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Old Dock Savanna Preserve

Old Dock Savanna Map

LOCATION:
Coastal Plain
Columbus County

SIZE IN ACRES:
376

INVOLVEMENT IN ACRES:
NA


Carolina Grass-of-Parnassus
Carolina grass-of-Parnassus (© Fred Annand)
Venus Flytrap
Venus flytrap (© Harold Malde)

TOPOGRAPHICAL MAP:
Old Dock

Topographical maps are available by contacting:
NC Geographical Survey.
1612 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1612.
(919) 715-9718
www.geology.enr.state.nc.us/

ACTIVITIES & AMENITIES:
Hiking / Wildflowers

OWNERSHIP & ACCESS:
This Nature Conservancy preserve is only accessible through the North Carolina Chapter’s field trip program, (919) 403-8558.

SITE INFORMATION:
Old Dock Savanna is a unique wet longleaf pine savanna underlain with limestone. Typical pine savannas have a low pH and are very acidic, whereas limestone-influenced savannas like Old Dock have a higher or sweeter pH. Called marl savannas, these rich plant areas have an infusion of nutrients not available in more acidic habitats. There are two known areas of marl savannas in North Carolina: the Maple Hill area along the Pender/Onslow County line and the Old Dock area along the Columbus/Brunswick County line.

The savanna at Old Dock is dominated by pond pine, with an open shrub layer of titi, black gum, myrtle-leaf holly, and bayberry. Scattered among the shrubs are dense patches of herbs, including a diverse assemblage of carnivorous plants like Venus flytrap, grasses, sedges, and wildflowers. The preserve harbors 17 rare plant species, such as the globally rare Carolina grass-of-Parnassus, savanna cowbane, and wireleaf dropseed.

CONSERVATION HIGHLIGHTS:
In 1994, Mrs. Pauline Johnson generously donated a 50-acre portion of Old Dock Savanna to The Nature Conservancy in memory of her parents, Roy and Ethel Suggs. In 1996, The Nature Conservancy purchased additional land at the preserve. Historically, natural fires have kept these areas relatively open and released nutrients into the soil. The North Carolina Chapter seeks to mimic these natural events by setting prescribed burns during the growing season.

DIRECTIONS:
Not available