Located in Lanier County, near Lakeland, Banks Lake is one of four Carolina bays in the 13,000 acre Grand Bay complex, the largest system of preserved Carolina bays in Georgia. The 106 acre preserve is contiguous to Banks Lake National Wildlife Refuge, which protects 3,047 acres. 

Pond-cypress and cypress-blackgum forests dominate the preserve, which also supports the fragrant water lily, blue-flag iris, red-root, and bladderwort. A rich variety of bird species inhabit Banks Lake, including the imperiled osprey, great blue heron, wood stork, green heron, egret, anhinga, peregrine falcon, and bald eagle. Bass and other game fish live in the water, as do American alligators. The preserve is also home to bobcats and state-threatened round-tailed muskrats. 

The Conservancy’s management of Banks Lake Preserve is primarily focused on preserving pristine conditions. Conservation activities include boundary marking and conducting inventories of animal and plant species.

Nature picture credits (left to right): Lake view © Brad Bergstrom; Round-tail muskrat © Brad Bergstrom