Jennifer Champagne

Fancy Creek State Park consists of a mosaic native plant palette that is a display of wildflowers and perennial plants. There are multiple plant communities that range from wetlands, meadows, prairies, and shore vegetation. Each community consists of a unique composition of key species and supports the local ecosystem in specific ways. The wetlands form a protective boundary between the open lake water and the shoreline. The meadows aid in the control of excess rainwater by directing water through the ephemeral creek bed and absorbing moisture into the soil. The shore vegetation is a dense corridor of plants that have a dense root system to stabilize the shoreline and creates a boundary to protect against erosion. Fancy Creek S.P. is also a vast wildlife habitat to deer, small mammals, birds, reptiles, insects, and fish. Every visit results in a new experience of how a thriving ecosystem generates constant growth of all living species.

Faculty Lee Ann Toney