The Southern Conservation Trust will be hosting the fourth annual National Trail Day event Saturday, June 4, at The Ridge Nature Area to maintain this newly established public multi-purpose trail system.
American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day is a nationally recognized trail awareness program that occurs annually on the first Saturday of June and inspires the public to discover, learn about, and celebrate trails while participating in outdoor activities, clinics, and trail stewardship projects.
The event will begin at 8 a.m. and continue until noon. Volunteers should gather at the Trailhead Kiosk on The Ridge at the South end of Burch Road in Fayetteville.
This year, volunteers will have the opportunity to assist in trail maintenance while hiking, mountain biking, or trail running the 5.6 miles of established trails. Volunteer service activities will include work on the nature area entrance, picnic areas and geocache programs. Outdoor ethics materials from Tread Lightly! and Leave No Trace will also be available to view.
This project is being supported by volunteers from the Southern Conservation Trust, SouthSide Cycling Club, the Fayette District, Flint River Council BSA, and Peachtree City Geocaching.
The Ridge is the sixth public nature area to be owned or managed by the Southern Conservation Trust. This Fayetteville community nature area is now scheduled for full public opening in July. It is a 308-acre hardwood forest and wetland habitat located on a ridgeline between the Whitewater Creek and Ginger Bread Creek.
The initial phase of infrastructure development is now beginning. Once complete, the Ridge will provide a nature education center, and host of sustainable outdoor recreation activities including five miles of on-site hiking, mountain biking and running trails, 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 is available at www.facebook.com/TheRidgeNatureArea or www.sctlandtrust.org.
