Speaker Series at Walnut Creek Preserve begins!
Join Conserving Carolina for a free lecture entitled, “Winter Tree and Shrub Identification,” presented by Ron Lance, biologist and Land Manager with the North American Land Trust, on Saturday, February 19, at 10:30 a.m. at the Anne Elizabeth Suratt Nature Center at Walnut Creek Preserve.
Learn how leafless twigs can be used to identify deciduous woody plants in winter. Participants will receive a detailed introduction to the characters and terminology used to describe twigs and bark, as well as practice using a dichotomous key. Samples of twigs will be provided, and participants are urged to bring a hand lens to observe minute details. The indoor portion of this program will be followed by an optional walk on the Preserve grounds, giving participants practice in tree identification. Walking a cumulative distance of 1/2 mile should be expected. If you plan on participating in the walk after the presentation, be sure to dress appropriately.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and in order to make this an enjoyable and educational experience for participants, space is limited to 50 and pre-registration is required. Participants must show their vaccination card or a negative COVID-19 test taken within 48 hours of the event, with a photo ID, to enter the building and all must wear a mask when indoors. Please arrive before 10:30 to allow time for check-in.
To get to Walnut Creek Preserve’s Nature Center from the Tryon and Columbus area, take Hwy 108 E and turn left on Hwy 9 toward Lake Lure. Follow Hwy 9 N for 5 miles and turn right onto McGuinn Road (at the Exxon Station). Go 1 mile to the intersection with Big Level Road; turn left, go 0.2 miles and take the first right onto Aden Green Road. Follow Aden Green for 0.4 mile and turn left on Wood Thrush Lane and into Walnut Creek Preserve. Take the first left onto Conservatory Lane, which takes you to the parking area for the nature center; 179 Conservatory Lane, Mill Spring, NC.
The lecture is part of Conserving Carolina’s monthly Speaker Series at Walnut Creek Preserve.
To register and for more information, visit conservingcarolina.org/event/speaker-series-winter-tree-and-shrub-identification/
The next program at Walnut Creek Preserve will be held on March 26, when David Weintraub, director of the Center for Cultural Preservation and film maker, will speak about and show his newest cultural film, The Spirits Still Move Them, a story about moonshining in the southern mountains. To register for this event, head to conservingcarolina.org/event/speaker-series-the-spirits-still-move-them-film-exhibition-and-discussion/
For more information about Walnut Creek Preserve, visit www.walnutcreekpreserve.com. Please note, Walnut Creek Preserve is private property and guests are only allowed on the property by invitation (a planned event or scheduled group).