Friday, November 22, 2013

The Original 1985-86 Nature Trail Guide

In 1985-86, with the help of one of the first grants
of the Moore County Public Education Foundation,
a remarkable class of 3rd graders created the
Sandhills Farm Life Nature Trail.  The trail was
designed to accommodate change, and the guide
even mentions that fact.  Now, in 2013, the trail
has indeed undergone many changes.  It remains
and will continue to be a valuable and unique 
resource for our school and community.  Take a 
few moments to "stroll" the trail here.  Now, hundreds
of photos have been posted both on this blog and
on the companion Facebook page:


The above workers deserve high praise for the research as well as
physical labor they put forth in bringing the nature trail project to
fruition.  On the day of the trail's dedication, they presented an
ecology play starring Woodsy Owl in the school's old auditorium.
Then they took classes and guests, including my parents from
Atlanta and members of the Public Education Foundation, on
trail tours.  Today the trail is still there for them and their children.


The original trail was a patchwork, with bits of it on the land of
several neighboring property owners.  Through the years they graciously
granted the school the privilege to use their land for outdoor education.
Today, to ensure the future of the trail, it is been reconfigured.  Now
there is one long loop trail, completely contained on school property.
Students may miss the old "Graveyard of the Pines," but those trees
were cut for timber years ago.  Likewise, we no longer visit the Pond
Ecosystem, which we preferred to call the Black Lagoon.  But now
that would not be practical, since a residence is adjacent to the pond.
Times have changed, but in many ways the trail is better than ever.
It has been widened to six feet, erosion problems have been corrected,
new signage is now in place, and a thick layer of wood chips makes
the walk user friendly for young and old.












All but a handful of the same plant
specimens can still be found on the
current trail.  As yet, I have not located
any Christmas Fern, Wild Ginger, or
Rattlesnake Plantain.  However, that does
not mean they won't be found.  Every time
I visit the trail, I still discover something I
had never seen before-- or something that
had changed.  Visit your trail soon, at any
season, and you will discover the same thing
is true for you.

Friday, November 8, 2013

Nature Trail in Fall

Fall is one of the best times to walk
the Nature Trail.  Every plant is undergoing
changes, many of them stunningly beautiful.
Here are some samples of what you might see.

Hickory

Sourwood

Sweetgum

Red Maple

Sourwood

Sugar Maple

Cranefly orchid is on a reverse schedule
from all the other plants.  Its green leaves
are only now emerging.  Each plant consists
of a single leaf.  They are green on top, a
lovely deep purple on the underside.  In the
spring some will send up a single flower,
resembling a cranefly on a straw.  Then the
plant dies down during the summer.  Its
tiny bulb looks like a pearl.

Royal Fern

Royal Fern

The bridge when the stream is dry.


The bridge when the stream is flowing.


Cinnamon Fern

Red Maple

Blackgum.  A very old tree near
the trail's beginning, it overhangs
the ballfield.


Hickory

Sugar Maple

Sourwood

Your Nature Trail awaits you!
Enjoy a fall visit by yourself or
with friends and family.


Thursday, October 31, 2013

On-line Guide to the SFL Nature Trail

Welcome to the Sandhills Farm Life Nature Trail

This is an on-line guide to some of the most
familiar plants of our nature trail.  It is intended
for both students and adults.  For each plant I
have included a photo of its sign, and a Fast Facts
link to a Wikipedia article about that plant.  I have
also included one or more photographs showing
notable plant characteristics, such as leaf shape,
seeds, or berries.  The plants are listed in the order
you will encounter them on the trail.

I hope you will enjoy learning
about some of your favorite specimens.  But I
especially hope this guide will spur you to visit
and enjoy your nature trail-- at any season!

White Oak  




Greenbriar / Catbrier / Smilax 




American Holly


Wild Grape / Muscadine


"The Slingshot Tree"
A sample of the unusual forms
found in nature.


Dogwood


"Jack, Will, and Tom"



Sourwood


Hickory


Sweetgum


Sweetgum balls: the seed bearers
Black Oak




"Saint John"
Another interesting formation, a
favorite of students over the years.


Lady Fern




Magnolia



Netted Chain Fern


Royal Fern


Snag
A snag is defined by ecologists as a
standing dead tree which continues to
provide both food and shelter to numerous
creatures, including birds and insects.  These
trees play an important role in the overall
balance of nature.




River Cane


Alder


When you reach the old bridge,
it's time to turn around and complete
the trail loop.


Jack-in-the-Pulpit
The leaves
The "pulpit" flower
When the plant dies down in the
fall its red berries remain.
"Big Rock"
This amazing rock is an extrusion
of the geologic formation called 
McLendon's Fault, which runs under
this portion of Moore County.  More
extruding rocks can be seen within a
mile of this site.



Tulip Poplar


Loblolly Pine




Sugar Maple


Red Maple


Kudzu




"Old Man Poplar"



The Sandhills Farm Life Nature Trail
exists for the pleasure and education of
the school and community.  As time goes 
 more signs will be added and this on-line 
guide will be updated. You're invited to 
visit, enjoy, and learn.