Bike & Hike at Line Creek Nature Area

Fun, family outdoor activities

Southern Conservation Trust is hosting “Bike & Hike”, an afternoon of free family outdoor fun, on Sunday, October 3rd at Line Creek Nature Area in Peachtree City, GA. Activities beginning at 2:00 PM include a bike ride, a guided nature hike, a nature treasure hunt with prizes and door prizes.

There will be two guided bike rides - a family/beginner ride and a longer route for intermediate riders. Riders will leave Line Creek Nature Area at approximately 2:30 PM. The shorter route will take approximately 45 minutes round-trip. More experienced riders will enjoy the cart paths south of the Nature Area along Flat Creek Nature Area on a 1 ½ hour ride.

Helmets are required. Prizes will be awarded for best helmet, most riders in one group and youngest/oldest riders.

Hikers won’t be left out. An experienced guide will help visitors explore one of the trails in the Line Creek Nature Area. Mike Swanson will highlight fascinating facts about Line Creek’s unique ecosystem and wildlife habitat.

Additional activities include a fun Nature Treasure Hunt for the kids with prizes. Bike & Hike sponsors include Synovus/Bank of Coweta, Bank of North Georgia and Brent Scarbrough & Company. Refreshments will be provided by Bruster’s Ice Cream and Rita’s Ice.

Southern Conservation Trust is a Fayette County-based conservation nonprofit that owns, manages and protects 1400 acres of farms, forests and environmentally sensitive land in the Southern Crescent. The Trust hosts environmental programs and enhances its three public preserves in Fayette County with trails, overlooks and re-introduction of native species. As a regional land trust the Trust works with willing landowners throughout the South Metro area to permanently protect open space that benefits the community and can offer tax benefits for the landowner.

“In today’s busy world it’s tough to find time to get outdoors, especially for children. Research shows people benefit emotionally, socially, cognitively and physically from enjoying nature,” explained Pam Young of the Trust. “You don't need to throw out your child's iPod, cell phone or video games but we do need to include outdoor activities as a way to strike a balance.” Start now, come out and enjoy the afternoon at Line Creek Nature Area.

Bike & Hike takes place Sunday,October 3rd , from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Line Creek Nature Area, located off Highway 54 at MacDuff Parkway, Peachtree City. Rain date is October 17th. To register or for more information visit www.sctlandtrust.org or call the Trust office 770-486-7774.
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Farm to Table, Event Featuring Local Food and Chefs Benefits Land Conservation

Pam Young with Southern Conservation Trust and Twila Dove of Two Doves Farm at the farm outside Fayetteville.

Southern Conservation Trust is hosting “Farm to Table, A Celebration of Land, Local Farmers and Fresh Food”, on Thursday evening August 26th at the Whitewater Creek Community Clubhouse in Fayetteville.

The Trust is partnering with the farmers of the Fresh South Market, a farmers’ market open Wednesdays and Saturdays in Peachtree City. Local farms, including Two Doves Farm, Minter’s Farm and Country Gardens, will provide natural meat and locally grown produce. Chefs representing Pascal’s Bistro, Georgia Shrimp Company, My Chef Nancy and others will turn the local harvest into mouth-watering dishes.

Buying and enjoying local food, also known as “slow food” is a growing movement across the world that supports local farmers and promotes healthier eating. Trust Executive Director Abby Jordan said, “Local food uses fewer chemicals so our streams are less polluted, uses less energy to transport so our air is cleaner, is more nutritious, and helps keep our community farmland in production. Local agriculture continues the historic farming tradition in the Southern Crescent.”

“Farm to Table will feature stations of locally grown food prepared by our favorite local chefs, Georgia wines and Terrapin Beer brewed in Athens. Business sponsors include Synovus, Bank of North Georgia, Brent Scarbrough Fund, Brown Nelms & Co, Sanderson Law, The Complete Insurance Store, Senior Helpers and Charter Bank. Farms and chefs are donating their goods and time, and proceeds from ticket sales and an auction will support the Trust’s conservation work,” explained Pam Young of the Trust.

Southern Conservation Trust is a Fayette County-based conservation nonprofit that owns, manages and protects 1400 acres of farms, forests and environmentally sensitive land in the Southern Crescent. The Trust hosts environmental programs and enhances its three public preserves in Fayette County with trails, overlooks and re-introduction of native species. As a regional land trust the Trust works with willing landowners to permanently protect open space that benefits the community and can offer tax benefits for the landowner.

Farm to Table takes place Thursday, August 26th, at 6:30 p.m. at the Whitewater Creek Community Clubhouse off Redwine Road in Fayetteville. Ticket price is $75. More information is available at www.sctlandtrust.org or by calling the Trust office 770-486-7774.

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Sams Family Receives Award for Dedication to Conservation

Pictured (l-r) are Dr. Ferrol and Dr. Helen Sams with James Waldrop Chapter DAR Conservation Chairman Kaydee Mathews.

In 1997, the Sams Family donated 56 acres to Fayette County. Known as the Sams Lake Bird Sanctuary, this land has been developed and maintained by the Southern Conservation Trust. The wetlands area on Old Senoia Rd is a great way to teach our youth about the beauty of nature.

The James Waldrop Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution was honored to present the 2009 DAR Conservation Award to the Sams family for their ongoing dedication of conserving nature. Receiving the award on behalf of the family were Drs. Ferrol and Helen Sams.

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A Landscape Designer's Drought Survival Guide: Tips for helping your landscape survive future drought conditions

Article Courtesy of Hollingsworth Design Group, Fayetteville, GA.

The drought of 2007 will certainly be remembered by Georgians and the residents of our neighboring southern states for many years to come. It seems like daily I hear someone say something like "I've never seen Horton Reservoir so low." or" Have you seen Lake Kedron?" To say we need rain is a gross understatement. This drought of historic proportions has put our state's rainfall total at 15" below normal for the year. State and local officials are working hard to protect our precious water resources and we residents are trying to conserve wherever we can.

With statewide bans on outdoor watering our landscapes are suffering. At times like these we are reminded that taking a few steps to conserve water in our landscapes before a drought hits really pays off. Mulching planting beds, core aerating the lawn, water reclamation and sprinkler system optimization are just a few ways we can do just that.

Mulching and Aeration

During the winter months most plantings including lawns need very little water. For the most part winter rainfall is sufficient. Supplemental watering with sprinkler systems is rarely needed for established plant material. Plants need moisture in the winter to in large part, act as an insulator. That's right, when the air temperature drops below freezing, a hydrated plant will remain above 25 degrees fare height. If a plant is not hydrated and the air temperature plunges to 10 or 20 degrees below freezing, the plant will also get that cold. This is when we start loosing plant material. Keeping plants hydrated prior to freezing temperatures is a good idea.

But what can we do during a watering ban to help our plants survive frigid temps?
One suggestion is to apply a sufficient layer of mulch around your plantings to help them retain moisture. The mulch acts like a barrier that protects the subterranean moisture from evaporating via sun and wind exposure. Increase your lawn's ability to absorb water by core-aerating. Aeration sends spikes into the soil throughout your lawn and creates pathways for water to travel below the surface compared to just soaking in from the top.

Water Reclamation

Water reclamations methods from the past are making a come-back. Many Fayette residents are now installing rain barrels and cisterns. Rain captures can be stored and used later to water plants, wash the car, etc.

Rain barrels are above-ground containers that are connected to the home's gutter system via the downspout. You might be amazed how much water travels through your gutters during a short rain shower.

An advanced water reclamation is the cistern. Used for thousands of years by many different cultures, this "old school" approach offers plenty of modern benefits. A cistern is a large, underground tank that stores water collected from the gutter down spouts. A series of buried pipes carry rain water from the downspouts to the underground reservoir. A 110volt pump provides pressurize water flow water spigots above ground when water is needed. Cisterns come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They range in capacity from about 500 - 3,000 gallons or more. Prices start around $2,500 for a standard system installed.

Sprinkler System Optimization

Sprinkler systems are wonderful tools that when utilized properly allow us to grow beautiful landscapes that would not otherwise be possible. Manufactures of sprinkler components have provided an array of products designed to optimize efficiency and conserve water.

Unfortunately, many systems are not installed to take advantage of these advances in technology and many homeowners are not educated on the proper use of their system. Consequently, a lot of water is wasted.

During the growing season, the average home in Fayette County will use thousands of gallons of water each week if it runs just three times. If you have a sprinkler system, consider implementing the following suggestions to maximize your conservation effort.

*Install a rain sensor to avoid running the sprinkler during or to shortly after a rain shower.
*If your are having significant runoff of sprinkler water during operation, it indicates that your run times are too long or the soil is compacted and not absorbing the water and should be aerated.
*Using a rain gauge, calculate the amount of water being delivered to a zone based on the run time. Lawns require 1" of water per week and shrubs approximately 1/3" per week.
*The average sprinkler head operates best at 55 psi. The pressure coming through your county water meter can be double that number. Install a pressure regulator and adjust to the proper psi.
*Hire a certified sprinkler company to inspect your system and make sure is operating properly.

It will rain again

Hopefully the drought will end soon. The National Weather Service has released predictions for rain fall levels for late Winter and Spring 2008. They anticipate normal rainfall amounts to return for our area. Hopefully, with the water restrictions still in place, our reservoirs will begin to fill up.

Let's work together to continue practicing water conservation measures even when rainfall is abundant. This will help protect our water supply for the future and it is just the right thing to do.