Owners are preparing for their forest’s first biotic inventory with great anticipation of finding rare plants. Tom Wieboldt, curator of vascular plants at Virginia Tech’s Massey Herbarium, will make a winter visit to the forest in early 2014. This will be the first of our inventories done using a standardized protocol developed with the assistance of Foundation partner Natural Heritage Program, a division of the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Frank and Eleanor Biasiolli said they appreciate the chance to meet with Tom, have him conduct the biotic survey and determine whether any rare or endangered flora remain on the property. Between 1850 and 1970, much of the property had been used for pasture, field crops, animal husbandry, and timber. However, Frank reports, there are several intermittent streams with pretty constant marshy headwaters and a long rocky ridge with outcrops that might not have been compromised.
