After decades of work, the City of Atlanta has officially secured nine acres bordering the Chattahoochee River in Riverside, creating Atlanta’s newest natural oasis — Lower Paul Park.
Any chance to get away from the bustle of the city is exciting, but the folks in Riverside know this park represents something more — staunch determination and an unwavering vision from residents.
Marietta is a town in and the county seat of Washington County, Georgia, United States. It has a very affordable cost of living and a low unemployment rate, making it a great place to live. In addition, this community has an abundance of resources and opportunities within its boundaries, including beautiful outdoor spaces, numerous parks and restaurants, great schools, museums, and theatres. There is no shortage of options for both adults and children regarding things to do in Marietta.
I love Atlanta but hate the traffic. When I want to explore Georgia around Atlanta and not have to deal with horns and crazy people cutting me off, there are amazing smaller cities nearby. Here are a few of my favorites, chosen because they have fewer crowds and less traffic and include a mix of activities and attractions that appeal to many ages and tastes.
The waiting list of 800 children for summer camp at the Chattahoochee Nature Center is a good problem to have, by any typical management metric. Natasha Rice doesn’t see it that way.
To Rice, that waiting list represents an unfulfilled opportunity for the nature center to fulfill its mission of educating about the environment.
The Chattahoochee Nature Center has named Natasha Rice president and CEO.
Rice comes to the position with nearly 30 years of experience, specializing in operations, business development, and human resources for the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Atlanta, Fortune 50 companies, and small to mid-size businesses.
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.
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
As an indoor space, masks are required in the Watershed Gallery
The lower level may be closed Mon-Sat from 12:30 – 1:00PM for sanitizing.
August 15, 2020, 1:25 pm- Saporta Report By David Pendered, Publisher
The new Hike for Health Challenge, with its $250 incentive from REI, is the latest example of the growing synergy among the leaders of 10 parks and greenspaces in metro Atlanta. The Hike for Health Challenge encourages folks to walk trails in 10 parks in metro Atlanta during the next 10 months.
Ten organizations have joined forces with national recreation retailer REI for the Hikes for Health Challenge encouraging the public to hike, walk, or jog 10 trails in 10 greenspaces over the next 10 months.
Organizations participating in the challenge include Blue Heron Nature Preserve, Chastain Park Conservancy, Chattahoochee National Park Conservancy, Chattahoochee Nature Center, Dunwoody Nature Center, Friends of Lost Corner, Livable Buckhead, Parks Cobb County, Peachtree Creek Greenway, and Sandy Springs Conservancy.
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!
It’s been a rough couple of weeks. Everyone is cooped up indoors and getting on each other’s nerves. Your favorite Nature Center is closed to the public. What can be done?
A good alternative is to get outside!
The mental and physical benefits of spending time outside are numerous. Whether it’s playing, running, breathing in clear air, gardening, or just sitting in the sun, being outside gives your body some much-needed juice to make you more energetic and healthy. Studies have shown that nature is good for your health by reducing stress and depression while increasing brain functions and strengthening the immune system. The sun gives plenty of Vitamin D, which helps with bone and muscle health.
“University of Pittsburgh researchers reported in 2005 that spinal surgery patients experienced less pain and stress and took fewer pain medications during their recoveries if they were exposed to natural light,” said a report from Harvard Medical School. “An older study showed that the view out the window (trees vs. a brick wall) had an effect on patient recovery. Of course, windows and views are different than actually being outside, but we’re betting that adding a little fresh air to the equation couldn’t hurt and might help.”
Get out on some hiking trails, whether working up a sweat or just going for a leisurely stroll. Take a moment in nature, surrounded by birds or trees, and relax. You can do so much by yourself or with a friend or family member. Trails and open spaces are critical to people at this time. They are havens, allowing for recreation and activity when people are discouraged from being in large crowds in theaters, gyms, or restaurants.
“…one of the really interesting things we found is that exposure to greenspace significantly reduces people’s levels of salivary cortisol — a physiological marker of stress,” said Caoimhe Twohig-Bennett, from University of East Anglia’s Norwich Medical School.
If all that doesn’t convince you, maybe this will: spending time outside can make you generally happier.
“In 2010 the English scientists reported results from a meta-analysis of their own studies that showed just five minutes of green exercise resulted in improvements in self-esteem and mood,” reports Harvard Medical School.
With all this trouble around us, that has to count for something, right?