UCF’s Green Sanctuary and Adult RE Committees sponsored a third 2021 nature walk, led by botanist and UCF member Tom Wentworth, on Saturday afternoon, November 13, 2021. The hike took place on the Tideland National Recreation Trail near the Cedar Point Campground in the Croatan National Forest. This 1.4-mile loop trail traverses marshes and forested wetlands on the edge of Dobbling Creek, a tributary to the White Oak River. The Tideland Trail is an easy, family-friendly hike featuring graveled walkways and extensive boardwalks over the marshes.

The 23 participants enjoyed perfect fall weather during the two-hour hike. Tom Wentworth and other participants discussed vegetation and native plants found along the trail, with emphasis on benefits of intact saltmarsh ecosystems and current threats to their integrity. Numerous viewpoints along the trail encouraged folks to gather and enjoy each other’s company, and to watch the children splashing in the water on the marsh edge. Everyone agreed that UCF should schedule more nature walks in 2022, and the first of these will be on the afternoon of January 1, 2022, at Fort Macon State Park!