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Splinter Hill Bog Preserve: A Carnivorous Wonderland

Explore Alabama's Splinter Hill Bog Preserve: a unique landscape of carnivorous plants, diverse wildlife, and scenic trails along the Gulf Coast.

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Discover a unique ecosystem at Splinter Hill Bog Preserve in Alabama, home to diverse plant and animal life, including 12 species of carnivorous plants. Explore scenic trails and witness the beauty of the Gulf Coast's most intact seepage bogs [4, 9].

A brief summary to Splinter Hill Bog Preserve

Local tips

  • Visit during the spring or summer to witness the peak blooming season of the pitcher plants and other wildflowers [9].
  • Bring binoculars to enhance your birdwatching experience, as Splinter Hill is a stop on the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail [9].
  • Wear waterproof shoes or boots, as the trails can be wet, especially in the bog areas [9].
  • Apply insect repellent before your visit, particularly during warmer months, to protect against mosquitoes and other biting insects [9].
  • Check the Nature Conservancy's website for any temporary closures due to controlled burns or other management activities [9].
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Getting There

  • Driving

    From Interstate 65, take Exit 45 (Perdido/Rabun) [2, 3, 6]. Travel west on County Road 47 for approximately 2 miles [4]. The parking area for the George W. Folkerts Bog Trail will be on the left (south) side of the road, approximately 200 yards past Dyas Creek [4, 7]. Parking is free [7].

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Discover more about Splinter Hill Bog Preserve

Splinter Hill Bog Preserve, located near Bay Minette, Alabama, spans over 3,000 acres and protects some of the Gulf Coast's most pristine seepage bogs [4, 9]. This biologically rich ecosystem features wetlands, longleaf pine forests, creeks, and gently rolling hills [2]. The preserve is renowned for its impressive collection of carnivorous plants, boasting 12 different species, including five types of pitcher plants, two kinds of butterworts, and several varieties of sundews [4, 9]. The white-topped pitcher plant bogs create a surreal landscape where these fascinating plants lure insects to their doom [9, 8]. Visitors can explore the preserve via a network of well-maintained trails [9]. The Pitcher Plant Loop Multi-Use Trail System, which is over four miles long, is open to hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders [2, 9]. The trails are directional, with all traffic flowing counter-clockwise, and are accessible from both the west and east parking lots of the Splinter Hill Bog Complex [2, 9]. Splinter Hill Bog is also a stop on the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail, offering excellent opportunities for birdwatching [2, 3]. Keep an eye out for Bachman's, Henslow's, and LeConte's sparrows, as well as other avian residents such as Eastern wood-pewees, brown-headed nuthatches, blue grosbeaks, and indigo buntings [2, 9]. The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and the Forever Wild Land Trust jointly manage Splinter Hill Bog Preserve [10, 12]. Regular prescribed burns help maintain the open conditions required for this unique habitat to thrive [10]. The preserve was renamed in 2014 in honor of Mary Ruth McClellan Abronski, who donated her estate to conservation efforts [4, 11].

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