Chattahoochee Nature Center invites you to explore its new podcast, Your Place on the River, presented by Carriage Kia.
Your Place on the River provides exclusive behind-the-scenes access to the Wildlife Department, where experts share insights into the behavior and care of the resident animals. Wander through the lush landscapes of the Horticulture Department and discover the secrets behind the vibrant flora that paints the center’s picturesque scenery. Journey through the educational initiatives with the Education Department, gaining a deeper understanding of impactful programs designed to connect people with nature. Oh, the places you’ll go!
Your Place on the River is your passport to a world of natural wonders beyond your visit, where every episode unveils the layers of beauty, education, and conservation efforts that make Chattahoochee Nature Center your extraordinary place on the river.
Chattahoochee Nature Center (CNC) is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization supported by our members and community at large (like you!), making it possible for us to bring you environmental education programs that are unsurpassed in Georgia.
CNC’s mission is to connect people with nature. For almost 50 years, CNC has inspired both naturalists and citizens to build one of the most unique places on the Chattahoochee River. Founded by local citizen activists in the mid-1970s, CNC has been nurtured by hundreds of people who have worked to build a strong grassroots environmental learning center, touching the lives of more than 144,000 children and adults each year.
In metro Atlanta, no other place offers our community the opportunity to connect to such a broad circle of activities and experiences in the natural world: the river, the land, wildlife, plants, educators, knowledge, and passion, which we share freely with all visitors. Chattahoochee Nature Center is a unique place where people connect to each other and the river through a shared respect for nature. Through that interaction with nature, we excite our senses and encourage learning. Visit us today and experience the wonders of Chattahoochee Nature Center.
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.
ROSWELL, GA – The Chattahoochee Nature Center is proud to announce the long-awaited completion of the vulture aviary. The previous aviary was over 20 years old, and for the safety of the birds, including protection from Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), they have been off exhibit since August 2022.
Through the generosity of The Imlay Foundation, Barbara & Ed Taylor in honor of Claire Mills, the Choate Bridges Foundation, and many other special donations, the money was secured to rebuild the enclosure. The Turkey Vulture, who arrived in 1989 with wing damage, and the Black Vulture, who arrived in 2006 after being raised illegally as a pet, have been returned now that the finishing touches are complete.
On an annual basis, CNC receives over 700 rehabilitation cases and 3,500 inquiries about wildlife. The on-site staff and department volunteers work tirelessly to help the injured animals and return them to the wild, if possible. They receive no federal or state funds for their work and cannot charge a fee for their services as wildlife rehabilitators. However, donations are gladly accepted.
“Thanks to several generous donors and The Imlay Foundation, we received funding for the vulture aviary to be rebuilt,” says Wildlife Director Kathryn Dudeck. “This was especially timely because our resident non-releasable vultures are currently housed in caging, which we need for rehabilitation. With the busy season upon us, we need to get them back on exhibit soon.” She notes that Wildlife still requires funds to rebuild the Red-shouldered Hawk aviary and that “While they are off exhibit, they can be housed in a smaller enclosure than the vultures so we will not temporarily lose the federally required 100’ flight cage that allows us to rehabilitate eagles, vultures, and ospreys.”
Roswell, GA – Every day brings something new when you visit the Chattahoochee Nature Center. On the trails, woodpeckers are tap-tap-tapping overhead in search of insects. Near the garden, an opossum snuffles under the brush. In the ponds, tadpoles wriggle from leaf to leaf. Find out who rules the evenings at CNC’s Sunset Sips when the daytime creatures have settled in as the sun goes down.
With special thanks to Northside Hospital, take a deep, mindful breath at Sunset Sips after a busy day as you relax, unwind, and enjoy a stroll along the boardwalk with a pink and orange painted sky as your backdrop. Even if it should rain, a gorgeous rainbow may grace the skies.
How often do you rush through the day and forget to stop and smell the flowers? This is your moment to recenter. According to the American Psychological Association, being out in nature, even for just a minute, can work wonders on your mental well-being. This includes improving memory, focus, cognitive flexibility, and overall mental health.
Stop, look, and listen to the chirping of cicadas and the hooting of owls. Watch as the great blue heron glides over the river, or simply relax on the cool grass while one of many fantastic musicians plays under the pavilion. There’s something for everyone, from chill grooves to jazz to rock.
CNC has partnered with Monday Night Brewing this year to bring you exciting craft brew options. From IPAs to Sours, Monday Night Brewing is easy-drinking, approachable, and brewed for the weeknight. A portion of the proceeds will benefit CNC. Pack a picnic, bring a couple of chairs, and lounge on the lawn at this family-friendly event. Feeling restless? Bring your walking shoes because the grounds are open and ready for exploration until sunset.
Sunset Sips opens on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays from June to September. Included with general admission and free for CNC members. Member reservations are required. Doors open at 6:30PM.
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.
Chattahoochee Nature Center (CNC) and Thomas Turner Team Up
The mural and the Community Day are made possible thanks to funding provided in part by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners under the guidance of the Department of Community Development.
ROSWELL, GA. – The Chattahoochee Nature Center, located in Roswell, Georgia, has engaged Atlanta muralist Thomas Turner to create a unique mural masterpiece at the Center. The mural will cascade down a multi-tier hillside staircase in the heart of the 127-acre campus and will serve as a backdrop for events hosted at the Center’s Ben Brady Lakeside Pavilion. The desired intent for the staircase mural is to connect people with the Chattahoochee River watershed in an artistic, interpretive way while driving awareness toward our connection with the natural world.
This engagement presents an incredible opportunity for Turner and the Chattahoochee Nature Center to join forces and create a centralized piece of artwork for visitors and staff to enjoy and will be a source of inspiration for years to come. This original, progressive masterpiece will tell a story and welcome you to embrace Turner’s fantastical universe and surrealist lens of the natural world. The mural will be purpose-built to serve as an iconic landmark and celebration of the Chattahoochee Nature Center’s history, ecosystem of local flora and fauna, and its native habitats and riverways while reflecting a cultural representation of the Center’s values and ethos. Turner will design the installation to represent the organizational mission to connect people with nature and showcase the intrinsic connectivity between art and nature.
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. Thomas’s 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, making this mural initiative an incredible opportunity to join forces to positively impact the Center and its visitors.
During this engagement, Turner will work closely with the Chattahoochee Nature Center to create a design for the staircase mural that exceeds expectations and helps to promote the Center’s mission and its impact on the communities of Atlanta and beyond.
Turner will work on-site at the Chattahoochee Nature Center for several days to bring the mural to life. He is scheduled to begin the staircase mural installation on Monday, March 27. During the installation, within CNC operation hours, visitors are encouraged to stop by to meet Turner and enjoy the process and experience a live mural installation in progress. The proposed timeline for completion of the installation will be in mid-April.
The public is invited to attend the grand reveal at CNC’s Community Day on April 23, 12-4 PM. The Community Day, which closely coincides with Earth Day, will include the grand reveal of the mural, photo opportunities, guided hikes, and live animal encounters, and will also celebrate one year of CNC’s new River Boardwalk Trail. The event is free for everyone, though reservations are required; details can be found on CNC’s website: https://www.chattnaturecenter.org/events/cnc-community-day-mural-grand-reveal/
Turner is available for interviews and inquiries about his work and engagement with the Chattahoochee Nature Center for this initiative. Please get in touch with Turner directly or reach out to his business partner, Alexandra Tregre, as needed.
Thomas Turner – President, Artist Phone: 770-402-4148 Email: tt@thomasturnerart.com Website: thomasturnerart.com Alexandra Tregre – Head of Operations Phone: 404-307-7502 Email: alex@thomasturnerart.com
About Thomas Turner Turner specializes in bringing fine art to public spaces. He brings over a decade of experience to the world of artistic expression as a specialist in murals and paintings. His collection of work is enjoyed across the cityscape of Atlanta where he currently resides, throughout the U.S. and internationally in Europe. Turner’s artwork can be found in notable galleries throughout the United States. This includes ABV Gallery & Agency in Atlanta, Georgia, where he credits the launch of his professional career as an artist.
Turner is a lifelong advocate and lover of nature, animals, and elements of the wild. As early as he can recall, Thomas found a sense of peace and solitude – a form of escape from reality – in his outdoor surroundings. He is most inspired by nature, reimagining the art of the possible, and the connectedness of nature and animals to the human experience. A homegrown Georgia native, Turner grew up in and around Atlanta and continues to cultivate an impassioned appreciation of Mother Nature and the natural environment in his artwork today. Turner’s imaginative masterpieces tell a story and welcome you to embrace his fantastical universe and surrealist lens.
Turner is relentlessly passionate about producing original artwork that bewilders, sparks curiosity, and inspires positive change. Through his imaginative pieces, he seeks to challenge viewers’ perceptions of what is and what could be. Today, audiences worldwide can appreciate a metamorphosis of his classic creations and a newfound style of the subversive, mind-altering elements and life forms he conjures.
Industry-leading brands like Atlanta United, Heineken, Atlanta Braves, and Mellow Mushroom, among many others, have engaged Turner for his extraordinary designs, intricate details, and level of professionalism. Turner recognizes each of his customers is unique and special, therefore every individual masterpiece is custom-made and represents the ethos of the specific brand. He is eager to activate new spaces and work with other leading national, international, and local brands to bring their visions to life through his unique, cerebral style.
Thanks to the Community Foundation of North Georgia
Naturalists Larry Stevens and Jenna Ellett from Chattahoochee Nature Center talk about the importance of raptors in our communities and preserving their habitats. Larry Stevens served as a U.S. Army counterintelligence agent in West Berlin before becoming a Public Relations Manager at BellSouth in Atlanta. Today, he is a naturalist for the Chattahoochee Nature Center. Jenna Ellett is a Senior Analyst at Cloudmed, but she’s also a Naturalist at the Chattahoochee Nature Center.
The morning routine was underway in a windowless Brookview Elementary School classroom where strands of twinkle lights provided a soft glow. Then, the teacher announced it was time to line up.
Excitement bubbled as second graders at the Fulton County school stowed away science notebooks and waited in an increasingly boisterous cafeteria for buses to take them on the year’s first field trip. Their destination: The Chattahoochee Nature Center in Roswell, an hour-long drive north from the East Point school.
By Heather Buckner, Elizabeth Florio, Josh Green, Betsy Riley, Xavier Stevens, Lucinda Warnke, Kamille Whittaker, and Sam Worley
Discover 50 Ways to Play Outside in Atlanta and Beyond. One of the best ways is to explore the River Boardwalk trail. This spring, the Chattahoochee Nature Center opened its renovated 2,000-foot boardwalk along the Chattahoochee River. The most exciting part is the new, ADA-accessible pedestrian bridge over Willeo Road, which at long last connects the center to its river campus across the street.
Most years, Chattanooga wildlife rehabilitator Juniper Russo treats up to two box turtles suffering from upper respiratory infections. Since March of this year, she’s treated 22 turtles from the Chattanooga area with eye and ear infections at her wildlife rescue facility, For Fox Sake. She said when turtles are deficient in vitamin A, they develop inflammation in their eyes and especially in their ears, which can cause abscesses.