No one has seen anything like this habitat for trout lilies, trilliums and orchids near Cairo, Ga. Photo by Robin Kennedy
Victory!
Wolf Creek tract attracts visitors to a heritage for future
generations; private donor came through to make difference
| By Michael E. Abrams A private donor provided the money, and now the dream has come true. The destiny of one of the most awe-inspiring botanical landscapes in the flowering South is now in the books. Dan Miller, who helped realize the dream, says there are 30-50 million estimated trout lilies, a rare flower, on the property. A local plantation owner stepped forward to fund the balance of funds needed to permit Grady County to purchase the Wolf Creek Trout Lily tract, according Miller, the project coordinator. The purchase closed in 2009. "The Native Plant Societies of Florida and Georgia wish to thank the many supporters of this preservation effort for their help and financial assistance," said Miller. Any funds received in excess of the amount needed for purchase will be used for stewardship purposes, he said. Two years ago, $48,000 stood between dream and realization of the prize, according to backers of the plan who were working on saving 140 acres in rural South Georgia as a nature preserve for future generations. It's home of the greatest expanse of trout lilies known to exist anywhere, say experts. The fertile land spills over with orchids, trilliums, violets and beautiful oak, pine, beech, magnolia and hickory. The effort, spearheaded by Miller, a prominent native plant nurseryman of Tallahassee, resulted in a $342,750 grant from the Georgia Land Conservation Program. That would have been half the price asked. A lower total price from the landowner, along with $51,500 in private donations, brought the deadline within reach. The success is the result of a collaborative effort of the Magnolia Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society, the Georgia Botanical Society and the Georgia Native Plant Society. |
The
land is owned by
the Grady County Commission, which is also
behind efforts to preserve this fragile habitat. As proposed, the
land would be managed as a passive nature
preserve in collaboration with The Red Hills Land Conservancy and the
nearby Bird Song Nature Center.
The rare trout lilies thrive in moist, cool, rich soil under very special conditions. They were first noted by botanist Angus Gholson of Chattahoochee, Miller recently told a large group from the Plant Society. The trout lily is an endangered species in Florida, and rarely seen in South Georgia. It is a harbinger of springtime. Among plants present are the Trillium maculatum, bloodroot, the crane fly and green fly orchids, and the Southern tway blade orchid. |
 Photo by author Trout lily - Erythronium umbilicatum  Photo by author Unusual pink-edged trout lily leaf seen at Wolf Creek in 2011 |
||
'Thanks to all' -Dan Miller |
|
|||
 |
FLOWER OF FREEDOM The first flowers of spring liberate us from the chill of winter and the muted landscape of the hibernating earth. They bring color to the world and a sense of rebirth and new energy. Photo/art by author. |