ABAC to use rare pitcher plant bog in Turner County | Events

TIFTON, GA – News release from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College

Students at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College have another hands-on learning opportunity thanks to the recent acquisition of a rare pitcher plant bog in Turner County.

“ABAC is proud of the many outdoor labs that provide our students innumerable learning opportunities to continue their classroom education,” President David Bridges said. “This is just another example of a practical laboratory that not only agriculture students can use, but also students in the School of Science and Mathematics.”

The 8.74-acre tract not only has a pitcher plant bog, but the carnivorous wetland plants are surrounded by a long leaf pine-wiregrass upland.  

Students in the Biology and Natural Resource Management program, ABAC’s two newest bachelor’s degrees, can utilize the many elements of this unique piece of land.

"At ABAC we're always looking for resources that can be used as learning labs for our students,” said Dr. Rod Brown, head of the ABAC Department of Forest Resources. “We are excited about this unique tract of land and its potential for experiential learning."

Half of the land was donated by Fitzgerald-native Ben Mills and the other half of the property was purchased by the ABAC Foundation with the help of donations from several local conservationists including Dan and Ellen Corrie, Dr. and Mrs. Richard F. Davis, Brenda and Keith Douce, Lisa M. Kruse, Freda W. Massey, Karan Rawlins, Dr. Patricia Timper, Dr. and Mrs. Joseph M. Turner, Dr. Bret B. Wagenhorst, Julie Sharpe and the Georgia Native Plant Society.

“I love nature and was glad to do something with the land so others could benefit from it, said Mills. “I am very pleased ABAC will be able to utilize the property for classes. ABAC’s progress is our progress as a local community.”