Participants are invited to attend a Sunday morning field trip to The Nature Conservancy's Apalachicola Bluffs and Ravines Preserve. The preserve is located on the east bank of the Apalachicola River at the western edge of the Tallahassee Hills geological province. Highlights include excellent examples of sandhill ecosystem as well as bluffs and ravines flora. Depending upon the trail we take, we might see Florida torreya (Torreya taxifolia), Florida yew (Taxus floridana), pyramid magnolia (Magnolia pyramidata), Florida anise (Illicium floridanum), toothed savory (Calamintha dentata), and/or Ashe magnolia (Magnolia ashei). Gholson's blazing star (Liatris gholsonii) has been flowering profusely recently and we may still be able to see it on our hike.

The hike will include steep slopes. Appropriate footware is important and a small field pack will also be useful to carry water. Walking sticks are also helpful on this hike. A selection of walking sticks will be available at the office for those who do not have one. Water bottles will also be available.

Vans will depart the Cabot Lodge at 8:00 a.m. and arrive at the preserve office about 9:00 a.m. (restrooms available). Time in the field will be 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Those heading west can follow the vans to the site and depart for home following the field trip. For those returning to Tallahassee, the vans will arrive back at the Cabot by approximately 2:00 p.m.

-- GilNelson - 05 Oct 2005
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