Spring Nature Walk at the Piedmont Memorial Overlook
May 16 @ 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Join us for a spring nature walk at PEC’s Piedmont Memorial Overlook to learn about native plant identification, pollinators, songbirds and meadow management! PEC’s Wildlife Habitat Restoration Coordinator, October Greenfield and Plantings for the Piedmont Program Coordinator Linnea Sherman will lead the walk.
This event is free but registration is required.
About the Overlook
The Piedmont Memorial Overlook sits adjacent to Sky Meadows State Park within a large block of privately and publicly protected land along the Blue Ridge Mountains that is a patchwork of forest, livestock pasture, and mountainous fields. The land was actively farmed from the late 18th century until the recent past, and was heavily grazed by cattle.
In 2012, PEC began an extensive restoration effort on the 50-acre parcel with funding from the USDA, first eliminating fescue and other non-native plants from the pasture, and then seeding native grasses and wildflowers. The property now serves as an active demonstration site for landowners who are interested in viewing habitat restoration practices.
The 15+ acre native meadow is home to songbirds, butterflies, raptors, bees and black bears. It was planted with 16 native wildflower species that provide forage for pollinators and habitat for grassland and shrubland birds. PEC manages the meadow using prescribed fire, late winter mowing and invasive species monitoring.