Pettit Environmental Preserve Spring Hike

Pettit Environmental Preserve is open to the public for the Spring Hike: Backyard Birding Basics. In addition to the special birding program, the Preserve trail will be open for self-led or interpreted hikes presented by the Preserve Educator, Lori Jewell.

Marina Robertson, executive director of the Preserve, said she enjoys hiking with Lori, who is very knowledgeable about the habitats and animals native to the Preserve.

“I always learn something fun when I go with Lori on the trail,” Robertson added.

Leisa Schmidt of Wild Birds Unlimited in Dallas will present the birding program at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Participants will learn what four things every backyard bird habitat should have, plus find out how to attract and care for hummingbirds and bluebirds that are looking for habitat this month.

There's an optional bagel birdfeeder craft activity for children 10 and younger.

Admission to the Preserve and the program are free.

The Pettit Preserve was created to provide environmental education and promote ecological preservation. The 70-acre property hosts hundreds of school children and Scouts for field trips, hiking and Scout badge activities every year. The Preserve has trails that feature a swinging bridge, a Learning Shed, two aquatic stations and three amphitheaters for teaching, all nestled around a 9-acre lake. Last school year, the Preserve hosted more than 1,800 students, more than twice as many as the previous year.

Since the mission of the Preserve is educational, not recreational, it is not open to the public daily for hiking. However, the trails were professionally designed by Cartersville’s own Switchback Trails, which has contracts all over the country, including on the Appalachian Trail. The Spring Hike is an ideal time to experience the trails.

The Pettit Preserve is located off Highway 61, four miles south of the Cartersville airport. Turn left on Douthit Bridge Road and continue to fork; the right fork is Vineyard Road, which leads to the Preserve.