Ten metro Atlanta organizations are partnering with recreation retailer REI for a social media campaign encouraging residents to hike, walk or jog on 10 trails in their 10 greenspaces over the next 10 months.
The Hikes for Health Challenge, which is kicking off in August (National Wellness Month), runs through May.
The total amount harvested in July was 2,230 pounds and included squash, zucchini, cucumbers, eggplant, heirloom tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, hot and sweet peppers, okra, kale, green beans, turnips, basil, and garlic.
Christopher Horacek, Unity Garden and Schools Horticulturist, said, “In July, 7 varieties of tomatoes and 9 varieties of peppers were harvested.”
Horacek shared, “July is a peak harvest month so we were fortunate to have 2-6 volunteers assist with harvesting weekly and some even helped harvest twice in a week. It is awesome to have volunteers helping in the garden again.”
Yellow squash harvested in the garden
The Chattahoochee Nature Center recently began to allow volunteers to return to the property in limited capacity. Volunteers must meet CNC COVID-19 protocols, based on CDC and State of Georgia guidelines, before returning to the campus, as well as adhere to operational changes while on the property. Social distancing protocols are in place for all programs and volunteers and staff are wearing masks on the property.
Plants become art
DeAnn Fordham, Senior Director of Development and Marketing, said, “Volunteers are critical to the operation and success of the Center. Each year, more than 500 volunteers contribute 27,000 hours helping the Center implement programs and events, handle administrative work and assist our operational team on the grounds. COVID-19 has greatly impacted our ability to work with volunteers, many who are like family, and there service is greatly missed by our team. We are glad to have volunteers slowly returning to the property.”
Highlighting Tales around our Favorite Animals with wings, scales, and tails
By Emma Schell, Scheduling Coordinator August 1, 2020
This fall at the Chattahoochee Nature Center, we are highlighting some of our favorite animals with wings, scales, and tails, but we also want to take a look at some of the TALES surrounding these critters.
Folklore and mythology are full of stories about all manner of remarkable and magical creatures. Though many of these tales are fictitious, we can turn to nature to discover the very real animals that inspired their stories.
Here are five mythical tales and their real-life counterparts:
1. Mermaids and Manatees
Photo Credit: PixelBay
Stories of mermaids, sirens, and other humanoid water-dwellers are found in much of seafaring lore. In many myths, these creatures appear as women, sometimes with tails and sometimes without, who cause all sorts of ill luck for ships and their crews.
Today, many historical mermaid sightings are attributed to manatees and their close relative the dugong. These animals are capable of performing “tail stands” which allow them to emerge vertically from the surface of the water, and they are also able to turn their heads side-to-side like a human. From far off, these behaviors may have been enough to convince sailors that they had seen a mermaid.
Though we may have debunked the myth of the Kraken, the giant squid is a legendary creature in its own right. It is one of the largest invertebrates on earth, and the first video of one swimming in the ocean wasn’t captured until 2013. Though we know much more than we did in 1853, the giant squid’s elusiveness means we still have much more to learn.
3. Ghosts and Barn Owls
What better combination could we find than ghosts and barn owls? Ghosts star in of dozens of tales and stories, and barn owls can be found at the Chattahoochee Nature Center. In fact, if you’ve visited the barn owl enclosure and read the signs there, you already know about this relationship.
Barn owls can be found nesting in barns, attics, and even bell towers, and they emit a distinctive screeching call which can be quite jarring. Combine this call with the reflection of moonlight off a barn owl’s white feathers, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for a ghost sighting.
4. Will-o’-the-Wisps and Methane
Photo Credit: Anthony Roberts
Will-o’-the-Wisp is one of the names given to lights that are sometimes seen floating in swampy areas. In some folklore these lights are attributed to spirits or fairies and are often ascribed the menacing motive of luring travelers away from safe paths.
One potential explanation for these lights is the combustion of natural gases. Swamps play host to lots of decaying matter, and this decomposition leads to the release of many gases, including methane. It’s thought that methane, in combination with the perfect amount of other gases, may ignite in the air, causing these small floating lights to appear for short periods of time. So there are likely no goblins in the swamp, just some really cool chemistry.
5. Butterflies and Witches
This last one doesn’t fit as neatly into the list, as tales about witches don’t originate from butterflies. In fact, the relationship might go the other way.
If you’ve stopped to think about it, you may have realized that “butterfly” is an interesting name choice. What do these insects have to do with butter? The origin of the word is not known for certain, but one explanation turns to witches. It is said that people once believed witches could turn themselves into butterflies and would steal milk and butter in this new flying form.
By Samantha Kennett, Wildlife Technician at CNC July 28, 2020
On June 26, 2020, technicians for the Urban Kings Project received a call from a concerned community member. They were excited to report the Kingsnake they’d found in their yard, but troubled by the fact that it was trapped in plastic landscape netting.
This individual was rushed to the Chattahoochee Nature Center Wildlife Rehabilitation Clinic to remove the netting and assess the deep wounds created by the rubbing and constriction of the plastic netting. Upon further examination, it was determined that this snake was not only female, but gravid and full of eggs.
X-ray taken of CNC rehab case 20-0111. Notice the misshapen egg that was constricted by the plastic netting.
She was continuously monitored for any change in her condition while both CNC and the Urban Kings Team remained hopeful that she would survive laying her eggs. After 11 patient days, Kingsnake 20-0111 laid all 17 of her eggs successfully. Upon the writing of this article, her condition is continuing to improve at CNC’s wildlife clinic while her eggs are being carefully incubated by the Urban Kings team to ensure the best chance of hatch success.
Kingsnake 20-0111 safely laying her eggs at the CNC Wildlife Clinic.
For this Kingsnake, her story has a happy ending. However, this is not always the case. This year alone, the Urban Kings team has received no fewer than a dozen reports of Kingsnakes stuck in plastic landscape netting, and Kingsnakes aren’t alone. This material is a death sentence for any snake if undiscovered, especially in these intense Georgia summers. Small mammals, birds, and sometimes even deer can fall trap to this garden protecting material. Just this month, CNC’s wildlife clinic received a Red-bellied Woodpecker whose neck and feet were ensnared in the netting.
Red-bellied woodpecker brought to CNC tangled in plastic landscape netting.
This material is often used for large-scale erosion control as well as small-scale application in protecting produce and plants in backyard gardens. As you make plans to protect your garden from birds and deer this summer, consider looking into alternative options. One alternative is an insect mesh which has significantly smaller holes so that snakes and birds are less likely to get stuck. There is ongoing research in erosion control blankets to find better and cost-effective solutions to this human-wildlife conflict.
If you’re out getting your nature on and you find an animal trapped in landscape netting, please contact the CNC Wildlife Clinic immediately at 770-992-2055 ext. 239. If your trapped animal happens to be a Kingsnake, please contact the Urban Kings Project at the contact information below.
By Taylor Lamb, Horticulturist at CNC July 26, 2020
There is no better time than now to get outside and stretch your legs and your brain! In the horticulture department at the CNC, we pride ourselves on our knowledge of native plant species, and we thought it would be fun to challenge visitors of all ages to a friendly scavenger hunt!
Georgia is renowned for its vastly differing landscapes. From the sandy, dry terrain of The Coastal Plains to the cool, moist climate of The Blue Ridge Mountains, plant species across Georgia have adapted over time to fill every niche.
This variety produces absolutely stunning and unique specimens that cannot be seen anywhere else in the world. Each of our gardens across the CNC strives to emanate these unique habitats, and we would love it if you join us on this virtual tour throughout our property.
Plan your visit to CNC to explore the gardens and try to find as many species as you can! Some of the plants are not in top bloom so it will be even more of a challenge!
Cowboy Pants: Garden on your left as you exit the top of the Discovery Center
Rudbeckia maxima, Large Coneflower
Photo by Julie Hollingsworth
Extremely tall flowers that can reach 8 feet in height! In the Fall these tall stalks need to be stabilized so they don’t fall in the way of the path.
Schizachyrium scoparium, Little Bluestem Grass
Photo by Henning Von Schmeling
Little Blue-Stem is aptly named as its foliage has blue tints to it. This becomes more apparent as Autumn approaches.
Craft’s Memorial Garden: Garden on your right as you exit the top of the Discovery Center
Manfreda virginica, False Aloe
Photo by Julie Hollingsworth
This aloe plant look-alike fools many! It has an aloe-like basal rosette and tall flowering stalks that can reach 5 feet.
This garden is home to many different species of milkweed – the host plant of the monarch butterfly. Monarch’s require these tall slender plants to reproduce.
Longleaf Pine Gardens: Gardens across the Brady Pavillion
Pinus palustris, Long-leaf Pine
Photo by Tracy Begley
These pines differ from the typical Loblolly Pine that we find around Atlanta with their long leaves and their distinctive growing habits. Immature adults will have one major shoot will stay in this form until they reach adulthood. Then they will branch off to look like a more standard pine.
Barbara’s Button Garden: Garden just below the Great Horned Owl Exhibit
Marshallia caespitosa, Barbara’s Button
Photo by Julie Hollingsworth
Eccentric, low-growing perennial that forms white fluff ball blooms in early Summer.
Georgia’s Living Wetland: Garden past the Brady Pavilion as you walk the unpaved paths near the exit to the boardwalk.
Sarracenia sp, Pitcher Plant
This carnivorous plant is a perfect example of a species that has adapted to fill niches where most organisms would have trouble surviving. Pitcher plants thrive in highly acidic, nutrient-poor environments. When they feel an insect inside of their opening, they shut their hood trapping insects inside digesting/dissolving the prey slowly over time. We have many species in this garden including Purple Pitcher Plant, Yellow Pitcher Plant, and more.
We hope that you have enjoyed a virtual tour of the gardens found at the CNC. There are many other plants to explore in the gardens and we hope that you will plan your visit and take the time to experience the native gardens and all that they have to offer.
The Chattahoochee Nature Center (CNC) in Roswell is an outdoor nature oasis. We recently went to the CNC and explored the 127-acres of woods, wetlands and river habitat. We packed a picnic, water, sunscreen and bug spray and experienced the serenity of nature.
ROSWELL, Ga. – Reservations are required and masks are abundant, but aside from the obvious changes due to the coronavirus pandemic, staffers at the Chattahoochee Nature Center say their popular Butterfly Encounter will provide the same magical experience for visitors this year.
This year’s Butterfly Encounter opened last month will will continue daily through August 2nd, welcoming visitors into a butterfly-filled tent and allowing them to see the delicate winged creatures closer than ever before.
Children who visit the CNC on Sunday afternoon, 12:00-3:00, July 26 will receive a packet (via QR code) of fun activities related to music, poetry, nature and science, play “Song of the Chattahoochee” hopscotch, and participate in a video recording of the poem “Song of the Chattahoochee” by renowned Georgia poet Sidney Lanier.
Wanda Temko
Timothy Miller, affectionately known as the “tenor lion” is famous for his rendition of “God Bless America” at Atlanta Braves games. Wanda Yang Temko is known for her thrilling soprano performances in opera and concert. The Meridian Chorale is sponsored by Meridian Herald, a choral arts non-profit that sings to make the world a better place. Combining music, literature, history and science into unique programs Meridian Herald aspires to build community and promote intellectual curiosity, empathy, understanding, and racial reconciliation.
SING! “Song of the Chattahoochee” is part of Meridian Herald’s newest program series Confluence. A confluence means the place where two rivers come together. It can also mean a place where ideas meet and grow.
Meridian Herald’s Confluence is the intersection of the environment and the arts. Produced by the Governor’s Award winning arts and humanities non-profit Meridian Herald and guided by a steering committee that includes 100 Miles, the Chattahoochee Nature Center, the Georgia Council for the Arts, the Georgia Humanities Council, the South Fork Conservancy, the Trust for Public Lands, and individual artists and community volunteers. Confluence will present a series of programs in 2020 and 2021 focused on art of all types—visual, musical and written—created by Georgia artists, amateur and professional, children and adults, who have been inspired by Georgia’s natural beauty and whose works inspire others to preserve and protect Georgia’s environment.
Check out Meridian Herald’s “Bound for the Promised Land,” produced by and recently listed for 2020 Grammy consideration by five-time Grammy Award winning producer Elaine Martone. See a video of the final work from Meridian Herald’s live gala concert, “Bound for the Promised Land,” here.
Spending time in nature is important even as the seasons change
By Kitty Glickman, Visitor Services Associate July 29, 2020
The past few months have been a new experience for all of us. There have been changes to the way we socialize, work, and attend school. For most of us, this finding a “new normal” has had its share of difficult and challenging moments.
For some, social distancing and staying at home more has allowed us to fall in love with the outdoors again.
At the Chattahoochee Nature Center, our mission is to “Connect People to Nature”. All year long, we strive to help everyone, young and old, discover a love and curiosity for the natural world. This year, when many of us were stuck at home, the highlight of our day involved the outdoors. Our dogs were taken on lots of extra walks. Kids started riding their bikes again. Sprinklers were set up in the front yard and exploring woods and creeks became cool again. Nature was there for us to help us cope with a stressful time, by providing us a place to go for exercise, play, stress relief, and learning.
As the summer moves along, we are approaching the start of a new school year. Whatever form school may take, let’s keep the outdoors and spending time in nature a part of our day. When the school and work day is done, don’t be tempted to sit in front of the TV. Instead, head outside to explore, play, take a walk, or ride your bike. Have a picnic. Watch the sunset and afterwards maybe spy some late summer fireflies.
School starting does not mean the end of having fun outdoors. Quite the opposite! Nature exploration and learning go hand in hand. For adults, spending time outdoors will still provide the much needed stress relief and exercise that helps to keep us healthy. Time spent in nature will strengthen not only the bond we have with the natural world, but also with each other. So as some routines may now be changing with the start of a new school year, keep the new love of being outside part of that routine too!
Written by Samantha Kennett, Wildlife Technician June 16, 2020
Citizen Science. It comes in a multitude of forms. You can participate in bird counts with the Audubon Christmas Bird Count, survey for frogs with the Metro Atlanta Amphibian Monitoring Program, even help classify galaxies for Zooniverse. If you haven’t heard yet, there is another local project you can help with, and you can even participate from your very own backyard.
Urban Kings: A Citizen Science Project
Neighborhood kids learning about their backyard Kingsnake with Urban Kings biologist, Bryan Hudson.
The Urban Kings Project is a citizen science endeavor working to understand Eastern Kingsnakes in Metro Atlanta and how they are affected by urbanization. Urban Kings is creating a population distribution database filled with Kingsnake sightings. This is where YOU can help.
Report your Kingsnakes!
Next time you see your backyard Kingsnake, pick up the phone and give Urban Kings a call! Your sighting will go into a population database that helps see where Kingsnakes still exist overtime as urbanization continues to expand. You can then proudly call yourself a citizen scientist!
CNC docent, Sheri Forman, with her reported backyard Kingsnake
The Urban Kings Project would not be possible without the continued help of community members and volunteers. We’d like to take this time to highlight just a few of those exceptional folks and ask them some questions about participating in citizen science.
Meet Robert and Becky Carlin: 16-Year-Old Eagle Scout and his Awesome Mom
Robert and Becky have been helping with the Urban Kings Project since day one. Always happy and excited to assist, this pair has dedicated countless hours to helping respond to Kingsnake sightings. Robert has donated his time to other snake projects, and even completed his Eagle Scout project on CNC grounds! Check out what they have to say about citizen science.
Robert Carlin
16-year-old Eagle Scout, Robert Carlin, holding a juvenile Eastern Kingsnake
What does citizen science mean to you? To me, citizen science means a project that gets normal people who may have never been able to help with a research project to get their feet wet in the world of science in a way that they feel comfortable with.
What kind of impact do you feel like you’re making in helping with the Urban Kings Project? I think that I am making an impact by helping with the Urban Kings Project by being able to work with a project that will be able to help the conservation of not only one of the most interesting snake species in Georgia, but also other animals that have been affected by urbanization.
Have you helped with other citizen science projects? Yes, I also help with Project Pine Snake, which works with pine snakes in the southeastern mountains.
Why should you participate in citizen science? You should participate in citizen science because it is a way for you to help make an impact in conservation and is a great way to get involved in your community.
Why do YOU choose to participate in citizen science? I chose to participate in citizen science because my career goal is to be a herpetologist, so I wanted to get some experience working in field research to see if that was what I wanted to do. I chose the projects that I did because I got the chance to meet the leads for the projects, Samantha Kennett and Bryan Hudson, and was really impressed by their work, so it was an obvious choice when they asked me if I wanted to help.
Becky Carlin
Becky and Robert Carlin at a presentation on Project Pine Snake, another snake project where Robert volunteers his time.
What does citizen science mean to you? Assisting in helping professionals gather data in our community. Helping others become aware of what all is in our community and how science affects us all on a daily basis.
What kind of impact do you feel like you’re making in helping with the Urban Kings Project? I hope we are helping ease the burden of the data collection process. It is so easy for me and Robert run out to help capture a snake to aid in the Urban Kings research. I think every call we’ve responded to has been within 3 miles of our house. Bryan and Samantha are so busy that I enjoy being able to volunteer and help them out any way we can.
Have you helped with other citizen science projects? No.
Why should you participate in citizen science? To better understand our community and all the aspects in it.
Why do YOU choose to participate in citizen science? I guess you could say Robert has been a good influence on me. I enjoy seeing how excited he is when we capture a king snake and his enthusiasm and passion for helping educate people on how beneficial snakes are to our environment. This particular project is near and dear to me due to my son’s interest in herpetology. I have always loved animals, including snakes. I hope in our small way we are helping snakes be better understood.
Meet Emily Alderman
Emily attended an Urban Kings outreach program at East Roswell library this spring where she met the Urban Kings team. Both she and her dad were interested in the project and have a love and respect for the snakes that share their neighborhoods. Emily’s dad had already reported more than one Kingsnake to the project! Emily has given her time, mileage, and enthusiasm to the project. Check out what she has to say about participating in citizen science.
Emily relocating an eastern rat snake from her apartment complex to greenspace nearby.
What does citizen science mean to you? Citizen science, to me, means taking an active role in my immediate environment to help improve the world on a larger scale. The professionals can’t be everywhere at once, so that’s where we citizens can step in to help. Being able to collaborate with professional scientists and wildlife experts is such a thrill!
What kind of impact do you feel like you’re making in helping with the Urban Kings Project? Being able to work with the Urban Kings project has allowed me to further explore my passions for herpetology and wildlife conservation. Gathering data on such an incredible animal not only gives me the opportunity to help educate others on the benefits of Kings, but help to change misconceptions about snakes and reptiles in general. The data collected which shows where these snakes are found, how developed the location is, and where the snakes travel is crucial for this species to survive. It gives me so much hope that future land developments can be more mindful of Kings’ presence and movement patterns, and help create a more sustainable environment for them long term.
Have you helped with other citizen science projects? This is the first citizen science project in which I have had the pleasure of participating, but it has made me all the more passionate and eager to seek out more opportunities to explore, gather data, and improve the world around me.
Why should you participate in citizen science? All humans hold the responsibility to educate themselves about their environment, and we should all strive to make the world a better place for all of its inhabitants. Whether human or animal, we are all on this planet together, and learning how to cohabitate is critical.
Why do YOU choose to participate in citizen science? I choose to participate in citizen science because I love learning, exploring, and educating others on the wonders of our world. Animals don’t have a voice, but this project explores everything that they ARE telling us. This is an incredible project, and I am so thankful to be a part of it!
Science is all around us, and you don’t need a lab coat to contribute. So go outside, breathe in the fresh air around you, listen to the birds, and keep your eyes out for your neighborhood Kingsnake. Today might be the day you become a citizen scientist.
Meridian Herald’s Confluence is the intersection of the environment and the arts. Produced by the Governor’s Award winning arts and humanities non-profit Meridian Herald and guided by a steering committee that includes 100 Miles, the Chattahoochee Nature Center, the Georgia Council for the Arts, the Georgia Humanities Council, the South Fork Conservancy, the Trust for Public Lands, and individual artists and community volunteers. Confluence will present a series of programs in 2020 and 2021 focused on art of all types—visual, musical and written—created by Georgia artists, amateur and professional, children and adults, who have been inspired by Georgia’s natural beauty and whose works inspire others to preserve and protect Georgia’s environment.
At the Chattahoochee Nature Center, our mission is to “Connect People to Nature”. All year long, we strive to help everyone, young and old, discover a love and curiosity for the natural world. This year, when many of us were stuck at home, the highlight of our day involved the outdoors. Our dogs were taken on lots of extra walks. Kids started riding their bikes again. Sprinklers were set up in the front yard and exploring woods and creeks became cool again. Nature was there for us to help us cope with a stressful time, by providing us a place to go for exercise, play, stress relief, and learning.
