The Pacolet Area Conservancy (PAC) and Walnut Creek Preserve (WCP) invite the public to attend a free program about “Winter Tree and Shrub Identification” presented by Ron Lance, biologist and land manager with the North American Land Trust.
The program will be at the Anne Elizabeth Suratt Nature Center at Walnut Creek Preserve on Saturday, Jan. 25 at 10:30 a.m
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 a walk on the Preserve grounds, giving participants outdoor practice in tree identification.
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 2/10ths of a mile and take the first right onto Aden Green Road.
Follow Aden Green for 4/10ths of a mile and turn left on Herbarium Lane and into Walnut Creek Preserve. Take the first left onto Conservatory Lane, which takes you to the parking area for the nature center.
For more information or directions from another location, contact the Pacolet Area Conservancy at 828-859-5060 or e-mail landprotection@pacolet.org.
Walnut Creek Preserve is private property and guests are only allowed on the property by invitation to a planned event or scheduled group.
PAC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit conservation organization (land trust) founded in 1989 to protect and conserve the area’s natural resources.
PAC works diligently to provide leadership to encourage conservation and provide education programs emphasizing native species appreciation and responsible land use practices to help – save the places you love.
This PAC/WCP program is made possible by a grant from the Polk County Community Foundation.
– article submitted
by Pam Torlina