The Dirt Blog

Magnolia Run

Now Open: Magnolia Run at Williamson Preserve

December 14, 2021

The day after Thanksgiving, national #optoutside day,  TLC opened four additional miles of trail in partnership with the Town of Clayton at the Williamson Preserve and River Walk Property. The new trail, known as Magnolia Run, can be accessed from the Salamander Loop in the southern part of the preserve.  The trail which twists and […]

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Species Spotlight: Nandina domestica

December 13, 2021

By Madeline Joslin, Williamson Preserve Community Engagement Associate AmeriCorps Nandina domestica You may have noticed one species starting to take center stage in the landscape as autumn slips into winter. Its berries resemble that of a native holly, but its foliage is distinct: fading from a pale green to a fiery red, it provides winter […]

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TLC Partners Collaborate to brew the Ambler Honey Pecan Brown Ale

November 19, 2021

Our friends at Fullsteam Brewery just released a new brew with proceeds benefitting TLC! Ambler is a delicious brown ale, made with roasted pecans and honey. Fullsteam worked with local companies Murphy’s Naturals, Leaf & Limb, Happy Dirt, and Bee Downtown to source the pecans and honey that give this beer its delectable flavor. “Together, we brewed an approachable honey pecan brown ale […]

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Species Spotlight: Eastern Redcedar

November 12, 2021

By Brenna Thompson, Land Protection Manager East Eastern Redcedar (Juniperus virginiana) The beginning of winter is a time of austerity in Piedmont forests, and when all the showy leaves and flowers have faded and fallen we are left with more subtle features to enjoy. This is the time when the eastern redcedar really shines. Eastern […]

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Brumley East Expansion Fundraiser

November 11, 2021

WOW WOW WOW Friends of Brumley! Y’all are FANTASTIC and really rose to the occasion to help expand Brumley Nature Preserve! Combined with the Concannon Family’s matching contribution, we have raised $89,000 towards our $100,000 goal! In 2019, TLC conserved the 60-acre Brumley East expansion to fully protect a tributary of Stony Creek, providing additional connectivity […]

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Why we all need a will. Today.

November 11, 2021

We don’t realize how incredibly important having an updated will is, until it’s too late. On June 1, my mom called to say she couldn’t breathe well and was heading to the ER. The next day she pulled me aside and said do you remember the red folder? It’s in the white cabinet. Of course, I […]

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We have a new trails alert system!

November 11, 2021

At TLC we work hard to maintain our trails and nature preserve infrastructure, along with the safety of our visitors – that means sometimes closing certain high-use trails due to inclement weather or other emergencies.  We appreciate everyone’s understanding and strive to provide clear and timely updates so you can plan your trip accordingly!  HOW TO USE THE […]

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Leaving a Conservation Legacy

August 8, 2021

This summer our community sadly lost two long-term conservation advocates who devoted most of their lives to protecting the incredible natural resources of Wake and Johnston Counties and helped establish two TLC nature preserves. Betty Brandt Williamson (May 1, 1959 – July 31, 2021) was instrumental in the permanent protection of the Bailey and Sarah […]

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Thank You Park and Trail Staff!

July 1, 2021

Thank you to all the park and trail staff and volunteers that have helped keep our parks, trails, preserves and publicly protected lands safe, clean and open for people to enjoy this year. With the outdoors offering a safe way to connect with our family and friends, it’s no wonder that a record 19.8 million […]

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The Healing Labyrinth

June 15, 2021

If you’ve visited Brumley recently, you may have noticed an intriguing new feature— the “Healing Labyrinth.” The labyrinth, located at the intersection of Brumley North’s Stoney Creek and Cemetery Connector trails, is a space for reflection, meditation and restoration. The twisting path you see is not a maze, but rather intended for contemplative walking. It […]

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