Hosted by Irvine Nature Center: A Hike Through the Barrens with Serpentine Experts!
| When: | June 18, 2023 |
| 10:00 am Sunday | |
| How Much: | $20 |
Take this unique opportunity to have an intimate look at the Endangered Serpentine Ecosystem of Soldiers Delight. Experience the truly distinctive and globally rare ecosystem of Soldiers Delight Natural Environment Area, with the guidance of experts, Laura Van Scoyoc, President of Soldiers Delight Conservation, Inc. (SDCI), and Dr. R. Wayne Tyndall. Both have dedicated years to studying, restoring, and conserving the unique flora and rich biodiversity which thrives in the unusual substrate of serpentine bedrock. As you encounter wildflowers that grow in few other places, you will learn about the unusual circumstances which created this special habitat and witness first-hand the results of efforts of conservationists who are working hard to preserve it for generations to come, even in the face of a changing climate and overuse of trails during the pandemic. Find out more about this unique habitat in Irvine's Eat, Drink, & Learn event on May 18.
Two hikes are being offered by Irvine:
Saturday, June 17 at 10:00 a.m., there will be a shorter, gentler, 1-mile walk on easier terrain, for those who would like to experience the barrens, without trekking across rockier sections of the habitat. Bring a snack/lunch to enjoy post-hike and remember, Soldiers Delight is a pack-in, pack-out facility, so any lunch items you bring with you must be taken when you leave. This hike costs $10 per person and registration at Irvine Nature Center is required ahead of time.
Sunday, June 18 at 10:00 a.m., there will be a longer hike that will cover the entire 2.5-mile circumference of the Serpentine Trail, portions of which are fairly uneven and more challenging to traverse. Both hikes will be led by Laura Van Scoyoc, and possibly Dr. R. Wayne Tyndall, retired Plant Ecologist with the Maryland DNR and scientific advisor to SDCI. Participants are invited stay after for a casual Q&A with Laura. Bring a snack/lunch to enjoy post-hike and remember, Soldiers Delight is a pack-in, pack-out facility, so any lunch items you bring with you must be taken when you leave. This hike costs $20 per person and registration at Irvine Nature Center is required ahead of time.
