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Join Conserving Carolina for a free lecture entitled, “Non-native and Invasive Plants of Western North Carolina,” presented by Steve Pettis, Henderson County Extension Agent and host of the Gardening in the Mountains Radio Show, on Saturday, January 21 at 10:30 a.m. at the Anne Elizabeth Suratt Nature Center at Walnut Creek Preserve.

 

Western N.C. has a unique and very diverse ecosystem which includes the Pisgah National Forest, Dupont State Forest, Holmes State Forest, the French Broad River, Mills River, and the Green River. There are many unique plants and animals that exist in the mountains and valleys of the region. 

Unfortunately, many plants that have been brought to the US, either intentionally or by accident, have not behaved as they do in their host countries. These plants have invaded whole areas locally and swallowed up or pushed out native vegetation. Delicate mountain ecosystems are in danger of being damaged by invasive plants. Learn how to identify and control Kudzu, Oriental Bittersweet, Japanese Knotweed, Tree of Heaven, English Ivy, Chinese Privet, Autumn/Russian Olive, Bradford Pear, Multiflora Rose, Miscanthus grass, and others. 

This lecture is part of Conserving Carolina’s monthly Speaker Series at Walnut Creek Preserve.  Pre-registration is required. To register and for more information, visit Conserving Carolina’s website and “calendar” tab, conservingcarolina.org/calendar.

 

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 next program at Walnut Creek Preserve will be held on February 18, when Steve O’Neil, executive director of Earthshine Nature Programs, will present, “Electric Vehicles 101.” 

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).  

 

Submitted By Pam Torlina