The Selu Conservancy at Radford University

05/28/2026

🐝🌳🛶So much to do at Selu for !

We’re celebrating American Hiking Society on June 6 at Selu Conservatory. Join us and join this nationwide event! Any trail. Anywhere. bit.ly/trails-day

Stay tuned for our full calendar of events!!

Society of St. Andrew RU Outdoors

05/23/2026

Join us on June 6th at Selu Conservancy to celebrate American Hiking Society !! 😉🥾 Any Trail. Anywhere.

👉Trails connect us to nature and to each other — and National Trails Day® is an incredible opportunity to experience that connection firsthand. Listen to the birdsong, enjoy the fresh air, and take in the beauty of the trees, blooming flowers, and the natural world around you. There's nothing quite like being present in the outdoors. 🐦🌼🌳

National Trails Day® is a time to connect with people near you who share your love of being outside!

Stay tuned for our planned schedule of events!

05/20/2026

This past semester, Senior Alston Jones led an invasive species removal effort at Selu, focusing on the "burn field" and old garden area. Volunteers tagged invasive shrub species in March and cut them down in April to help preserve Selu's local ecosystem. 🌎🌿

05/18/2026

The first Selu Scenery Plein Air workshop featuring lead artist Matt Gentry on April 25th was a success!! 🎨🖌

Are you interested in creating art with others? Keep an eye out for future workshops this summer! 😉☀

Matt Gentry is an award-winning watercolor artist and member of the Blacksburg Regional Art Association. While doing a three-decade-long section hike of the Appalachian Trail, he earned the trail name ”Sharpie”. He sells artwork locally at Miller Off Main Gallery!

05/15/2026

Summer at Selu is back for 2026!☀️🌽

Did you miss us? We sure missed you! Take a break with us this Sunday at Selu from 1pm to 6pm.

3215 Dry Valley Road
Radford, VA 24141

04/20/2026

🎨 Plein Air Painting- tools you can use for a better painting 🖌️

Selu Scenery’s first workshop, featuring lead artist Matt Gentry, will be held on April 25 (rain date 26) from 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

Register by April 23rd, 2026
https://radford.nbsstore.net/selu-scenery

This will be a fun and engaging exercise in painting outdoors on location. After introductions, we will take a walk on the SELU property with our sketchbooks while discussing scene selections. After the walk, participants are invited to observe Matt’s watercolor painting process or begin their own paintings. The goal of the workshop is to have completed paintings done by 2pm for a pop-up art show and soft critique.

Participants should bring a sketchbook or drawing pad and pencil for our scene selection walk. Artists can then set up and use whatever art medium they are most comfortable with to create a painting.

Matt Gentry is an award-winning watercolor artist and member of the Blacksburg Regional Art Association. While doing a three-decade long section hike of the Appalachian Trail, he earned the trail name ”Sharpie”. He sells artwork locally at Miller Off Main Gallery!

03/13/2026

Tartan and Talon are back!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jz6RRPBJWC4

02/10/2026

01/14/2026

Founded in 1989 thanks to generous land donations from the Bowles family, the Selu Conservancy has provided myriad opportunities for faculty, students and the community to conduct research and conservation activities as well as socialize and decompress in nature. Numerous entities came together init...

10/08/2025

🍁 Capturing The Colors of Fall 🍂

The next Selu Scenery Plein Air day will be led by Lois Stephens! Lois is an oil painter and has participated in Selu Scenery workshops in the past and teaches painting. She looks forward to leading the group in painting the fall colors or contrasts in nature!

🗓️ Date: Saturday October 25th ( rain date October 26)
⏰ Time:11:00 a.m. -4:00p.m.
🗒️ NOTE: Demo promptly at 11:00 then lunch then paint

🎨 Material Suggestions 🖌️
bring what you normally work with:
Oil or acrylic paint: Quinacridone or medium red, ultramarine blue, medium yellow, white (optional: raw umber, yellow ochre, payne’s gray)
Painting panels or surfaces of choice
A variety of filbert and flat bristle brushes, one soft brush for blending
Palette/painting knife
Easel, preferably one with surface to hold paints and palette
Palette
Paper towels or rags
Plastic bag (for paper towel disposal)
Odorless solvent (or water for acrylic painters) in leakproof container
Pencil and sketchbook
Box lid or flat container for transporting wet painting
Important: bring your sense of humor!

☑️ Register: https://form.jotform.com/252794286732165

09/25/2025

Who is welcome at Selu?

Everyone!