Events

Baby Barn Owl

You’re invited to a virtual wildlife baby shower

Support the Wildlife Department through spring baby season

As CNC undergoes facility improvements and upgrades this winter, the Wildlife Department’s annual fundraiser and supply drive will be held virtually throughout February 2026.

Spring is the busiest—and most important—time of year for wildlife babies. While young animals may be adorable in their first weeks of life, caring for them requires significant time, expertise, and resources, as CNC’s wildlife rehabilitators know all too well.

Join us in celebrating a wildlife baby shower and learn more about CNC’s work with injured and orphaned raptors, reptiles, and amphibians. Throughout February, the Wildlife Clinic will share educational posts, photos, and videos on the Wildlife Rehabilitation Facebook page (@CNCWildlifeRehab), offering a behind-the-scenes look at wildlife rehabilitation and the vital role community support plays. Please feel free to email the Wildlife Clinic, if there are any specific situations or questions you would like us to address!

The Wildlife Department relies heavily on donations to continue its work. Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitators are not permitted to charge for their services or receive tax funding. Without community support, CNC would not be able to care for the many baby animals that arrive each spring.

As spring brings new growth, warmer temperatures, and increased wildlife activity, CNC receives a surge of calls and emails about baby animals—over 300 inquiries per month during peak season. Although CNC is licensed to care specifically for raptors, reptiles, and amphibians, staff provide guidance for wildlife of all species. In 2025 alone, CNC treated more than 800 animals, over 200 of which were under one year old. Juvenile animals typically cost nearly three times more to rehabilitate than adults, largely due to increased nutritional needs.

So why is spring such a critical time for wildlife babies?

Wildlife Director Kathryn Dudeck explains:

“With warmer weather approaching, plants begin to sprout and bud, providing abundant food for smaller animals like rabbits, chipmunks, and songbirds. This signals ideal conditions for raising young. As prey species give birth, predators—such as raptors—time their breeding seasons accordingly.”

For example, Eastern cottontail rabbits breed from February through September, while Great Horned Owls—one of their primary predators—often lay eggs as early as January to ensure enough prey is available to feed their chicks.

Caring for young wildlife can be complex and varies by species. Many reptiles native to north Georgia are fully independent from the moment they hatch and do not require parental care. Well-meaning people sometimes bring hatchling turtles to CNC, assuming they are orphaned—but in most cases, they are perfectly fine and should be left alone.

Raptors, however, present different challenges. Young birds of prey often arrive at CNC due to nest loss from storms or human disturbance, or simply because they are inexperienced flyers.

“Yes, even raptors go through an awkward phase,” Dudeck said.

“At around six to eight weeks old, they begin leaving the nest to perch nearby and strengthen their flight muscles. Sometimes they miss a landing and end up on the ground, uninjured but vulnerable.”

Young raptors often require intensive care, including frequent feedings and specially prepared diets. To prevent imprinting on humans, CNC staff wear camouflage ghillie suits, use recorded food-begging calls, and, in the case of vultures, place feathers from resident birds nearby to provide familiar scents.

Whenever possible, CNC works to reunite uninjured young animals with their parents. If reunification isn’t an option, non-releasable resident birds may serve as temporary foster parents.

  1. If you encounter a baby animal this spring, please remember:
    Observe from a distance—parents may be nearby foraging.
  2. If parents are not observed, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Do not attempt to feed or handle the animal, as improper care can be harmful.
  3. Contact Animal Help Now (ahnow.org) to find a local rehabilitator and receive guidance.

How can you help?

Support CNC’s Wildlife Baby Shower by donating items from our wish list. The Amazon Wish list and other wish list items are listed below. Donations can be dropped off at the Discovery Center anytime between February 1 and February 28.

Make a donation to the Wildlife Department.

Learn more about the CNC Wildlife Department and the rehabilitation support they provide to raptors, reptiles, and amphibians.

Amazon Wish List

Other Wish List items:

Reptibark substrate
Heavy-duty 25′ hoses
Pine/softwood shavings
24” and 36” cable/zip ties
Amazon gift cards
PetSmart and Petco gift cards
Kroger and Publix gift cards
Home Depot gift cards

Gift certificates to our food vendors:

RodentPro: Mazuri: American Rodent Supply www.americanrodent.com
Armstrong’s Cricket Farm: 

Thank you for helping CNC’s Wildlife Department give wildlife babies the best possible start.

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Go with the F.L.O.W. this Summer at CNC

Connect with Nature Through Fun, Learning, Outdoors, and Wellness

This summer, CNC is grateful to be able to offer our 127 acres as space where you can go with the F.L.O.W. – Fun, Learning, Outdoors, and Wellness – and connect with nature. Through fun festivals, robust programs, exciting exhibits, and beautiful trails and gardens, you will find there is so much to do and explore at CNC this season! Extended hours are back this summer! Opening at 9AM Monday to Saturday. More time to get your nature on.

June kicks off with the 23rd Annual Butterfly Festival celebrating all pollinators and the grand opening of CNC’s most popular seasonal exhibit, the Butterfly Encounter.

You will enjoy learning about the power of pollinators and meet native butterflies up close and personal while making memories with friends and family – a true highlight of the summer season.

Pee Wee Naturalists with Larry (2019)

CNC is also grateful for the wonderful staff and volunteers who share the love of nature with our visitors and members. Pee Wee Naturalist is a quarterly program for the youngest explorers.

CNC Naturalist Larry Stevens has created memories and sparked a love for nature with those lucky explorers that have experienced Pee Wee Naturalists.

A parent shared recently: “[My child] enjoyed today’s class so much! This afternoon he pretended that he was “Mr. Larry” and taught his big brother all he had learned about snakes. So sweet!” Our next Pee Wee Naturalist series begins the first week of June and registration is currently open. Spaces are limited and a great way for you and your budding naturalist to connect with nature.

Get your heart pumping with exciting adventures like ziplining with Screaming Eagle Aerial Adventures, or canoeing with CNC on one of our evening River Canoe Trips.

Get your foot tapping with amazing music, amazing views, and time to relax. Sunset Sips and Sundays on the River are both a great way to experience CNC after hours. 

The River Boardwalk Trail is open and ready for you to explore! The Chattahoochee River and wetlands provide a place to learn, relax, stroll, and connect with nature. We look forward to seeing you this summer to go with the F.L.O.W.

CNC_637_Community Day _600x400

Grand Opening Celebration for the Chattahoochee Nature’s Center New River Boardwalk Trail

 

Imagine children ambling over the marsh and swamp, past mud holes and Great Blue Herons, among the cattails and the water lilies, and out to the river. No other venue on the Chattahoochee River provides this special vantage point to observe and learn about our natural world.

Chattahoochee Nature Center (CNC) will celebrate the grand opening and ribbon cutting of the new River Boardwalk Trail and Connection Bridge on Tuesday, March 15 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The River Boardwalk Trail and Connection Bridge — funded through the generous financial support of the Board of Trustees, CNC staff, individuals, foundations, corporations, and government entities — will forever change CNC and how people connect with nature. After nearly forty years of use and the treading of hundreds of thousands of exploring feet, CNC’s 2,000-foot river boardwalk has been restored using state-of-the-art, environmentally sustainable materials. One of the most exciting elements of the project is the pedestrian bridge over Willeo Road, which includes ADA-accessible ramps. For the first time, the CNC main campus will connect directly to the River Boardwalk Trail and allow visitors a safe, uninterrupted experience exploring the riverside campus instead of crossing Willeo Road at a crosswalk.

A view of the Chattahoochee River from the new Boardwalk Trail at the Chattahoochee Nature Center

“It’s a game-changer for CNC and the entire community,” said Clarence Jackson, CNC board chair “The River Boardwalk [Trail] and Connection Bridge will provide a conduit for the community to discover the ecology of our area more intimately while fostering a greater understanding of and connection with nature. We are proud to open this space where our community can safely gather to create lasting memories with family and friends. The learning possibilities are endless, and it makes me proud that our supporters were committed to this endeavor. The River Boardwalk Trail offers beautiful vistas of the Chattahoochee River and the surrounding wetlands and will include a ‘River House’ gathering area for enhanced educational and event programming. An improved canoe launch will allow greater access to the river for populations with varying abilities.”

The River Boardwalk Trail will offer the perfect setting for exploration and quiet reflection along the river and the perfect backdrop for intimate receptions or events in a safe, outdoor space.

The River Boardwalk Trail and Connection Bridge was completed through Phase I of CNC’s “Bridging.Teaching.Inspiring.” capital campaign.

The public is invited to attend the Community Grand Opening Day on Sunday, March 20, 2022. This event is generously sponsored by Fulton County and includes free admission for all.

FUN FACTS

>> For almost 50 years, CNC has promoted stewardship of Georgia’s
natural resources and provided outdoor recreation opportunities to
more than 3 million visitors.

>> CNC’s 127-acre campus is vital to the region serving as the connecting
point and gathering spot for community organizations, improving
the community’s overall health and well-being, linking individuals to various outdoor recreation opportunities, and, most importantly, educating thousands of students and visitors about the importance of Georgia’s natural resources.

>> CNC is often referred to as a “gateway” to a life-long connection to the outdoors. We provide safe and unique experiences that give individuals the confidence to continue to more robust recreation adventures.

>> CNC‘s campus serves as a critical watershed to the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA). The nationally certified staff of naturalists provide interpretation and environmental education to further the stewardship of this precious natural resource.

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Fairies move into a cello house along the Enchanted Woodland Trail

 

An abandoned child-sized cello that once belonged to a now world-renowned musician has been converted into a house by a family of woodland fairies along the Enchanted Woodland Trail. You can visit the Chattahoochee Nature Center and explore the trails to discover the cello house and many more fairy and gnome homes.

They use their magic to repurpose the notes that were locked inside the cello by years of diligent practice and send them back out into the world as hauntingly beautiful melodies that have never been heard before.

For many years, this particular patch of woods has been a favorite spot for composers and songwriters to stroll for inspiration. The fairies are very shy, though, so no one is aware of the true source of the notes.

Visit the Enchanted Woodland Trail to explore the woodland trails for the cello house and many more! Open daily December 12 – February 28. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

650 x 400 Enchanted Woodland Trail Community

Connect with Nature and Community

Last Month to Explore the Enchanted Woodland Trail

January 21, 2021

By Jana Pearce, Visitor Experience Manager

The Enchanted Woodland Trail is a great way to stay connected to nature during the winter months, take in the often overlooked details of the forest, and receive the physical and mental benefits of being active outdoors not to mention celebrating magical, nature-inspired art!

An additional piece of magic that happens behind the scenes is the community the exhibit builds, not only between CNC and the participants, but also between neighbors. Below you can read a story from one of this year’s fairy architects, and the surprising connection she made while preparing for the exhibit.

 

“I was so excited to build a Fairy House for the CNC Enchanted Woodland Trail. The idea was to build a three-piece structure that could be assembled and disassembled easily for transport and set-up. I found a wonderful old hollowed out apple tree stump for the base, a ficus tree for the middle and built a big roof with the intention of it being removable. Well, my fairy house ended up being as big as my imagination (which is pretty big) and all did not go as planned. The ficus tree got lodged in the apple tree stump and wouldn’t come out no matter how hard we tried. After trial and error we realized that we had to attach the roof and keep it attached. Now, instead of transporting three components of the fairy house in my mini-van, we had one very large structure that was too big for my vehicle.

We panicked…how were we going to get the fairy house to the CNC? I placed an ad on Nextdoor looking to hire someone to move the fairy house. Then the most wonderful thing happened. Thomas Johnson, a man I had never met before offered to bring his truck and trailer to pick up and deliver the fairy house to the CNC. This was not an easy task because I probably didn’t tell you how much the fairy house weighed…it weighed a lot! Thomas helped us muscle our fairy house to its home at the CNC for the next 13 weeks. We asked Thomas how much we owed us…and he said, “Nothing.” Thomas asked that we make a contribution to our favorite charity. We could not have done this without him, and all he asked was for us to pay it forward. We will because of your help!

With gratitude,
The Nunn Family”

 

650 x 400 Enchanted Woodland Trail Camp Olson

Making fairy houses and gnome homes a family affair

December 15, 2020

The Enchanted Woodland Trail, open through the end of February, has been a favorite winter activity for visitors at the Chattahoochee Nature Center. It provides an opportunity to slow down, get outside, and explore the winter woods. Finding each fairy house or gnome home keeps everyone moving along the trail and excited about the details they discover along the way. 

Camp Olson – Making Mischief Happen is a personal family camp where grandparents, parents, and grandchildren enjoy creating fun projects, going on field trips, and most importantly making lifelong memories together.

For the last two years designing and building a fairy house or gnome home has been a topic of conversation as each winter approaches. It took Camp Olson so long to finally take the plunge because they thought they were not artists! 

This year they resolved to start making plans and create the Camp Olson Enchanted Woodland Trail project!

Designing and building the Camp Olson fairy house and gnome home involved the entire family. The 4 kids decided to work on a “complex” of 3 homes and parents and grandparents helped along the way.

Through the construction phase there was plenty of chaos and mess, but there was also plenty of laughter and fun. Camp Olson wanted to let everyone know that it was well worth the effort to be a part of the Enchanted Woodland Trail and they can’t wait for you to find their houses in the woods!


Make sure to plan your visit today to explore the Enchanted Woodland Trail. You will find fairy houses and gnome homes along the trail that will encourage you to slow down and enjoy the beauty of the winter woods.

Image by Hans Braxmeier from Pixabay

Fairy Folk and Fungi

The Science Behind Fairy Rings

November 20, 2020
Emma Schell, Scheduling Coordinator

 

Every winter, CNC invites the local fairies and gnomes to build their tiny houses, bungalows, cabins, and more along the forest trails. You can see their amazing creations in the Enchanted Woodland Trail exhibit along the wood trails throughout the winter.

When you come to visit these fairy homes, make sure to keep your eye out for another common fairy haunt: the Fairy Ring.

 

© Copyright Henk Monster and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons License


Fairy Rings appear differently depending on their age, but they are most easily identified as a ring of mushrooms.

In much of European folklore, Fairy Rings are said to be portals to the realm of the fairies. If you step inside one, you might get a glimpse of this magical world – but there’s a catch. Many people believed that if you stepped inside a ring, you would be entranced by the fairies’ magic and never return from Fairyland.

Today, biology tells a different but no less interesting story about Fairy Rings.

 

 

When we hear the word “fungi,” most of us think of mushrooms, but the truth is that mushrooms are only one small part of a fungus. A mushroom’s job is to help a fungus reproduce, the same way a fruit helps a plant reproduce. They only grow in the perfect conditions – usually when the air is humid and the soil is moist. This is why you see so many mushrooms after a long period of rain, and so few during a hot, dry summer.

Mushrooms produce fungus spores, which are similar to the seeds of a plant, and disperse them into the air. When these spores land on the ground, they grow into a new fungus.

So what makes the mushrooms in a fairy ring grow in a circle?

 

© Copyright Robe Hille and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons License


Underneath the mushrooms and soil is the mycelium, a network of tiny “threads” that absorb nutrients from the soil. The mycelium makes up the majority of the fungus organism, and it is always present in the soil, even if there are no mushrooms.

The mycelium grows out in all directions from a central point, essentially creating a big circle of mycelium under the soil. As it grows, the mycelium excretes an enzyme that breaks down nutrients in the soil. This way, the mycelium can then absorb the nutrients.

After a short time, the nutrients in one area become depleted. New mycelium continues to grow outward, staying connected in a ring formation, while the old mycelium in the middle decomposes.

When the conditions are right, mushrooms sprout up from the remaining mycelium creating the iconic ring of mushrooms that is considered a Fairy Ring.

© Copyright Famartin and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons License

 

These structures that we once thought were made by fairies are actually the result of the hidden workings of the natural world. Fairy rings can be found in fields, forests, or even your back yard, but you have to make sure to slow down and look closely at the wonders around you.

 

The Enchanted Woodland Trails Special Exhibit runs from December 13, 2020 to February 28, 2021. The exhibit officially opens during the Enchanted Woodland Wonders Family Fun Day on December 13.

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Member Reservations and Visitation

Tricks for Making a Member Reservation and Visitation

December 22, 2020

All of us at the CNC want to thank you for helping keep our admissions process safe by making a reservation prior to your visit. We appreciate your patience as we have worked to learn the reservation system, and your feedback has helped us to make improvements over time. If you have any questions or thoughts, please don’t hesitate to reach out and let us know.

 

TIPS AND TRICKS

  • Day-of Reservations: There is no minimum required lead time to make a reservation. You may book at any time prior to your visit, whether it’s minutes or days!
  • Frequent Visits? Sign Up Genius offers a free app. Our Member Reservation Form can be accessed by using the ‘Find a Sign Up’ feature and entering our email address, membership@chattnaturecenter.org. If you are making frequent reservations to visit, you may also consider creating a free Sign Up Genius account. You have the ability to stay logged in (eliminating the need to enter your username and password each time), and will be able to see past sign ups on your home page for easy access.
  • Popular Programs: While CNC is still implementing admission capacities for daily visits and other programs, please reach out to us if you are having difficulty finding a preferred date and time for a sign up. Safety is our priority, however we may be able to work with you to help accommodate your group in some instances.
  • We are here to help! Our Visitor Services staff are happy to assist you with making, editing, or cancelling a reservation. They can also help troubleshoot any sign up questions for new or returning users. You can reach them at 770-992-2055 x 238, or CNC.admissions@chattanturecenter.org.

DISCOVERY CENTER LOWER LEVEL

The lower level of the Discover Center, including the Watershed Gallery and Nature Exchange, is open daily!

 

 

PLEASE NOTE

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Your feedback is important as we explore how to adapt to the needs of our members and visitors. Please take this two minute survey to help CNC grow!

650 x 400 Box Turtle on his own

Do you know the Box Turtles favorite thing to eat?

Enjoy catching up with this "fungi"

To catch up with the Box Turtle we took a trip to the woodland forest to track him down. He is so well camouflaged that it took a bit to find him, and he was answering our questions soooo slow that we asked him to email them to us. We knew that he needed to take his time. Check out below what he shared about Halloween Hikes and what he has been up to this year.

I am so sorry this took such a long time to get back to you. I’m such a slow typer, but I don’t have fingers and I rarely go backwards. I am excited to see you pursuing this effort and happy to share, in fact, I think its a shelluva-n-idea!

If you want to empathize with my predicament, you can read my responses very slowly.

/s/ Box Turtle

 

First of all, what do the other characters at Halloween Hikes call you?

My friends on the trail call me Turtle, but I answer to anything when mushrooms are offered.

 

Where do you hang out when not on the trails at Halloween Hikes?

This is a popular question from the little people on the Hikes. I always share with everyone that during the summer I travel to the Turtle Family Reunion.

 

A Box Turtle and his beloved mushroom

Why do you want to share your story at Halloween Hikes?

I think it’s better if I share my story instead of the skunk. She just wants to stink up the place and eat my youngsters.

Besides that, how would she know what to tell the Hikers about me? Or any of the other characters, for that matter.

If *I* tell my own story, I can be sure the hikers learn all the important things about me: I love mushrooms, I love the hikers, I love mushrooms, I’m a hider and proud of it, I love mushrooms, I like dry ground like the tortoise (he’s the one who beat the hare), I love mushrooms, I don’t like coffee, I love slugs too!, I need to be taken off the road and placed in the direction I am travelling, I love mushrooms, I may have an important date across the road.

IT COULD HAPPEN !!

 

How long have you been a part of Halloween Hikes?

With the Hikes coming up in a couple of weeks, for 27 years.


Who is your favorite other Halloween Hikes character to hang out with?

Howie Pollute is one of my favorites.

 

What do you do to get ready for your big nights?

Like any other day, after a day on the log, picking up some sunshine, I’ll grab a light dinner over at the unity garden, then I’ll meander over to my spot on the trail, do a little housekeeping, maybe take a quick nap, and then wait for the hikers to show up. Some of them are even slower than I am!

 

What is your favorite part of the evening?

When the hikers arrive, when the little people want to talk with me, when hikers bring me mushrooms!

 

What do you do after an evening on the trails at Halloween Hikes?

I enjoy a salad I make with the mushrooms, strawberries and slugs that people bring me! I love mushrooms, because I’m a “fungi” !!

Tell us your favorite joke!

Joke? I offer turtle truths!

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about the Easter Box Turtle. There is much more that you can only hear at Halloween Hikes on the woodland trails! It is an evening you and your family do not want to miss.

 

Halloween Hikes at the Chattahoochee Nature Center

October 23, 24, and 30 | 6-10PM

Purchase tickets now!

 

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