Celebrate the arrival of spring at West Virginia University’s Core Arboretum.

Continuing a WVU tradition begun in the 1950s, the Department of Biology invites members of the University community to take a guided wildflower walk through Core Arboretum. As always, the walks begin at 2 p.m. the last three Sundays in AprilApril 13, 20 and 27.

No reservations are necessary. The tours are free, though monetary donations are welcome and aid the University in maintaining the arboretum. Guides will be Jon Weems and Dr. Donna Ford-Werntz of the biology department. Walks begin at the gravel Arboretum parking lot and take about two hours to cover just over a mile.

Virginia bluebells carpet the ground in some areas around mid-April. Many other wildflowers, including bloodroot, dwarf larkspur and wild blue phlox, are plentiful at times from later March into May. Those who can’t come on a Sunday wildflower walk are welcome to come on their own. Brochures with maps are available on site.

Another Core Arboretum tradition is the annual Bird Walks sponsored by the Mountaineer Audubon chapter every Tuesday and Friday at 7:15 a.m. April 8 through May 9.

Four local Audubon experts will take turns leading the walks: Norma Venable, Susan Schneider, Brent Bailey and Susan Olcott.

Participants should dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes. Duration of the walks will depend on the weather and the number of birds seen.

Named in memory of Earl L. Core, a distinguished WVU botanist who provided the stimulus and direction to develop the 75?acre tact of open field, wooded hillside and lagoon area into a living laboratory to enhance the Department of Biology’s teaching, research and service missions.

The biology department is one of 16 academic units of the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences.