The Pacolet Area Conservancy (PAC) and Walnut Creek Preserve (WCP) invite the public to attend a free program about the “Flora of Walnut Creek Preserve,” presented by botanist and PhD, Gillian Newberry. Dr. Newberry will be talking about the flora of Walnut Creek Preserve and her role in the creation of the Herbarium housed at the Anne Elizabeth Suratt Nature Center.

The program will be held at the Anne Elizabeth Suratt Nature Center at Walnut Creek Preserve on Saturday, July 12, at 10:30 a.m.

Gillian Newberry is a professor emeritus from University of South Carolina Upstate. She taught botany, plant geography, zoology, plant taxonomy, and marine biology during her 34 years at USC-Upstate and established a 16,000-specimen herbarium to document plants in the area aid students in plant identifications.

Her research interests include plant surveys, plant rescues, establishment of preserves for endangered plant species and developing techniques to reduce the impact of invasive plant species.

Gillian Newberry received her PhD in botany in 1976 and was recognized as teacher of the year at USC-Upstate twice.

She was also recognized as teach of the year for the Campuses of the USC system. Her hobbies include hiking, traveling, reading and photography.

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. (GPS coordinates to the Nature Center are available at the PAC website.)

For more information or for 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 natural resources with emphasis on the lands and waterways with scenic, ecological, and agricultural significance in the North Pacolet and Green River watersheds (PACs mission). PAC works with area landowners to ensure the long-term protection of their property through voluntary conservation easements (agreements) which enable landowners to maintain ownership of their property, preserving precious natural resources (open lands, forests, wildlife habitat, scenic vistas, farmland, stream banks, etc.), and potentially obtain significant federal, state, and local tax benefits.

PACs vision is a community living and growing in harmony with our natural resources and or goal is to provide a legacy that will endure and be valued by generations to come.

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