Your donations will be used to purchase the necessary equipment to construct new trails and maintain current trails throughout the park at the Wood Duck Nature Preserves in Opelika.
Three trail enhancement projects are being planned by the Friends of the Wood Duck Nature Preserve.
First, the current trail to the entry point of the North Blind has significant erosion and is not easily traversed. Removal of the overgrowth will provide accessibility that softens the approach to the level wooden platform access while maintaining the integrity of the ecosystem.
Secondly, invasive plants are obstructing an accessible pathway and bird viewing opportunity from the Pavilion overlooking the service road and railroad bed. Clearing the overgrowth and re-grading a less steep switch-back trail will increase accessibility to the service road.
Third, a new trail opportunity on the north boundary of the preserve that is below the railroad bed has been identified as a means to connect the Loop Trail to the Wetland Ecosystem.
All of these enhancements will benefit the community by providing more access to this Preserve for all members. The Preserve offers public access to an isolated wooded area that hosts a diversity of wildlife not commonly observed in residential or urban areas. Depending on the season, users may observe groundhogs, salamanders, frogs, a number of different bird species, and a variety of native plants and wildflowers. In addition, informational signage along with maintained pathways and observational blinds provide users with a unique educational experience in nature. Expansion of the trails will allow for additional exploration and observational opportunities.
For more information, you can visit the Wood Duck Nature Preserve’s Facebook page here: www.facebook.com/wdhpsnc/