[TN-Bird] Highland Rim TOS Field Trip to Short Springs Natural Area

From: Laura Jennings McCall <lmccall@xxxxxxxx>
To: 'Tn-Bird' <tn-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Wed, 21 Mar 2007 22:09:38 -0500
Please join the Highland Rim TOS for a Wildflower Walk, led by Don 
Davidson, at Short Springs State Natural Area (near Tullahoma) on 
Saturday, March 24. We will meet at the parking area at 10 a.m.  Wear 
sturdy shoes, and bring a walking stick (if you've got one), as well as 
a snack or lunch to eat at the Falls.
Short Springs is well-known for its scenic waterfalls and diverse 
wildflowers.  Below is a description of the area (from the TDEC 
Division of Natural Areas 
http://www.state.tn.us/environment/na/natareas/shortspr/):

Short Springs is a 420-acre natural area located in Coffee County 
approximately three and a half miles northeast of Tullahoma. The 
natural area provides an excellent contrast between Highland Rim and 
Central Basin geology and vegetation. When descending along the Machine 
Falls trail, a visitor can observe exposed black Chattanooga shale at 
mid-slope, which is a formation that delineates the Central Basin from 
the Highland Rim. Thickets of mountain laurel grow on the upper slopes 
under a dry oak-hickory forest canopy that is characteristic of 
Highland Rim vegetation. The lower slopes and riparian areas along Bobo 
Creek support towering sycamore, buckeye, magnolia, beech, and tulip 
poplar trees with a rich shrub layer and herbaceous cover.

Short Springs is one of the very best spring wildflower locations in 
the state. In the spring, moist slopes are covered in trout lilies, 
Virginia bluebells, jack-in-the-pulpit, larkspur, and Dutchman's 
breeches. Large flowered trillium (Trillium grandiflora), southern red 
trillium (Trillium sulcatum), and barren strawberry (Waldsteinia 
fragarioides) are uncommon plants for Middle Tennessee that occur here. 
The natural area also supports two state-listed endangered plant 
species, Nestronia (Nestronia umbellula) and broad-leaved bunchflower 
(Melanthium latifolium).

This biological diversity is related to the rich forest slopes and 
ravines, low cascades, springs and waterfalls that support it. Scenic 
features like Machine Falls drops more than 60 feet and is nearly equal 
in length across. The Upper and Lower Busby Falls on Bobo Creek are two 
prominent cascading waterfalls that can be seen from overlooks on the 
Bobo Creek trail. The steep escarpment with its numerous wet weather 
seeps are particularly impressive during the moist winter and spring 
months. Water is a significant feature at Short Springs as it once was 
the water supply for Tullahoma before construction of Normandy Dam.


Directions: From Jackson Street in Tullahoma, take Hogan Street, then 
turn left onto Country Club Drive. County Club becomes Short Springs 
Road. Follow for several miles until you get to the water tower on the 
right; Short Springs Natural Area is on the left.

Hope to see you there!

Laura McCall

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[TN-Bird] Highland Rim TOS Field Trip to Short Springs Natural Area

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