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pril is filled with outdoors-related observances, including Earth Day, observed Wednesday, April 22, and Arbor Day, commemorated Friday, April 24.
It is also the month when many migratory birds return to the state.
To celebrate the season, the Mary Price Ratrie Arboretum at Spring Hill Cemetery Park will offer three public events, all taking place this week. The Spring Hill Cemetery Park Commission sponsors the events, which are free and open to the public.
Here is a look at what is happening. For more information, call 304-881-7037 or visit the Mary Price Ratrie Arboretum website.
Trail Soft Opening
Celebrations begin Tuesday, April 21 — Earth Day Eve. That is when the park will hold a "soft opening" of about four miles of woodland trails that skirt the park’s boundary.
"This will be a 'soft opening' of the trails, which will be fully open by May 1," City of Charleston Arborist Chris Higgins said in a release announcing the event.
Walkers, hikers and runners are invited to the event, which begins at 5:30 p.m. The opening coincides with the cemetery's regular weekly walk and run, which meets every Tuesday through October.
"You are still welcome to walk the roads," Higgins said.
Informational brochures about the city's history and arboretum trees are available.
If you go: Earth Day Eve Trail Opening, Tuesday, April 21, 5:30 p.m. Mary Price Ratrie Arboretum at Spring Hill Cemetery Park, 1555 Farnsworth Drive, Charleston.
Arboretum Walk – Historic Old Circle
Celebrations continue at the arboretum on Thursday, April 23, with an evening walk in the cemetery's Historic Old Circle.
Beginning at 6:30 p.m., Higgins, the city’s arborist, will share information about the trees growing in the area of the city-owned cemetery where many of the Kanawha Valley's earliest families are buried.
According to information on the city's website, the Old Circle is part of the 20 acres originally purchased in 1869.
During Thursday's walk, Higgins will introduce participants to local flora.
"We will take note of two West Virginia Champion Trees and other mature specimens, newly planted witch hazels, dogwood and viburnums," Higgins said.
Recently, crews have worked in the area to remove invasive species, improve bird habitat and protect plantings from deer. This work is part of the Municipal Beautification Committee and Kanawha Garden Club’s promotion of the 1,000-tree city planting initiative, The Appalachian Spring Project.
On Thursday, Higgins will discuss some of the management methods used in the area.
If you go: Arboretum Walk, Thursday, April 23, 6:30 p.m. Spring Hill Cemetery Park, Historic Old Circle, 1555 Farnsworth Drive, Charleston.
Avian Adventures: Wings of Wonder
On Saturday, the arboretum will turn its attention to the cemetery's avian neighbors.
Beginning at 1:30 p.m., representatives from the Handlan Chapter of Brooks Bird Club, the Ratrie Arboretum's Backyard Habitat for Birds program and the Charleston Camera Club will meet visitors in the Old Circle to answer questions about the area's birds and related hobbies.
Children can participate in crafts and activities provided by the West Virginia Division of Forestry.
At 2 p.m., the Three Rivers Avian Center will present "Wings of Wonder: WV Birds of Prey." The program will feature six native raptors, including live owls, falcons, a hawk and a bald eagle named Regis. Visitors can learn about the habitats they live in, the foods they eat, their unique abilities and the dangers they face.
Following the presentation, visitors can explore the cemetery and try their hand at spotting summer migratory birds, which tend to appear or pass through the area at this time of year.
If you go: Avian Adventures, Saturday, April 25, 1:30 p.m. Spring Hill Cemetery Park, Historic Old Circle, 1555 Farnsworth Drive, Charleston.
