Nature program is next week

On September 16 at 7 p.m. Southern Conservation Trust is hosting a Nature Discovery Program at the Flat Creek Nature Center in Peachtree City. Jimmy Mock will explain the basics of tree identification using samples of leaves, bark, flowers and twigs.

Jimmy Mock was a Georgia “Future Farmers of America” (FFA) instructor who retired in 2002 after 36 years in agriculture education. He has received many awards and is a highly respected teacher and tree expert. Mr. Mock holds the record for the most individual nominations for the Georgia Champion Tree Listing Ð an official record of the largest trees by species in Georgia, which is kept by the Georgia Forestry Commission. (Two state Champions Ð a Japanese Pagoda tree and Black Maple - are found in Fayette County.)

“Jimmy Mock is recognized across Georgia as an entertaining and knowledgeable speaker; I know both students and adults will enjoy this program,” said SCT Executive Director Abby Jordan.

Southern Conservation Trust is a nonprofit land trust that owns and manages over 600 acres of nature preserves in Fayette County. SCT works with willing landowners to protect scenic open space through legal tools that may provide tax benefits s for the property owner.

The Sept. 16 program is one of a series of Nature Discovery programs presented by Southern Conservation Trust at the Flat Creek Nature Center throughout the year. Recent programs have featured live snakes, local geology and raptors. SCT is also a member of the Upper Flint River Watershed Alliance, which is hosting a “Float the Flint” day at the Flint River Outdoor Center on Saturday September 18. The deadline to register for the Float is September 10.

The free Tree ID program will begin at 7 p.m September 16th at the Flat Creek Nature Center building, next to the Frederick Brown amphitheatre at 201 McIntosh Trail in Peachtree City.

For directions or more information about Nature Discovery program and the Sept. 18th Flint River Float, visit www.sctlandtrust.org, call 770-486-7774.