Staff Botanical Walk at Jug Handle Creek Nature Preserve

This March, the Jug Handle Creek staff had the chance to deepen their knowledge of our local ecology by attending a botanical education hike along the coastal bluffs, led by the ever-knowledgeable Alison Gardner.

With curiosity as our guide, we wandered the trails not just to walk them, but to look closely at leaf shapes, subtle color variations, and the many ways plants adapt to wind, salt, and shifting soils. Alison shared insights into both native and non-native species, helping us better understand how each plant fits (or sometimes competes) within this unique coastal ecosystem.