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What is a Virtual Naturalist Program?

During social distancing DeSoto State Park will continue to bring fun and educational programs to you via video, photos, and social media posts about hikes, blooms, and waterfalls on our Facebook Page! 

Check out additional Alabama State Park Facebook pages for more Virtual Naturalist Programs:

• Oak Mountain State Park
• Lake Guntersville State Park
  
• Gulf State Park
  
• Cheaha State Park
• Cathedral Caverns State Park

Wild Azaleas (Rhododendron canascens) They have a wonderful fragrance, can grow up to 15 ft tall, and is found in many places in the park especially along Laurel Creek and small streams. Places to see: Talmadge Butler Boardwalk Trail, Neverland trail, upper Blue trail, and Violet trail.

Chalet Trail 0.7 miles Moderate. Run/bike/hike! This trail takes you past some of our Mountain Chalets and through mixed hardwoods and fern glades. The Chalet trail is considered moderate because of roots & rocky areas, but it is one of the best trails in the park for those just starting to mountain bike or hike.

Bladderworts/Utricularia Bladderworts are carnivorous aquatic or terrestrial plants, with members of the family found in all 50 states and around much of the globe. They are considered the fastest plants in the world, with a trap mechanism that can capture a bug in one hundredth of a second. How you ask? They have their own little vacuums!

Did you know you can share your nature observations—like wildflowers—with others through iNaturalist? If you are using this time of social distancing to explore nature (yard, park, anywhere!), you can still virtually connect with other naturalists, researchers, and nature lovers by sharing what you find on iNaturalist.org. You can join different projects to add to, like Alabama State Parks, and Biodiversity of Alabama. Check out the website or get the app today! www.inaturalist.org

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