Little River Canyon to Hold Earth Day Celebration

Fort Payne, Ala. – Little River Canyon will celebrate Earth Day 2012 on Saturday, April 21 with a day of guided walks, activities, food, and fun for everyone to enjoy. Rendezvous at the Rim will bring together nature lovers, outdoor enthusiasts and park rangers to honor one of Alabama’s natural wonders. This family-friendly event kicks off National Park Week which lasts through April 29.

Rendezvous at the Rim is a joint effort by the Little River Canyon National Preserve and the Friends of the Preserve. This first annual event is an opportunity to experience the scenery and to learn about native animals, geology, and the skills needed to care for the Canyon and the more than 200,000 people that visit each year. Learn how park rangers fight forest fires and prepare for rescues. Talk to rangers that build trails and make the park a welcoming place to visit. Come along on guided history hikes ideal for children and adults.

Put your new knowledge to use by becoming a Junior Ranger while earning a special junior ranger badge. The Junior Ranger program was created by the National Park Service to provide kids between the ages of 6 and 12 years old with hands-on, in-depth information about the resources that our parks protect.

“This event is a great way to celebrate Earth Day and a wonderful time to take a look at all the new things at Little River Canyon National Preserve,” said John Dersham, president of the Friends of the Preserve at Little River Canyon. “A new trail from Little River Falls has been completed and provides a fun hike under Highway 35 and through the woods to the Little River Canyon Center. A new boardwalk trail leading from the Little River Falls parking lot provides easy access to great views of the falls.”

Activities will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Little River Falls along Highway 35. Admission is free. Concessions will be available for purchase. For more information, call Dersham at 256.845.3957 or visit www.friendsofthepreserve.org.

During National Park Week April 21-29, 2012, visitors can enjoy the beauty and wonder of nearly 400 national parks across the country for free. “America’s national parks have something for everyone,” said National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis. “Take a break and experience something new, enjoy some fresh air, get some exercise, and see where history happened. And, since admission is free to all 397 parks, all week long, National Park Week is a great time to get up, get out, and explore a park.”

The Friends of the Preserve is a support organization not directly affiliated with the National Park Service but that abides by National Park policies and procedures. For more information, visit www.friendsofthepreserve.org.