Fabiola Clermont and Jeremy Maneyapanda from Chattahoochee Nature Center were the guests on this episode of North Fulton Business Radio. They spoke with host John Ray on the numerous experiences and services they offer, their wildlife rescue and rehabilitation care, events and exhibits, their own journey to the CNC, and much more.
Fabiola Clermont is the Events Supervisor at the Chattahoochee Nature Center. She graduated from University of Georgia with a BS in Wildlife Biology in 2017. Did research and field work before dipping her toes into the events world at CNC while waiting to become a naturalist. She discovered that she enjoyed event planning and has been doing so at CNC for the last 3 years.
Jeremy Maneyapanda is a Wildlife Technician at the Chattahoochee Nature Center.
He graduated from Cornell University with a BS in Biological Sciences in 1997 and has worked in Zoos and Aquariums in exotic animal care from graduation until 2021.
He has been at CNC since.
Questions and Topics in this Interview:
How do you respond to people saying “your job must be a lot of fun!”?
What’s the best part of wildlife rehabilitation?
What’s one thing you’d like people to take away about wildlife rehabilitation?
What’s something a lot of people don’t know about CNC?
How can people connect to nature at CNC?
What events are coming up this summer and fall at CNC?
North Fulton Business Radio is hosted by John Ray and broadcast and produced from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta. You can find the full archive of shows by following this link. The show is available on all the major podcast apps, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, Amazon, iHeart Radio, Stitcher, TuneIn, and others.
Nestled within the serene 127-acre campus of Chattahoochee Nature Center (CNC), Camp Kingfisher has been an oasis of nature exploration, discovery, and joyful memories for three decades. Its mission: connecting kids with nature and each other.
As we celebrate the 30th anniversary of Camp Kingfisher this year, we reflect upon the immeasurable impact this remarkable camp has had on multiple generations of young minds. With a commitment to fostering environmental stewardship and a deep connection with nature, Camp Kingfisher has become a beloved institution, inspiring children to forge lifelong bonds with each other and the great outdoors.
Camp K is a place where everyone belongs, where campers come to be welcomed, supported, and loved.
Exploring Nature’s Classroom
Since 1993, Camp Kingfisher has welcomed campers from around metro Atlanta and the entire world! From hiking along forest trails to canoeing through tranquil waterways, every day brings new adventures and discoveries. Set amidst the lush woodlands and serene banks of the Chattahoochee River, the camp offers an unparalleled opportunity for children to explore and connect with the natural world.
Camp Co-Director Debby Head started her Camp Kingfisher journey as a 4-year-old camper, progressing through the ranks to her current position. Reflecting on the profound impact of the camp, she says, “For me, Camp Kingfisher holds a special place in my heart because it’s been a part of my life since I was a child. This camp has shaped who I am today, and I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to its legacy.”
Debby’s journey from camper to Camp Co-Director is a testament to the transformative power of Camp Kingfisher. The camp ignited her passion for nature and environmental education during her early years as a camper, where she discovered the joy of connecting with the natural world. As a counselor, she found purpose in guiding and inspiring young campers, encouraging them to explore, learn, and develop a deep appreciation for the environment and become the best, most true version of themselves.
Debby estimates that 30% of camp staff Counselors begin their journey as campers at Camp Kingfisher, just like her! We call this a Camp K Legacy – a camper who becomes a Leader-in-Training (LIT), then a staff Counselor. This summer, we have 10 Camp K Legacy Counselors on staff, another testament to the positive impacts of Camp Kingfisher.
The Beginnings of Camp Kingfisher
Ronald Warnken, Jr., Camp Kingfisher’s first Camp Director, remembers Debby as an eager young camper-turned-counselor. Ron came to CNC in his 20s with a wildlife management degree from UGA and a second degree in environmental education. He had volunteered at nature centers during his school years, spent a year touring America’s National Parks, then ran a nature program at a summer camp. His mom, Sally Warnken, a longtime Docent at CNC, told him of the CNC job opening for Camp Director.
Hired in April 1993 and expected to launch the camp in June, Ron teamed up with longtime CNC staff member Henning Von Schmeling and the maintenance team to prepare the campus, where they painted, pulled weeds, and removed rusty nails. Ron developed a curriculum, secured canoes, hired and trained staff, and managed the logistics of turning the existing Camp Chattahoochee, a small half-day camp, into a full-day camp for 100 children. The Camp Kingfisher name evolved from a competition between staff members and volunteers, settling on the name Kingfisher in honor of this beautiful bird often seen around CNC’s 127-acre property.
Under Ron’s leadership, Camp Kingfisher grew each year and kept a robust waiting list due to its reputation as a safe, fun, wholesome educational environment for children. He added more weeks, developed new themes, and hired more staff. When he left the role, he had 20 counselors working for him.
Ron and his wife, Jean, lived on the CNC campus for the eight years he served as Camp Director, and he remembers fondly the peaceful time they spent there, especially hiking and canoeing during off-hours. He treasured the family environment of Camp Kingfisher and the safety, beauty, and serenity of Chattahoochee Nature Center. Ron continues to nurture his passion for the environment and conservation by serving as the Director of Conservation Programs for six states for the National Wildlife Federation.
Engaging Activities and Environmental Education
Camp Co-Directors Debby Head and Laura Viator have continued to grow and contribute to the camp’s success, which lies in its ability to combine education with fun-filled activities, resulting in an unforgettable summer experience. Campers explore a diverse range of activities, including animal encounters, wildlife observation and habitat study, organic gardening, native plant identification, archery, canoeing, swimming, nature-inspired crafts, and scientific experiments. Experiential learning is the focus, and counselors encourage campers to get their hands dirty and immerse themselves in nature.
Viator states, “Through hands-on activities, interactive learning, and engaging experiences, Camp Kingfisher cultivates a sense of wonder and curiosity in children. In today’s digital world, it is imperative that children have opportunities for safe, fun outdoor exploration. We aim to inspire the next generation of environmentalists who will cherish and protect the natural environment.”
Today, Head and Viator hire over 50 counselors each year and welcome over 2,000 campers throughout the summer.
“We believe that nature is the best classroom,” says Viator. Head adds, “At Camp Kingfisher, campers have the opportunity to have fun, make friends, and engage with the natural world directly, which opens their mind and encourages them to respect the environment.”
Donate today to celebrate Camp Kingfisher’s 30th anniversary and support CNC’s mission to connect people with nature.
Julia Burns is one of CNC’s longest-tenured volunteers, having served in various roles over the last 13 years. Upon hearing her gentle voice and seeing her warm smile, her role as a lifelong educator who loves children and nature becomes apparent. As a teacher for 42 years, she embraces the belief that “teachers do not teach; they facilitate learning opportunities.” This is at the heart of her work with CNC.
She was first introduced to CNC in the 1980s when she brought her children to the long-running autumn family festival, Halloween Hikes. Back then, the Center had one small building and a fraction of the displays and programs offered today. Yet, this experience instilled in her heart the desire to volunteer, and she brought her children back time and again over several years to feed the ducks, enjoy the honeybee viewing stations, and have picnics. According to Julia, every visit to CNC is unique. Visitors can choose to be introspective and reflective, or they can choose to engage and interact. In either case, “CNC is a safe space, both emotionally and physically. You can choose to experience it solo or with others.” She goes on to say, “Everything CNC does offers enrichment and clarification and dispels misconceptions. It is a place to think critically, to build relationships and community.”
Now a Docent, Julia is often seen on campus with her biofacts cart filled with animal pelts, snake skins, and raptor feathers, among other interesting educational pieces. She takes special care to engage the adults that accompany children. “Parents are a child’s first teacher,” she says. She notes the importance of their education so that they, too, can become facilitators and models of lifelong learning. Julia feels that every CNC guest leaves with a heightened awareness of the impact of human behavior on our environment. For this reason, she cherishes dressing up as Mother Earth each year at CNC’s Halloween Hikes, where she bids farewell to each guest and encourages them to appreciate the earth and protect and preserve its resources.
CNC’s staff and volunteers work as a unit to facilitate building lifelong connections through its intrinsic welcoming nature. We recognize that everyone has value, and no one is turned away. “We don’t blame; we analyze, reflect, and get things done,” Julia says, which she attributes to good leadership and support, open communication, and civil discourse. She says that at CNC, we do not give up. We trust each other, work collectively and cooperatively, and do our best for each other and the animals. As everything in nature constantly changes and adapts, we must also always be learning.
Check out the volunteer page for more information on available volunteer opportunities and how to apply.
I have had the pleasure of coordinating a program at CNC for adults seeking to further their education about nature; to master the art of being a naturalist! The Georgia Master Naturalist program at the University of Georgia explores natural history and environmental topics. This program is a hands-on environmental education course that examines habitats and ecosystems in Georgia and human impacts on those environments. The sessions are customized to local habitats such as swamps, ponds, rivers, wetlands, mountains, forests, farms, urban landscapes, and the issues affecting these habitats. This program is a combination of lectures and outdoor hands-on learning through field studies and relevant resources. An informed person can make changes in their life and community to help safeguard the environment. After completing this fun and interactive program, Georgia Master Naturalists are encouraged to share their knowledge with their communities by volunteering in local schools or nature centers.
CNC offers this in a series of programs – nine full days over nine months, studying many facets of the natural world, attracting adult learners from all backgrounds: from ecologists to artists and medical professionals to educators. We all bring our experiences to share while we learn and build on the knowledge we have individually, at any level, of the complex world of nature.
Class members discovered many “a-ha” moments as the series progressed this year. We began to make connections between each session – what class members knew before the class and what was learned throughout. We recorded moments in our journals and, during our last wrap-up session, discussed how so many things came together for us. All things truly are connected. Fungus has a relationship with plants, lichen is neither plant nor fungus but exists everywhere, and the life of the box turtle, Red-tailed hawk, and people depend on it all! It is a joy to immerse oneself in the natural world for these brief periods amidst our normal day-to-day responsibilities. Learning and understanding more about our environment can only improve our quality of life, while extending this knowledge to others can significantly impact our choices and the health of the world we share. It’s never too late to keep learning – and it is an honor to be able to host such a quality program for those interested in learning more about the natural world.
The 2023-24 Master Naturalist Program at CNC begins again on September 13, 2023, and goes through May 2024. Registration opens July 1st.
Alicia Thompson, Senior Director of Learning and Engagement Sam Leaf, Outreach and Partnerships Specialist
Sometimes we call them our partners; often, we call them our friends. Chattahoochee Nature Center cherishes our community partnerships, which are always a highlight of our summer programming. CNC Learning and Engagement staff are winding down from a fantastic school year and are gearing up for the summer season, where we will connect with thousands of students and adults from across metro Atlanta. We are thrilled to host several organizations at CNC, offering immersive nature experiences, and we are grateful for the foundations and organizations whose support makes our programming possible.
Georgia Forestry Foundation
Georgia Forestry Foundation (GFF) has been a valued partner of CNC since 2017, collaborating to bring forest ecology and forest career education to thousands of students in the metro Atlanta area. This summer, CNC will host 600 students from Boys and Girls Clubs of Northwest Georgia and Chattooga, Gordon, Murray, and Whitfield Counties. CNC and GFF share a love of forests and enthusiasm for connecting youth to potential forestry careers. With CNC’s 127 acres serving as the ideal campus, students will engage in hands-on activities to learn about the different ways to care for our forests, including identifying indicators of tree health decline, exploring the components of fertile soil, recognizing the significance of biodiversity in maintaining healthy forests, differentiating between the benefits of controlled fires and destructive wildfires, and embracing the peace that forests provide.
Thrive Outdoors
CNC is a proud partner of Outdoor Foundation’s Thrive Outside program, providing foundational outdoor experiences for underserved youth during the summer and serving campers from both Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta and City of Atlanta’s Camp Best Friends. Led by the West Atlanta Watershed Alliance, the Thrive Outside Atlanta Community brings together a diverse network of partners in West Atlanta and along the Chattahoochee River. This summer, CNC outreach programming will travel to students for a series of programs that will serve 350 students. Programs will feature live animals and highlight the Chattahoochee River watershed, urban wildlife, and our intrinsic connection with nature.
Fulton County
CNC’s longstanding, multi-faceted partnership with Fulton County Arts and Culture serves to connect Fulton County residents with nature. This summer, CNC will work closely with partners throughout the county and will deliver over 20 programs onsite at CNC and as outreach programming at community locations. Last summer, CNC served over 1,000 residents in these programs, and we expect to exceed these numbers this year. Below are a few program highlights:
Fulton County Libraries – CNC will bring outreach programs to library patrons at ten library branches across the county. The library summer theme is “All Together Now” – CNC naturalists will help interpret how we are ‘all together’ in supporting our environment and that we are all connected to the earth and to each other.
Fulton County Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities – CNC hosted a wonderful Spring Fling for over 100 clients and guests. Fulton County’s services aim to improve the lives of people with disabilities – CNC shares nature experiences with clients year-round.
Fulton County District Attorney – CNC will welcome 180 students participating in the Fulton County Junior DA program. The Youth Program serves 6th to 9th graders attending Fulton County public schools identified as having high crime/gang risk. The students attend a week-long program that introduces them to various components of the criminal justice system, while their day at CNC provides a contrast to the rest of their experience. According to Natalie Zellner, Deputy District Attorney – Programs, Grants, and Intergovernmental Relations, “The idea to incorporate nature into Camp started with DA saying that everyone must learn tools to cope with fear and anxiety, and nature is the best tool to do that.” CNC Naturalists are preparing programs that facilitate reflection, find a pause in their busy lives, and encourage them to embrace the positive impact nature has on our well-being.
We celebrate these partnerships that help CNC share the wonders of nature with our community. From career exploration to health and wellness, nature has much to offer. CNC is here to encourage learning, and we invite you to tap in and step into nature with us!
Raising Awareness Through Girl Scout Silver Award Project
Chattahoochee Nature Center thrives with the support of volunteers. Many of our amazing volunteers are local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts working toward earning hours and achieving awards. One scout, Elizabeth Williams, approached CNC to earn her Girl Scout Silver Award and proposed a project to help collect trash that accumulates in CNC’s wetlands and bring awareness to the issue.
Scouts work with CNC staff to develop their ideas and execute their plans. Elizabeth has been working in CNC’s wetlands every Saturday, along with her mother and brother, to clean litter out of the wetlands. Mark Gialanella, CNC’s Education Programs Supervisor, has been working with her since early 2023 to support her project and asked her to share some of her experience. It’s not always a pretty picture – working with litter – and it’s an issue that Elizabeth and her brother Gabriel want to help bring to light. Read below on their volunteer experience and challenge yourself to consider the following questions: How do I contribute to this problem, for better or worse? What can I do in my community to help reduce litter? How would our natural spaces be different if we reconsidered our trash?
Below is Elizabeth’s reflection on her project so far. Elizabeth is a 7th-grade student from Marietta, GA.
“Every Saturday, my mom, my brother, and I clean up the litter around the boardwalk area of the nature center. I am doing it as a Girl Scout project, and I somehow managed to convince my mom and brother to help. We often get strange looks, and sometimes people seem suspicious, gracious, or even guilty. However, one thing no one ever does is stop and help.
I don’t think people realize the impact that littering, even once, can have. It is obvious that any trash will pollute the river habitat, and yet we find tons of it. Some of the most common items we find are Styrofoam, plastic water bottles, tennis balls and baseballs. All these are items that can be thrown away on a whim – without much consideration – but litter builds up. While you may rationalize, and say it is only one bottle, so will the next hundred people, and a hundred bottles are now washing up in your local wetland.
Nature nonetheless seems resilient. Although I’ve only been doing this for long enough to see one season change, it was fascinating seeing new wildlife, like turtles and deer, and the tons of blooming flowers. Sometimes even the trash is interesting, like the excess of men’s shoes we find almost every time we go.
What can you do, even if you don’t litter? You can just be more aware of how you dispose of your trash. When eating outside, just make sure nothing is left behind, and nothing blows or rolls away. Make sure you’re disposing trash in trash bins and or trash bags that are secure and don’t have a risk of tipping over or overflowing. Most of this seems obvious, but based on our experience, actually picking up litter is not something people consider. While littering is not socially acceptable, we still have a long way to go towards normalizing trash pickup.”
Elizabeth’s brother, Gabriel, 8, also reflected on his experience supporting his sister’s work.
“One Saturday morning we found a shoe, while volunteering to clean up the boardwalk. The next Saturday morning, we also found a shoe. The next Saturday morning, we found a shoe. Every time my and I go to the CNC we have found at least one shoe. Never from the same pair, though. Where are all these shoes coming from?
There is a lot more surprising trash. For example, we found a gallon jug, but did not find what liquid it used to hold. We talk a lot while we pick up trash, and what we talk most about is perhaps where the trash comes from. Maybe the trash comes from the Chattahoochee River. That is our leading suspicion.
Please be reminded that you will probably not see a shoe if you are on a quick walk. You would need to look closely. Is it a good idea to look closely? Short answer or long answer? I will give you both. Short answer: if you are on a casual walk, do it; if you are picking up trash, do it. Long answer, picking up trash is a nice thing to do. And a lot of people already do it. So yes, going back to the short answer, it is. You might as well look closely.
In conclusion, I say that if you go to the CNC, just enjoy your time there because while no place is litter free, the CNC is almost perfect. Just listen to the birds singing in the spring and see the flowers bloom. Enjoy your time there.”
CNC is grateful for the help of these young volunteers. They help provide a clean, safe habitat for wildlife and an enjoyable, litter-free nature experience for CNC guests. But their work is just the beginning, and there is always more work to be done. We invite you to get involved!
Be an informed consumer and shop with litter in mind – choose items that are package-free or are in packaging that can be composted, recycled, or reused.
Volunteer to support a local cleanup!
Dispose of trash properly; recycle what you can where you can.
To talk with others and encourage them to join you in reducing waste.
Doing just one of these things will make a difference. Learn more about actions you can take at Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation. Thank you to Gabriel and Elizabeth for your work at CNC, and thank you to our many volunteers who work to keep CNC’s property looking its best. You can volunteer with CNC, too! Check CNC’s website for volunteer opportunities such as habitat restoration, horticulture support, and much more.
By Laura Viator, Camp Co-Director for Camp Kingfisher
Camp can be a magical place where a child can explore their interests without the strict rules that often come during the school year. Every day becomes an adventure; games are sillier, days are longer, and the adults running the show get to tap into their childlike nature alongside the campers. But it can also be a scary first for parents. Will my child be safe? Will they be accepted, bullied, or even have fun? Short answer? Yes and no. Chances are, they will meet other kids who are just like them. Shy, outgoing, loud, quiet, silly, and everything in between. They may even meet someone who isn’t anything like them because camp is a place for everyone.
As a mother whose children are coming to Camp K for the first time this summer, their safety while in the care of others is my top concern. Sending your children off on a new adventure will always come with some risks, and as parents, we cannot control everything (even though we sometimes like to think we can). Our children are individuals who will make their own choices when we aren’t around. Running when they should walk, cartwheeling around 270 other children, swinging their water bottles around like they’re going for an Olympic shotput record; these choices are made often, and by many, at camp. However, any camp worth its salt will have the same number one priority: your child’s safety.
The safety of campers makes everything else possible. Canoeing, swimming, archery, hiking, ropes courses; everything is built on the foundation of safety. Counselors are trained in it, and campers are reminded of it. Here at camp, we stay safe and have fun. One way summer camps lay the foundation of safety in their programming is through staff training. When looking for a camp for your child, look at their staff training information. How long are staff onsite before camp starts? While you may not know exactly what their training schedule looks like, you can get an idea of how long they are together learning about the camp and the kids they will be working with. At Camp Kingfisher, our counselors are on-site ten days before camp starts, learning techniques for working with children, how we run our programs, and so much more. Our head counselors will be on-site seven days prior to help prepare for the rest of the staff to arrive. Having a well-trained staff lays the groundwork for an amazing summer.
Another thing to look for in a summer camp is its reputation. Ask your neighbors, community members, or your child’s school. What have their experiences been like at camp? Did their children have any issues? And if they did, how did the camp staff address them? What happens if your child comes home saying they were teased, bullied, or even worse… ignored by the other campers? These are things that can happen in any setting and sometimes happen here at camp as well. Kids are constantly learning. They’re picking up on social cues, noticing physical differences, and learning that not everyone thinks like them. And all of this is okay. What isn’t okay, and what should never be tolerated at any camp, is picking on others because of these differences. Camp staff should work very hard to ensure all campers feel welcome and included.
At Camp Kingfisher, we do this by playing ‘Get to Know You Games’ first thing every Monday morning. Additionally, our counselors don’t lecture on the rights and wrongs of camp. They get the campers’ input on how they should behave while at camp and devise a list of group rules together. Debby and I visit every group within the first hour of camp to discuss our number one rule: Respect. We respect nature, we respect our counselors, and we respect each other. With the strong foundation these practices provide, our staff set themselves and their campers up for a fantastic week of camp.
As I said before, camp is a place for everyone, and it is most likely that your child will find their niche. It is my hope that they come home with, at the very least, wonderful experiences. And, at the most… a newfound love of canoeing or archery. A new best friend. Fifteen friendship bracelets that they refuse to take off. The ability to tell you five facts about red-tailed hawks or how a pitcher plant can survive without roots. Or, best of all, a sense that they have found a place where they belong. A place that accepts them and allows them the freedom to learn and grow. A place that values their opinion and their safety. A place of magic. Because that’s what summer camp is: magic.
Hello! My name is Laura Viator, and I am one of the Camp Co-Directors for Camp Kingfisher at The Chattahoochee Nature Center. I am a former Camp Kingfisher Travel Program counselor, former CNC Naturalist, and former Certified Interpretive Guide.
I have a background in teaching, adventure travel, ropes course instruction, lifeguarding, and team building, and I previously worked with The Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta, Bright Horizons, and AmeriCorps. Summer 2023 will be my sixth summer at Camp Kingfisher.
My favorite thing about working at a summer camp is seeing the campers return year after year. Seeing their growth throughout the fall and winter months, and their excitement to come back in the summer is wonderful. In my spare time, I love to hike, go white water rafting, bake, and spend time with my husband and boy/girl twins, Jackson and River.
Hi! My name is Debby Head, and I am one of the co-directors of Camp Kingfisher at the Chattahoochee Nature Center. After spending the majority of my life as a Camp K kid, teen, and adult, my love for Camp Kingfisher is in my blood. I have filled roles from high school volunteer to Camp Co-Director there are not many roles at camp that I have not filled in some capacity. Yes, I do have a favorite – ask me this summer, and I’ll tell you!
I have a degree in Health and Human Services from KSU, a passion for mental health, and helping people grow through the camp experience. The best part of my job is to watch kids and young adults grow into the most AWESOME true version of themselves. I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to see some of our phenomenal staff as 5-year-olds who were scared to walk into the gym on the first day of camp and sometimes grow through the challenges that life throws at us.
I am a dog mom to a pitbull princess, Indie, and a wild child lab, Harper. When I’m not at camp, I like to spend my free time with my 2 pups and getting on the water. I can’t wait to see you all this summer!
The mural was funded in part by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners under the guidance of the Department of Community Development.
ROSWELL, GA – Chattahoochee Nature Center announces the completion of a new staircase mural by local artist Thomas Turner, titled The Flow. The mural installation was funded in part by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners under the guidance of the Department of Community Development.
Intended as a connection between art and nature, The Flow celebrates the Chattahoochee River watershed in an artistic, interpretive way that drives awareness of our connection to the natural world. The mural showcases elements of the Chattahoochee River ecosystem and depicts its native habitats and riverways while representing the Center’s values and ethos. Turner’s striking, nature-influenced scenes in other murals around Atlanta inspired Chattahoochee Nature Center to bring his art to the campus and to share the joy of the arts and culture community across Fulton County and the metro area.
When asked about his inspiration for the mural, Turner says, “I wanted to share a vision that would connect to the nature center, celebrate nature, and create awareness to protecting and preserving Mother Earth. It’s not every day that I get to paint surrounded by nature and wildlife; normally, I am painting in a city scene, with cars rushing by, so getting to paint in a natural environment was one of the most rewarding experiences. There were actual Great Blue Herons flying above me during this installation.”
Turner specializes in bringing fine art to public spaces like the Chattahoochee Nature Center and brings over a decade of experience to the world of artistic expression as a specialist in murals and illustration. His early outdoor experiences with animals and the natural environment are at the heart of his love of the arts, and the natural world and organic forms most inspire him. He illuminates surrealist alternate universes and the connectedness of nature, animals, and our lived experiences.
Deeply inspired by the Chattahoochee River, Turner’s description of the mural reads:
“This original staircase mural reveals a moment in time at the Chattahoochee Nature Center. A pair of Great Blue Herons standing in the riverbed rest in the peaceful presence of each other, symbolizing a bond of unity and trust. The medley of indigenous Georgia flora and fauna breathe life into this artwork, representing the serenity and harmony of Mother Nature.
In the foreground, emerging from the rippling water of the Chattahoochee River are clusters of native cattail and pickerelweed. In the background, a vibrant sunset sheds light on the horizon of trees along the river. Wisps of the birds’ head feathers twist into a flowering archway of orange coneflower vines. They naturally converge to reveal a silhouette of a heart exhibiting the enduring love of nature.
Open your soul to nature. Let it guide you.
This is The Flow.”
Chattahoochee Nature Center’s 140,000 annual visitors will be able to enjoy the mural for years to come. Plan your visit today and enjoy hiking, live animals, gardens, and now, a beautiful mural. Chattahoochee Nature Center’s 127 acres are open year-round, Monday through Saturday, 10AM-5PM; Sundays, 12-5PM. General admission is $15 adults | $11 students and seniors | $9 children ages 3-12 | ages 2 and under are free.
Recognizing an Outstanding Member of the CNC Community
By Patricia Fulton, Volunteer Specialist
Each year hundreds of volunteers come out to the Chattahoochee Nature Center. They arrive early on Tuesdays and Thursdays to tend our Unity Garden, which produces 4 tons of fresh produce annually for the North Fulton Community Charities. They sign up monthly to guide guests on nature walks and remove invasive species from the grounds, and a lucky few report to the Wildlife Department to assist in caring for our wildlife rescue patients.
CNC also has volunteers who come throughout the year to help with special events. This year, I had the privilege of meeting Brandon C. at our Annual Water Drop Dash 5K. He stood out because out of the 65 volunteers we had enlisted to help with the 5K, he was the only one who stepped forward to don our iconic, oversized, furry opossum costume. Every year the opossum costumed character and the Belted Kingfisher character entertain the children, high-five the runners, and delight the crowd with their playful antics at the races.
This year, a severe storm came through the morning of the Water Drop Dash 5K. Thunder rumbled, and lightning lit up the sky as the rain came pouring down. Despite the weather, right at 5:30AM, headlights cut through the dark, and a line of cars appeared as dedicated volunteers arrived to set up for the race. We huddled indoors for the first thirty minutes as we waited for the storm to pass, and I got the chance to talk to Brandon, our designated opossum for the day.
Brandon heard about the annual Water Drop Dash 5K through work. A group of his co-workers had signed up to run the race. He wasn’t quite ready to don a pair of running shoes, but he wanted to support his co-workers, so he signed up to volunteer and brought along his sister and a friend to volunteer with him. As it turns out, this wasn’t Brandon’s first time at the Chattahoochee Nature Center.
When he was in 7th grade at Sweetwater Middle School, his science class took a field trip to CNC for a unit on ecosystems. They learned how organisms in the Chattahoochee Watershed play different but crucial roles that affect one another, directly or indirectly, and how nutrients are transmitted up the food chain. He recalled being walked through the exhibits by a staff member who went into detail on how species that inhabit the Chattahoochee Watershed are connected as if through a “web”. He jokingly added that it was in their schedule to walk outside to Beaver Pond when a huge downpour (not unlike the one we were caught in) caught them off guard, and they had to run back inside. He said he left the Chattahoochee Nature Center that day with a memory of the wildlife and natural beauty of the river.
The storm passed. Our volunteers went out to guide the runners to registration. Brandon put on the opossum costume, walked down to high-five and fist-bump the runners, and entertained the children. He did a fantastic job as an oversized opossum.
What I loved about Brandon’s volunteer story is how his trip from middle school connected him to the Chattahoochee Nature Center. His childhood experience made him want to come out to be a part of it again (even if it meant donning an oversized, furry costume of an opossum in the middle of a storm).
I want all our volunteers to know that each one of them is important. They perform different but crucial roles at the Chattahoochee Nature Center, which affects the people who visit us directly and indirectly, which means they, too, are part of an intricate “web” that connects us all.
It is my greatest pleasure to humbly accept this prestigious award. I always knew that I was hatched for greatness! Many years ago, after a Naturalist at CNC witnessed my graceful flight, I was chosen as the official mascot of the Chattahoochee Nature Center, and I have proudly appeared on both the logo and the sign of the Nature Center ever since. Not to mention the pond, wooded hiking trail, and fledgling human summer camp, which all bear my name. Indeed, I am a very special bird!
My kin may be found throughout much of the United States, but we Kingfishers are anything but common. You may chance to see us perched along the banks of streams, lakes, and rivers where we love diving for tasty fish. Perhaps you will see me on your next visit to the Chattahoochee Nature Center’s River Boardwalk Trail. Since I am a rather small bird, you will likely hear my BEAUTIFUL voice before you spot me (some people of poor taste still seem to insist that my voice sounds like a rattle! The nerve!). I also love to make special guest appearances at various special events throughout the year at CNC.
It is a great honor to finally be recognized by the greater birding community as the truly unique and wonderful bird that I am! I want to thank my mother, who raised me in her burrow from an egg to a tiny fledgling to the star that I am today. I would also like to thank everyone at the Chattahoochee Nature Center who understood my stellar qualities from the very beginning. I want to thank the American Birding Association and all the birders and bird lovers out there who have made this moment possible. And to you, all my lovely fans, go my greatest thanks! Please come visit me at the Chattahoochee Nature Center to celebrate this fabulous year. Cheers to the Year of the Belted Kingfisher!
With much love,
(This article was written with help from a couple of humans, Mark Gialanella and Rebekah Dolan, as, of course, Kingfishers have no hands!)