When: May 1, 2010 (Time will be flexible in order to meet the needs of participants.)

Who: professional and amateur naturalists, scientists, and historians

Why: The purpose of the event is to bring together local talents to identify uncommon or special species, habitats, or sites with important human use or cultural history for protection and management as part of the planning process being conducted by the Albemarle County Parks & Recreation Department. The Blitz may serve as a model for future parkplanning and management.

Where: Patricia Ann Byrom Forest Preserve Park in White Hall, Albemarle County, Virginia. Park is located on Route 810. Maps will be sent to participants. Information and registration: Diana Foster / email dfoster@newventure.com / telephone 434-964-1022

General description of the park:
In 2004 Robert Byrom donated 600 acres of land to Albemarle County in honor of his wife, Patricia. In 2008, theBoard of Supervisors approved creation of the Patricia Ann Byrom Forest Preserve Park. This beautiful, steep, mountainous land is located in northwestern Albemarle County and abuts several large private landholdings and, via a small segment of land, ShenandoahNational Park. Located within the park’s boundaries are forests, streams, rock outcrops, and various signs of human impact such as old logging roads and foundations of homesteads and outbuildings. The County’sParks and Recreation Department is currently overseeing planning regarding future recreation, park and recreation management, and natural resource protection.