Learn with Elachee
The First and Only SACS/Cognia-accredited Nature Center in the Southeastern United States
The First and Only SACS/Cognia-accredited Nature Center in the Southeastern United States
Elachee is a trusted partner offering supplemental instruction that supports educators’ work in the classroom.
STEAM-based environmental experiences enable children and youth to interact with the natural world, while supporting social-emotional learning and the needs of the whole child.
Elachee reinforces GSE expectations with curricula to address life, earth and physical science, lake ecology and English language arts.
During an Elachee field trip, students will explore and learn about the plants, animals and natural systems of the 1,440-acre Chicopee Woods Nature Preserve.
Most field trips to Elachee Nature Science Center have two elements. We combine a classroom presentation with an interpretive hike in the Chicopee Woods, or other complementary outdoor activities. However, some programs are entirely outdoors.
Cognitive Benefits, Student Engagement and STEAM Career Interest
Climb aboard the Lake Lanier Aquatic Learning Center (LLALC) floating classroom, Chota Princess II. Elachee instructors will guide students in a hands-on exploration of the history, ecology and challenges facing Lake Sidney Lanier. On shore, Elachee instructors engage students in related watershed activities.
Invite Elachee’s travel-tested instructors to bring exciting environmental education programming to you* if a field trip to Elachee is not possible.
Transform your media center, gymnasium, classroom or an outdoor classroom with one of Elachee’s popular outreach programs.
*Elachee is unable to schedule outreach programs in locations that require more than 1 hour in travel or exceed 60 miles from our campus.
An Elachee field trip is a must-do for:
Home school students in PreK to 5th Grade may participate in a fee-based classroom lesson and guided hike with an Elachee teaching naturalist.
Fall/Winter 2022 Monthly Course Schedule REGISTER
Earth and Space Science
Life Science
Earth and Space Science
Life Science
Interdisciplinary
Aquatic Studies
Earth and Space Science
Life Science
Aquatic Studies
Earth and Space Science
Life Science
Physical Science
Aquatic Studies
Life Science
For the health of our community and to protect those most vulnerable in our lives, Elachee recommends that all visitors follow CDC guidance with regard to wearing masks.
If your group has additional COVID-19 requirements, please discuss with the registrar at the time of booking.
Explore local habitats and ecosystems in the Georgia Master Naturalist Program at Elachee Nature Science Center.
The 12-session semester course (40 hours) combines indoor lectures with outdoor field experiences.
Participants receive valuable opportunities to interact with and ask questions of experts in various fields of Georgia ecology, as well as develop new relationships with peers who share the same interests.
Topics
The Winter 2023 Georgia Master Naturalist Program will be in-person programming only. Due to the hands-on nature of the classes, there will be no online, recorded or virtual options offered for this course.
If you experience COVID-19 symptoms or are exposed, please do not attend the class until the appropriate quarantine period is satisfied. For the health of our community and to protect those most vulnerable in our lives, Elachee recommends that all visitors follow CDC guidance with regard to wearing masks.
*Minors must be accompanied by an adult who is also a registered participant in this course.
The Georgia Master Naturalist program, developed and overseen by The University of Georgia Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, is a series of classes focusing on various environmental topics, from basic ecology and hydrology to native plants.
This program is designed for individuals 16 and over. By creating positive and valuable adult learning experiences in a structured, but informal setting, Elachee strives for all participants in the course to learn more about their local environments, how to be better stewards of those environments, and then to share the knowledge gained with their families and communities.
There is no certification test at the end of the program, and no volunteer hours are required. Participants receive a certificate of completion at the end of the course, which connotes their participation.
Elachee welcomes regional experts to present on themed topics to engage the community in environmental education and discussion.
We offer either Liquid Learning sessions where we go to a host location in the community, as well as virtual sessions that reach interested participants from around the globe!
VIDEO: Geology and Geochemistry of Chicopee Woods with guest presenters from The University of North Georgia
Elachee’s 2022 Science Nights program series is presented by Northside Hospital, and sponsored by New Urban Forestry, David Eisner and Adrienne Lloyd.
Registration required for Virtual* programs to receive the online meeting login credentials.
Amphibian Research
Guest Speaker: The Amphibian Foundation Research Team
Host Location: Cork It! Wine & Charcuterie
Program Time: 6-7 p.m.
Backyard Wildlife
Guest Speaker: Kathy Church, Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division
ZOOM Presentation: 7-8 p.m.
Fire Ecology
Guest Speaker: Nick DiLuzio, Georgia Forestry Foundation
Host Location: Left Nut Brewing Company
Program Time: 6-7 p.m.
Growing Food Communities, not Islands
Guest Speaker: Andrew Linker, Georgia Mountains Farmers Network
ZOOM Presentation: 7-8 p.m.
Starlab and Telescopes
Elachee Teaching Naturalists
Host Location: Elachee Nature Science Center
Program Time: 6-8 p.m.
Each 2nd Saturday, Elachee hosts public education programs that reinforce monthly environmental focuses here at the Nature Center.
Also featured at Discovery Saturdays are the family-friendly Live Animal Showcases. Each session is 45 minutes. Showcases take place at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Visit the Elachee calendar for scheduled programming and any registration requirements.
Learn to set up and use a telescope. Then, embark on a guided tour of the night sky to see the first quarter moon and bright seasonal stars.
This astronomy education program is most meaningful for adults and children ages 8 and older.
Chicopee Lake
2100 Calvary Church Road
Gainesville, GA 30507
Reserve a Telescope/Program Fee: $30
NEW FOR 2022 Bring Your Own Telescope/Program Fee: $15
NOTE: This program is weather-dependent. If skies are not clear enough for the telescope program, Elachee will instead conduct an indoor astronomy program in the STARLAB portable planetarium. Registered participants will be notified by email no later than noon, the Friday before the scheduled program.
