When: January 24, 2026 @ 12:00 pm
Explore the tiny yet complex world of mosses and liverworts
Luscious, damp, and leafy, mosses are miniscule rainforests in your backyard. A single boulder may be home to hundreds of subtly different species, all sheltering a variety of microscopic animals like tardigrades and rotifers. We often overlook these tiny plants due to their small stature, but each one is equipped with ingenious adaptations that allow them to thrive in some of the harshest conditions on earth; mosses can be found happily photosynthesizing on bare rock faces, exposed tree limbs, even nooks in sidewalks or roofs!
In partnership with Friends of Panthertown, join Mainspring’s Outreach Director Skye for this gentle hike to discover the secrets of the mosses. We will discuss how they utilize their diverse toolbelt to make a home in the odd places in the forest, learn how to identify a few common species that you can find almost anywhere, and appreciate these teensy creatures’ clever beauty. Participants are encouraged to bring their own naturalist tools such as hand lenses/loupes, but magnifying devices will be available for those without their own.
This event is geared towards beginner naturalists 12 and up, but experts are welcome to attend to share their own knowledge with the group! Younger children are welcome as well, but may not grasp all the information shared during this event. Participants should bring plenty of water, sun protection, warm layers, and any naturalist tools they may want such as a hand lens, notebook, or field guide.
We will meet at the Salt Rock Gap Panthertown Trailhead in Glenville just before 12:00pm on Saturday, January 24th. See the map below for exact location. This hike will be about 3.5 miles roundtrip, with a moderate uphill rating for about half of the distance. In total, this hike will take around 3 hours.
This event is weather-dependent. Please leave pets at home. Email Skye ([email protected]) with any questions.
Registration will be through Friends of Panthertown, and is coming soon. Stay tuned!
Meet your teacher!
As Mainspring’s Outreach Director, Skye Cahoon inspires people to connect with their local landscape and value the conservation efforts that protect it. As a kid, she could often be found climbing trees, hunting for salamanders, or chasing fish at the swimming hole. Her passion for nature grew with her, and in 2020 she earned her Bachelor of Science in Zoology from the University of Maine. Integrating her experience in wildlife research with her excitement about the natural world, Skye now strives to make science fun and accessible. She leads a variety of educational programs here at Mainspring, and enjoys continuing to learn about the diverse and fascinating creatures that call the Southern Appalachians home.
