Friday morning volunteers at The Quarry Gardens get expert guidance and education from Devin Floyd, of the Center for Urban Habitats. Our volunteers include friends and neighbors, Master Naturalists, Master Gardeners—and now, Nelson County High School students.

In the featured photo, Devin is helping Zoe Evans (left) and Ava Garrison identify some of the nearly 100 plant species to be found in our Visitor Center’s demonstration garden. Zoe and Ava are rising seniors at NCHS. Zoe’s Quarry Gardens internship is part of a senior capstone project for the Blue Ridge Virtual Governors School that will culminate in the establishment of an Environmental Club for NCHS students in the fall.

With a focus on Natural Plant Community design and Restoration Ecology, the informal weekly work session topics include species identification and selection, vegetation management, the interrelationships of geology+plants+animals, and cultural landscape history.

Volunteers are invited to join the group any Friday for all or part of the morning session. For details and to RSVP, contact: bernice.thieblot@gmail.com or centerforurbanhabitats@gmail.com