I sent an initial e-mail to the points-of-contact provided to me for the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation asking if there would be a way to follow a DCR employee into areas of the BMNAP that are not typically accessible by the public. After 2 follow-up requests, I received a message back from Ryan Klopf 13 days later stating there might be a way to to access the rest of the preserve using a research permit but he asked me for further clarification about the course I am currently taking towards my Masters. I provided Mr. Klopf with an explanation of the course and that I wanted to incorporate photographs of rare species of plants from the BMNAP as part of my research-based class.
He indicated at the summit, I should have no problems seeing the rare Mountain Sandwort and three-toothed cinquefoil. I did inform him I had just hiked to the summit a few weeks prior and did not see either, but they could be on the summit in areas not accessible to the roped off trail sections.
As I wait for further information and instruction about the possibility of getting to hike and photograph additional rare species of plants, I am planning my next excursion to BMNAP as well as preparing to write a blog post about ways to collect and organize weather and climate information about BMNAP and the surrounding areas.
Stay Tuned!
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