The Briarwood Nature Preserve held its annual “Tom Sawyer Day”, Saturday, February 17. The event, a tradition for area naturalists for over 30 years, drew over 20 volunteers for a day of clearing paths, maintaining gardens, clearing invasive species and other tasks. Curator Bayli Brossette, a Lakeview alumna and veteran of the school’s FFA chapter, was joined by several current members of Lakeview’s FFA and their advisor. Other volunteers came from the Louisiana Scholars’ College and parish library as well as the larger community. After a day’s productive work, the volunteers were treated to a homemade meal and a tour of the grounds.

The Briarwood Nature Preserve, opened in 1972, is the birthplace and childhood home of famed naturalist Caroline Dormon. Dorman was a naturalist, author and the first woman hired by the US Forest Service. She was also instrumental in the creation of the Kisatchie National Forest. The Briarwood Nature Preserve serves to carry on her legacy of preservation and education about the natural world.

The preserve also holds the distinction of hosting some of the few surviving specimens of the endangered tree Torreya Taxifolia. The tree originally grew in an area on the Florida/Georgia border. Caroline Dormon brought some seedlings home from a trip to Florida in the 1930’s. The trees disappeared from their original habitat and now only exist in a few places. According to Louisiana Scholars’ College professor, Dr. Betsy Cochran, the Briarwood Nature Preserve boasts the largest number of Torreya Taxifolia trees in the United States.

From wildflowers to birds, animals and miles of walking trails, there is indeed something for everyone at the Briarwood Nature Preserve