MACON, Ga. — On Saturday, Macon Pride and Southern Queer Folks Hike partnered up and hosted the 4th annual Pride in Our Parks at the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park.
Pride in Our Parks "is an initiative focused on community and park clean-up, while also aiming to connect people from the LGBTQs+ community with the great outdoors. Parks serve various essential functions in our communities, including providing a space for freedom of expression. Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park is proud to support this gathering, fostering community connection and environmental stewardship within our local community."
Pride in Our Parks is a month-long event originally set up by the National Parks Conservation Association. The two outdoor events held at the Ocmulgee Mounds are Macon’s way of celebrating.
The event gave volunteers two different opportunities. One was a Dragonfly Collection, where volunteers would collect dragonfly larvae for the Dragon Fly Mercury Project from Walnut Creek that runs through the park.
10 volunteers were tasked with hiking wooded areas, wading through water, standing and stooping to collect larvae. Participants were encouraged to bring their own waders.
Volunteers could also participate in the iNaturalist Plant Identification project. About 20 participants hiked the trail and restored plants that died off because of invasive species.
The volunteers took photos of the invasive plants to send to iNaturalist, a database that helps people identify plants and animals. The information was sent to specialists so the invasive plants could be removed.
All registered participants were encouraged to wear closed-toed shoes, pants, bring water and bug spray if needed.
The event ran from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.