MONTEAGLE — Trails & Trilliums, a weekend-long outdoor event featuring hikes, workshops and children’s programs, is set for April 8-10 in Monteagle. The annual event is sponsored by the Friends of South Cumberland State Park (FSC), and is the nonprofit’s biggest fundraiser.

The naturalist rally will be headquartered at the DuBose Conference Center in Monteagle, with hikes and workshops taking place throughout South Cumberland State Park. Early-bird registration for Friends members opens February 18, with registration opening to the general public on March 1.

A highlight of the weekend will be David Haskell. He will kick off the Wine & Wildflowers event with a discussion of his books, The Forest Unseen and The Song of Trees. His newest book, Sounds Wild and Unbroken will be published in March, and will be available at the Friday evening reception at Cravens Hall at the University of the South campus in Sewanee.

Expert state-certified naturalists will provide three days of guided hikes, workshops and slide presentations, with opportunities to focus on a key “Naturalist tracks,” including geology, wildflowers, gardening with native plants, trees, nature journaling, astronomy and more.

Other events include a native plant sale from Overhill Gardens; and family outdoor activities, including pioneering, fairy house building, hands-on wildlife, family hikes, an owl program and a “nature night” family camping event at the DuBose Conference Center.

Early-bird registration for FSC members opens February 18, with open registration set for March 1. To register or learn more, go to www.trailsandtrilliums.org. At the site you’ll also find additional information on events and locations of hotel rooms, cabins and camping in the area. Trails & Trilliums is sponsored by Lodge Cast Iron, Tower Bank in Monteagle and Jasper Highlands.

The Friends of South Cumberland is a group of volunteer citizens dedicated to supporting the South Cumberland State Park. At 30,837 acres, it is the state’s second largest state park. To learn more visit www.friendsofsouthcumberland.org.•

{The Lynchburg Times is the only locally owned newspaper in Lynchburg and also the only woman-owned newspaper in Tennessee. We cover Metro Moore County government, Jack Daniel’s Distillery, Nearest Green Distillery, Tims Ford State Park, Motlow State Community College, Moore County High School, Moore County Middle School, Lynchburg Elementary, Raider Sports, plus regional and state news.}