About Tracy Begley

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Announcing the Winners of 2024-25 Enchanted Woodland Trail

The fairies and gnomes have returned for the 9th year at CNC and were greeted with incredible holiday-themed homes! From Saint Patrick’s Day to the Summer Solstice, Christmas to Mardi gras, the excitement we get from holiday festivities comes alive in miniature homes fit for our magical residents. This year, we asked visitors to vote for their favorite house during the annual Enchanted Woodland Wonders event, and asked our lovely CNC staff to explore the trail and cast their votes for first, second, and third winners. While there were over 40 entries, and each building was unique and thoughtfully crafted, we’ve made the final selections.

Peoples’ Choice

Look closely! Comprised of natural materials, this cozy cottage blends in nicely, nestled along the calm waters of Kingfisher Pond. Complete with a stick thatched roof, an onsite well, and a pile of presents, it’s ready to host a whole family of fairies and gnomes alike! Give it up for our Peoples’ Choice winner……House #18!

3rd Place Winner

Got a green thumb? Make sure to visit our 3rd Place Winner, House #44, the Eco Lodge! Carpeted with soft green moss and stone pathways, these environmentally engineered bungalows are the perfect place for fairies and gnomes (and us!) to get in touch with their inner eco activist!

2nd Place Winner

It’s big, it’s fluffy, it’s a….miniature giant chicken! House #9 earned our 2nd Place Winner spot and a spot in our hearts. With cotton, bright red feathers, big googly eyes, and a corn covered beak, this big ‘ol bird is celebrating the Christmas season along with a collection of teeny gnomes. While we can’t promise it’ll be “finger-lickin’ good”, it is a feast for the eyes.

1st Place Winner


In the magical world of fairies and gnomes, it would seem our 1st Place Winner’s folks adapted our annual turkey day! Instead of casseroles and football, they can be seen giving thanks for the feast of foraged foods found in the forest. We loved the attention to detail that went into this scene – the more you look, the more you’ll find. Congratulations to House #34!

While these four are our official winners, there are so many others that we loved, and we think you’ll love too! Here are a few of our other favorites!


The fairies and gnomes are only here for a short time! Walk the Enchanted Woodland Trail and experience the magic for yourself, now until February 28th.

Feeling inspired? We’ll be releasing the official application for our next Enchanted Woodland Trail later this year, but if you already know you’d like to be a part of this magical moment, send an email to j.mcloughlin@chattnaturecenter.org or f.mcintyre@chattnaturecenter.org with the subject ‘Fairy House 25-26 Interest’

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Naturalists on the Road

Learning and Growing at the National Conference for Interpretation

In December, CNC’s Naturalist Manager, Christie Hill, attended the 2024 National Conference for Interpretation in St. Augustine, the oldest continually occupied city in the U.S. Though the conference took place at the modern World Golf Village Resort—surrounded by highways and shopping centers—nature was still present. A small pond near the boardwalk teemed with waterfowl, offering a welcome connection to the coastal environment.

National Association of Interpretation Conference

Much of the conference was spent learning from and teaching with peers. Over 600 in-person attendees and 1,500 virtual participants engaged in interactive sessions designed to keep everyone thinking, moving, and reimagining interpretation. What is the practice of Interpretation, you might ask? Interpretation is more than just sharing facts, it’s an artful, audience-centered approach to revealing meaning, sparking curiosity, and encouraging deeper connections to people, places, and history. It is communication designed to relate to each audience and to reveal mysteries, truths, or just the simple meaning of a place, person or thing. Whether in naturalist work, education, or guiding, interpreters are storytellers who help others see, feel, and engage with the world around them. It is about engaging others with methods that will encourage their interest and participation and excite them to want to learn more. It can be successfully used in every profession and relationship, and is a key technique we utilize at CNC as our staff and volunteers work to connect people with nature each day.

As naturalists, tour guides, rangers, historians and teachers, conference attendees came to be immersed – to be unafraid to dive in and open minds and senses to new ways of teaching and guiding. Interpreters live to share passion. They are learners as well as teachers, on a mission to touch other people with meaning and impact; to make a difference in conserving the resources we treasure in this world. Reflecting on her experience, Christie noted she enjoyed the engaging stories other centers used to show their visitors the essence of the natural world – almost anyone can take a walk in the woods, but to see, smell and touch, and to feel being a part of the whole is a very different experience. Christie was even able to attend sessions unveiling new apps for audio tours, participated in a game from NASA to help centers interpret climate change with visitors, learned about new practices in conservation, and learned about the essential work going on interpreting national parks in China.

Christie Hill (3rd from left), CNC Naturalist Manager, networks with conference attendees.

Christie shared, “I really appreciated the chance to convene with and learn from others in my field and know that the lessons will continue to be helpful and will bring deeper understanding over time. I left the conference inspired, with new tools and fresh perspectives to bring back to CNC. From exploring innovative conservation practices to testing new digital tools for interpretation, every session reinforced the power of engagement in our field. This experience fueled my passion for my role as Naturalist Manager and Interpretive Trainer, reminding me that the heart of our work lies in creating meaningful, lasting connections between people and nature.”

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Georgia’s Living Wetlands

Georgia’s Living Wetlands

Signage refresh project completed Spring 2024 by Ansley Powell, Graduate Student, Unity University

Learn more about Georgia’s Living Wetlands below.

(ADDITIONAL INFORMATION COMING SOON!)

Power to the Plants

Abundant Animals

What is a Wetland

Why are Wetlands Important

Wetlands in Peril

600 x 400 Travel Program Camp Kingfisher

Travel Camp Returns in 2022

Camp Kingfisher’s premier adventure-based camp for rising 8th and 9th graders

After a 2 year break, the Camp Kingfisher Travel Program is BACK!

The Travel Program is Camp Kingfisher’s premier adventure-based camp for rising 8th and 9th graders. Day trips are packed with fun, personal challenges, and learning to support a team of peers. Travel Program Campers will have fun exploring some of the natural wonders in Georgia and surrounding states, some sample trips include hiking in North Georgia, rafting, tubing, kayaking, and urban biking.

Each 2-week session will be packed full of both water and land adventures. 

Hear from teens that participated in the Travel Program and are now part of the High School Leadership in Training Program.

As a teen you often get a voice in how you spend your summers, why did you choose the travel program?

“I had many friends way back when we were campers who had done Travel Program, and they all talked about how amazing it was. Also, just the idea of doing camp and traveling at the same time was very appealing.” – Addison

“I love the environment at Camp and meeting new people. Travel Program is so different and special because we go on a different adventure everyday.” – Kate

What was your most memorable experience at the Travel Program?

“The camping trip for sure. Everyone had become friends with each other by that point and it was so amazing experiencing MY first time camping with a bunch of people who had become my best friends. I still have pictures to this day from TP in general.” – Addison

“The most memorable thing I experienced during Travel Program was caving. I will always remember suiting up and going in for the first time and climbing along the cave.” – Kate

Tell us about your favorite trip- which could be different than your most memorable experience.

“I don’t remember exactly which trip it was but we went to this HUGE water hole, that had these waterfalls and ginormous rock walls going so so high up. It was one of the first trips we went on and it was my favorite because that’s when everyone started becoming friends, not just like a group of people traveling together.” – Addison

“My favorite trip was when we biked along the Belt Line. I loved that we had a picnic and the bus rides to and from were always so much fun.” – Kate

What new skills or knowledge did you gain during your time in this program?

“I learned A LOT of social skills that I didn’t have before, because you would be thrown into a group of people that you’d have to stick with whether you know them or not. It really gives you an opportunity to get out of your comfort zone and socialize with loads of different people.” – Addison

“I have learned and tried so many new things from Travel Program. It definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone but it was totally worth it!” – Kate

Why would you recommend this program to others?

“Well for starters it’s fun, but it also kind of gives you the feel for what your LIT years may be like, in the sense that you’re older and are with a bunch of people your age that you need to bond with. I feel that Travel Program was super beneficial in my maturing and skill sets that are SO IMPORTANT for being a LIT.” – Addison

“I recommend Travel for anybody interested because it made my summer ten times more fun and adventurous!” – Kate

Any advice for new teens coming into the travel program?

“Go out of your comfort zone, and make friends with EVERYONE. The experience is so so much better when you share it with everyone in the group opposed to just a few friends.” – Addison

“My best advice for upcoming teens into the Travel Program is to be yourself and don’t be afraid to try new things!” – Kate

Check out the Camp Kingfisher Travel Program dates and opportunities for this summer! Summers are best spent outside!

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These 10 metro Atlanta nonprofits and REI are partnering on the Hikes for Health Challenge

Hike, walk or jog on 10 trails in their 10 greenspaces over the next 10 months

August 7, 2020 – Marietta Daily Journal, Neighbor Newspaper
By Everett Catts, @NeighborEverett

Ten metro Atlanta organizations are partnering with recreation retailer REI for a social media campaign encouraging residents to hike, walk or jog on 10 trails in their 10 greenspaces over the next 10 months.

The Hikes for Health Challenge, which is kicking off in August (National Wellness Month), runs through May.

Link to original article

Vegetables picked and lined up in baskets

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 Specialist
August 5, 2020

Despite the challenges of limited volunteers due to COVID-19, the Unity Garden at the Chattahoochee Nature Center (CNC) continues to provide fresh produce to North Fulton Community Charities (NFCC) on a weekly basis. The largest weekly donation in 2020 occurred in July with a 707.5 pound harvest!

Vegetables picked and lined up in baskets
Weekly produce harvested

The total amount harvested in July was 2,230 pounds and included squash, zucchini, cucumbers, eggplant, heirloom tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, hot and sweet peppers, okra, kale, green beans, turnips, basil, and garlic.

Christopher Horacek, Unity Garden and Schools Horticulturist, said, “In July, 7 varieties of tomatoes and 9 varieties of peppers were harvested.”

The Unity Garden is CNC’s quarter-acre outdoor classroom and urban farm and is in operation year round. Everything grown in the garden is donated to North Fulton Community Charities, making CNC one of the largest providers of fresh produce to a food pantry in the region.

Horacek shared, “July is a peak harvest month so we were fortunate to have 2-6 volunteers assist with harvesting weekly and some even helped harvest twice in a week. It is awesome to have volunteers helping in the garden again.”

Yellow squash harvested in the garden

The Chattahoochee Nature Center recently began to allow volunteers to return to the property in limited capacity. Volunteers must meet CNC COVID-19 protocols, based on CDC and State of Georgia guidelines, before returning to the campus, as well as adhere to operational changes while on the property. Social distancing protocols are in place for all programs and volunteers and staff are wearing masks on the property.

Plants become art

DeAnn Fordham, Senior Director of Development and Marketing, said, “Volunteers are critical to the operation and success of the Center. Each year, more than 500 volunteers contribute 27,000 hours helping the Center implement programs and events, handle administrative work and assist our operational team on the grounds. COVID-19 has greatly impacted our ability to work with volunteers, many who are like family, and there service is greatly missed by our team. We are glad to have volunteers slowly returning to the property.”

The Chattahoochee Nature Center is proud to continue to partner with North Fulton Community Charities and contribute to the health and well-being of the families they serve. If you would like to support the Unity Garden, you can make a donation here.

Want to learn more about the partnership between the Chattahoochee Nature Center and North Fulton Community Charities please visit the following:

The Unity Garden Continues to Provide Fresh Produce to Local Food Bank – May 22, 2020

CNC donates 340 lbs. to local food bank -April 15, 2020

CNC donates fresh produce to the NFCC food pantry – video

Tall Tales of the Natural World

Highlighting Tales around our Favorite Animals with wings, scales, and tails

By Emma Schell, Scheduling Coordinator
August 1, 2020

This fall at the Chattahoochee Nature Center, we are highlighting some of our favorite animals with wings, scales, and tails, but we also want to take a look at some of the TALES surrounding these critters.

Folklore and mythology are full of stories about all manner of remarkable and magical creatures. Though many of these tales are fictitious, we can turn to nature to discover the very real animals that inspired their stories.

Here are five mythical tales and their real-life counterparts:

 

1. Mermaids and Manatees

Photo Credit: PixelBay

Stories of mermaids, sirens, and other humanoid water-dwellers are found in much of seafaring lore. In many myths, these creatures appear as women, sometimes with tails and sometimes without, who cause all sorts of ill luck for ships and their crews.

Today, many historical mermaid sightings are attributed to manatees and their close relative the dugong. These animals are capable of performing “tail stands” which allow them to emerge vertically from the surface of the water, and they are also able to turn their heads side-to-side like a human. From far off, these behaviors may have been enough to convince sailors that they had seen a mermaid.

 

2. The Kraken and The Giant Squid

Photo Credit: PixelBay

Another creature of nautical fame, the Kraken is a colossal monster from Nordic lore said to attack ships by crushing them with its giant tentacles or by creating strong whirlpools to submerge them. The myths of the Kraken are now attributed to the very real giant squid, identified and described for the first time in 1853 by Norwegian naturalist Japetus Steenstrup.

Though we may have debunked the myth of the Kraken, the giant squid is a legendary creature in its own right. It is one of the largest invertebrates on earth, and the first video of one swimming in the ocean wasn’t captured until 2013. Though we know much more than we did in 1853, the giant squid’s elusiveness means we still have much more to learn.


3. Ghosts and Barn Owls

What better combination could we find than ghosts and barn owls? Ghosts star in of dozens of tales and stories, and barn owls can be found at the Chattahoochee Nature Center. In fact, if you’ve visited the barn owl enclosure and read the signs there, you already know about this relationship.

Barn owls can be found nesting in barns, attics, and even bell towers, and they emit a distinctive screeching call which can be quite jarring. Combine this call with the reflection of moonlight off a barn owl’s white feathers, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for a ghost sighting.


4. Will-o’-the-Wisps and Methane

Photo Credit: Anthony Roberts

Will-o’-the-Wisp is one of the names given to lights that are sometimes seen floating in swampy areas. In some folklore these lights are attributed to spirits or fairies and are often ascribed the menacing motive of luring travelers away from safe paths.

One potential explanation for these lights is the combustion of natural gases. Swamps play host to lots of decaying matter, and this decomposition leads to the release of many gases, including methane. It’s thought that methane, in combination with the perfect amount of other gases, may ignite in the air, causing these small floating lights to appear for short periods of time. So there are likely no goblins in the swamp, just some really cool chemistry.

 

5. Butterflies and Witches

This last one doesn’t fit as neatly into the list, as tales about witches don’t originate from butterflies. In fact, the relationship might go the other way.

If you’ve stopped to think about it, you may have realized that “butterfly” is an interesting name choice. What do these insects have to do with butter? The origin of the word is not known for certain, but one explanation turns to witches. It is said that people once believed witches could turn themselves into butterflies and would steal milk and butter in this new flying form.

There are many more fascinating tales about creatures from myth and lore, but our real-life animal neighbors are just as exciting! Visit CNC this fall to meet these animals, hear their stories, and explore a world of Wings, Scales, and Tails.

Kingsnake Laying Eggs at CNC

Urban Kings: Project Update

The Dangers of Landscape Netting in your Garden

By Samantha Kennett, Wildlife Technician at CNC
July 28, 2020

On June 26, 2020, technicians for the Urban Kings Project received a call from a concerned community member. They were excited to report the Kingsnake they’d found in their yard, but troubled by the fact that it was trapped in plastic landscape netting.



This individual was rushed to the Chattahoochee Nature Center Wildlife Rehabilitation Clinic to remove the netting and assess the deep wounds created by the rubbing and constriction of the plastic netting. Upon further examination, it was determined that this snake was not only female, but gravid and full of eggs.

X-ray taken of CNC rehab case 20-0111. Notice the misshapen egg that was constricted by the plastic netting.

She was continuously monitored for any change in her condition while both CNC and the Urban Kings Team remained hopeful that she would survive laying her eggs. After 11 patient days, Kingsnake 20-0111 laid all 17 of her eggs successfully. Upon the writing of this article, her condition is continuing to improve at CNC’s wildlife clinic while her eggs are being carefully incubated by the Urban Kings team to ensure the best chance of hatch success.

Kingsnake 20-0111 safely laying her eggs at the CNC Wildlife Clinic.

For this Kingsnake, her story has a happy ending. However, this is not always the case. This year alone, the Urban Kings team has received no fewer than a dozen reports of Kingsnakes stuck in plastic landscape netting, and Kingsnakes aren’t alone. This material is a death sentence for any snake if undiscovered, especially in these intense Georgia summers. Small mammals, birds, and sometimes even deer can fall trap to this garden protecting material. Just this month, CNC’s wildlife clinic received a Red-bellied Woodpecker whose neck and feet were ensnared in the netting.

Red-bellied woodpecker brought to CNC tangled in plastic landscape netting.

This material is often used for large-scale erosion control as well as small-scale application in protecting produce and plants in backyard gardens. As you make plans to protect your garden from birds and deer this summer, consider looking into alternative options. One alternative is an insect mesh which has significantly smaller holes so that snakes and birds are less likely to get stuck. There is ongoing research in erosion control blankets to find better and cost-effective solutions to this human-wildlife conflict.

If you’re out getting your nature on and you find an animal trapped in landscape netting, please contact the CNC Wildlife Clinic immediately at 770-992-2055 ext. 239. If your trapped animal happens to be a Kingsnake, please contact the Urban Kings Project at the contact information below.

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