Eco-A, co-host James Tyler, Friends of Cascade Springs Nature Preserve and West Atlanta Watershed Alliance invite you to come and learn about the diversity of life in this greenspace, and our place within the greater web of life, including stewardship training — learning the trees, plants, wildlife, and native ecology of Cascade Springs Nature Preserve.

We’ll have an urban forest orientation to the unusually high value of this premiere park, followed by a training on how to recognize and remove invasive species such as Japanese chaff flower, privet, autumn olive, and others. You’ll learn the native trees and old-growth forest “indicator” species, as well as invasive species and how to keep this park healthy and restore its native biodiversity. You’ll learn to “read” the history, health, and value of the forest by recognizing the trees, plants, and wildlife found in the park’s different ecosystems.

In this session we’ll focus on highly invasive Japanese Chaff flower, now trying to gain a foothold in the park, which currently poses a serious threat to the park’s biodiversity.  Check out our blog about the ecological dangers of Japanese Chaff flower HERE!  Stewardship Walk participants are eligible for Eco-A Naturalist/Stewardship certification. Trained volunteers can become greenspace “docents,” teaching others and leading volunteer and restoration groups. 

To register, click HERE.  Details and directions will be sent to registered participants.

A donation of $15 or more helps sustain our programs.

More about James Tyler (at right):

James Tyler is Co-Chair of the Friends of Cascade Springs Nature Preserve, is a naturalist-in-the-making, and an avid bicyclist. He is active in Southwest Atlanta Parks that, as he says, “quietly provide life giving and life sustaining tree canopy that moderates our City’s climate. These forests exude psychological and health benefits to the surrounding neighborhood residents yet are often taken for granted.” 

Native Crane Fly orchid, at left, is now blooming at Cascade Springs Nature Preserve.