When: August 12, 2023 @ 10:00 am
Come Meander with us to explore the lands, waters, and cultural resources that Mainspring Conservation Trust protects.
On the second Saturday of every month, Conservation Outreach Associate Skye Cahoon will lead you on a Meander through the rich floodplains, lush forests, picturesque meadows, and vibrant mountains that make this region so special. Together we will learn about and appreciate the natural world around us, taking time to notice both the tiny and the mighty creatures that call these places home.
This month, we are Meandering in our Gibson Bottoms Preserve in Franklin. This 1.5 mile walk will take us along the Little Tennessee River, through mixed woods, and past a meadow, where we’ll watch for bluebirds and butterflies while admiring late summer wildflowers. This preserve is home to, among other things, a prominent pawpaw stand, the largest fruiting tree native to North America! This walk will take about 2 hours and will bring us along both wide, flat paths and narrow, hilly woodland paths.
Since parking at Gibson Bottoms Preserve is limited, we will meet at the Mainspring Conservation Trust office at 557 E Main St, Franklin, NC 28734 at 10am on Saturday, August 12th. From there, we will carpool for the 10 minute drive to Gibson Bottoms Preserve.
This event is free and open to the public, and registration is not required to attend. Please email Skye with any questions, and keep an eye on this page and our social media for any scheduling updates. We look forward to Meandering with you!
2023 Mainspring Meanders Schedule:
April 8th: Pinnacle Park, Sylva
May 13th: Queen Branch Preserve, Franklin
June 10th: Salt Rock Gap, Panthertown Valley, Cashiers
July 8th: Yellow Creek Falls, Robbinsville
August 12th: Gibson Bottoms Preserve, Franklin
September 9th: Tessentee Bottomland Preserve, Franklin
October 14th: Welch Farm, Andrews
November 11th: Piney Knob Trails, Murphy
