High Knob Destination Center

04/22/2025

Happy Earth Day! We love to celebrate our region today and every day, so check out this video highlighting a few of our more unique critters that call the High K**b Region home!

Want to know how you can Show Your Love For The High K**b Region? Visit www.explorenortonva.com/recreateresponsibly for ways you can help by recreating responsibly.

The High K**b Region is an oasis of biodiversity in Southwest Virginia's coalfields, home to dozens of distinctive Appalachian wildlife species. This is a lo...

04/17/2025

🦇Happy Bat Appreciation Day!!🦇

Bats are truly unique creatures as they are the only mammal capable of true, powered flight! They also have a specialized navigational ability called echolocation in which they use sound waves to navigate and hunt.

There are over 1,400 species of bats worldwide; 47 of which are found in the US and 17 in Virginia. Bats play an important role in the ecosystem as they control pests, pollinate plants, and help disperse seeds. 🌱

To celebrate these amazing creatures, the Center’s Question of the Week is…
How many insects can some small bats eat in a single hour? 🦟🪲⏱️⏳
Comment correctly to be entered in our weekly contest for a t-shirt!

Bats may be very interesting, but they are also in trouble! They are currently considered among the most endangered groups of animals. See this article to learn more about bats and what we may be able to do to help our fuzzy, winged friends, even at home:
https://iucn.org/story/202504/benefits-bats-celebrating-critical-contributions-bats-international-bat-appreciation?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR7TNXs8Oxr9_8A5BVUIYdJ3hVjoJJhQ8quBzJAE15uLOaFeae1YNslJXncHdg_aem_KkFsLKLdkhxWf6A72nXuVg

Every year on International Bat Appreciation Day (April 17), we get a chance to celebrate all that bats do for the world and its ecosystems.

04/16/2025

🎉We're excited to officially celebrate the opening of the High K**b Destination Center with a Grand Opening Ceremony at 10 a.m. next Friday, April 25! 🎉

If interested in attending, please park at the Norton Municipal Parking Lot, located at 765 Park Ave. NW. Due to limited parking, we will be shuttling people from the Municipal Lot to the Center.

The event schedule will be as follows:

10 a.m. - Ribbon Cutting

11 a.m. - Building Tours & Refreshments

1-3 p.m. - Guided hike in Flag Rock Recreation Area and self-guided driving tours on High K**b

Questions? Please contact us at (276) 679-3103.

04/12/2025

Thanks to everyone that joined us for our group hike on High K**b this morning! ❄️🥶

04/10/2025

International Beaver Day was Monday, so in order to celebrate these special rodents, we have a new beaver-centered Question of the Week for you all! 🦫

How long can beavers hold their breath on average?

Answer on this post or stop by the center to submit an answer today, tomorrow, or Saturday 10 am to 4 pm!

Everyone with correct answers will be put into a drawing for a free High K**b Outdoor Fest t-shirt of your choosing. Winner will be announced Monday, April 14. Good luck! 🍀

Check out this cool video of one of our resident beavers caught by Kara Dotten!

04/09/2025

Happy Wednesday! Don't forget that our Youth Art Contest deadline is approaching soon!

04/04/2025

Happy Friday! Join us at 10 a.m. next Saturday, April 12, for a group hike from Norton Reservoir to High K**b Tower and return. See below for more info.

🥾Distance/Difficulty: 6 miles/Moderate to Difficult

🥾Registration required. Email [email protected] or call (276) 679-3103 to sign up.

🥾 Please wear sturdy shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, and bring a snack and water.

04/03/2025

We’re happy to have some uncommon amphibian neighbors at the High K**b Destination Center! This mating pair of Mountain Chorus Frogs was spotted in a small, shallow wetland on the property during warm weather this week.

As Southwest Virginia’s only frog species on Virginia’s Species of Greatest Conservation Need list, Mountain Chorus Frogs spend most of their time in upland forests but move to small, shallow wetlands to breed in early spring. The two frogs here are engaged in “amplexus,” a courtship behavior that precedes actual mating. In fact, you can even see some fresh frog eggs on the righthand side of the first image.

Unfortunately, Mountain Chorus Frogs prefer very small wetland areas that often get drained, filled, or impacted by human disturbances. You can help make sure these special members of our Appalachian forests by protecting even small and shallow “mudholes” on your property.

Researchers at UVA-Wise and Virginia Tech are also looking for reports of this species in our region. Check out more on the Mountain Chorus Frog and how you can report sightings at https://www.mtchorusfrog.fishwild.vt.edu

Photos by Wally Smith

04/02/2025

Don't forget our Youth Art Contest is still accepting submissions until April 14!

🌼The category for this contest will be VA Native Wildflowers, most art media welcome (check below for exceptions).

✏️Grade categories include: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12

One submission per student, download the entry form here: http://www.nortonva.org/DocumentCenter/View/4689

Winners and honorable mentions will have their art shown in an exhibit here at the center and other prizes will be awarded to first, second, and third places.
Full details and Guidelines listed below. For any questions, call 276-679-3103 or email [email protected].

04/01/2025

Thanks everyone for participating in our Question of the Week contest!

The answer to “The High K**b summit is located on what mountain?” is….

B. Stone Mountain! Everyone who answered, answered correctly, so congrats everyone!

Our winner is Teresa Kirk Osborne! Please reach out to us at 276-679-3103 or [email protected] to arrange picking up your t-shirt.

Send a message to learn more

03/28/2025

The view from High K**b tower is beautiful, but where are you while you take in the gorgeous scenery?

Our Question of the Week at the center is "The High K**b summit is located on what mountain?" Comment your answer below:

A) High K**b
B) Stone Mountain
C) Pine Mountain

Those who answer the question correctly will be entered into a drawing for a free High K**b Outdoor Fest t-shirt of your choosing. Winner will be announced Tuesday, April 1st.

03/20/2025

Happy World Frog Day!🐸

⛰️The High K**b Region is home to more than 10 species of frogs/toads. Some you may have been hearing and seeing more often as March has rolled around and some you might not hear until May and see more through the summer. What frogs have you been hearing in the High K**b Region so far?

🟢For more information on Virginia’s native frogs, frog calling schedules, and even a frog call quiz, visit https://www.virginiaherpetologicalsociety.com/amphibians/frogsandtoads/index.html

🐸Come by the Center today and tomorrow (10 am to 4 pm) to celebrate these critters by making your own origami frog (it will even hop)!

03/18/2025

Thanks to everyone who came out on Friday to learn about Butterflies on National Learn About Butterflies Day!

Special thanks to Chris Allgyer for leading an amazing program!

30 guests joined us at the center to learn about butterfly life cycles, different native butterflies and their behaviors, and what we can do at home to attract these beautiful insects!🐛🦋

03/15/2025

Unfortunately, the center will be closed the remainder of the day today, March 15, 2025. Thank you for your understanding and we will see you again Thursday March 20, 2025, from 10 am to 4 pm!

03/14/2025

🌎Does your child have a love for art? Celebrate our Earth by entering the High K**b Destination Center's Youth Earth Day Art Contest!

🌷With the first day of spring quickly approaching, the category for this contest will be VA Native Wildflowers, most art media welcome (check below for exceptions).

✏️Grade categories include: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12

One submission per student, download the entry form here: http://www.nortonva.org/DocumentCenter/View/4689

Submissions accepted now through April 14th at 5:00 pm!

Full details and Guidelines listed below. For any questions, call 276-679-3103 or email [email protected].

03/13/2025

Searching for a way to kick off the weekend? Join us at the Center at 6 p.m. tomorrow, March 14, and celebrate National Learn About Butterflies Day with Chris Allgyer, a Virginia Master Naturalist. Learn about the butterfly life cycle and more! Registration encouraged but not required.

Questions? Contact us at (276) 679-3103 or [email protected].

The High K**b Destination Center is located at 1147 Laurel Ave. SW, Norton.

03/10/2025

Happy Monday! Starting this week, the Destination Center's hours will be 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Stop by and see us!

Also, plan to attend these upcoming events this week at the center!

🦋 Blooms and Butterflies (6 PM Friday, March 14). Celebrate National Learn About Butterflies Day with Chris Allgyer, a Virginia Master Naturalist. Learn about the butterfly life cycle and more! Registration encouraged but not required.

🧘🏽Morning Yoga Class (9 AM Saturday, March 15). Join Barb Bee for a slow flow yoga class at the center. Cost: Free. Registration encouraged but not required.

Questions? Contact us at (276) 679-3103 or [email protected].