Future Vision of Lost Creek

I believe that the entire preserve should be protected with some kind of in perpetuity entailment. Something like restrictive covenants.

Next, a long term facilities plan should be implemented that addresses the needs and uses of the community, especially the local schools. I envision this plan to include an interpretive center that addresses the Red Hills region in general and the forest as well as issues of land use, historic land uses, watershed and watershed protection issues, interesting and unusual flora and fauna found within the forest including inventories of all flora and fauna kept for documentation and research and other activities as need arises.

I would like to see as a part of the development an outdoors amphitheater (wooden planks on logs with electrical supply for media shows, some kind of small stage and a fire pit for bon fires) where programs related to the forest, ecology and the general need and methods of good conservation practices would be presented to interested groups.

Hiking trails with interpretive stops along the way would be laid out in a series of interconnected loops so walkers could chose shorter or longer ramblings. These would be low impact trails with little or no grading. Construction of a few creek crossovers would be needed for access to the entire experience of the forest.

As you can see, I view the property as an important part of the public trust that has a primary mission of conservation for the sake of education, not to lock away a resource for some undefined use in the future. We are fortunate that the property has survived more or less intact until now, and there is no better time than now to make it available to the public for responsible use.

Woody
Professor Emeritus of Biology
Thomas University
Thomasville, Georgia