This is a great opportunity to visit a pristine slope forest and wetlands tract before our November program meeting about how this property, originally slated for development, was saved through citizen effort. Janell Cleveland of the Friends of Lost Creek Forest will lead our field trip. Beth Grant, who led the effort to preserve this forest, will also participate. Bring your binoculars to do some birding; Jody Walthall will also be there for tree identification.

The walking loop is 1.5 miles with some uneven terrain but is relatively easy. Bring water and snacks. Call or text Donna Legare at 850 386-1148 to register. Group size is limited to 15.

Janelle is inviting participants to bird on her nearby farm afterwards as she has a gorgeous mail Vermilion Flycatcher who has just returned for his fourth winter. 

From the Lost Creek Forest website:

“The forest is an intact climax hardwood forest. No other forests of this size with similar characteristics are known to exist in South Georgia. Lost Creek Forest is a wonderful combination of slope forest, seeps, floodplain, creeks, and several different ecosystems--all within walking distance of each other.

In the heart of the forest the canopy consists of mature hardwoods such as oaks and beech--some more than 100 years old and measuring 10 feet or more in circumference. Spruce pines tower well over 100 feet high. Magnolias, hickories, hop hornbeam, holly, sourwood, cherry, and other varieties of trees are found in abundance. 

The under story of small trees and shrubs, as well as the smaller herbaceous plants and ground cover, are all representative of what would have been found in the forest for thousands of years. There is even one of the best populations anywhere of the endangered Florida Milkvine. Native wildlife find shelter and home there.”

Airport Road, Thomasville, GA