New Year’s Day is the perfect day to get outside and start the New Year off naturally and focused on plants.  A number of years ago our Northern Neck Chapter of the Virginia Native Plant Society started a New Year’s Day Walk at Hickory Hollow Natural Area Preserve but the scourge of Covid forced that to be canceled for the past few years.  But alas, the Walk has been reinstated this new year for Sunday, Jan. 1 at 1 pm with the co-sponsorship of the NN Audubon. The temperature is predicted to be in the fifties.  

Hickory Hollow is home to a colony of Virginia’s earliest blooming plant, Skunk Cabbage, that occurs in Cabin Swamp.  I think most of you know that Hickory Hollow Natural Area Preserve near Lancaster offers one of the best nature walks in coastal Virginia with numerous trails and various ecological communities ranging from a rare coastal plain seepage swamp to mixed pine-hardwood forest. This walk will be to Cabin Swamp to check out the Skunk Cabbage bloom and enjoy the outdoors. The ravine trail down to Cabin Swamp is somewhat narrow and steep so wear sturdy shoes and carry a walking stick if you desire. The walk will be led by members and naturalists.

This walk is offered to members and the public.  If you would like to assist or ask questions about it, please contact me at NNAudubon@gmail.com

Hickory Hollow is one of Virginia’s 66 Natural Area Preserves and contains 254 acres of mixed pine-hardwood forest, ravines, and swamp habitats. Photos below from last week – blooms & the trail to Cabin Swamp.

DRIVING DIRECTIONS to Hickory Hollow: From Kilmarnock, follow VA 3 towards Lancaster. Just before you reach Lancaster, turn right onto Reginia Rd., VA 604 and Hickory Hollow will be on your left. If coming from the north, pass through Lancaster and turn left on Regina Rd.