The Southern Conservation Trust and First Baptist Church of Fayetteville will be hosting Serve Sunday, a community service day, Sept. 6 at The Ridge Nature Area.
According to senior pastor Dr. Jim Thomas, Serve Sunday is part of a countywide effort through Fayetteville First Baptist Church that will benefit a multitude of community centers including nursing homes, the Midwest Food Bank and 14 Fayette County Schools.
The first event project at the Ridge is clearing a partially forested glen to restore a Piedmont meadow habitat. This is an Eagle Scout community service project assisted by the Fayette County Master Gardeners.
Volunteers will have also have the opportunity to assist in trail maintenance while hiking, mountain biking, or trail running the 5.6 miles of trails. Outdoor ethics materials from Tread Lightly! and Leave No Trace will also be available to view.
The event will begin on Sunday at 11 a.m. and continue until 2 p.m. Volunteers should meet at the entrance to The Ridge at the South end of Burch Road in Fayetteville. The goal is to complete clearing of the new meadow area and maintain as much of the rest of the trail system as possible during this service event.
The Ridge is the fifth public nature area to be owned or managed by the Southern Conservation Trust. This community park for the city of Fayetteville is slated for full public opening later in 2015.
It is a 303-acre hardwood forest and wetland habitat located on a ridge line between the Whitewater Creek and Gingercake Creek. The initial phase of infrastructure development is concluding in the near future with construction of the parking lot and gate.
Once complete, the Ridge will provide a nature education center, and host of sustainable outdoor recreation activities including over five miles of on-site hiking, mountain biking and running trails, geocaching and orienteering, a youth campground, canoe and kayak boat launch, and numerous bird watching spots.
Volunteers should bring their own trail tools such as rakes, shovels, handsaws, chain saws, eye protection, and gloves. Please wear suitable clothing and shoes and be prepared for sun and biting bugs. Drinking water will be provided.
More information about this event is available at https://www.facebook.com/TheRidgeNatureArea or by contacting Keith Larson at 678-525-7713.
