Bill Beatty Leads Edible, Medicinal and Poisonous Plant Weekend at Blackwater Falls State Park, July 13-15

            DAVIS, W.Va. – Edible/medicinal/poisonous plants. Can you identify them? Bill Beatty shows you how July 13-15 at Blackwater Falls State Park.  “People today look to the natural word for answers to health, food sources and insight,” said Paulita Cousin, park naturalist at the Tucker county destination. The weekend includes an introduction to edible wild plants, a Saturday field trip to Fernow Experimental Forest, and the identification of medicinal plants and edible and poisonous mushrooms.

            The weekend package includes two nights at Blackwater Falls Lodge in a shared room, Saturday and Sunday full-breakfast, Saturday lunch, and Friday and Saturday dinner; refreshments, programs and activities. The cost is $466 for two people. To participate only in the activities, the cost is $71.78 per person and does not include lodging or meals.  The cost to attend individual presentations is $20 each. Pricing for youth is available. Registration and reservations are encouraged by phoning 304-259-5216 or emailing blackwaterfallssp@wv.gov.

The weekend interpretative sessions include:

• Introduction to Edible Wild Plants with guest naturalist Bill Beatty is at 7 p.m. in the lodge conference center on Friday, July 13. The evening includes discussion about the history, availability, use, and nutrition of West Virginia’s edible wild plants.
• A Field Trip to Fernow Experimental Forest by car caravan to Parsons, W.Va., begins at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 14, and is a full day program.  “Fernow offers a first-hand look at a variety of edible, medicinal and poisonous plants,” Cousin said.  “This field trip will be a great day of identification and learning about plants with one of West Virginia’s noted naturalists.”  A bag lunch, snacks and plenty of water is included in the weekend package price. Day-only attendees will need to bring a lunch. Sturdy shoes are recommended. 
• A 7 p.m. Saturday program at Blackwater Falls Lodge on Medicinal Plants emphasizes the history and use of wild plants. 
• Beatty’s program, Edible and Poisonous Mushrooms, begins Sunday, July 15, at 9 a.m. at Blackwater Lodge.

About Bill Beatty, Naturalist/Author