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Footprints & Paddledrips

Volume 3 Issue 4
Newsletter of the Georgia Nature-Based Tourism Association,
April, 2001

March Meeting Highlights

The March 2001 meeting of the GNTA was held at General Coffee State Park near Douglas. Sim Davidson, Park Manager, and Kate Buday, Park Naturalist, were the hosts for the gathering. They gave an informative tour which featured both nature and history. This impressive South Georgia park was built around the Seventeen Mile River and includes cottages, camping zones, picnic areas, hiking trails, and Heritage Farm.

Members walked along one of the new boardwalks and enjoyed the cypress, maple, and blackgum forests which were decked-out in bright Spring green that reflected back from the ebony waters below.

Next, they learned about the upland habitats dominated by oak and pine growing from sandy soils. These areas are home to colonies of goher tortoises whose burrows are favored by rare indigo snakes and contain other species of wildlife known only from those sites.

Lastly, a visit was made to Heritage Farm which contains several cabins and other buildings which were built in the 1800's plus some reconstructions. The large pond nearby held a variety of domesticated waterfowl that quickly surrounded the group and began to honk loudly for a handout.

After lunch at Old Times Country Buffet, the group enjoyed the remainder of the beautiful but chilly day at The Rocks where they were greeted at their arrival by a pair of diminutive Brown-headed Nuthatches excavating a nest cavity. A highly educational tour was then led by Frankie Snow of South Georgia College of this one-of-a-kind geological and botanical wonder located near Broxton.

Waterfalls were spectacular as torrents of tea-colored water gushed over ledges to create a creamy froth below. The falls and surrounding sandstone outcrops were "pretty in pink" as Wild Azaleas were in bloom. Like a pied-piper, the professor led his merry band underneath towering cliffs, through (and carefully over) ravines, and into small caves. The surfaces of the ancient rocks were covered in an amazing variety of plants in all shades of green. Deep tones came from mosses, ferns, and rare green fly orchids while lichens clung in "day-glow" lime or even bubblegum-pink.

Dr. Snow knew just where to go to find the tiny plants with the long scientific names which draw botanists from around the world. The Southeast is a new hotbed for previously-unknown quillworts, and recently a major discovery was made here at The Rocks. The local expert explained that this spot is in an area whose geological history led to the creation of conditions which favored plants of both the tundra and the tropics.

Historically, the area was subject to much human disturbance, and even today the illegal use of ATVs continues to destroy some sections. Fortunately, The Nature Conservancy was able to purchase significant amounts of the outcrops in order to preserve them, and manages the site using the latest conservation techniques. It is thus part of this highly-respected organization's system of nature sanctuaries which represent Earth's great diversity of life--the largest such private system in the world.

Periodically, the site is opened for special tours by organized groups, schools, and the general public. On April 14 one such tour will be conducted with preregistration required by calling 912-384-7082. For more information about this special Natural Heritage Day, refer to the corresponding article in this newsletter.

You can reach Gen. Coffee State Park at 912-384-7082 and The Nature Conservancy of Georgia at 404-873-6946 and www.nature.org\ga.

Search for Swallow-tailed Kites

The search is on for one of the South's most beautiful and graceful birds-of-prey--the Swallow-tailed Kite. This white-and-black bird with the forked-tail is a species of very high conservation concern which winters in Brazil but breeds in the lower U.S. with its period of occurrence in our state being March through September.

Professional naturalists know that this is a species that many birders desire to observe; however, loss of habitat and other factors have caused its decline. Agencies, individuals, and organizations are working together to locate, study, and devise ways to protect both the bird and its preferred habitat throughout the hemisphere.

E. J. Williams, Partners in Flight Coordinator with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division, is coordinating area efforts to locate the hard-to-find nesting sites of these rare birds, and is requesting that citizens be on the alert as they venture outdoors, particularly in the vicinity of the large coastal plain rivers.

For additional information, see the sample data sheet, or call 912-994-1438. You may also use e-mail: ej_williams@mail.dnr.state.ga.us.

Also, the Georgia Ornithological Society's website (www.gos.org) is an excellent source of data on the state's birds and can be used to report sightings on-line by using links to Species Accounts.

GNTA Contacts

GNTA Web site

www.Georgianature.org

Correspondence & membership

Correspondence/membership

President:

Sheila Willis
326 Pineview Dr.
Waycross, GA 31501
912-285-0419

Newsletter Items (by last Monday of each month)

Vice President:

Karen Arms
P.O. Box 10585
Savannah, GA 31412
912-232-0032
karms@tootsytours.com

Billing statements

Treasurer:

Joy Campbell
Rt. 2, Box 3325
Folkston, GA 31537
912-496-7156
info@okefenokeeadventures.com

Association Schedule

GNTA General Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of selected months. If you would like to host a future meeting, please contact the current president no later than the 15th of the month preceding the appropriate gathering. 2001 (date/location/host)

May 15— Woodbine Waterfront Pavilion, Woodbine--Kingsland Convention & Visitors Bureau

July 17—Site to be announced, Savannah--Tootsy Tours

Hosts Needed--There are still vacancies for September and November

Directory Changes

Members please check your e-mail messages or this newsletter attachment for the latest update on the GNTA membership. Each month new members will be added, others deleted, and any alterations in directory listings noted. These changes will be sent via e-mail or snail mail (if necessary).

Send Us Your News

If you know of any interesting nature news, conservation concerns, or nature-based events and conferences, please help spread the word by sending a notice to the GNTA by the newsletter deadline.

Member News

Dick Jackson of Canoeport at St. George has recently sold his canoe livery business. We wish him well in his next venture

Nature-based Events

Natural Heritage Day (Apr. 14)...Gen. Coffee State Park near Douglas invites the public to "celebrate our surroundings" by attending its unique activities including a Broxton Rocks Excursion (pre-registration required, limited size), an archeology program, a live Reptile Program, and afternoon Nature Hike. The number is: 912-384-7082.

Baxley Tree Fest (Apr. 19-20)...South Georgia pinelands will be in the spotlight as the town of Baxley pays tribute to the towering trees and the local culture which arose from the forest industry. Learn about wise conservation practices while also enjoying a parade, arts & crafts, and many other educational and entertaining activities. Lynn Carter, of the Baxley-Appling County Board of Tourism, can provide the schedule (912-367-7731) or find www.baxley.org.

National Wildlife Week (Apr. 20)...The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge will join with other refuges, parks, and other sites in presenting the wonderful world of America's wildlife by offering bird walks, wildlife talks, special wildlife tours, and many other activities at the Eastern Entrance near Folkston. Contact Jim Burkhart at 912-496-7366, ext. 233 or examine www.okefenokee.fws.gov.