Lichens Night Hike

Lichens Night Hike – Come explore the fascinating world of lichens at night! Many lichens produce secondary chemicals and metabolites that fluoresce brightly under UV light. Using handheld UV lights to scan tree trunks and rocks, we will search for lichens with brilliant colors of yellow, orange, electric blue, and more on this unique lichen night walk. Start at the campfire ring for a quick intro to lichens, and then head out to see what can be found. Bring a light (red flashlight and or/blacklight if you have them) and wear closed-toed shoes. Terrain will be rocky and unlevel, approx. 1 mile. Leader: Curtis Hansen from the John D. Freeman Herbarium at Auburn University. 7 p.m. (CST) DeSoto State Park-Fort Payne, Alabama. Meet at the Campfire Ring in the Improved Campground. Campground gate will be open to the public. Free & open to everyone, no pre-registration required. For any details about the hike, email Brittney.Hughes@dcnr.alabama.gov