Historic Area.

Even after the chilly breezes of autumn have stripped them of their leaves, trees provide clues to their identification by way of their bark, leaf scars and other individual characteristics. Explore Sky Meadows’ diverse forests with Shenandoah Chapter Master Naturalist Paul Guay, and find the characteristics that are key to identifying any tree, even in the winter months. Begin in the park’s Carriage Barn with an informative introductory presentation on tree anatomy, symbiotic and parasitic relationships among trees, tips and tricks to winter tree identification, and more. Then, test your new winter tree identification skills on an approximate 2-mile guided hike along the park’s wooded trails. Bring water and lunch to eat along the trail, dress in layers, and wear sturdy shoes.

$10/car parking fee.

More info:  540-592-3556, [email protected]

Join the Oak Spring Garden Foundation (OSGF) for a special evening as we gather around the table and celebrate the harvest through the seasons with a menu curated and created by Chef Jason Neve. Dishes will highlight a medley of heirloom crops grown at Oak Spring’s Biocultural Conservation Farm(BCCF).

The event will begin at 5:00pm with libations and hors d’oevres in the School House Courtyard, followed by a dinner served at 6:00pm in the Schoolhouse, one of the oldest buildings on Rokeby Farm.

Kindly note that due to the nature of this event, we are unable to accommodate dietary restrictions or preferences. This meal may contain dairy, eggs, gluten, and nuts

About the Chef

Jason Neve joined the Oak Spring family in April of 2022. Born and raised in Cape Canaveral, Florida, Jason grew up immersed in the natural world of mangrove islands, sandy beaches and the wide-open sea. An early interest in cooking for family and friends evolved into an education at the Culinary Institute of America. Following his graduation from the Bachelors program in 2003, Jason moved to New York City and worked at AIX Restaurants under Chef Didier Virot. In 2005 he joined the Batali & Bastianich team to open Del Posto, which sparked his passion for cured meats that eventually led him out west to Las Vegas in 2007. 10 years passed as Jason started a family and worked his way up to Culinary Director for all of the Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich properties in Las Vegas. However, the east coast was calling Jason back; so in 2016 he moved to Boston to open and assume the role of Executive Chef for the Eataly location there.

In 2018 seeking a change of pace from the hustle and bustle of Eataly, Jason was fortunate to secure the Chef-in-Residence position at the Robert Rauschenberg Residency in Captiva Florida. This provided him a return to his home state, a reconnection with cooking and the relationships formed by interacting with those you cook for, and a glimpse into the world of the artist. When his time in Captiva came to an end in 2019 he returned to the restaurant world this time in Charlotte NC, as Executive Chef of Rooster’s Wood Fired Kitchen and The Jimmy; two Noble Food and Pursuits establishments. For the next 3 Years Jason survived the pandemic life of restaurant business, but never stopped thinking about using his cooking talents outside the standard restaurant walls. Karma and a celestial alignment prevailed in 2022 when Jason joined the Oak Springs Garden team as Chef and Head of Culinary Services. Now cooking for residents and guest by showcasing the bounty of the BCCF farm, Jason is looking forward to growing the culinary programs within the foundation.

Carriage Barn in the Historic Area.

Join professional outdoor instructor Tim MacWelch to learn about the remarkable seasonal wild edible and medicinal plants of the Blue Ridge Mountains. This full-day hike will cover native and non-native species of useful plants and will conclude with a sampling of the foods you gathered from the wild. Each participant will receive a full-color copy of MacWelch’s Fall Wild Edible Plants manual as a take-home reminder of the plants they studied in class.

Registration is $127/person (non-refundable) and includes the parking fee for Sky Meadows State Park. Limited to 15 registrants (minimum 13 years of age). To register please visit the Advanced Survival Training website at https://www.advancedsurvivaltraining.com/.

The course will be held rain or shine. Bring water, dress in layers, and wear sturdy shoes. Proof of pre-registration must be presented upon arrival at the park Contact Station.

More info: 540-592-3556, [email protected]

Picnic Area.

Explore the rich natural history of trees guided by a Virginia Master Naturalist. Discover the tips and tricks of basic tree identification and the tree-mendous roles trees play in our environment. Discover the traditional uses and folklore of these wooden wonders. This guided three-tenths of a mile gentle walk will meet at the Sensory Explorers’ Trail in the Picnic Area and will last approximately one hour.

For more information on the Virginia Master Naturalists, please visit http://www.virginiamasternaturalist.org/ .

The Sensory Explorers’ Trail is open for self-guided walks daily for people of all ages and has adaptations for the blind and visually impaired. To learn more about this feature, visit https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/sky-meadows#recreation .

$10/car parking fee.

More info:  540-592-3556, [email protected]

Historic Area.

Discover our International Dark-Sky Park! Our evenings begin with a half-hour children’s “Junior Astronomer” program, followed by a discussion about the importance of dark skies and light conservation. Then join NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL) Ambassadors for a presentation on the latest news in space research. Finish the evening by relaxing and enjoying the night’s beauty with the members of the Northern Virginia Astronomy Club (NOVAC) as they open their telescopes to public observation. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs and/or blankets. Feel free to bring your telescope or binoculars for your own exploration. To learn more about NOVAC and other local astronomy offerings, please visit https://www.novac.com/wp/observing/ .

To expedite your payment process, we encourage you to pay ahead online at https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/daily-pass . The confirmation code must be presented at the gate. To learn more about the Virginia State Park Annual Pass, visit https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/passes .

Entrance gates close one hour prior to the program end time. Exit gates remain open.

$10/car parking fee.

More info: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/sky-meadows, 540-592-3556, [email protected]