Welcome to Elachee Nature Science Center

2009-2010 Education Programs
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.

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.

Georgia Master Naturalist Program
Weekly sessions: August 17th- October 19th, 1-5:30pm.
Field Trip October 16th 9am-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 hiking in the Chicopee Woods, plus field trips to other locations. Topics include: geology, stream life, fall wildflowers, animals, tree identification, and much more!
Program fee: $160 for all 10 sessions plus 1-day field trip. Must be 18 or older to participate. Call for details and to pre-register. View/Print Flyer.

First Saturday Hikes
July 3rd Young Woodland Animals, September 4th Reptiles & Amphibians
10am-11:30am
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.

Elachee's Volunteer Trail Crew
Saturdays 10am-3pm: July 10th,
August 7th Annual Tool Clean-up Day 9am-1pm
Join us as we work to improve Elachee's Trails!
The work we do varies: digging new trail, building bridges & steps, repairing eroded trails – but we always have fun! Tools & training provided. Bring water, lunch, & gloves. Children under 8-18 yrs old are welcome, but must be accompanied by an adult. This is a great way for families to volunteer and help maintain Elachee's Trails! Meeting locations vary- Call for information and to register.

Stars Over Elachee at Chicopee Lake
Saturday, August 14th, 8:00-10:00pm
Learn about astronomy and how to use a telescope to view the night sky. You'll receive an observation log and star chart to assist in seeing constellations, stars, planets, and possibly moon craters and Apollo landing sites. For adults age 8 and up. Bring a flashlight and pencil. Space is limited, reservations required. Call to register and reserve a telescope. View/print current star chart.
Program fee: Adults, $10; Ages 2-12, $5; Elachee members free.

Volunteer Trail Stewards Wanted.
Training Thursday, July 15th, 5:30-6:30pm.

If you are a regular hiker here or would like to spend time outside in a beautiful setting, consider joining our Trail Stewards program.
Trail Stewards hike the trails each 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.
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Elachee's Weed Warriors.
Weed Warriors assist in our efforts to control pesky exotic invader plants 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 work to control these pest plants. Call for details.

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.

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.

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	About Elachee Education Programs Public Programs Museum Nature Preserve Nature Trails Camp Elachee Calendar of Events Nature Shop Volunteer Facility Rental Employment Membership Directions	Welcome to Elachee Nature Science Center Our mission: To promote environmental understanding through education and conservation.			Museum Hours Monday - Saturday 10am- 5pm Admission Adults: $5 Children 2-12: $3 Under age 2: Free Members: Free Hiking Trails Hours: 8am - Dusk Fee: Free Dogs: must be leashed, not permitted: Monday - Friday 9am-3pm
			Elachee, one of the premier nature centers in Georgia, provides environmental education and science programs in the form of school field trips for students and also as workshops, camps, and events for the general public. Elachee's sprawling campus, located in North Georgia, consists of a woodland refuge and an interactive museum that will excite and educate visitors of all ages. We invite you to visit and enjoy the museum and nature preserve or participate in our SACS-accredited educational programs for schools and groups which are designed to be engaging, educational, and memorable. Your visit may include a stop at our live animal exhibits and the native plant garden at the entrance to the Center. Surrounding the Center is the 1,500 acre Chicopee Woods Nature Preserve laced with over 13 miles of nature trails. This large protected area with diverse habitats provides an ideal outdoor classroom, and a plant and animal sanctuary. 2125 Elachee Drive, Gainesville, GA 30504 . 770-535-1976 . Fax 770-535-2302

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				2009-2010 Education Programs 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.		What is the weather like at Elachee? Elachee's Weather Page Get detailed forecasts, charts & graphs Provided by a grant from The Shirley Family Foundation.


				Mary Stanford receives 2010 *Robbie McCormac* *Volunteer Service Award.* Mary has been a committee member for Safari, Elachee's largest fundraising event, for a number of years, and has served as chair/co-chair for this important function for the last five - a gargantuan task! Many thanks to Mary and all of Elachee’s wonderful, hard-working, and dedicated volunteers. We simply could not do without you!
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				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.		l Check Out Elachee on Facebook!

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Camp Elachee is fun!				Still Time To Sign-Up for Summer Camp at Elachee! through August 6th, 9am-2pm elementary & middle school camps, 9am-12 pre-K camp Each week of camp blends traditional outdoor camp activities & inquiry-based learning. The pace is slow and child-friendly. Campers study nature while walking trails, wading in creeks, creating crafts, & singing songs. You can see the fun themes and activities that are planned by looking at our 2010 Camp Brochure. Register online, by phone or mail.
1st Wednesday Homeschool Education Program				Elachee’s First Wednesday Home School Education Program –Preview Day, Wednesday, July 28th, 11:00am – 1:00 pm. Visit Elachee to see what our First Wednesday Home School Program series is all about. Tour the buildings, take a guided hike on the trails, visit the live animal room, and talk to the Education Director and Program Manager about the series which runs August 4th-May 4th, 1:30-3:30pm. You can register for the upcoming year or the first semester that day. 10 session program year: $75 per student, $35 per parent; 5 session semester: $50 per student, $25 per parent. More Information or View/Print Registration Form
NEW Jr. Master Naturalist Program				Elachee's Junior Master Naturalist Program Wednesdays, August 4th-May 4th, 1:30-3:30pm. NEW Program for rising 6th-12th grade home school students. Learn teaching skills while studying a variety of science topics in the Chicopee Woods & other sites in northeast GA. Staff & visiting experts will provide instruction & additional resources. Participants are encouraged to volunteer upon completion of the program. Program fee: $75 for the entire series. More Information or View/Print Registration Form
GA Master Naturalist Program				Georgia Master Naturalist Program Weekly sessions: August 17th- October 19th, 1-5:30pm. Field Trip October 16th 9am-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 hiking in the Chicopee Woods, plus field trips to other locations. Topics include: geology, stream life, fall wildflowers, animals, tree identification, and much more! Program fee: $160 for all 10 sessions plus 1-day field trip. Must be 18 or older to participate. Call for details and to pre-register. View/Print Flyer.
Naturalist Led Hike				First Saturday Hikes July 3rd Young Woodland Animals, September 4th Reptiles & Amphibians 10am-11:30am 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.
Volunteer Trail Crew				Elachee's Volunteer Trail Crew Saturdays 10am-3pm: July 10th, August 7th Annual Tool Clean-up Day 9am-1pm Join us as we work to improve Elachee's Trails! The work we do varies: digging new trail, building bridges & steps, repairing eroded trails – but we always have fun! Tools & training provided. Bring water, lunch, & gloves. Children under 8-18 yrs old are welcome, but must be accompanied by an adult. This is a great way for families to volunteer and help maintain Elachee's Trails! Meeting locations vary- Call for information and to register.
Stars Over Elachee Program				Stars Over Elachee at Chicopee Lake Saturday, August 14th, 8:00-10:00pm Learn about astronomy and how to use a telescope to view the night sky. You'll receive an observation log and star chart to assist in seeing constellations, stars, planets, and possibly moon craters and Apollo landing sites. For adults age 8 and up. Bring a flashlight and pencil. Space is limited, reservations required. Call to register and reserve a telescope. View/print current star chart. Program fee: Adults, $10; Ages 2-12, $5; Elachee members free.
Hiker in the Chicopee Woods				Volunteer Trail Stewards Wanted. Training Thursday, July 15th, 5:30-6:30pm. If you are a regular hiker here or would like to spend time outside in a beautiful setting, consider joining our Trail Stewards program. Trail Stewards hike the trails each 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. .
Alien Plant Invader				Elachee's Weed Warriors. Weed Warriors assist in our efforts to control pesky exotic invader plants 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 work to control these pest plants. Call for details.
E l a c h e e E x t r a s
The Chota Princess II				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.
30 Year Presidents' Reunion				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.
Información de Elachee en español				El Centro Elachee de Naturaleza y Ciencia. Las Horas de operación del Centro: Lunes - Viernes 10am - 5pm, 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.
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Elachee Nature Science Center . 2125 Elachee Drive . Gainesville, Georgia 30504 . Tel 770/535-1976 . Fax 770/535-2302 elachee@elachee.org All content copyright ©1999-2010 ENSC. All rights reserved. Send comments and/or suggestions regarding this site here Last updated July 2010.

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