The Elachee Visitor Center will be closed December 24, 25, 26, 31 and January 1 for the holidays. The Chicopee Woods Hiking Trails will remain open daily.

Elachee Ecosystem

Stewardship

In Action

 

Elachee promotes environmental understanding through education and conservation by getting children outside, by creating bridges between people and nature, and by caring for Chicopee Woods so that it is accessible to our community now and into the future.

Elachee History

Founded in 1978 by five Gainesville women, the not-for-profit Elachee Nature Science Center has been instrumental in building environmental literacy for Georgians of all ages.

Elachee Through the Years

Vision for Sustainability

Elachee seeks to instill an appreciation, understanding and concern for the natural world by fostering an interest in personal commitment to preserving our natural resources and the environment for future generations to enjoy.

Elachee will become a national, model environmental education center of excellence building an environmentally literate society capable of sustaining a healthy world for all living things by:

  • Integrating environmental education into all learning,
  • Offering substantive programs and exhibits,
  • Reaching larger, diverse audiences, and
  • Managing the Chicopee Woods Nature Preserve.

Our Team

Executive Leadership

Sarah Bell
Elachee President/CEO

Elachee Board of Trustees
  • Rick Boyd, Chair, Board of Trustees
  • Bill Rhoads, Vice-Chair, Board of Trustees
  • Scott Collison, Treasurer, Board of Trustees
  • Brian Whalen, Secretary, Board of Trustees
  • Jason Everett, Immediate Past Chair, Board of Trust
  • Brad Abernathy, Trustee
  • Phil Bonelli, Trustee
  • Anna Hester, Trustee
  • Sheetal Mangalat, Trustee
  • Chris Romberg, Trustee
  • Steven Smith, Trustee
  • Dixie Truelove, Trustee
  • Kelvin Whisenhunt, Trustee
  • Mandi Whiting, Trustee
  • Trey Wood, Trustee

Trustees Emeritus

  • Steve Gilliam, Trustee Emeritus
  • John Girardeau, Trustee Emeritus
  • Jock Hornor, Trustee Emeritus
  • Gale McKibbon, Trustee Emeritus
  • R.K. Whitehead, Trustee Emeritus
Administration
  • Amy Bradford, Director of Operations
  • Darrell Dollar, Facilities Manager
  • Samantha Fricks, Programs & Events Manager
  • Kristin Love, Director of Natural Resources & Conservation
  • Kim Marks, Director of Development
  • Maranda Martin, Director of School & Public Programs
  • Alison Thompson, Field Trips & Custom Programs Manager
  • Katie Wiese, Environmental Educator
Naturalists
  • Leanne Alexander, Naturalist
  • Greg Bryant, Naturalist
  • Gretchen Cox, Naturalist
  • Nicole Echols, Naturalist
  • Kim Grennan, Naturalist
  • Emily Jennings, Naturalist
  • Don Lane, Naturalist
  • Laurin Peacock, Naturalist
  • Liz Phillips, Naturalist
  • Norma Rainwater, Naturalist
  • Amanda Reding, Naturalist
  • Eugene Redmon, Naturalist
  • Jamie Riddle, Naturalist
  • Alex Romeo, Naturalist
  • Valarie Shoulta, Naturalist
  • Kathy Walters, Naturalist
  • Robert Webb, Naturalist
  • Erin Woodsmall, Naturalist
Elachee Nature Academy (ENA)
  • Katiee Buffington, ENA Educator
  • Leslie Rae Carswell, ENA Educator
  • Graham Gilley, ENA Educator
  • Angie Pelletier, ENA Educator
  • Katie Skelton, ENA Educator and Curriculum Coordinator
  • Chris Taylor, ENA Educator

Elachee Membership

Join Us

As a Member

 

Enjoy access to nature through public environmental education programming and Elachee attractions.

Become an Elachee Member

Membership Levels and Benefits

MEMBERSHIP CHART: At a Glance

$75 = Individual Explorer (1 Adult)

  • 1 Year Membership* Fee
  • FREE General Admission to Elachee
  • DISCOUNTED Program Fees/Admission on Select Elachee Happenings
  • Member-only Advance Notifications
  • 1 Annual Parking Pass
    Issued by the Chicopee Woods Area Park Commission
  • Free or Discounted Admission to ANCA Member Nature Centers

$125 = Dual Explorer (2 Adults or 1 Adult + 1 Child)

  • 2 Annual Parking Passes
  • PLUS all other Individual Explorer Membership Benefits (see above)

$200 = Family Adventurer (2 Adults and up to 4 Children)

  • Camp Elachee Member-only Early Registration
  • Camp Elachee 10% Registration Discount
  • 4 Single-use Guest Passes for Free Admission to Elachee and select Elachee Happenings
  • PLUS all other Dual Explorer Membership Benefits (see above)

$500 = Elachee Patron (2 Adults and up to 4 Children)

  • 8 Single-use Guest Passes for Free Admission to Elachee and select Elachee Happenings
  • PLUS all other Family Adventurer Membership Benefits (see above)

*Memberships are non-transferable, non-refundable and valid only for the individuals listed on the Membership Card.

**The amount of a contribution that is deductible for Federal income tax purposes is limited to the excess of the amount paid reduced by the value of any goods and services provided in return by Elachee Nature Science Center a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, TAX ID #58-1643768. Refer to IRS Publication 526 or consult your tax advisor for assistance determining what, if any portion of your payment may be tax deductible.

Volunteer

Volunteers are a vital part of Elachee’s rich history and daily operations.

Ready

To Make a Difference?

 

Click below to apply for a volunteer project and become an integral part of the Elachee Nature Science Center community. 

Administrative Support 

Animal Care

Educational Field Trip Support

Grounds Crew

Trail Crew

Elachee volunteers must be 18 or older, and some placements require a background check. After reviewing your application, our staff will be in touch with next steps. If you are a member of a corporate group and have a specific task in mind, please email deb.deroche@elachee.org. We can’t wait to welcome you to our family! 

Elachee Careers

Check back soon for new opportunities.

Elachee Nature Science Center is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits any discrimination on the basis of race, sex, creed, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, age, disability, marital status, family responsibilities or sexual orientation.