What is Ever Wilder?
We steward almost 7 acres of land in Ellijay, Georgia about 25 minutes from downtown. Head waters to Holden Creek run the back border of the property and helps to provide a beautiful abundance of wildlife and plants. The property is nestled into somewhat of a rich cove that gains acidity with elevation. Ever Wilder sits around 2,000 ft elevation straddling the line between the southern Appalachian “foothills” and “mountains”. Tulip trees along with sycamore, cherry and maple form most of the mature canopy while dogwoods, witch hazel and spicebush sprawl through the understory. A rich herbaceous layer of ferns, lianas other woodland species spread along the forest floor taking advantage of gaps in the canopy. A forest of oak and hickory speckled with white pines and hemlocks stand along the sloped area of the property. Chanterelles, boletes, and milkies enjoy this eastern slope in times of wet, hot weather. Years of rains, leaf litter and erosion have provided fertility to the land along the creek. An ideal sandy/loamy soil provides for a wide range of plant species. Wetland lovers like sochan, lobelias, joe-pye-weed, and parnassia cast roots in the garden and edges of the field. Ever Wilder LLC was formed to bring people closer to nature through walks, conservation and hands-on activities.
About the owner
I’ve lived in north Georgia my entire life surrounded by these beautiful mountains and this land has most certainly shaped me, much like it has shaped the life of people for thousands of years. Being on the outskirts of Ellijay for the last two years has deepened my appreciation for this area. I grew up about 35 miles west in Whitfield county on family farm land which has dwindled to a current 8 acres or so not too far from the John’s Mountain wildlife area. I spent a lot of time outside as a child and always pondered a bit on why “nature” was the way it was. I would stop to notice the bark on trees or an odd growth habit and wonder why it was different from the trees around it. I didn’t receive many answers as a child, though I feel maybe I didn’t know what questions to ask. For several years of my young adult life I started to separate from nature and pursue other fields. There are so many distractions in life it’s hard to know what really brings you happiness. It’s taken me 20+ years to end up right back where I started, wondering why nature is the way it is and pondering why the bark on a tree forms the way it does. I still most certainly have more questions than answers and feel that it will always be this way. While my curiosity is strong and has lead me down many paths with lots of long nights filled with research and exploration, I think it is important to be satisfied with the awe and mystery of the natural world not having to know exactly why something is the way it is, but appreciating nature for the complex mysterious being that has and always will be. I enjoy sharing about herbs and plants and how they’ve worked in my life for the past 10+ years.
