Brown Trail
From Farm to Forest
We know and love the Ivy Creek Natural Area as a peaceful forest retreat with miles of primitive trails to explore. However, overgrown roadbeds and old fence lines, barely discernable as they run through the woods, are reminders that this was once a family farm.
After Conly Greer's death in 1956, farming activity decreased.. As years passed, fewer crops were raised and fewer cows pastured, while the forest steadily encroached on the fields and pastures. In some sections the formerly cleared fields have been completely transformed into woodlands, while in other areas the succession from field to forest has been paused by periodic bushhogging.
Since plant succession tends to follow a somewhat predictable course, different plant communities indicate how long ago various sections of the natural area were last disturbed. This walk will help you to learn how to "read the history of the landscape" while walking at Ivy Creek.