The Pacolet Area Conservancy (PAC) and Walnut Creek Preserve (WCP) invite the public to attend a free presentation on “Predator/prey Relationships in Western North Carolina” presented by North Carolina Wildlife Resource Officer, Toby Jenkins. The program will be held at the Anne Elizabeth Suratt Nature Center at Walnut Creek Preserve on Saturday, Aug. 29, at 10:30 a.m. This will be a great program for adults and children alike, and there is no charge for the event.

Mr. Jenkins will present on the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission’s law enforcement division and the duties, services, and responsibilities of the division.  He will also talk about the wildlife habitats in Polk County and the predator/prey relationships that occur in our region.  Mr. Jenkins has been a wildlife officer for almost 20 years, and he has been stationed in Polk County for the past18 years.

After the indoor portion of this program, participants are invited to join Mr. Jenkins for a short walk around the Nature Center to look for wildlife activity (weather permitting). Participants will learn how to identify clues – tracks, scat, etc. – left by wildlife inhabiting the preserve. If you plan on participating in the walk, please dress appropriately and bring anything you might need while on the walk (water, snacks, medication, etc.).

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 north for five miles and turn right onto McGuinn Road (at the Exxon Station). Go one 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. (GPS coordinates to the Nature Center are available at the PAC website.)

For more information or directions from another location, contact the Pacolet Area Conservancy at 828-859-5060 or e-mail landprotection@pacolet.org. The next PAC/WCP program will be held on Sept. 26 when Larry Mellinchamp, author of “Native Plants of the Southeast: A Comprehensive Guide to the Best 460 Species for the Garden,” will present on the native plants of the Southeast.

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).  Thank you.

– Submitted by Pam Torlina