Oak Ridge Cedar Barrens and Worthington Cemetery TVA Ecological Study Area Outing

This is a joint outing for TCWP, the Tennessee Native Plant Society, and Wild Ones . The Oak Ridge Barrens is a small property that supports at least three Tennessee rare plant species: prairie goldenrod (Solidago ptarmicoides), naked-stem sunflower (Helianthus occidentalis), and Torrey’s mountain mint (Pycnanthemum torreyi). Torrey’s mountain mint is not only rare in Tennessee, but considered globally imperiled by NatureServe. TCWP has managed the Barrens for 26 years; volunteer workdays there continue to control exotic and native woody, invasive plant species that threaten the integrity of the prairie pockets and to create additional habitat for barrens vegetation. Other commonly seen plants in bloom in September are blazing star (two species), big bluestem, Indian grass, black-eyed Susans, white crownbeard, butterfly milkweed, grey headed coneflowers, false aloe, whorled milkweed, woodland sunflower, lespedeza, rose pink, whorled rosinweed, and golden asters.

The approximately 1.5-mile walk will be easy, with a slightly rough trail surface in places. Bring water, a lunch, and bug spray.

For those with energy for more plants there will be an afternoon outing to Worthington Cemetery. Details will be discussed at the end of the Oak Ridge Cedar Barrens event.

We will meet at 9:30 at 200 Fairbanks Rd. in Oak Ridge, in the parking lot at Jefferson Middle School (next to the baseball diamond off Fairbanks Rd). You RSVP helps with planning and allows for contacting in case of cancelation. Contact Larry Pounds at 865-705-8516 or via email at PoundsL471@aol.com.