Morning Event:
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Glade Restoration Project in the Ouachita National Forest
Join Virginia McDaniel, US Forest Service, as she leads us through a Glade Restoration Project in the Caddo/ Womble district. We have talked a lot this winter and spring about prescribed burns and the benefit it brings to the ecosystem. This is a great example of what can happen without fire in the ecosystem and the effort required to restore the forest. Get a first-hand look at the efforts of the USFS to restore glades to the Ouachita Mts. As a result of their efforts, expect to see Winecup, Pale Purple Coneflower, Fame flower, Widow’s Cross, and Carolina Larkspur in flower, to name just a few!
We will start at the Caddo/Womble Ranger District office, Mt. Ida, AR. Please meet there no later than 8:50 a.m. We will leave for the Glade Restoration Project at 9:00 a.m.
You will need to bring insect repellent, a sack lunch and water. Following our visit to the Glade, we will return to the Caddo/Womble District Office for a picnic lunch. We will leave from the District Office at 1:00 p.m. for our afternoon trip Buick Botany, Tour of US Forest Service Seed Orchard.
Afternoon Event:
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Buick Botany, Tour of US Forest Service Seed Orchard
Virginia McDaniel, USFS Southern Research Station, along with the USFS Seed Orchard Manager, will give a tour of the USFS Mt. Ida Seed Orchard. The Orchard features large acreage of grasslands and open woodlands. As we tour by auto, we will stop frequently to get a close look at a variety of spring and early summer flowering plants. They will also discuss the interesting history and functioning of one of the USFS’s living seedbanks for Shortleaf Pine.
Directions: From the intersection of Hwy 270W and the Mt. Pine Road, travel approximately 28 miles west on Hwy 270. The Caddo/Womble Ranger District Office will be on your left.
Those wanting to carpool can meet in the Harp’s Parking lot no later than 8:00 a.m. We will leave promptly at 8:05 a.m. in order to be at the District Office by 8:50.
IMPORTANT! We realize that this event is over 30 miles away and we talk so much about how fortunate we are in DLAMN to have nature at our doorstep. However, this an exceptional opportunity to view activities that are not available to most Master Naturalists. We really encourage you to spend the day with Virginia McDaniel. You will not be disappointed.
Those that cannot attend the morning event at the Glade but would like to attend the afternoon event will need to be at the Caddo/Womble Ranger District office, Mt. Ida, AR no later than 12:50 p.m. Arrive early and join the morning group for a picnic lunch.