Elachee Spring Education Program Guide. Click here to view.
In order to better serve our teachers and also preserve our natural resources, our new program guide is available here online. If you prefer a printed copy, please call us at 770-535-1976. Our trained staff is always excited to instruct students in a variety of topics including aquatic life, geology, astronomy, animals, botany, weather, energy, archaeology and even language arts. Our most requested program, Habitat is Home, explores the native terrain, plants, and animals of Georgia. Other popular programs include Seeing Stars, using our portable planetarium; Elachee Rocks, investigating Georgia's rocks and minerals; and our new energy program which identifies different kinds of energy through hands-on activities performed by the students. You can check out our many types of education programs here or go directly to the Spring 08 Program Guide.

Volunteer Trail Stewards Wanted.
If you are a regular hiker here or would just like to spend time outside in a beautiful setting, please consider joining our Trail Stewards program. You can assist Elachee by providing a valuable service to our visitors while enjoying the Chicopee Woods. Volunteer Trail Stewards will hike the trails for 1-4 hours per week and/or be present at trail heads to greet visitors. Elachee will train Trail Stewards to provide trail and Nature Center information, record important visitor and trail data, and perform light trail maintenance. Learn more here or call for details and to sign up. Thanks to REI for supporting this program - learn more about them here at www.rei.com.

The Chicopee Woods Weed Management Area (CWMA) was inaugurated with a signing ceremony at the Watershed Stakeholders Meeting in October. The first Weed Management area in the southeast, the partnership will allow cooperation in identifying and controlling exotic invasive plants across political boundaries. Partners in the CWMA include the Chicopee Woods Park Commission, City of Gainesville, Hall County, GA Forestry Commission, Hall County Soil and Water Conservation, and the Georgia Exotic Pest Plant Council (GAEPPC). The partners signed a Memorandum of Understanding agreeing to work together for education, detection, mapping, controlling and preventing the spread of exotic invasive plant species within the watershed. Learn more about Georgia's Exotic Pest Plants at the Council site: http://www.gaeppc.org/.

Elachee's Weed Warriors.
In conjunction with the CWMA listed above, Elachee’s Volunteer Weed Warriors program began this fall. 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. 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! If you are interested in becoming a Weed Warrior please call 770-535-1976 or email preserve@elachee.org. Learn more here.

ViewSpace. Thanks to the North Georgia Community Foundation, this new addition to the Astronomy Hall allows us to see the latest images and information in astronomy and earth science. This self-updating exhibit from the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) provides awesome high resolution images of earth from the Hubble Telescope orbiting around us, celestial tours of other planets and subjects in the universe, and updates from telescopes, satellites, orbiters and rovers traveling throughout the universe. Elachee's presentation of these amazing images is funded through a grant from the North Georgia Community Foundation. Learn more here.

Flights of Fancy Benefit Auction.
Friday, May 9th, 2008, 6-9pm.
Enjoy a casual spring evening with light dinner fare, beverage bar, live jazz sounds, and an auction of unique bird-themed creations for your yard and home donated by local artists and Elachee friends. Both functional and whimsical bird houses, bird feeders, bird baths, planters, garden decorations, yard art, and gift baskets will be available to take home by the lucky bid winners. Proceeds benefit both Elachee's education programs for children and conservation efforts in the Preserve. Tickets $30 per person in advance. Call for reservations. Learn more here.

Elachee's Spring Pre-Order Plant Sale Pickup.
Tuesday, April 29th, 1-6pm.
For those who have plants in the order that was not recieved last week, you can pick them up on Tuesday from 1-6pm. Thanks for your patience and please call if there is a question about obtaining your order. If you missed the chance to order, you may find some varieties available for purchase in our surplus section. Learn more about the plant sale here.

Backyard Conservation Workshops.
Saturdays - March 22nd, April 12th, May 10th; 10am - Noon.
Composting 10-11am, Rain & Water Collection 11am - noon.
Learn the basics of composting as a way to dipose of your leaves and yard material while building rich soil for your garden. Then explore ways to capture and store rain water with barrels and cisterns for reuse around your home including the creation of a rain garden. Funded by a grant from the city of Gainesville, these workshops are free to local residents. Call to register.

Archaeology Day.
Saturday, May 10th, 10am - 4pm. (Date changed from May 3rd)
Ever wonder what archaeologists do? Have an artifact you would like identified? Find out the answers at this free program sponsored by the Georgia Mountains Archaeology Society. Discover how they investigate previous cultures that lived here in Georgia. See real artifacts, bring your own to be identified, and learn about archaeology in Georgia. This program is free and the museum center is open Saturday 10am-5pm with an admission of $5 for adults, $3 for children 2-12, and free for Elachee members and children under 2.

Stars Over Elachee. Fridays & Saturdays, at Dusk. May 9th & 10th.
If you like stargazing come to our evening programs and learn to use a star chart and telescope to view stars, planets and constellations in the night sky. Programs begin just before dark. Pre-registration is required due to limited space available. Call 770-535-1976 for reservations, fees, and exact program times. Don't forget to bring your flashlight and a pencil. Learn more at the astronomy hall. If you want to stargaze at home you can download the current star chart.

Elachee Summer Day Camp.
May 27 - August 1st, 9am - 2pm.
Extended care is available for an additional fee.
PreK, Elementary, and Middle School.
Our popular fun and educational day camp offers weekly sessions with experienced staff, excellent child-to-staff ratios, traditional camp activities and inquiry-based learning in the beautiful Chicopee Woods. Campers enjoy woodland hikes, creek exploration and play, crafts, games, visits with live animals, and presentations from guest educators. Fun themes include water, rocks, creepy critters, animals, energy, nature art and thinking green. Middle school campers can explore the woods with career professionals, learn GPS and orienteering skills, and mountain bike with SORBA (Southern OffRoad Biking Association). Pre-registration is required. Registration can be done by phone, mail or online. Learn more here.

Walnut Creek gets revitalized! As part of our ongoing efforts to ensure the health and biodiversity of the preserve, Walnut Creek is being restored as part of Elachee's 319(h) Watershed Restoration Grant, funded by the U. S. EPA through the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Division. Over the years, storm water runoff has eroded the banks and altered the original stream habitats. New structures installed in and around the creek force water to flow to the center which reduces stress on the banks, limits erosion, and recreates the natural habitats of the creek which provide homes to a variety of stream critters. Plantings will help with stabilization and to restore the flora of the area.

Inspired by Nature - Safari Benefit Dinner and Auction.
Saturday, October 6th, 2007, 6-11pm.
Many, many thanks to all who contributed to making our annual fall fundraiser an astounding success with a casual evening of cocktails, dinner, music, and live and silent auctions. Fantastic packages of artwork, memorabilia, trips, and unique items were taken home by the lucky winners of the bidding wars. The proceeds benefit Elachee's environmental education programs and conservation efforts in the Preserve. Thanks to all the guests and volunteers who donated funds and items, volunteered their time, and purchased a wide variety of auction packages. Click here for a total list of donors. We also extend a big thank you to all our special sponsors! To learn more about the 2007 event click here.

El Centro Elachee de Naturaleza y Ciencia.
Las Horas de operación: El Lunes – El Sábado, 10AM-5PM.
Admissión: $5 para los adultos; $3 para los niños que tienen dos hasta doce años; gratis para los infantes que tienen menor de dos años.
Sabe más de Elachee en español aquí.