Louise Kreher Preserve goes native
Beverly Harvey | Opelika-Auburn News
Dr. Jim Miller, a U.S. Forest Service forest ecologist and researcher, points out a loblolly pine for Ginny Wolfe during his “walk and talk” on native ecosystems. The educational hike led by Miller was part of the GrOw Green event held Saturday at the Louise Kreher Forest Ecology Preserve.
The Louise Kreher Forest Ecology Preserve invites the community to “go native.”
The Preserve’s inaugural event — GrOw Green — held Saturday combined a native plant sale, booths, speakers and hikes to promote simple ways people can save water and conserve energy.
For example, by using plants in your yard that are native to Alabama, you not only support local wildlife, you also reduce the need to water during periods of drought, Preserve Administrator Jennifer Lolley said.
After a one hour rain delay, people of all ages began to file into the Preserve until mid-afternoon to attend lectures and stroll along wooded trails on informative hikes with forestry and wildlife experts.
The event also featured kids’ activities, live entertainment and nature-themed booths such as one sponsored by the Auburn University Chapter of the Wildlife Society that displayed animal skins and skulls — and a live corn snake.
The Louise Kreher Forest Ecology Preserve hopes to make GrOw Green an annual event, Lolley said.
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