We hope to see you this year at some of our hikes and volunteer opportunities. Please wear sturdy shoes, be prepared for creek crossings, bring a walking stick if you have one, sunscreen, bug repellent, snacks and water. We appreciate an RSVP telling how many to expect in your party, by email at foreverwild@swantrust.org or phone message (931-964-4402).
Saturday, February 27 Boundary Marking
Boundary marking is an important part of land stewardship. We will divide into groups and tackle different sections of the Preserve. This task presents a unique opportunity to get a real sense of the size of the Preserve, exploring new areas off the beaten path. Volunteers needed – let us know if you want to help! Meet at The Farm Welcome Center at 10:00 am. Please call or email to confirm your participation!
Saturday, March 13 Prescribed Burn at Native Grass Restoration
In 2007 Swan Trust restored two fescue hayfields in native warm-season grasses as part of a grant from US Fish and Wildlife Service. Prescribed burning is one management tool that mimics the once-common wildfires needed to keep the fields open, woody plants at bay, and to encourage the grasses and wildflowers for the benefit of wildlife. Volunteers needed – let us know if you want to help!
Sunday, March 21 Green Pond Hike
Green Pond is an upland vernal pool or seasonal wetland, important for amphibian breeding and a unique ecological addition to Big Swan Headwaters Preserve. To get there, we’ll hike into some of the least explored sections of The Farm Community and the Preserve, by way of Cow Pen Branch, and return by way of Cox Branch. This hike is moderate and will take about 3 hours. Meet at The Farm Welcome Center at 1:00 pm.
Sunday, April 11 Big Swan Waterfall Hike
There’s no better time to visit Big Swan Headwaters Preserve than in early spring, when wildflowers are everywhere. We’ll hike the Tall Falls loop trail along Big Swan Creek, one of our most popular moderate hikes. Meet at The Farm Welcome Center at 1:00 pm.
Saturday, May 1 Cheek’s Bend and Howard Bridge Trails
These trails are part of the 2,135-acre Duck River State Natural Area Complex outside of Columbia. We will see high quality representative cedar glades, scenic bluffs overlooking the Duck River, a cave entrance, and extensive cedar and hardwood forests. Duck River Bladderpod will be in bloom. Meet at 10:00 at Stan’s Restaurant – Exit #46 off I-65.
Sunday, June 13 Highland Woods Preserve
This hike to the 100-acre Highland Woods Preserve was rained out two times last year. The hike follows the railroad and Big Bigby Creek, turning up a quiet tributary surrounded by mature hardwood forest. We’ll see a small rockhouse geologic feature, which emerges from a slope overlooking a streamside bog, and lots of interesting plants. Meet at The Farm Welcome Center at 1:00 pm.
Sunday, August 22 Canoe Trip – stay tuned for details
Saturday, September 11 Little Grinder’s Creek
This registered natural area is on land owned by a timber company. It has two lovely waterfalls and is home to the globally rare Tennessee yellow-eyed grass (featured on Swan Trust’s logo). Meet at J&C Grocery, 4 miles west of Summertown on Hwy 20, at 1:00 pm. We will car pool to the site.
Stay tuned to the web site for additional outings or potential changes to any of the above!
