About the Project Site
Located just beyond the Cradle of Forestry along Pisgah Highway, Pink Beds Loop Trail is a five mile trail that’s rated “easy” by the U.S. Forest Service. It’s open to bikes seasonally (please visit the U.S. Forest Service website for current trail use information) and is heavily used by hikers, runners, and families, especially given its proximity to the Pink Beds Picnic Area.
Invasive Plants in the Area
There are a series of upland meadows along Pink Beds Loop Trail. These upland meadows provide key early successional habitat that benefit many wildlife species.
Unfortunately, non-native invasive plant species like shrub lespedeza (Lespedeza bicolor) and autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata) have moved into the area and have begun to crowd out native plant species.
These non-native invasive plant species form dense stands and vegetation and outcompete many native plants for resources.
Removing these invasive plants from the area will allow these upland meadows to:
- Return to a more natural and ecologically balanced state
- Provide improved habitat for wildlife
- Support the reintroduction and improvement of native grasses
Stay tuned for exciting updates as we get closer to launching this project!
