Nature Notes

John Lawrence Smith, Famous WV Naturalist and Author, Writer for FOB Died Dec 31st

“When one experiences wind, water and woodlands – the things of the wilderness – he touches the outward signs of something of importance that is inner, unseen and that goes on forever.” – J. Lawrence Smit

John Smith was writing about the tragedy of losing the beauty of the West Virginia high country nearly thirty years before Friends of Blackwater director Judy Rodd sought out this veteran author to serve as one of its advisors. Today he is a member of our Advisory Board and a regular contributor to our quarterly newsletters. One of his regular contributions is the Nature Notes section where he shares his knowledge of the flora and fauna of the West Virginia Highlands with all of our readers. His knowledge is so vast that it could never be fully appreciated with small columns in our newsletter so we have asked him to become a regular contributor to our website. This is his section, his Nature Notes. Please click on the links below to access the articles. (Each article is available in pdf format for you to print and enjoy at your leisure.) If you have questions or comments for J. Lawrence Smith, please submit them via email by clicking here.