Blog
The (Un)usual Suspects
April 19, 2021 By Emma Schell, Scheduling Coordinator Spring has sprung, and while that means warmer weather and blooming flowers, it also means the arrival of something many people […]
Bloom Where You Are Planted
April 19, 2021 By Frank Viera, CNC Docent It was March 2020 and I had no idea how much my life would change and what an influence nature would have […]
The Butterfly Festival Returns in June
The 22nd Annual Flying Colors Butterfly Festival will delight everyone as we celebrate the magic of butterflies and other important pollinators! The Butterfly Festival is an important fundraiser event […]
The CNC Volunteers that Could
April 13, 2021 By Libby Lintel, Volunteer Coordinator What a crazy year has just passed: unexpected, challenging, heartbreaking, and life-changing. As we reach National Volunteer Week 2021, I am reminded […]
Soar with Screaming Eagle Aerial Adventures
March 30, 2021 By Mark Gialanella, Community Programs Coordinator It is that time of year again to go soaring through the trees and over Beaver Pond on the Screaming Eagle […]
Everyone needs a Spring Break
March 16, 2021 By Tracy Begley, Marketing Specialist Spring officially arrived with the vernal equinox. It is often seen as a time of renewal as the seasons change and the […]
Tips for Starting a Successful Butterfly Garden
Always include a nectar source and host plants March 16, 2021 There are two parts to any successful butterfly garden: nectar sources and host plants. Nectar is an important source of […]
Go Green this Spring
March 11, 2021The Rentals Department at the Chattahoochee Nature Center is hosting its’ first ever Wedding Expo this spring to bring couples and Atlanta’s finest and most diverse vendors in […]
Staff Highlight: Fabiola Clermont
March 9, 2021 By Lori Watterson, CNC Naturalist CNC is lucky to have amazing staff with varied backgrounds and experiences. Fabiola (Fabie) Clermont is part of our Rentals Department and […]
Three ways to get your Eco-Stewardship on this March
March 9, 2021By Jana Pearce, Visitor Experience ManagerI grew up in the creek behind my house and have an immense amount of gratitude for the peace and simplicity that nature […]
2021 CNC Event Calendar
Connecting people to nature Check out the events currently planned at the Chattahoochee Nature Center for 2021. All events are subject to change. Please visit our website for the most […]
The Flower That Grows in the Dark
Meet the ghost plant (Monotropa uniflora) February 10, 2021 By Emma Schell, Scheduling Coordinator When you think of Georgia wildflowers, you might imagine milkweeds stretching towards the sky, wild indigo […]
Grow Where you are Planted
Two plants that are great examples of tenacity and resourcefulness February 15, 2021 By Jana Pearce, Visitor Experience Manager This spring at CNC we are celebrating the tenacity, resourcefulness, and […]
Water Drop Dash 2021 Update
Experience a trail run at CNC The Water Drop Dash 5K promotes water conservation each year during “Fix A Leak Week” and raises funds for the Chattahoochee Nature Center. Thanks to […]
Woodland Whimsy Reading List
Fulton County shares book recommendations to celebrate the Enchanted Woodland Trail Come visit CNC and our Enchanted Woodland Trail, featuring natural and upcycled fairy houses and gnome homes! You may […]
Announcing the Winners of the 2020-2021 Enchanted Woodland Trail
The trail grew to over 40 houses this year February 10, 2021 By Jana Pearce, Visitor Experience Manager Fairy house delivery day this December brought not only quantity, but also […]
A message from the Wildlife Department
By Kathryn Dudeck, Wildlife Director Updated March 5, 2021 DNR and SCWDS at the University of Georgia have confirmed Salmonella lesions in the tissue pathology of several Pine Siskins. […]
Looking for a camp this summer? Check out the reviews before you decide!
Camp Kingfisher – a CNC tradition since 1993. At Camp Kingfisher we love our campers – sharing nature and making memories together each summer on our 127 acres. We were […]
Get excited about #CampKforLife!
A summer of unplugged fun Check out a video from Camp Kingfisher! While it is from 2017, hence no masks, it is a great overview of what happens at camp […]
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 […]
Insects, Worms, and Minnows – Oh My!
Help keep the turtles in Kingfisher Pond healthy December 22, 2020 When you visit the Chattahoochee Nature Center most likely you will take a walk along the wildlife walk and […]
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 […]
What to do in the winter
Bucket List for Winter Fun December 10, 2020 Even in the winter we love to be outside at the Chattahoochee Nature Center! Atlanta winter weather is fairly mild, but even […]
Animals Don’t Necessarily “Hibernate” in Winter
You are probably familiar with hibernation, but what about brumation, torpor, or even diapause? November 23, 2020By Kathryn Dudeck, Wildlife Director When we think of winter in Georgia, shorter days, […]
Fairy Folk and Fungi
The Science Behind Fairy Rings November 20, 2020Emma Schell, Scheduling Coordinator Every winter, CNC invites the local fairies and gnomes to build their tiny houses, bungalows, cabins, and more […]
Back to Nature Holiday Market Vendor Spotlight
Karen Towery with All in One Peace November 20, 2020 The Back to Nature Holiday Market has become a well known market in the Roswell area each holiday season. Typically […]
Camp Kingfisher Summer 2020 Wrap Up
A Message to Camp Families November 11, 2020By Debby Head, Camp Director I hope you all are finding time to enjoy the cooler weather and beauty that this season brings. […]
Mark Your Calendar: Enchanted Woodland Wonders
CNC Member Pre-Registration Opens November 9 at 10AM Registration will be open to CNC Members November 9-15 for Enchanted Woodland Wonders. We heard you! We look forward to Enchanted Woodland […]
Seeing Double
The origin story of “Double Vision,” a joint exhibition that combines photography, painting, and nature October 26, 2020By Sherry Hardage, Roswell Fine Arts Alliance member One morning I was […]
Camp Kingfisher Releases the 2020-21 Camp Calendar
Camp Sessions and Registration Dates October 27, 2020 Camp Kingfisher is a north Atlanta tradition, offering summers of fun in nature for over 25 years. Part traditional outdoor camp and part […]
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 […]
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 […]
The Kingfisher Can’t Wait to see you at Halloween Hikes
What has the Belted Kingfisher been up to since Halloween Hikes last year? Why hello everyone! Did you miss me? I was just fishing over at the pond at the […]
A Visit to the Chattahoochee River to catch up with the River Otter
You will be “otterly” entertained Halloween Hikes is a time to catch up with lots of woodland and watershed creatures and learn about their natural lives. Trail guides lead groups […]
Hanging out with Howie Pollute
Investigating all your pressing questions Howie Pollute has a lot to say about what is hanging around these days. They have been part of Halloween Hikes for a long time! […]
Interview with the Red-tailed Hawk of Halloween Hikes
Answers to all your burning questions Along the well-lit trails of Halloween Hikes you will meet many woodland characters. They love to greet each group and share information about their […]
Come Out for Halloween Hikes
Wear your costumes and join us for well-lit hikes, games, and family fun September 30, 2020 Can you believe Halloween is just around the corner? For many families Halloween is […]
The Benefits of Doing Yoga Outdoors
And the Benefits of Taking your Practice Outside As the weather is about to cool down with the arrival of fall, everyone will be ready to spend more time outdoors. […]
Deepti and Namar’s Baraat and Ceremony
A rare and beautiful union of the Muslim and Hindu faiths, colorful and unique By Fabiola Clermont, Venue Sales Assistant July 31,2020 The Baraat began with the groom being carried […]
Good Neighbors
We are here to help By Christie Hill, Naturalist and Docent CoordinatorAugust 27, 2020 You may have recently seen a snake somewhere near your home. You are lucky to live […]
Finding a Connection to Nature through feeding birds
What food should I use in my birdfeeder? By Rebekah Goldman, Visitor Service AssociateAugust 24, 2020 I think my first experience of feeding birds was when I was a child […]
Get to know the CNC Unity Garden and Schools Horticulturist
Christopher Horacek shares information on gardening and his teaching experiences We asked Christopher Horacek, our Unity Garden and Schools Horticulturist, a few questions about the vegetable garden, teaching and his […]
A Unique Wildlife Rehabilitation Patient
The Rehabilitation of a Mississippi Kite By Kathryn Dudeck, Wildlife DirectorAugust 24, 2020 The Wildlife Department received a call on July 12th from a Senoia resident who had come across […]
A virtual run to help CNC
Changing Perspective to keep an Atlanta Tradition Alive By Rebecca Gilbert, CNC MemberAugust 17, 2020 I wouldn’t call myself a runner. But I am of that age, where I have […]
Over 2,000 pounds of Fresh Produce Delivered to North Fulton Community Charities
The largest weekly donation of 2020 occurred in July Written by Tracy Begley, Website and Marketing SpecialistAugust 5, 2020 Despite the challenges of limited volunteers due to COVID-19, the Unity […]
Tall Tales of the Natural World
Highlighting Tales around our Favorite Animals with wings, scales, and tails By Emma Schell, Scheduling CoordinatorAugust 1, 2020 This fall at the Chattahoochee Nature Center, we are highlighting some of […]
Urban Kings: Project Update
The Dangers of Landscape Netting in your Garden By Samantha Kennett, Wildlife Technician at CNCJuly 28, 2020 On June 26, 2020, technicians for the Urban Kings Project received a call […]
Explore the Native Gardens at the CNC
Native Plant Scavenger Hunt By Taylor Lamb, Horticulturist at CNCJuly 26, 2020 There is no better time than now to get outside and stretch your legs and your brain! In […]
SING! “Song of the Chattahoochee”
with Meridian Herald and Hosted at the Chattahoochee Nature Center Jane Thorpe, Meridian Herald Executive DirectorJuly 14, 2020 End your day right with a live-streamed concert of songs about the […]
Operational Changes due to Covid-19
Updated March 2, 2021 Chattahoochee Nature Center is actively monitoring COVID-19. Below are the steps we are taking to comply with federal, state, and local guidelines in order to protect […]
Urban Kings: A Citizen Science Project
Written by Samantha Kennett, Wildlife TechnicianJune 16, 2020 Citizen Science. It comes in a multitude of forms. You can participate in bird counts with the Audubon Christmas Bird Count, survey […]
Connecting with the Chattahoochee River
A Journey Down an Amazing River Written by Larry Strott, Canoe Coordinator at the CNCJune 15, 2020 The Chattahoochee River starts as a small spring trickling out of an Appalachian […]
How to Invite Butterflies to Your Garden & Help Pollination
Planning is needed to invite pollinators Edited by Henning von Schmeling, Senior Director of OperationsJune 12, 2020 We have all heard the stories of bees and other insects dying out in […]
Protecting raptors and other wildlife near roads
Think about the food chain all around us Written by Christie Hill, Naturalist CoordinatorJune 9, 2020 It seems like we have come a long way since people casually tossed trash […]
Moving turtles safely across roads
What to do if you see a turtle on the road Written by Christie Hill, Naturalist Coordinator and Kathryn Dudeck, Wildlife DirectorJune 9, 2020 Turtles are amazing animal ambassadors at […]
The Unity Garden continues to provide fresh produce for local food bank
Unity Garden staff work hard to maintain garden without volunteer support By Tracy Begley, Website and Marketing Specialist, and Julie Hollingsworth-Hogg, Horticulture Manager As CNC begins the process of reopening […]
The Chattahoochee Nature Center Goes Digital
Using digital media and the online world to connect people to nature By Emma Schell, Scheduling Coordinator With the onset of COVID-19 and a variety of shelter-in-place orders throughout the […]
Partnering to Support the Communities of Atlanta to Thrive Outside
Download free app for scavenger hunt fun By Kim Hakimian, Partnership Coordinator For more than a year, the Chattahoochee Nature Center, The Trust for Public Land, Atlanta Audubon, West Atlanta […]
Visit the Butterfly Encounter and experience the charm of butterflies throughout the summer
Open June 6 – August 2 By Jana Pearce, Visitor Experience Manager Butterflies have captured the minds and hearts of human beings across time and space. Myths and lore surrounding […]
Operational Changes due to Covid-19
What you can expect to see when CNC reopens Operational changes have been updated and the most recent information can be found on an new blog post. Click here to […]
Giving Tuesday Now – May 5
How to help CNC now These are unprecedented times. All around the world, there is uncertainty and need. Be a part of providing some comfort in all the madness on […]
Get started with birding
Backyard birding makes it easy to connect with nature Written by Jana Pearce, Visitor Experience Manager With the onset of social distancing and working from home has come a hidden […]
CNC: Connecting You with Nature at Home
As an outdoor venue dedicated to healthy activity and overall wellness, the Chattahoochee Nature Center (CNC) is taking the Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic very seriously. The well-being of our guests and staff […]
Support Atlanta’s Nature Destination Today
Fact: spending time outside makes you happier. We at the Chattahoochee Nature Center don’t just know this, we live it. We love our jobs and the role we play in […]
Get outside and be healthy
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 […]
Three ways to stay active outside this March
The weather is getting nicer. You can go outside some days without wearing a coat or jacket. It’s time to shake that cabin fever and get moving! CNC always offers […]
Enchanted winners named for CNC’s fairy trail contest
The judging was tough, but finally a winner has emerged in the contest for best fairy house at the Chattahoochee Nature Center’s Enchanted Woodland Trail. The winner is “Tower Town” […]
The Diana Chronicles: Kingsnake, king snack
The victim, Diana the Kingsnake, May 2019 When working with wildlife, things don’t always go exactly how you’d expect them. One of the Chattahoochee Nature […]
A turtle’s shell is more than its home
By Samantha Kennett CNC Wildlife Technician A common myth regarding turtles is that they can leave their shell for another. However, this is not the case. Did you know […]
Christmas Owl Surprises Family
A Newnan home received a unique Christmas gift last week, when a live owl turned up in their tree. “No joke, we just found a LIVE owl roosting in our […]
Take A Seat – Boy Scout Builds New Outdoor Classroom
Have you seen some changes on our grounds lately? Local Boy Scout Nick Dunson installed a series of benches to create a classroom near the ruined farmhouse on the property […]
New Year, New You: Resolve to Get Active, Get Outside
The holidays are nearly over, and with them go the craziness of family, obligations, work crunch, gatherings, and so on. It’s almost time to take a breather before tackling those […]
A Girl and Her Mole
By Emily Belinfante, Camp Kingfisher Registrar A few weeks ago, while driving into the Chattahoochee Nature Center, I spotted something in the road. I often play a game called “Is […]
Give And Your Gifts Are Doubled This Giving Tuesday
After the chaos of the Thanksgiving holidays, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday, be sure to keep Giving Tuesday in your mind to reap some karmic calm. Giving Tuesday (or Georgia […]
Galapagos Gecko Visits CNC
Tiny traveler found in resident’s backpack ROSWELL, Ga. – What flies halfway around the world in a backpack just to visit the Chattahoochee Nature Center? If you answered a leaf-footed […]
Five ways nature can inspire you
Nature is a perfect place to get away from our lives and relax. But it can be so much more than that. Did you know getting out in nature […]
Bats in your backyard
It’s the perfect time of year to gather together on the back deck and watch for…bats! Often portrayed by media as blood-sucking and disease ridden pests, sometimes bats don’t always […]
Fun Fall Activities in Nature
With cooler weather comes cool events throughout the autumn season. What would fall be without brilliant colors, crisp air, food festivals and Halloween fun? Celebrate the changing colors […]
Growing Anything in your Backyard?
Urban farming taking root There’s a new trend emerging for metropolitan areas—urban farming. The new movement of going green is having an impact, even for major cities like Atlanta. With […]
When the tap stops working
Have you ever gone a single day where you carefully planned out your use of water? What would you do if you went to turn the nozzle on in your […]
Nature and the Mind, Body, and Spirit
Disconnect from distractions to reconnect with nature By Jon Copsey, marketing manager When was the last time you were out in nature and simply just listened to the sounds around […]
Kings of the Urban Jungle
The Eastern Kingsnake can often be distinguished by their black scales patterned with white or yellow chain-like bands By Samantha Kennett, Wildlife Technician When it […]
Creating Community between animals and humans
Creating Community Between Animals and Humans By Jana Pearce, CNC Visitor Experience Manager All too often we hear about another species that is facing habitat loss and heading for trouble. […]
International tree frog returns to Georgia after trip to Canada
ROSWELL, GA. – An international traveler recently came to the Chattahoochee Nature Center, in Roswell, Ga.. A Cope’s Gray Treefrog from Georgia went on a trip to Toronto, Canada, and […]
“Be the change you want to see in the world” – Changes to our Newsletter
When you go out and they ask if you would like a straw, do you say yes or no? Paper or plastic? Bottled water or a reusable mug? Every little […]
Studying Art and Nature at CNC
This fall at the Chattahoochee Nature Center, visitors are invited to meditate on the relationships between art and nature. Through a collection of special exhibits and activities we ask, “How […]
Explore mystery this Halloween with these 5 creatures
What’s not to love about Halloween? It’s the time of the year when mischief, mystery, and creativity combine to produce an exciting night for people of all ages. We collect […]
Four Things to do at the Back to your Roots Farm Fair
September 22 marks the first day of fall, one of the best harvesting seasons of the year. To celebrate, CNC is going wild with the fall favorite, Back to Your […]
To kill a weed: Chattahoochee Nature Center privet experiment yields results
Thank you to Grants from Southern Company and Georgia Power for help supporting these efforts Do you know invasive, non-native plants like Chinese privet can be educational? Well, the removal of […]
A Good Bye to Barbara Reeves
For Barbara: “ I have one power. I never give up.” By Debby Head, Camp Kingfisher Director This winter the Chattahoochee Nature Center said goodbye to a longtime volunteer and […]
“Well Being in the Woods” Proves Benefits of Nature
“Well Being in the Woods” at the Chattahoochee Nature Center Her heart was pounding and there was pain when she woke up, but after spending time quietly in the woods, […]
Celebrate Georgia STEM Day at CNC
This Friday, May 4, is Georgia STEM Day, a day to celebrate science, technology, engineering, and math across the state. Here at the Chattahoochee Nature Center, we are committed […]
5 Picnic Recipe Ideas
Spring has arrived and summer will be right around the corner, which means it is time to get outside and enjoy the changing seasons. Our beautiful 127-acre property is […]
What to Do if You Find a Baby Animal Part 2
Baby Birds and Baby Squirrels Written by Wildlife Director, Kathryn Dudeck Spring brings buds, blooms, rains, and lots of calls to the Wildlife Department at CNC about baby animals. While […]
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What to Do if You Find a Baby Animal Part 1
What to Do if You Find a Baby Animal Part 1Baby Rabbits and Baby Turtles Written by Wildlife Director, Kathryn Dudeck Spring brings buds, blooms, rains, and lots of calls […]
The Flower Power of Pollinators
The secret message in the color of flowers By Liz Platner, Outreach and Partnerships CoordinatorOriginally Posted on March 23, 2018Updated on June 12, 2020 You may think that roses are […]
Introducing Tasty Tuesdays with Pan-Seared Scallops with Spring Onion Cream Sauce
Spring is in the air and it’s time to get outside and think about our gardens. We are proud to announce a new series called “Tasty Tuesdays”, where our […]
How To Invite Butterflies To Your Garden & Help Pollination
We’ve all heard the stories of bees dying out in large numbers. It’s a mysterious phenomenon, however our buzzing friends are not the only ones facing difficulties in populations. Pollinators […]
International Women’s Day at CNC!
Here at the Chattahoochee Nature Center, we are proud to have a staff dedicated to our mission of connecting people to nature. In honor of International Women’s Day, we wanted […]