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Press release from The Nature Conservancy, shared March 20:
ASHEVILLE – The Nature Conservancy has a deal for you. Help us remove invasive plants from our Bat Cave Preserve in Hickory Nut Gorge in the morning and receive an afternoon lesson from a naturalist.
Work and Learn opportunities include:
- March 27: Rare Salamanders 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- April 13: Rich Cove Wildflowers, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- May 11: Ferns and Mosses 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
In the morning, participants will remove exotic invasive species such as privet, Japanese honeysuckle and English ivy that threaten the biodiversity of the preserve. After lunch, an expert will lead a walk through the preserve.
Because of its unique nature, the Bat Cave Preserve is open by invitation only, so the “Work and Learn” events are a valuable opportunity to explore the area. The preserve is particularly attractive in the spring because of its abundance of spring wildflowers, including bloodroot, toothwort, trillium and violets. Two rare salamander species are found here as well.
For more details or to register, contact Tara Granke at Mtns_Volunteers@tnc.org or call (828) 350-1431, ext. 104.
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