About Tracy Begley

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Eagle Scout Music 1

The Musical Sounds of Nature

Recycled Materials Spark Imagination

Anthony Hoots, Eagle Scout Troop 433

Anthony Hoots is an upcoming Eagle Scout from Troop 433. Anthony had the wonderful opportunity to complete his Eagle Scout project at Chattahoochee Nature Center. His team of volunteers constructed a series of outdoor musical instruments that embody the sounds and visuals of nature. He designed these instruments to be accessible to a variety of ages and skill levels, from young toddlers to experienced musicians. Anthony hope that these instruments will provide joy to those who use them or even inspire a new musician.

The first instrument he developed, and his personal favorite, was the ‘Log Drums’ which consists of 6 PVC pipes attached to a wooden base. He fine-tuned each pipe to a specific frequency by trimming the pipes to the calculated length in order to create an arrangement of notes called the pentatonic scale. He chose this scale because it generally sounds pleasant no matter the notes played, meaning that prior musical knowledge is not necessary to play these instruments. He used the same scale and led a similar procedure to construct the ‘Chimes’ which are made of copper pipes. Both of these instruments come with attached mallets that can easily be used to play the instruments.

The other instruments in this series resemble animals, specifically the frogs and woodpeckers. The ‘Frog Guiros’ rest on a lily pad stand with attached mallets that you can drag across the grooved surface of the hollow frogs to create a croaking noise. The woodpeckers rest on a wood post, where you can pull the attached wire up and down for the woodpeckers to strike the wood.

Before he installed the final instruments at the CNC, Anthony recorded a demonstration of all these instruments in his backyard. Consider checking out the video to hear and see the instruments in action!

Fortunately, Anthony was able to primarily use recycled materials for this project. Anthony commented that, “It is amazing to see how sketches on paper and old lumber from our home renovation project have transformed into tangible musical instruments at CNC.” If you would like to try the instruments out yourself, come visit Chattahoochee Nature Center and head down to the Free Play Area!

600 x 400 Member Pond Study 2025

CNC Members “Dig Deep” to Discover What’s Below the Surface

Amy Meeker-Taylor, Member and Donor Engagement Manager

On Sunday, March 9, CNC Members rolled up their sleeves and pulled on their boots to discover what’s thriving at the bottom of Kingfisher Pond. After a brief introduction, members utilized some of the same tools used by field biologists to scoop the detritus (decomposing plant matter) from the bottom of the pond and look for aquatic macroinvertebrates.

Macroinvertebrates include aquatic insects in their larval stage, snails, worms, crayfish, and clams; their presence or absence can help us determine the quality of the water. Our goal was to find various macroinvertebrates, including some that cannot survive in polluted water.  Our finds included both dragonfly and damselfly larvae, aquatic sowbugs, aquatic worms, and snails.

After the experience, each member family took home a mini pond study kit to encourage them to continue exploring water quality in their community.

CNC is committed to providing curated members-only experiences that help us advance our mission to connect people with nature. Become a member today!

Discover similar activities available during our spring exhibit, Eco Tinker, where you can learn all about the river, what habitats it creates, the resources it provides, and the many stakeholders involved through six interactive stations.

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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

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