Discover NC! Catawba County

Bakers Mountain

Hickory, NC (http://www.co.catawba.nc.us/depts/parks/bakrmain.asp)

Provider: Catawba County Parks

Resource summary

• Appropriate grades: K–12
• Subjects: science (biology and life science, environmental science, geology)
• Provider: Catawba County Parks

More from LEARN NC

• Snakes are cool This lesson begins with a reading of Verdi by Janell Cannon. It integrates science with language arts as the students learn about snakes and write about their findings.
• Birds of a feather, an interdisciplinary unit: Math/Science wing This lesson is part of an interdisciplinary unit on birds which contains math/science and language arts components. In the math/science wing, students will prepare frequency tables and construct a circle graph of the species of birds observed at bird feeders.
• Habitat photo album Students will use digital cameras and explore the outdoors searching ecosystems for opportunities to take pictures of different habitats and the components that go into them.

More on the web

• North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission - Wildlife Species and Habitat Information A North Carolina Wildlife Resources site with detailed information about wildlife resources and management in the state. Information about animals such as the wood duck, white-tailed deer, beaver, wild turkey, quail, sea turtles, and predators such as various owls, osprey, black bear, wild boar and the gray fox is found here.
• eNature.com Includes a field guide with over 5,000 species, a habitat gallery of places for wildlife near you, migration information, an ask-the-expert area, and more. You can also listen to an audio clip of the bird of the day!
• Natural Inquirer Learn all about the environment including topics in nature, trees, forests, wildlife, insects, outdoor activities, and water.

Located on the highest point of elevation in Catawba County (1780 feet), Bakers Mountain is a wonderful place to explore the wildlife and plants of the foothills of western North Carolina. The park, Hickory's best kept secret, has nearly six miles of trails in which to see the native flora and fauna of the area. The mixed hardwood forest of Chestnut trees and Mountain Laurel surround hikers as they make their way to the top of the mountain where they can view Catawba County from an observation area and gazebo.

Park Rangers are available to take students on guided tours where they will learn about wildflowers, trees, birds, and snakes. The curriculum used comes from Project Learning Tree. Tours are free of charge. Experts are also available to come to classrooms to talk to students about the rich natural heritage of the county.

The entrance to the park is located on Bakers Mountain Road just off Old Shelby Road. The park is open Friday - Monday only. Contact Ranger John Sutton at jsutton@catawbacountync.gov or 828-312-4844 for more information and to arrange a program.