Year of the Beetle

In our last article, we looked at the unprecedented diversity and ecological functions beetles provide to the rest of us living here on Earth.

Nature NotesMolly SandfossMay 9, 2021nature, beetle

Nature Notes

As we near the busiest season of the year at Lake James State Park, it’s a good time to soak up the last few days of spring before diving into summer.

Nature NotesMolly SandfossMay 9, 2021nature

Cove Bridge Nears Completion

What started out as a pipe dream is now a reality as construction crews working on the pedestrian bridge spanning Mills Creek have demobilized.

NewsMolly SandfossMay 7, 2021bridge, visitor center

Nature Notes

The signs of spring are everywhere as Lake James State Park shrugs off the cold, dark days of winter and plants and animals emerge to greet the warming sun.

Nature NotesMolly SandfossMay 7, 2021nature

Clay's Corner: State Parks by the Numbers

There are some lucky North Carolina residents that are fortunate to live near one of the state’s 41 parks, recreation, or natural areas.

Park Staff, NewsMolly SandfossMay 7, 2021staff, state parks, nature, camping, lake

Campfire Cooking

Park StaffMolly SandfossMay 7, 2021recipe, camping, cooking

Year of the Beetle

Beetles, the most important organisms on Earth?

Nature Notes, NewsMolly SandfossMay 7, 2021beetle, nature

Save the Date

Volunteer opportunity on April 24 for Swim Run Lake James

VolunteersMolly SandfossMay 6, 2021events

Trees for Trash

On December 12 a dedicated crew of volunteers set about planting 50 native trees and shrubs throughout the Paddy’s Creek Area of Lake James State Park.

Volunteers, NewsMolly SandfossFebruary 4, 2021trees, volunteers, native plants

Volunteers Return Obeth Cemetery to Prominence

Obeth Cemetery has been important to me since I was there with my dear grandmother in the 1950s.

News, VolunteersMolly SandfossFebruary 4, 2021volunteers, cemetery, restoration

Trail Bosses

During the fall and winter of 2020, Lake James State Park benefitted from the hard work and expertise of a Conservation Corp North Carolina trail crew.

Volunteers, NewsMolly SandfossFebruary 4, 2021

Visitor Center Update

Progress & Next Steps

NewsMolly SandfossFebruary 4, 2021

Clay's Corner: Growth and Change

Things are changing at Lake James State Park, just as things always seem to do. In the past couple of years, the park staff family has seen retirements, promotions, new employees, births and deaths. Possibly the biggest change we are undergoing as of late is the construction of a 6,000-square-foot visitor center that will house new offices, an exhibit hall, gift shop and classroom.

Park StaffMolly SandfossFebruary 4, 2021regulations

Year of the Beetle

A new year means a new opportunity to learn about the natural world around us. For more than a decade, North Carolina State Parks has dedicated an annual campaign to some fascinating group of critters, plants or natural process and given it “Year of …” status. Welcome to 2021, Year of the Beetle.

Nature NotesMolly SandfossFebruary 4, 2021nature, beetle

Nature Notes

If there’s one constant everyone can rely on it is Nature’s unwavering march through the seasons.

Nature NotesMolly SandfossFebruary 4, 2021nature

Friends of Fonta Flora State Trail

Since its designation as a state trail in 2015, the popularity of the Fonta Flora State Trail has grown rapidly within the region, and is now attracting visitors from all over. When completed, the trail will connect Burke, McDowell, and Buncombe counties with 100 miles of scenic hiking, biking and greenway trail from Morganton to Asheville.

NewsMolly SandfossDecember 11, 2020fonta flora, state trail

Clay's Corner

Have you swung into the park after a hard day’s work with visions of a fast, flowy afternoon, gliding through rollers on the bike trail and sweaty high fives at the end of your run, only to be met with the unexpected and unexplained “Trail Closed” sign?

Park Staff, NewsMolly SandfossDecember 11, 2020biking, mountain biking, trails, trail closures