Lack of Invasive Plants

Thank you both for leading the hike through Lost Creek Forest and for all your hard work helping to save such a wonderful example of our native Georgia hardwood forest. As you know I work at the Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health at the University of Georgia, which means I am always aware of the invasive plants I see infesting areas I visit. It was so refreshing to walk through Lost Creek Forest. The native under story plants and the spruce pine were my favorites. You are so vigilant, pulling any intruder you find. Now we just need to get the message across to everyone doing their spring gardening and landscaping to help keep our natural areas and our wildlife healthy by using native plants whenever possible and by properly managing any non-native plants they have.

I hope to visit Lost Creek Forest again soon.

Karan Rawlins
Invasive Species Coordinator
Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health
University of Georgia

The first two photos are at Lost Creek Forest showing a native woodland. The last picture is a forest which has been INVADED

Beautiful Old Beech tree in Lost Creek Forest

Another South Georgia forest, try hiking through this undergrowth! Chinese privet, kudzu and china berry trees are only a few of the invasive plants I found in this spot.