The Pacolet Area Conservancy (PAC) and Walnut Creek Preserve (WCP) invite the public to attend a free program about “the Cherokee Path” presented by Dennis Chastain of SC Wildlife magazine.  The program will be held at the Anne Elizabeth Suratt Nature Center at Walnut Creek Preserve on Saturday, April 5, at 10:30 a.m.

Dennis Chastain will discuss the Cherokee Path, an old colonial era Indian trail that once ran all the way from downtown Charles Town in South Carolina to Fort Loudon in Tennessee.  He’ll also discuss what is known about old Native American paths and roads in Spartanburg County and William Moultrie, one of the original surveyors in this area.

Dennis Chastain is an award-winning outdoor writer, interpretive naturalist and modern-day explorer.  He has been writing feature articles for South Carolina Wildlife magazine and other outdoor publications for more than 20 years.

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 2/10 of a mile and take the first right onto Aden Green Road.  Follow Aden Green for 4/10 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.

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).

PAC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit conservation organization (land trust) founded in 1989 to Protect and Conserve the area’s natural resources (PACs mission). PAC works with area landowners to ensure the long-term protection of their property through voluntary conservation easements which enable landowners to maintain ownership of their property, preserving precious natural resources (open lands, forests, wildlife habitat, scenic vistas, farmland, stream banks, etc.)

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

– article submitted 

by Pam Torlina