March 14, 2010 (Sunday) - 2:00 pm Field trip: Upper Chinquapin Greenway, in Spartanburg
Several ecosystems are found in this urban preserve (which is owned by SPACE, Spartanburg County’s only local land trust), from creekside to meadow to pine uplands, where we may see Swamp Tupelo (Nyssa biflora), Poison Sumac (Toxicodendron vernix), and 13 different fern species, as well as Pinellia and a few other invasives. Easy walking, about 2 miles.
Meet at Chinquapin Trail parking area on Graham Rd in Spartanburg, near California Ave (Graham is a frontage road along I-585, across from Milliken Research Center). Register by emailing Eva Pratt, evaoncompton@gmail.com
April 10, 2010 (Saturday) - 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. - Native Plant Sale
Local fauna and flora exist in an intertwined web — some animals feed exclusively on a narrow range of native plants, while many insects are important pollinators that also serve as food sources for birds and other animals. And when native plants are sited correctly they have the advantage of having adapted over 1000s of years to local soil types, pests, and climate conditions.
Experts will help you choose the right plant for the right place, increasing your chances of success while reducing your consumption of water, fertilizers, and pesticides. Dr. Jan Haldeman of Erskine College will display and provide information about commonly sold non-native species that are invasive in our region.
We need volunteers to put on labels, move plants to the site, set up the day before the sale, guide buyers, remove labels, and load plants. Please help make the sale a success!
Call Susan Lochridge at 288- 5590, or e-mail her at needlespirits@charter.net
Plant sale location: Greenville Tech McAlister Square Campus parking lot at the Antrim Drive entrance. LOCATION MAP (.pdf file)
Native Plant Sale Flyer
April 17, 2010 (Saturday) - Field Trip: Ninety Six National Historic Site, Greenwood County
Join Rusty Wilson, Master Naturalist and NPS member, on an outing to one of his favorite places, “a Piedmont jewel.” Some plants we’ll see include Cardamine bulbosa (bulbous bittercress), Fraseri caroliniensis (columbo), and possibly a Matelea species (anglepod or milkvine). We will probably walk a minimum of 4 miles and will be offtrail on uneven terrain for much of the walk: into the floodplain, across a creek, and onto a north-facing bluff overlooking the creek.
Bring good walking shoes and be prepared to get your feet wet! The site is located 2 miles south of downtown Ninety Six on Hwy 248. Details to come. To register, call Janine McCreery at 864- 238-3253 and tell her your name, phone number, email address, and which outing. Limited to 20 participants. Preference given to paid-up NPS members.
April 17, 2010 (Saturday) - Field Trip: Leigh Fibers Nature Trail, Spartanburg County
Check out the possible state champion holly! with Lamar Nelson, who has established this pleasant area near Wellford. Details to follow.
April 20, 2010 (Tuesday) - 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. - Earth Fest
Celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day! NPS will host a booth at Greenville Tech’s Earth Fest on the Barton Campus, l620 S. Pleasantburg Dr, Greenville.
April 21, 2010 (Wednesday) - Field Trip with local naturalist Dennis Chastain in northern Pickens County
Several lovely rich spring sites are under consideration at this point, including a cove near Wild Hog Branch in Jocassee Gorges, the headwaters section of Cane Creek, and Side-of-the-Mountain Creek on the old RR bed of the Appalachian Lumber Co. Stay tuned for details. To register, call Janine McCreery at 864- 238-3253 and tell her your name, phone number, email address, and which outing. Limited to 20 participants. Preference given to paid-up NPS members.
May 22, 2010 (Saturday) - 10:00 am: Field trip to Woodruff School District Cross-Country Trail, in Spartanburg County
See the northern-most population of the sweet-smelling May White Azalea (Rhododendron eastmanii) in bloom, and more, guided by Newberry College’s Dr Charles Horn. Details to follow.