Eight public nature areas in Fayette County are now temporarily closed to the public for as long as the state’s shelter-in-place order remains in effect.

Although the order allows personal exercise such as walking and hiking, the Southern Conservation Trust, the nonprofit that manages the sites, is restricting access “to prevent groups from congregating and to protect public health and safety” because of COVID-19. In Fayetteville those areas include the Ridge, Morgan Grove and Wildcat Woods nature areas as well as the Sams Lake Bird Sanctuary and the Nesmith Preserve. The Peachtree City sites affected are the Line Creek, Flat Creek and Somerby Woods nature areas.

The SCT says it will offer virtual tours of the areas as well as virtual education programs for home viewing; details are at www.sctlandtrust.org.