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& 8220;During my travels I have learned to depend on regional guides. Either

before or upon arriving at my destination, I try to find a book that describes

the natural history of the area that I am visiting. Books that describe the different

habitats found in an area and what plants and animals are likely to be found are

especially useful. This is what I have tried to produce in this book, a general

guide to the natural communities, plants, and animals of northwestern North

Carolina.

When I arrived in northwest North Carolina in 1985 to teach biology

at Lees-McRae College in Avery County, it was a wonder to live in one of the

greatest ecosystems, the Southern Appalachians, in the world. I found myself

surrounded by thousands of acres of natural areas, waiting exploration. I also

found that I was woefully ignorant of what surrounded me. Slowly, year by

year I have worked to try to understand the incredible diversity and complex

communities of our area. I am still learning. I have learned from colleagues,

students, numerous field guides, and from just getting out in the mountains

and poking around. I was especially fortunate to find as a home an old farm in

western Watauga County. Nature is no farther than our back porch and is

often inside our house as well. Many of my most rewarding nature observations

have come in my “backyard”. I have also been fortunate to have a job that

results in many hours outdoors with eager young naturalists with curious minds

and sharp eyes. Indeed these students have taught their teacher a great deal.

The purpose of this book is not to replace the many fine field guides

that are available for plant and animal identification. Instead it is my hope that

this book will supplement these guides and may be used to get a better

understanding of this region for those looking to gain more information about

the natural history of our area. While most field guides focus on identification

of particular plant or animal groups, I have instead tried to give an overall

description of the different local communities and the plants and animals one

may encounter in their journeys through these different habitats. I have limited

the animals to the vertebrates, including fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and

mammals. This should not be interpreted that invertebrates and especially

insects are any less important or interesting, but as there are so many of them,

doing justice to this group would expand this book considerably.

References to particular locations will be made throughout the guide

so that the reader may visit these places and hopefully this guide will improve

their understanding of the communities in these locales. I have also included

a list of specific locales with short descriptions that may be useful. Many of

these locales are easily accessible from a parking area, while others may involve

enjoyable day-hikes or overnight trips. I have also listed a number of reference

books and field guides that I have found useful for our region. For each book I

have included a general description and its strengths.

Nature for many people is something to be enjoyed and treasured.

By understanding more about our natural surroundings, our interest and

curiosity only increases. Familiarity with nature can only add to the enjoyment

of spending time outdoors. Hopefully this guide will add to your understanding

of the natural history of this special area and thus increase your appreciation

of the wonders of the Southern Appalachians.

“Label each notable tree, not with pieces of tin or wood nailed to the bark, but

with pieces of thought and understanding nailed to your mind.”

Aldo Leopold& 8221;

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