As you may know, Southern Conservation Trust is a nonprofit organization committed to conserving our land and natural resources, promoting healthy outdoor recreation and providing environmental education for our community. The Trust is committed to ensuring a thriving, sustainable community for our children and grandchildren.
As Trust volunteers explore and plan our public use nature areas, we often discover historical elements that provide a glimpse into a rich cultural heritage of Fayette County and the Southern Crescent.
Most notably, we have many local sites of significant Native American habitation as well as industrial development preserved today on both public and private lands. Traces of villages, houses and mills have been found and are even alive today as ruins and trail marker trees.
Those elements yet not disturbed are our collective legacy to preserve and protect for the future. Once lost or destroyed, archeological sites and treasures are gone forever.
Just recently, a pictograph decorated boulder approximately 20 inches by 12 inches by 12 inches was removed from Line Creek Nature Area in Peachtree City.
Perhaps you have seen this boulder during a hike in the park, or had heard about it from others and looked forward to seeing it for yourself someday.
The personal experience of visiting this ancient expression is now lost to all in our community, unless we can influence the return of this artifact.
The pictured petroglyph is what has disappeared from the Line Creek Nature Area. Someone likely thought the petroglyph would be a great addition to their personal garden or yard.
Unfortunately, there are some individuals in our community who either do not consider public historic preservation important or do not realize that damage or removal of artifacts from our public parks and private lands without permission is a violation.
When you visit our public nature areas, if you see a questionable disturbance or removal of any material from our parks in progress, please call the police department immediately, and make note of the vehicle and activity.
If you or anyone you know has this petroglyph please return it to the nature area. If it is returned there will be no further questions or actions taken by Southern Conservation Trust.
Southern Conservation Trust promotes sustainable outdoor recreation practices in the management of five local public parks and preserves.
The Trust works diligently to develop public awareness of appropriate outdoor practices including the principles of Leave No Trace and Tread Lightly! The Leave What You Find principle encourages a sense of discovery for others by leaving rocks, plants, archaeological artifacts and other objects of interest as you find them.
This allows all visitors to our nature areas to enjoy the treasures that are a part of our cherished quality of life.
Pam Young
Executive Director, SCT
Keith Larson
Outdoor Ethics Advocate
Leave No Trace/Tread Lightly!
Peachtree City, Ga.
