Sunset Hike and Firefly Foray at the Pony Pasture Park Wetlands

Hike from 8 pm - 9 pm with outing leaders Shavon Peacock and Ralph Grove, and then a Firefly Foray talk and viewing at 9 pm in the Pony Pasture Rapids Park Wetlands with Ralph White. Learn about the different species of fireflies as they fly around you in this magical setting with Ralph, retired former manager of the James River Park System. Signed Sierra Club waivers are required for the hike. Shavon Peacock and Ralph Grove will be the outing leaders.

We will hike from 8 pm to 9 pm from the Wetlands entrance into the Pony Pasture Rapids Park and view the early white light firefly species. Then at 9 pm we will meet at the meadow in the Wetlands to see the variety of firefly species, particularly the green light highfliers. Learn about the different species of fireflies as they fly around you in this magical setting with Ralph, retired former manager of the James River Park System. The light show is amazing; it looks like there are millions of flashing green Christmas lights in the tree canopies around the Wetlands meadow. You will see green, yellow, white, blue, and red lights, all with different trajectories and blinking patterns.

Ralph says that the Wetlands and the fireflies there are unique resources. We will save the things we know, so that's why you need to come and explore this amazing natural phenomenon!
Level: Easy
Cost: Free
Signup Instructions: 20 people is the limit for sign up for the hike but anyone can come on their own to the park at 9 to see the fireflies in the meadow and hear Ralph talk.
Bring: Water bottle, tennis shoes, bug spray, and a red flashlight/headlamp or cover your white light with red plastic covering to provide better light to adjust to the dark and fireflies.
Additional Directions: Park at the north (dead end) of Landria Drive and meet at the entrance of the park to begin the hike at 8 pm. If you just come for the firefly viewing at 9 pm, come through the same entrance and then walk straight into the park until you get to the Wetlands meadow.
Cancellation Policy: If rain is scheduled, the event will be cancelled. You can come on your own at 9 pm the next night or two to see the show on your own. The days before and after the 15th should be peak firefly viewing.

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