Interpretative Trails Now Open at Moody Forest Natural Area

Trail Opening Set for Dec. 3 at Moody Forest Natural Area near Baxley, Ga.

Atlanta—Two interpretative hiking trails are now open at Moody Forest Natural Area near Baxley, Ga. A special dedication ceremony will be held at the preserve on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2005, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to celebrate the opening of the trails and to recognize the volunteers who worked to create and establish this five-mile trail system.

The two-mile Altamaha River Trail leads hikers through the floodplain forest, with a cathedral of massive cypress and gum trees and opportunities to spot herons, wood ducks, turtles and an array of songbirds. The three-mile Upland Loop Trail traverses a mosaic of landscapes with an abundance of wildlife, from the diverse longleaf pine and wiregrass communities to the mature floodplain.

"These trails have been carefully designed to provide day hikers with an opportunity to explore some of Georgia’s rare and declining habitats," said Alison McGee, southeast Georgia conservation manager for The Nature Conservancy.

Supporting the only known old-growth longleaf pine-blackjack oak community in North America, the 4,500-acre Moody Forest Natural Area is managed jointly by The Nature Conservancy and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division (WRD). The two entities have worked together since 2001 to restore and protect the biological diversity of the area, while providing educational and recreational opportunities, such as hiking and managed hunting.

"These hiking trails are an integral step in our public outreach plan at Moody Forest," said Shan Cammack, a wildlife biologist with WRD. "We are excited to offer visitors an opportunity to experience this historic landscape and to enjoy one of Georgia’s most diverse natural areas."

About the Event

The trail opening event will feature remarks by officials from The Nature Conservancy, Georgia DNR and the Baxley-Appling County Chamber of Commerce, followed by a guided hike along the Upland Loop Trail. Lunch and entertainment will follow at the Moody Forest Natural Area office. An additional guided hike will be offered at 2 p.m. along the Altamaha River Trail.

\Those interested in attending the event should contact Alison McGee at (912) 437-2161, ext. 230. For more event information and directions, visit www.nature.org/georgia.