The restoration and reimagination of an old nature trail at West Lake Elementary School in Apex began this afternoon with some preliminary site cleanup tasks. SWC and school PTA volunteers, led by Courtney Rousseau, pulled out and replaced numerous rotted path timbers, removed briars and other overgrowth along the paths, removed deteriorated birdhouses and other structures, picked up litter (including a large tire and rim!), and generally got prepared for the next phase of the project. We found some interesting amphibians and insects under the timbers along the way, including the northern slimy salamander in the photos below.
There is much ahead still, and it will be exciting to see this evolve into a wonderful educational resource for the kids. Courtney is currently designing a new series of interpretive nature signs to place all along the trails.
Watch our calendar and posts for the next workday and join us on this great project!
South Wake Conservationists 
One thought on “Rebirth of a Nature Trail at West Lake Elementary School”