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Hinkson Valley Nature Preserve  Spring Valley Preserve


Hinkson Valley Nature Preserve

History

The Hinkson Valley Nature Preserve was originally donated to The Nature Conservancy in 1971, by Paul and Gertrude Matthews (later Marshall), and William Elder.

In 1999, The Nature Conservancy transferred ownership of the property to the Greenbelt Coalition (now the Greenbelt Land Trust). In 2000, the Greenbelt Coalition donated an easement to the City of Columbia to build a hiking-biking trail and bridge on the property. The Greenbelt Land Trust is currently attempting to eradicate invasive non-native species such as Japanese honeysuckle and Sericea lespedeza. We intend to establish native plants in the cleared bottomlands and forest savannah.

The Greenbelt Land Trust acknowledges the generosity of the Matthews and Elder families, and the stewardship of The Nature Conservancy. We will insure that their vision of a natural area in what is now the heart of Columbia will be realized, in perpetuity.

Management Goals

The Preserve will be actively managed by Management Unit, with volunteer labor, to enhance the natural, potential ecological community structure, and to provide increased visibility for the Greenbelt Land Trust in Columbia.

Public Access

The Preserve is located on Rock Quarry Rd. by Hinkson Creek, just south of Stadium Drive and directly adjacent to Capen Park (see map). The MKT Trail extension runs through the area. Parking is available at Capen Park.

The area shown on the map is open for public access during daylight hours. Camping and hunting are prohibited. Greenbelt Land Trust reserves the right to rescind access to any individual at any time. Boundaries are currently unmarked; please respect private property to the south along Rock Quarry Rd.

Additional areas of the Preserve (not shown) are not open to public access at this time. These areas are accessible only through private property.

Spring Valley Preserve is a small, undeveloped property in a residential neighborhood along Spring Valley Dr. in Columbia. County House Branch runs through the property.

In 2002, members of the Spring Valley Neighborhood Association contributed to the purchase of the land, and donated it to the Greenbelt Land Trust, in order that it remain in a natural state.

At the present time, public access is restricted to local residents, their guests, and volunteers associated with the Greenbelt Land Trust who are actively involved with management or monitoring of the property. Boundaries are not posted, and parking is limited in this quiet residential neighborhood.