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Ten Sites for Reflection
Baker Woodlands
Named for the late Woolford B. Baker, beloved professor
of biology and protector of Emory's natural resources,
Baker Woodland is a wonderful example of a Piedmont hardwood
forest. It contains over 100 plant species including 60
native trees, shrubs, and woody vines. This forest of
oak, tulip poplar, beech, and hickory has lost delicate
understory wildflowers to invasive foreign species (especially
English ivy and privet). Control of these plants has begun
through the combined efforts of the Ad Hoc Committee on
Environmental Stewardship and Friends of Emory Forest.
Restoration of native plants has also begun, and future
plans include a walking trail, a bridge across the creek,
and improvements to drainage. Baker Woodland illustrates
an important opportunity for both conservation and restoration.
During and after
storms, the volume of water that moves through the area
is a threat to Baker Woodland. This (nameless) creek serves
a large watershed that reaches into Druid Hills and across
Clifton Road. New buildings on campus and off (such as
the Woodruff Library Extension and the parking deck across
Clifton Road serving the Emory Hospital and Clinic) have
interrupted percolation of water into the ground, and
runoff has increased. Following a storm, water backs up
at the downstream end of the woods because of an undersized
drainage pipe under Dowman Drive. Installation of a larger
pipe would likely result in a more damaging surge of water
downstream into Peavine Creek and the area behind the
Druid Hills Bookstore. The forest upstream from Dowman
Drive has been designated a "detention pond,"
but despite the periodic flooding, trees are still growing
in the "pond area." After removal of privet,
tolerant trees such as bald cypress can be planted.
Feel free to use the George Trakas environmental sculpture
pathway (to the right of the picnic tables) to walk down
to the creek. Note any wildlife tracks and streambank
erosion damage. Be careful where you walk in Baker Woodland--don't
step on the wildflowers!
Next, walk west down Fishburne Drive toward the entrance
of campus. Take a right on Dowman Drive and walk uphill
to the entrance to "Visitor Parking" on the
left, just before you come to the B. Jones Center. Just
after the parking gate arm, follow the path on the left
through the woods to Oxford Road. Note that the Baker
Woodland stream emerges here from under Dowman Drive.
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