By Southeast Regional Manager, Katherine Russell

On February 15th, OGFN welcomed our first south Georgia forest into the Network with the recognition of Wolf Creek Trout Lily Preserve in Grady County, Georgia! This beautiful, biodiverse bottomland hardwood forest harbors a globally unique population of dimpled trout lily (Erythronium umbilicatum) along with trillium, rare orchids, and dozens of other plant species.

Around forty people were in attendance at last Thursday's ceremony (which was timed to coincide with the peak of the trout lily bloom season), including representatives from Tall Timbers Land Conservancy, volunteers from the Golden Triangle RC&D Council, and an OGFN supporter who drove down from Atlanta to attend the ceremony. Following brief remarks on the history and ecology of Wolf Creek by volunteers Wilson Baker and Christine Ambrose, OGFN Southeast Regional Manager Katherine Russell presented volunteer and Grady County resident Margaret Tyson with a plaque from OGFN, officially welcoming this forest to the Network.

The Wolf Creek Trout Lily Preserve came into being thanks to the efforts of volunteers associated with the Magnolia (Tallahassee) Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society. The site was originally identified by naturalists Wilson Baker and Dan Miller. At the time, the tract was owned by the Flint River Timber Company, and was being considered for development.

Subsequent efforts by Wilson, Dan, and other Magnolia chapter volunteers to raise awareness of the forest’s unique worth and find donors were successful, though not without setbacks and times of discouragement. Many groups and individuals wanted to contribute to the preservation of Wolf Creek, but none could handle the whole project. At last, contacts led to the Georgia Land Conservation Program (GLCP), which helps Georgia counties purchase properties for conservation. This organization would provide half of the needed money if locals could come up with the rest. The Flint River Timber Company was supportive of the effort to conserve the forest, and agreed to sell the land at no profit. The title would be held by Grady County for conservation in perpetuity.

In early 2009, after several years of hard work and with support from many corners - state, local, and private - the funds were almost raised. Just before a critical deadline, an anonymous benefactor donated the final $45,000 necessary to purchase the forest.

Thus, the forest was preserved - and the 2010 bloom season was celebrated with joy and relief by the friends of the forest. Wolf Creek Trout Lily Preserve will remain protected from logging in perpetuity through a conservation easement held by Grady County, and visitors from across the state and country will be welcomed there for generations to come.