2005 Newsletter
Nature Discovery Program: A Virtual Canoe Trip Down the Flint River
On Wednesday August 10th at 7pm Southern Conservation Trust is hosting a Nature Discovery Program with Dr. Richard Greene at the Flat Creek Nature Center in Peachtree City. In 1999 Dr. Greene canoed down the Flint River to its juncture with the Chattahoochee at Lake Seminole, where it becomes the Apalachicola River, and then on to the Gulf of Mexico, documenting his trip with many photos and learning the local history of the many small river towns.
The Flint River has one of only 42 free-flowing river reaches longer than 125 miles remaining in the contiguous 48 states. Guests will see the beauty and power of our region’s “forgotten river”, as Dr. Greene’s slides show the scenic vistas downstream, such as the lingering impact of the 1994 flood in south Georgia and the hidden bayous of the Apalachicola.
The Trust is hosting a series of monthly Nature Discovery programs for families at the Flat Creek Nature Center throughout 2005. July’s program featured “Snake Man” Jim Rodgers and dozens of live snakes.
The Trust is a nonprofit land trust based in Peachtree City that owns and manages over 600 acres of nature preserves in Fayette County. The Trust partners with community groups to enhance its nature preserves with trails. the Trust also works with willing landowners to help protect scenic open space through a conservation easement, that may provide tax advantages for the landowner.
The “Float the Flint” program will be held at the Flat Creek Nature Center, adjacent to the Frederick Brown amphitheatre at 201 McIntosh Trail in Peachtree City on Wednesday August 10th. The program starts at 7pm, is free and appropriate for middle school students on up.
Nature Discovery Program: Suburban Deer: Here to Stay?
On Thursday June 23rd at 7pm Southern Conservation Trust is hosting a Nature Discovery Program on Suburban Deer at the Flat Creek Nature Center in Peachtree City. Researcher Chip Gibson will discuss his study’s findings about the impact of development on deer populations, information about how we interact with deer, and how to attract - and discourage! - deer in your yard.
“This is a timely subject as the Atlanta Journal Constitution just listed Fayette County as having the highest percentage in Georgia of car accidents relating to deer,” said Abby Jordan, the Trust’s Executive Director. “This fact raises some questions: Should hunting be allowed? How many deer are “too many”? You can get your questions answered at this program.”
The Trust is hosting a series of Nature Discovery programs for families at the Flat Creek Nature Center throughout 2005. The July program will feature live snakes and in August the speaker will show slides from his canoe trip on the Flint and Apalachicola Rivers.
The Trustis a nonprofit land trust based in Peachtree City that owns and manages over 600 acres of nature preserves in Fayette County. The Trust partners with community groups to enhance its nature preserves with trails. The Trust also works with willing landowners to help protect scenic open space through tools that may provide tax advantages for the landowner.
The Suburban Deer program will be held at the Flat Creek Nature Center, adjacent to the Frederick Brown amphitheatre at 201 McIntosh Trail in Peachtree City on Thursday June 23rd. The program starts at 7pm, is free and appropriate for all ages.
Discover Nature: Great Fishing on the Flint River!
Southern Conservation Trust is pleased to present fly fishing guide Kent Edmunds, who’s willing to share his secrets (most of them!) for great fly fishing on the Flint and Chattahoochee River south of Metro Atlanta. This month’s free Nature Discovery program will be Thursday September 22nd in Peachtree City.
Kent, based in LaGrange, Georgia, is a full-time guide and instructor certified by the Federation of Fly Fishers. He has fished the streams and lakes of Georgia for over 30 years. His fly fishing experience ranges from Montana to the Caribbean to Hawaii, and his articles have appeared in national and regional fly fishing and outdoor magazines.
“Most folks don’t know it, but the Flint River offers perfect fly fishing for the rare native shoal bass, a relatively small species that offers a long and strong fight,” says Edmunds.
Learn about the shoal bass, sunfish, and more at Thursday’s program, and attend the Trust’s Fall Benefit, Growing Greenspace, on Saturday October 1st, to bid at the Silent Auction on a ½ day guided fishing trip for 2 with Kent.
Southern Conservation Trust is a nonprofit land trust that owns and manages over 600 acres of nature preserves in Fayette County. The Trust also works with willing landowners to protect scenic open space through legal tools, such as conservation easements, that can provide tax benefits for the property owner.
The Nature Discovery program will begin at 7pm on Thursday September 22nd at the Flat Creek Nature Center building, next to the Frederick Brown amphitheatre, at 201 McIntosh Trail in Peachtree City. The presentation is free, and suitable for ages 12 and older.
Identifying and Controlling Pest Plants
On Thursday March 24th at 7 pm Southern Conservation Trust is hosting a Nature Discovery Program at the Flat Creek Nature Center in Peachtree City. Connie Gray, an ecological resource specialist with DeKalb County Parks & Recreation will share valuable information on identifying and controlling “pest plants” – exotic plants you may find in your yard or in the local nursery.
Some introduced species of shrubs, trees and vines, while attractive and easily available, are not suitable for our landscapes, because they are invasive and will crowd out more desirable native plants. Connie Gray, who is President of the Georgia Exotic Pest Plant Council, will identify these pest plants, discuss the impact of their use, and offer ways to control them if you have a problem in your yard.
The March 24th program is one of a series of Nature Discovery programs hosted by Southern Conservation Trust at the Flat Creek Nature Center throughout 2005. Upcoming spring programs will cover suburban deer issues and trout fishing.
Southern Conservation Trust is a nonprofit land trust based in Peachtree City that owns and manages over 600 acres of nature preserves in Fayette County. The Trust also works with willing landowners to protect scenic open space through legal tools that may provide tax benefits for the property owner.
The free Pest Plant program will begin at 7pm on Thursday March 24th at the Flat Creek Nature Center building, next to the Frederick Brown amphitheatre at 201 McIntosh Trail in Peachtree City.
Greenspace Benefit Honors Sams Family Gift of Land
Nature Photography Contest Winner Announced
Southern Conservation Trust honored the Sams family of Fayetteville at the nonprofit’s Fall Benefit “Growing Greenspace”, on Saturday October 1st near Sharpsburg. The Sams Family donated a property known as “Sams Lake” to the Trust, which is now being restored to a wetland and will open in 2006 as a public bird sanctuary.
Catalpa Plantation, an historic landmark property, was the site of the fundraiser, which included a silent auction, nature photography exhibit and presentation of a bronze plaque to 20 Sams family members. More than 150 guests enjoyed perfect weather in an idyllic outdoor setting, and contributed over $10,000 for the Trust’s conservation programs in the Southern Crescent. Corporate sponsors included WalMart, the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Integrated Science and Engineering, Applied Wetlands Consulting, Regions Trust and Group VI.
“The Benefit was a great way to thank the Sams family for a gift that is a lasting memorial and will provide an environmental benefit to wildlife and water quality,” enthused the Trust’s Executive Director Abby Jordan. “We hope their gift encourages other landowners to consider protecting the land they love.”
The photography exhibit featured 28 nature photographs which were entries to the Trust’s first annual Nature Photography Contest. The Grand Prize winner was Ashley Whitlock, a young photographer who accepted $500 and a $150 gift certificate from the Great Frame Up in Peachtree City. The top 13 photos will be featured in the Trust’s 2006 Nature Calendar.
Southern Conservation Trust is a nonprofit conservation organization that protects over 600 acres of nature preserves in Fayette and Clayton Counties. As a land trust, the Trust works with willing landowners to protect scenic open space through legal tools that may provide tax benefits for the property owner.
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