Exclusive! Camp with REI in our National Park
REGISTER BEFORE SEPT 2 AND GET A 20% DISCOUNT!
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For the fourth year, Chattahoochee Parks Conservancy (CPC) is offering an exclusive opportunity to camp in the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA) on October 5-6, in partnership with REI. Weekend activities include: a river float (boats provided), mountain biking on a pump track, SUP lessons (boards provided), a low country boil dinner, Terrapin craft beer and other beverages, a campfire, ranger talk, bluegrass music and more!
The Paddle-Camp event will take place at the Abbotts Bridge Unit of the CRNRA near Duluth, a perfect near-to-home location that allows you, your family and friends to enjoy the outdoors without driving for hours to reach your destination. A portion of the event fee will be donated to CPC to support our mission to help our park be the best it can be. Register here today while spots are still available!
New Park Ranger Focuses on Partnerships
Sean Walsh-Haehle had a life-changing experience during college when he went on a national park road-trip. Growing up, he spent a lot of time at a local park in New Jersey, but it was the majesty of Glacier, Yellowstone, Badlands and other big parks that inspired his decision to pursue a career with the National Park Service (NPS). A degree in geography, a stint with a state park, and volunteer work with the Morristown National Historical Park provided the experience needed to get his first job with the NPS at the Blue Ridge Parkway. Subsequent assignments sent Sean to Utah, Grand Tetons (pictured) and ultimately the National Mall, where he served as an interpreter at Ford’s Theater.
Because he’d never worked at a river park, Sean jumped at the chance to join the CRNRA team, as an Interpretive Park Ranger and Partnership Coordinator, and build on his desire to create opportunities for visitors to make intellectual and emotional connections with parks. He says that the biological diversity in our park has already impressed him. The CPC board is impressed with Sean and his enthusiasm to help our friends group. If you see him around the park, make sure to say hello!
Members First for Free Guided Walks
We love our members! That’s why we offer the limited spaces on our free Walk & Talk Series to them first – before opening the events to the general public. This month, geologist Bill Witherspoon will take a group on his popular walk in the CRNRA to talk about rocks. Member registrations filled almost all the spaces within a few days, resulting in a wait-list after the public was invited. Similar enthusiasm was expressed earlier this year for outings offered on spring ephemerals, birds and river paddling.
In October, CPC will present our last event of the year on “forest bathing”: a relatively new practice developed in Japan to lower stress levels by walking and sitting in the forest and relaxing your mind using various techniques. A healthy adventure! Again, members will be notified first when registration opens. Not a CPC member yet? We hope you’ll join here today – not just for these cool outings, but also to help us support our national park with new and upgraded facilities, improved trails, youth education and more. Thank you!
P.S. Got ideas for our 2020 Walk & Talk Series? Send suggestions to info@chattahoocheeparks.org.
Does Dog Poop in the Park Make You Mad?
If the answer to this question is yes, you have lots of company! One of the biggest complaints that we hear from park visitors has to do with the plastic bags of dog poop and piles of poop that too often line the trails favored by dog walkers. There are no park rangers or dog poop fairies charged with picking up this unhealthy and unsightly waste (that can also pollute the river) and putting it where it belongs – in a trash can. Piles of dog waste are not “natural” and have no place in a public park. CPC has been working with the National Park Service on this issue for some time. CPC plans to help fund additional dog poop stations with trash cans and new signage to remind folks of what they should already know: leave no trace!
We Know You Like Us
BUT, have you “liked” Chattahoochee Parks Conservancy’s Facebook page? You could be our 2000th friend – we’re almost there! And don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, as well. It’s easy – just click on the icons at the bottom of this email. We regularly post park news and activities, great photos and ways for you to get involved.
Things to Do
Volunteer in the Park! Help our national park by donating your time to maintain trails and landscaping, assist with events and youth programs, and help with administrative tasks. Visit www.crnra.vip to get involved.
REI Paddle-Camp – Sat/Sun, Oct 5-6. Join CPC and REI for a weekend of fun and adventure at the Abbotts Bridge Unit. Details above; register today here!
CPC Walk & Talk Series – Sun, Oct 6 (2-4:30pm). Forest Bathing in the Park with Marjorie Pomper. Registration opens to the public on Sept 16; CPC members will receive early registration notice for this FREE event, which will fill quickly. Join today here.
Harvest on the Hooch – Sun, Oct 13 (1-5pm). Eighth annual outdoor food and craft beer festival at the Chattahoochee Nature Center, a CRNRA partner organization. Details and registration here.
CPC Member Celebration – Sun, Oct 20. SAVE THE DATE! Enjoy food, beverages, volunteer recognition and camaraderie at this annual event, to be held this year at the Chattahoochee River Environmental Education Center in Johns Creek. Members – watch your mailboxes in late Sept for our invitation!
Become a member of Chattahoochee Parks Conservancy today!
As a member, you can help us achieve our vision of an inspired and thriving community of support for the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. Click here to join!
Chattahoochee Parks Conservancy is proud to support our Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, a unit of the national park system managed by the National Park Service.
