Author: Amelia Tamez

Frick’s Cave is a highly protected reserve that belongs to the Southeastern Cave Conservatory Incorporation. The cave is located in Walker County, GA and is closed to all visitation. The SCCI controls those who enter the cave and generally people are limited to entering and viewing once a year. This date is determined by the 5,000+ Gray bats that call the cave their summer home from June to August. Taking place in the winter, the one day visitation occurs when there should be no bats in the cave to protect the species. The cave is extremely important to the Gray bat species due to it being one of two Gray bat caves in Georgia. 

Frick’s Cave Preserve. Preserve: Fricks cave preserve. (n.d.). Retrieved December 1, 2021, from https://www.saveyourcaves.org/preserve?rowid=fricks-cave-preserve.

Frick’s Cave Resurvey Project. (n.d.). Retrieved December 1, 2021, from https://caves.org/survey/gss/GSSWebsite/Fricks.html.

 

Chickasawhatchee Swamp is located in the Flint River Basin and converges many of the rivers within its watershed that is 335 square miles. Known as the 2nd largest deep water swamp in the state, the swamp houses a large range of diversity within its plant and animal life. Many rare species live in the swamp including the needle palm, green fly orchid, and corkwood. It is also known for improving the water quality via removal of chemicals and pollution from biofiltration. Lastly it is a major contributor to water quality safety for the Upper Floridan Aquifer. 

Sherpa guides: Georgia: The natural Georgia series: The Flint River: The Chickasawhatchee Swamp. Sherpa Guides | Georgia | The Natural Georgia Series | The Flint River | The Chickasawhatchee Swamp. (n.d.). Retrieved December 1, 2021, from https://www.sherpaguides.com/georgia/flint_river/sidebars/chickasawhatchee_swamp.html.

 

Black Mountain is located in the northern part of the state of Georgia. With an altitude of 3,640 feet, the mountain stands tall above the Chattahoochee National Forest from which it is located. More specifically, the mountain is protected within the Blue Ridge Wildlife Management Area. Black Mountain can be viewed by visitors via the Appalachian Approach Trail. It is also the highest point within Dawson County, GA. Finally, the mountain is named after the blackish biotite gneiss from which its cliffs and interior are made of. 

Black Rock Mountain State Park. Black Rock Mountain State Park | Department Of Natural Resources Division. (n.d.). Retrieved December 1, 2021, from https://gastateparks.org/BlackRockMountain.

Black Rock Mountain, Rabun County, Georgia, mountains. Explore Rabun. (2019, January 17). Retrieved December 1, 2021, from https://explorerabun.com/blog/blackrock-mountain/.

Wikimedia Foundation. (2021, February 6). Black Mountain (Georgia). Wikipedia. Retrieved December 1, 2021, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Mountain_(Georgia).

Anna Ruby Falls is located near Helen, GA in the Northeastern part of the state. It is the joining of the Yorks Creek and Curtis Creek. They both drop to form the falls which lead into the Unicoi River and then eventually into the Chattahoochee. There is an accessible trail to the falls which fall 153 and 50 feet, respectively. Located in the middle of the Chattahoochee National Forest, it’s a common spot for hiking and has high travel density.

Anna Ruby Falls visitor center. Alpine Helen/White County CVB. (n.d.). Retrieved December 1, 2021, from https://www.helenga.org/directory-item/anna-ruby-falls-visitor-center.