Project Profile: Restore Ocmulgee River Heritage Trail Greenway

Bridge leading to the Earth Lodge, Ocmulgee National Historical Park.

NPS Photo

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
Recreation | FY24-25 $140,000

The National Park Service will remove invasive plants and restore naturally and culturally significant plant species to the Ocmulgee River Greenway trail that connects the urban area of Macon with the park. The project will restore this trail to promote visitor access, protect culturally and historically significant features, and promote ecosystem health by maintaining native plant species and controlling invasive species.

Why? This trail overlooking the Ocmulgee River, once used as a major trade and transportation route, currently has a dense population of invasive species. The Ocmulgee-Altamaha River system is one of the few major river corridors in the southeastern US that remains completely undammed from Macon, Georgia to the Atlantic Ocean and safeguards natural and cultural resources.

What else? This project, in consultation with Tribal partners, intends to restore the river floodplain habitat to its historic community by removing invasive plant species along the one mile stretch of trail and planting a variety of naturally and culturally significant native species.

About the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law makes critical investments in the resilience and restoration of America’s lands, skies, and waters, and enhances conservation and recreation opportunities. Visitors will see tangible results such as repaired and upgraded trails and campgrounds, removal of invasive species, as well as healthy wetlands, grasslands, and forests.