CAIRO – As their flowers begin to bloom, Wolf Creek Trout Lily Preserve celebrates their recognition as a member of the Old Growth Forest Network.
The nature preserve became the 233rd forest in the national nonprofit’s forest network, as well as the sixteenth forest in the state of Georgia and the first in south Georgia and the Grady County area on Feb. 15, only a week after the blooming season began for the namesake flowers.
Heralded as possessing the largest extent of yellow and maroon dimpled trout lilies and maroon spotted trillium in the world, made even more captivating by the flower being non-indigenous to the area, the 140 acre conservation area has been managed entirely by volunteers since its founding in 2009, and is home to several other flowers that bloom alongside the trout lilies.
“Essentially, this forest is a deciduous forest on the northern slope, and there are a number of different spring ephemerals that bloom here,” said Margaret Tyson, lead volunteer for the Wolf Creek advisory board. “Bloodroot, trout lily, trillium, jack-in-the-pulpit, orchids…we have a variety of spring ephemeral plants, which makes it so unique and a wonder to actually walk and tour.”
Tyson stated that the Old Growth Forest Network had contacted them in summer 2023 about joining the network, with Tyson deciding to arrange the recognition ceremony closer to the following bloom season for a more appropriate occasion.
Old Growth is an organization dedicated to preserving mature and old-growth forests across the nation and helping people connect with those forests and nature in their communities, and they were more than happy to extend their support to Wolf Creek.
With a blanket of yellow trout lilies in bloom along the slope below them, the volunteers and supporters of Wolf Creek gathered to celebrate both the new season and the prestige being awarded to the nature preserve.
Katherine Russell, southeast regional manager for Old Growth, was honored to induct Wolf Creek into the nonprofit’s network, having visited the nature preserve many times with her family in her youth. She proudly presented Tyson with a sign denoting Wolf Creek as a member of the forest network at the conclusion of the ceremony.
“These forests offer us a glimpse into the full potential of our wild nature forest ecosystems, and not only are they wonderful reservoirs of biodiversity and wonderful carbon sinks to help us get through the climate crisis, they are also places where people can come together,” Russell said. “They can connect, they can learn to love the intricate web of nature, and they can find peace and wellbeing. I know that’s certainly been my experience in Wolf Creek and some of our other forests in the region.”
As a member of their forest network, Wolf Creek will be featured on Old Growth’s website, assisting them in gaining publicity and visibility. Russell also reported that the prestige of their new status will potentially be of service in acquiring grant funding.
Following the ceremony, volunteers encouraged those in attendance to walk the trails and witness the flowers in bloom for themselves.
The nature preserve is expected to remain open through early March, with general days of operation being Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. For more information, contact Margaret Tyson at (229)378-7610 or mtyson613@gmail.com.