Date: March 16, 2024

Time: 10:30 a.m.

Location: Anne Elizabeth Suratt Nature Center at Walnut Creek Preserve

Speaker: Kudzu Warriors, Clyde Younkin, Greg Miner, and Don Dicey

Since 2011 a small group of dedicated volunteers, the Kudzu Warriors, have been removing invasive plants from Norman Wilder Forest, a nature preserved owned by Conserving Carolina, near Tryon. Over the years, the Warriors have acquired a large amount of hands-on experience with the removal of invasive plants. Come join us as members of this group share the knowledge they have gained from their many hours working in the field. Participants can expect to learn about invasive plants, especially Kudzu and its history, identification, and the plant’s development. Hear about the various methods of invasive plant removal along with the Kudzu Warriors’ experience with each method. There are many success stories and native plants are returning to areas where the invasives have been removed.

Clyde Younkin is one of the newer Kudzu Warriors. For the past few years, Clyde has been volunteering with the Kudzu Warriors and the Polk County Appearance Commission. Clyde has been leading efforts to increase public awareness of the problem of invasive plants and methods of invasive plant removal.

Don Dicey is a long time Kudzu Warrior and a member of the Polk County Appearance Commission. For many years, Don has been leading the effort to remove invasive plants from the Foothills Equestrian Nature Center (FENCE).

Greg Miner is the founder of the Kudzu Warriors and the long time leader of the group. Greg has spent countless hours removing invasive plants from natural areas of Polk County, leading groups of volunteers and teaching others about invasive plants and how to manage them. Through his work on the Polk County Appearance Commission, Greg has initiated and led numerous projects to remove Kudzu from Polk County.

The Walnut Creek Preserve Speaker Series programs are made possible thanks to our partnership with the Preserve.

*Walnut Creek Preserve is private property and guests are only allowed on the property by invitation (a planned event or scheduled group).  Thank you.

Contact Pam Torlina, [email protected], with questions or for more information.