Ebenezer Swamp Ecological Preserve
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The University of
Montevallo's Ebenezer Swamp Ecological
Preserve is located on Spring Creek,
approximately 6 miles northeast of the
University. Ebenezer swamp consists of
sixty acres of wooded wetlands and is home
to numerous species of fungi, plants, and
animals. The forest is dominated for the
most part by Tupelo Gum (Nyssa aquatica),
with occasional Red Maple (Acer rubrum),
Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda), Sweet
Bay (Magnolia virginiana),
Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera),
and Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis).
The
dominant animal life form is the Beaver (Castor canadensis);
water impounded behind several beaver dams
along Spring Creek has a pronounced effect
on the ecology of the preserve. Other
animal inhabitants include the American
Woodcock (Philohela minor), Turkey
(Meleagris gallopavo), Great Blue
Heron (Ardea herodia), Timber
Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus),
Water Moccasin (Aghistrodon piscivorus),
Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix),
Raccoon (Procyon lotor), Opossum (Didelphis
marsupialis virginiana), and
various species of freshwater clams.
The
preserve is also home to numerous
herbaceous plant species, including three
species of orchids (Platanthera flava,
Ponthieva racemosa and Tipularia
discolor) and a rare species of
cone-flower (Rudbeckia auriculata).
Ebenezer Swamp is used for teaching and
research purposes. Ongoing research
projects include water quality testing and
surveys of vegetation and
macroinvertebrate diversity. Ebenezer
Swamp was generously donated to the
University of Montevallo by Mrs. Mildred
Orr of Montevallo.
Learn more about contributing to the Ebenezer Swamp Wetlands Interpretive and Research Center (ESWIRC).