ALABAMA A&M and AUBURN UNIVERSITIES

ROCK-N-SOIL, ALL WEEKEND LONG

AUBURN, OCT. 22---Rocks and soils were the topics at a recent weekend program for adults and children at the Forest Ecology Preserve in Auburn.

The program emphasized Alabama soil and focused briefly on the rocks that make up the soil, says Dr. Charles Mitchell, an Extension agronomist with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.

Some of the topics discussed were how soils are used presently as compared to how they were used in the past. Also discussed was how to protect soil and the characteristics of the soil in the Auburn area and the rest of the state.

Mitchell says the site of the program was at the southern-most tip of the Piedmont Plateau and was perfect for the event.

"The land used to be a cotton field, like so much of the land in Alabama was at one time," Mitchell says.

The program taught participants how nature can heal itself. It was geared toward adults, but was not highly technical. Maps, brochures and resource information were given out to participating adults. There were games, activities and coloring books for children who came to the event.

The Forest Ecology Preserve is located on land donated to the Auburn University School of Forestry by Louise Turner of Auburn. Since 1998 Turner has presented programs to the public about nature and ecology. Programs are held on the second Saturday and Sunday of every month.

SOURCE: Dr. Charles Mitchell, Extension agronomist, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, (334) 844-5489.