Annual Meeting Highlights

Thirty BRNN members gathered to walk, talk, eat and celebrate together at the 12th Annual Meeting of the Blue Ridge Naturalist Network. Most attendees enjoyed a morning walk with Luke Cannon, Charlotte Caplan or Ranger E.J. Dwigans of the Holmes Educational State Forest, where the meeting was held. The weather was perfect and the mushrooms even cooperated for Charlotte’s walk.

Our luncheon was briefly interrupted when a very mellow barred owl came to perch just outside the picnic shelter, creating a buzz of excitement and allowing many photos to be taken.

After receiving the usual reports on finances, membership, outings and other activities, the group voted unanimously to elect the slate of board members that had been nominated by the current board. Mayo Taylor and Paul Fredrickson will serve one additional year as President and Outing Program Director. Joyce Hooley will serve two years as Vice President and Marilyn Koltan will serve two years as an at-large member. Board members Nancy Cole (Secretary); Diane Mooney (Communications);  Kris Stewart (Finance and Membership) and David Teafatiller (At-Large) will continue to serve.

As always, the highlight of the meeting was the presentation of our Blue Ridge Naturalist of the Year Award. Jim Poling, our 2021 Naturalist, was pleased to present the award to Charlotte Caplan. His announcement recognized her excellent skills as a naturalist, her generosity in sharing those skills with others, her role in founding BRNN, her long service as Treasurer and her continuing contribution through our annual plant sale that is a major source of funds. Charlotte is shown here with former awardees Jim Poling, Dan Lazar and Jesse Wilder. 

Thanks to Nancy Gordon for the photos.(Owl and Naturalists) and David T (Luke Cannon)