Conserving Carolina, formerly the Pacolet Area Conservancy (PAC) and Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy (CMLC), and Walnut Creek Preserve (WCP) invite the public to attend a free presentation by UNCC botanist David Campbell, on “Findings from a two-year study of Polk County’s Biodiversity.”  The program will be held at the Anne Elizabeth Suratt Nature Center at Walnut Creek Preserve on Saturday, August 12, at 10:30 a.m.

Since 2015, Botanist David Campbell has been conducting an inventory of the flora, fauna, and natural communities found within Polk County, documenting the rare and unique biodiversity that makes Polk County so special. David will share images and stories derived from the hundreds of hours that he has spent in the field over the last two years, illustrating the beauty and uniqueness of Polk County’s natural heritage with the community.

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 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 Wood Thrush 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 www.pacolet.org.) 

For more information or directions from another location, contact Conserving Carolina at 828-859-5060 or e-mail landprotection@pacolet.org.  The next program will be held on September 23, when Jennifer Frick-Ruppert will present, “Why is there such high biodiversity in the Southern Appalachians?” at the Anne Elizabeth Suratt Nature Center at 10:30 a.m.

For more information about Walnut Creek Preserve, visit walnutcreekpreserve.com. Walnut Creek Preserve is private property and guests are only allowed on the property by invitation (a planned event or scheduled group). 

– article submitted by Pam Torlina