The Pacolet Area Conservancy (PAC) and Walnut Creek Preserve (WCP) invite the public to attend a free program about “Wild Orchids of the Upstate” presented by Jim Fowler.

The program will be held at the Anne Elizabeth Suratt Nature Center at Walnut Creek Preserve on Saturday, March 1 at 10:30 a.m.

Fowler is the author of Wild Orchids of South Carolina and a photographer. He has a passion for native orchids, which seems to be incurable. He was born in Bennettsville, S.C. is an independent botanist and a software systems developer.  He holds bachelor’s and master’s of science degrees from Clemson University, and lives with his life partner in Greenville, S.C.

Recently retired, he is considering photography as an after-retirement career. The ability to get outdoors and commune with nature is a primary driving force in his decision. He currently devotes free time to his photography blog: www.jfowlerphotography.com.

Fowler’s writing has appeared in the North American Native Orchid Journal, American Orchid Society’s Orchid magazine, the Native Orchid Conference Journal, South Carolina Native Plant Society’s monthly newsletter and numerous other publications. He is the author of Wild Orchids of South Carolina: A Popular Natural History, which was published in 2005 by the University of South Carolina Press. His photographic images have appeared in numerous magazines, newsletters and websites in North America as well as overseas.

There will be copies of his book, Wild Orchids of South Carolina, available for purchase on the date of the presentation.

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 PAC at 828-859-5060 or e-mail landprotection@pacolet.org. Please note, Walnut Creek Preserve is private property and guests are only allowed on the property by invitation (a planned event or scheduled group).

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

– article submitted by Pam Torlina