On January 3, 2010, Ellie Florance and I traveled to the Lightner property for a rou­tine property visit and checkup. The 1/3-mile-long driveway was engulfed in snow­drifts too deep for the average car, so we diverted our travels and took the plowed road to Julian and Joy Arbuckle's house for a shorter hike through the snow drifts to the property.

Before going to the property, we visited the Arbuckles to wish them a Happy New Year. The Arbuckles have been watch­ing the property for the Conservancy now for over a year to report anything out of the ordinary as a favor to me. Fortunately, the Arbuckles have never had to give me a call. We finally got to meet Julian and introduce ourselves. We then hiked through the drift­ing snow of Greenbrier County to install a birdhouse on the kiosk as an enhancement to the cave preserve. Hopefully, we will have some bluebirds next spring.
 
Tom Lightner Jr. had reported to Ed Swepston that a cherry tree had fallen on the fence line sometime in November. However, the snowdrifts and the high winds were too daunting to walk the entire property line to determine if any further action was needed. Ed stated that, knowing Tom as he did, the fence was probably already cleared of the tree and there would be no further action needed on my part. I did try to call Tom to introduce myself and thank him, but as yet haven't gotten in touch with him.
 
Afterwards, we took a trip to the Persinger property and installed two more birdhouses. One was installed on the kiosk and one on the changing area. The pine trees are ap­proaching 8-10 feet in height. The spruces are slowly growing up and showed through the snow, which actually kept some four-wheelers from driving across the property. Not all spruces have survived but enough are making a go of it to bring a smile to us.
 
I would like to schedule another rose bush clearing similar to last June's project week­end, so if you know of a scout troop look­ing for a good conservation project, contact me with the detail so we can make arrangements.
 
By John E. Pearson
Lightners Cave Preserve
Committee Chair