Photo Credit: Julie Butler Colombin
A collaborative effort by more than 20 national, regional, and local organizations provided enough labor and funding to restore a 29-acre preserve within the city of Gainesville, Ga.
Through private and public efforts, the Redbud Project established a native plant preserve for environmental study and public recreation in the city’s Linwood Nature Preserve. It serves as an open-air classroom for those seeking to learn about environmental conservation for soil-erosion control, stormwater runoff, wetlands restoration, climate control and energy conservation.
The project is designed to serve as a model for preserves across the nation. AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps sent two different teams of volunteers to build sustainable, low-impact trails and bridges as well as eradicate invasive plants. Local environmentalists worked hand in hand with volunteers to demonstrate proper trail construction techniques that can be implemented elsewhere.