Lessons from the Cherokee

2009-10 Education Program Guide Now Available!
Our naturalist staff is always excited to instruct students in a variety of topics including animals, plants, geology, astronomy, weather, energy, aquatic life, archaeology and language arts.

Our most requested program, Seeing Stars uses our portable planetarium to teach about stars, constellations, and seasons. Other popular programs include Habitat is Home, exploring Georgia's native terrain, plants, and animals; Elachee Rocks, an investigation of Georgia's rocks and minerals; and Lessons from the Cherokee, exploring the
culture and contributions of this Georgia tribe. See our education programs page or go to the Program Guide.

Elachee Receives River Educator Award
Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper honored Elachee with the River Educator Award for their vital partnership in the highly successful floating classroom program, which has served nearly 20,000 children since 2000.

This unique program provides hands-on examination of watersheds aboard the 42 foot Chota Princess II pontoon boat. Students sample plankton, sediments, turbidity, pH, & dissolved oxygen levels on Lake Lanier, Georgia's most important reservoir.

2009 Annual Report Now Available
Elachee's Annual Program Report contains a 30-year retrospective of Elachee's programs, accomplishment highlights from June 2008-May 2009, a financial report, and list of donors to the Annual Education Fund. To view the full report click here.

Elachee Receives American Association of Museums, Museum Assessment Program Grant for the Chicopee Woods Nature Preserve.

Elachee will use the MAP grant to review and update natural resource management plans for the Preserve, develop plans for monitoring rare and endangered plant species, and to introduce the public to Elachee's management of the Preserve.

Temperature

First Saturday Hikes
March 6th Signs of Spring, April 3rd Wildflowers.

Explore native plants and animals of Chicopee Woods on a naturalist guided hike. Great for families, scouts, and others. Program Fee: Adults, $5; Ages  2-12, $3; Under age 2 and Elachee members free.

Stars Over Elachee
Saturday, February 20th, Sat, March 20th, Sun, March 21st, Sun, April 18th. Program begins at Dusk.
At our evening program stargazers learn to use a star chart and telescope to view stars, planets and constellations in the night sky. Bring a pencil and flashlight. Recommended for children 8 and above.
Pre-registration is required due to limited space available. Call 770-535-1976 for reservations and program times. Program fee: Adults $10, Children 2-12 $5, Members Free.
To stargaze at home, download the current star chart.

Earth Day at Elachee
Saturday, April 17th, 10am-1pm.
Celebrate our planet and its wonders with outdoor exploration, activities, demonstrations and a lot of fun!
Participate in guided hikes, recycled crafts, and learning about our natural world through live animal and nature discovery programs, and a special orienteering program. Join Elachee staff and volunteers in a habitat restoration project on Walnut Creek. Admission: Adults $5, Children 2-12 $3, Members free.

Pre-Order Spring Plant Sale
Plant List Available April 1st,
Order by April 16th,
Pick-up April 29th noon-6pm.

Pre-order fantastic native plants that will create a garden of color later this spring and summer!
Selections include high quality, drought resistant wildflowers, perennials, native azaleas and woody shrubs that attract butterflies, birds and wildlife.
Call to receive a list and order form.

Georgia Master Naturalist Program
Weekly sessions:April 13th - May 25th, 12:30-5pm.
Join Elachee Staff and invited speakers for a hands-on program that explores habitats and ecosystems in Georgia. The program is a combination of lecture and outside learning in the Chicopee Woods, plus field trips to other locations. Topics include: geology, stream life, spring wildflowers, animals, tree identification, and much more!
After completing this program, Georgia Master Naturalists are encouraged to share their knowledge with their communities by volunteering as trail guides or trail stewards at Elachee.
Program fee: $125 for all sessions plus 4 field trips (dates to be determined). Must be 18 or older to participate. Call for details and to pre-register. View Flyer

Flights of Fancy Benefit Auction
Friday, May 7th, 6-9pm.

Enjoy a casual evening featuring hors d'oeuvres, wine and other beverages, jazz music, and a unique silent auction of "flighty" garden items, bird houses, and truly unique yard art created by local artists, notables, and Elachee friends. Proceeds benefit Elachee's education programs for children and conservation efforts in the Nature Preserve. Call for details and reservations.

Chicopee Woods Trillium Trek
Saturday, May 15, 2010.
Pre-Event Training Clinics:
Saturdays: March 20th & 27th, and April 17th & 24th, 10am-1pm.
This inaugural event promises to be a unique challenge of endurance, skill, knowledge, and teamwork. Three or four person, coed teams will run, bike, hike, orienteer, and identify Georgia flora and fauna as they traverse the 13-mile course through the Chicopee Woods. Proceeds support Elachee's mission of environmental education and conservation.

Click here for more details or to register.

Home School Programs- Sept 2009 - May 2010
Home schooled students can join us the first Wednesday of each month for a 2 hour hands-on science program. A different topic is featured each month. Classes run from 1:30 - 3:30.

Pre-registration is required. Access this year's schedule, policies, and registration form online.
Call 770-535-1976 now to reserve your space.

Elachee's Weed Warriors.
We need "Weed Warriors" to assist in our efforts to control these pesky invaders and protect the preserve for the survival of our native species. A great opportunity for groups and scouts!

Volunteers are trained to identify exotic invasive plants that are a problem in the Preserve, then map infestations or work to control these pest plants.
If becoming a Weed Warrior interests you, please call 770-535-1976 or email preserve@elachee.org. Learn more here.

Volunteer Trail Stewards Wanted.
If you are a regular hiker here or would like to spend time outside in a beautiful setting, consider joining our Trail Stewards program.

Volunteer Trail Stewards hike the trails for 1-4 hours per week and/or are present at trail heads to greet visitors. Stewards are trained to provide trail and Nature Center information, record important visitor and trail data, and perform light trail maintenance. Call for details and to sign up.
Thanks to REI for supporting this program - learn more about them at www.rei.com.

Elachee celebrated 30 years of environmental education and conservation in 2009!
The year started with the production of a commemorative desk calendar highlighting important milestones in our history.
Later in the year, we unveiled a new logo and an updated mission statement. In September, Elachee was given special coverage in The Times detailing our 30 year history. Click Here to view full article.
The celebration culminated in a reunion in October for Elachee's past presidents sponsored by Rushton and Company.

El Centro Elachee de Naturaleza y Ciencia.
Las Horas de operación del Centro durante la primavera:
Lunes - Viernes 10am - 2pm, Sábados 10am - 5pm, Domingos cerrados.
Horas de la oficina de la administración: Lunes - Viernes 9am - 5 pm.
Admisión: $5 para los adultos; $3 para los niños que tienen dos hasta doce años; gratis para los infantes menor de dos años.
Sabe más de Elachee en español aquí.