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 naturalist 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 Gainesville/Hall County Weed Management Area was inaugurated with a signing ceremony at the Watershed Stakeholders Meeting in October. The first Weed Management area in Georgia, 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.

Elachee Summer Day Camp. PreK, Elementary, & Middle School.
Weekly Sessions. May 27 - August 1st, 9am - 2pm.
Extended care is available for an additional fee.
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 Chicopee Woods. Campers enjoy woodland hikes, creek play and exploration, crafts, games, visits with live animals, and presentations from guest educators. Fun themes for the rest of the summer include rocks, and thinking green - a fun week learning about all things 'green' - 'green' animals like bugs, beavers & squirrels, creek adventures, and even making recycled paper. Please call to confirm availability as some fill quickly. Pre-registration is required. Registration can be done by phone, mail or online. Learn more here.

Home School Preview Day.
Wednesday, July 30th, 10am - noon.
Wondering what our home school programs are all about? Home school students and parents can sample our science education programs in this free session about snakes and reptiles. Check out our facility, naturalist staff, and SACS accredited programming. If you wish, bring a picnic lunch for after the program and tour the museum free of charge for the day. Program starts at 10 am so please arrive by 9:45. Registration will be available for our series of Home School programs that begin in August. Check out this year's schedule here.

Home School Programs - August 2008 - May 2009.
Home schooled students can join us the first Wednesday of each month for a 2 hour hands-on science program. A different science topic is featured each month beginning in August with a session about fungus and lichens. Classes run from 1:30 - 3:30. Pre-registration is required. You can sign up for the entire 10 session series at a discounted price or a 5 session semester. Attend our free preview day on Wednesday, July 30th from 10am - noon for a sample program about reptiles and snakes. Access this year's schedule, policies, and a registration form. Call now to reserve your spot - registrations will be taken until August 6th.

Stars Over Elachee. Fridays &/or Saturdays, at Dusk.
Programs will resume Friday, August 8th.
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. Recommended for children 8 and above. 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. Access the other fall dates on our calendar of events. Program fee: Adults $10, Children 2-12 $5, Members Free. If you want to stargaze at home you can download the current star chart.

Backyard Conservation Workshops.
Saturdays - September 6th, October 18th.
Compost - 10-11am, Water Collection - 11am - Noon.
Go green! Explore the recycling of yard materials and rainwater to enhance the beauty and productivity of your gardens. Learn the basics of composting leaves and other debris that can enrich your garden soil. Then investigate ways to use barrels and cisterns to catch and store rainwater for your gardens or create a brand new rain garden.  These workshops are made possible by a grant from the City of Gainesville and are free to local residents, but registration is required. Call to save your spot.

Elachee's Snake Day.
Saturday, September, 13th, 10am - 2pm.
LIVE!! Snakes, lizards, frogs, turtles and big reptiles. Don't miss this chance to see all these creatures up close at our most popular event of the year. See and learn about snakes and reptiles from Georgia and around the world. Expert exhibitors will explain their reptiles' habits, characteristics and importance to our world in addition to answering your questions. Also enjoy guided hikes, facepainting, kids' crafts, and more. Sponsored by Tipton Construction Company. Admission: Adults $5, Children 2-12 $3, Members and under age 2: Free. Learn more here.

Fantastic Fall Plants!
Elachee's Fall Pre-order Plant Sale.
September 15th-30th.
Looking for fantastic fall plants? Need varieties that survive the lack of water? We will be offering late fall bloomers and drought resistant varieties in our selection of native plants available for pre-ordering this fall. Also fiind spring bloomers to brighten your yard next year. Orders will be due by September 30th for pickup on October 15th and 16th. We are currently in the process of selecting available species so check back for our final order list which will be available by September 15th.

Inspired by Nature - Safari Benefit Dinner and Auction.
Saturday, October 4th, 2008, 6-10pm.
Enjoy a casual evening of cocktails, dinner, music, and live and silent auctions. Fantastic packages of artwork, memorabilia, trips, and unique items are available for bidding at the auction. The proceeds benefit Elachee's environmental education programs and conservation efforts in the Preserve. Please call if you would like to donate an item, sponsor a table or purchase tickets. Click here for a total list of last year's donors. We also extend a big thank you to all our special sponsors! To learn more about the 2007 event click here.

Members Only Program - Birds.
Saturday, October 11th, 8-11am.
It's prime time for birds migrating through our area. Join us at Chicopee Lake in the search for the many beautiful avian varieties stopping by here on their trip south. It's also a chance to see and learn about those birds that call our area home all year round. This event is one of the special programs presented each year for our Elachee members. Members please call to save your spot or sign up now for a new membership so you can join the flock.

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.

Flights of Fancy Benefit Auction.
Friday, May 9th, 2008, 6-9pm.
Thanks to all who made this year's Flights of Fancy the best time ever! Guests enjoyed 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 were 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.

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.