Description
Why You Should Visit
Holley Savanna in Newton County is not spectacular, huge or especially awe-inspiring. What it is, though, is far more important. This small preserve provides a corridor for a diverse selection of plants and animals, some that are endangered or threatened. There are several different types of habitat found within and surrounding the savanna, including an oak woodland/former savanna mix, wet areas dominated by silver maple and pink oaks and an upland woods section covered with white oaks and a noteworthy population of hazelnuts in the understory.
The most unique feature that many would overlook is the existence of vernal, or ephemeral, pools. Vernal pools are depressions in the terrain that seasonally fill up with water and then usually dry down during the hotter summer months. Although they do not support populations of fish and other animals requiring a constant water environment, they do provide a temporary habitat to intriguing creatures such as the freshwater fairy shrimp.
What The Nature Conservancy Is Doing/Has Done
Though Niches Land Trust owns and manages the property, The Nature Conservancy works with them in savanna restoration at the savanna. Periodic prescribed burns also take place at the preserve.