The Ecology of the Sauratown Mountains with Dr. Ken Bridle

Arising from the northern Piedmont, the three peaks that make up the Sauratown Mountains are a unique little mountain range separate from the nearby Blue Ridge. Composed of metamorphosed beach sands, the Sauratown Mountains do not host rare species like the amphibolite range further west. However, because of the interactions of slope, aspect, elevation, and moisture, there are natural communities of plants and animals that occur there and not in the surrounding Piedmont. We will explore their special features and the effect they have on the biodiversity of our area.
Ken Bridle has been a professional scientist for over 40 years. Trained as a botanist with emphasis on plant physiology and natural product chemistry (Ph.D.), these interests have been applied to a variety of projects. He has worked as a natural heritage and watershed inventory biologist, field ecologist, science museum exhibits director, and environmental consultant. He has been active with Piedmont Land Conservancy for over 30 years as a member, volunteer, consultant, board member and staff member. He is currently Conservation Advisor for the Piedmont Land Conservancy, responsible for special projects. He is also a past president of the North Carolina Native Plant Society and is a frequent leader of hikes and nature walks and a speaker on local conservation issues.