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 held 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.

This PAC/WCP program is made possible by a grant from the Polk County Community Foundation.

For more information or directions from another location, contact the Pacolet Area Conservancy at 828-859-5060 or e-mail landprotection@pacolet.org.

– article submitted
by Pam Torlina