The Florence family donated 300 acres to Conserving Carolina in 1996, and was the first property that the land trust owned. Conserving Carolina adopted and improved nearly five miles of existing trails and has opened the land to the public as the Florence Nature Preserve. The Florence’s’ property was the first land to be protected in the Upper Hickory Nut Gorge and it offered the first publicly accessible hiking trails in the area. This conservation project proved to be a springboard for much more land protection, encouraging nearby landowners to pursue conservation. Today, nearby nature preserves and trails include Wildcat Rock Trail, Bearwallow Mountain, the Trombatore Trail, and Blue Ridge Pastures.

On this workday we will focus on planting white oak saplings to support oak regeneration on site, with the hope of offering sustainable harvesting in the future for Cherokee artisans who use white oak for their basketry. Depending on time and the number of volunteers, we may also manage the area to support montane oak hickory forests by removing competing species.

Where to Meet: 3836 Gerton Hwy, Gerton, NC 28735

You will see a parking area, next to a kiosk and an old stone chimney. (Note: this is also the parking area for the Wildcat Rock Trail, which starts on the other side of the street.)

What to Wear / Bring:

•   Water
•   Closed toe shoes (preferably waterproof hiking boots that you don’t mind getting muddy)
•   Long sleeved shirt (that you don’t mind getting dirty)
•   Long pants (that you don’t mind getting dirty)
•   Rain or waterproof jacket (optional)
•   Snacks/Lunch
•  Leather Work Gloves (if you have a personal pair)
•  Small Backpack
•  Change of clothes for drive hom

What we will provide:

• Gloves
• All tools and equipment

Contact Lia at [email protected] to signup or for further information,