant species in a forest; most are in the understory.” In addition, he noted, the forest is home to many animals and fungi, plus myriad tiny organisms that are vital to the ecosystem but invisible to humans.
Knox will discuss how the Brushy Hills woods can best be handled to provide habitat for a great diversity of forest life in the future, while also storing a maximum of carbon over the next several hundred years.
Knox is a Washington and Lee professor emeritus of biology. He said that three associates will share in leading Saturday’s walk, whom he describes as follows: Kirk Follo, an outstanding amateur naturalist with expertise in plant diversity and botanical history; Chris Wise, horticulturist and longtime conservation activist; and David Rosher, arborist and self-taught botanist and invasive- plant specialist who has identified over 500 native and non-native plants in Brushy Hills Preserve.
The walk will start at the main Preserve trailhead at 1010 Union Run. Parking is limited; participants are asked to carpool if possible and to follow walk organizers’ directions to parking spots as needed. In case of inclement weather, the event will be postponed until Saturday, May 3. For weather updates or other questions, call (540) 460-0854.
Brushy Hills Preserve is the property of the City of Lexington. The walk is sponsored by the Friends of Brushy Hills, stewards of the Preserve by agreement with the City.
