Description
Located in Autauga County, this preserve sits in the rolling hills of the upper coastal plain and contains one of the largest populations of the Alabama canebrake pitcher plant, Sarracenia rubra ssp. alabamensis, a plant known from fewer than a dozen sites and found only in two counties in the central part of the state. The Nature Conservancy is working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and private landowners to preserve these plants across their range. Of the sites that remain most are small and in danger of vanishing if not managed.
Healthy populations of Harper's ginger Hexastylis speciosa, another plant found only in Alabama, can also be seen here. Much of this preserve is forested by open longleaf pine woodlands managed by prescribed fire.
Why TNC Selected This Site
This preserve contains one of the best-known sites for the Alabama canebrake pitcher plant.
What TNC is Doing
The Nature Conservancy is working to restore the upland forests to longleaf pine woodlands. Since 2001 we have had an active prescribed burning program which has opened up the understory of the forest to allow many grasses and flowers to multiply. The Alabama canebrake pitcher plant is dependent on periodic fire to maintain the open sunny conditions it needs to thrive. We have also worked to plant longleaf pines in areas that were formally converted to pine plantations and restoring native grasses to former pasture lands.
