On Saturday, June 23, the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy (SAHC) will host a day of free, guided hikes in the Highlands of Roan. This June Jamboree will be held as part of a year-long celebration for protecting 50,0000 acres. These six guided hikes will feature a variety of interests and difficulty levels, and are designed to give participants a feel for the conservancy’s work as well as the ways in which people can enjoy the protected landscape. Participants in the June Jamboree can choose between a birding hike to Hampton Creek Cove, relaxing hike and yoga class in the Roaring Creek Valley, kids’ play day in the creek with fun stream ecology, and ridgeline hikes on the Roan balds with opportunities to view native flowering plants like Catawba rhodododendron and flame azalea. SAHC is also offering an option for hikers to meet before and after the hikes for light refreshments and fellowship at Roan Mountain State Park. For more information and detailed hike descriptions, or to register for the June Jamboree, visit www.Appalachian.org, email rich@appalachian.org, or call (828) 253-0095. This event is free and open to the public.