Native Plants Course at Boat Rock Preserve
April 26, 2008
By Brad McLeod. on Sunday, April 19th, 2009 – a group of 10 students toured the Boat Rock Preserve with Botanist Connie Gray to learn about native plant communities. The tour was put together by climber and eco-artist Pandra Williams, a long time friend of Boat Rock and one of the original organizers to save the area.
The plant group walked the boulder field while Connie Gray gave lessons and commentary on the different native plant communities and ecosystems. The group looked at differences between similar plant species while also looking at the larger dry mesic hardwood forest that typifies the Boat Rock Preserve. The course is entitled “Management and Restoration of Natural Areas of the Georgia Piedmont” and used Boat Rock as one of their field examples. Sue Wilmoth, another long time friend of Boat Rock was also present and asked about everyone in the climbing community and wanted to know how everyone was doing.
The group commented and viewed the recent fire at Boat Rock and talked about how the fire may actually help the forest by reducing fuel load, reducing competing species such as grape vine and spurring on small wildflowers and groundcovers to flourish.
To learn more about Pandra Williams and her ongoing native plant projects and some great photos of Boat Rock, you can go to Pandra’s website: http://ecoaddendum.org/
The Boat Rock Preserve is located in southwest Atlanta and encompasses 33-acres and owned by The Southeastern Climbers Coalition (SCC). The SCC encourages school groups to tour the area to learn about the forest ecosystem and environmental education. You can find out more about The Southeastern Climbers Coalition and the Boat Rock Preserve at www.seclimbers.org
A Few Tips for CLimbers on How They Can Save the Vegetation at Boat Rock
1. Dont cut any vegetation
2. Show up at trail days and help us plant native trees, shrubs and ferns
3. Be careful where you put your pad, or better yet, dont climb with one (it squashes plants)
4. Pack it in – Pack it out (ok; that doesnt save vegetation, but help cleanup trash anyhow
5. Drop some change in the kiosk to help pay for next years native plantings
6. Try to leave “No Trace” as best as you can.
Thanks for helping to keep your impact to a minimum and practicing “Leave no Trace”.
