Explore the Outdoors at the Chattahoochee Nature Center

June is Great Outdoors Month! Even President Obama encourages us, especially kids, to get out and get active in the outdoors, to learn what we can, and I think I have just the place you can do it.

The Chattahoochee Nature Center, on the Chattahoochee River in Roswell, GA, is just 20 minutes north of Atlanta. It has lots of activities for people of all ages to enjoy for Great Outdoors Month.

Hiking - The Nature Center has four wooded trails and one river boardwalk trail. You can have a guided hike, if you want to, but you can also go exploring in your own group, as well. The trails are good for any level of hiking experience.

Naturalist-Led Canoe Trips - Information is provided about the ecology of the Chattahoochee River. An extra fee applies, but canoes are provided! Make sure you bring sunblock for this activity.

Animal Encounters- Presentations, free with park admission. A half hour, and an expert will talk to you about one of their animals and how it came to be a resident at the Center.

Animal Exhibits - Animals that can't be released due to injuries are kept here for people to learn from. There are birds of prey, reptiles, and mammals, and you can learn something about each one while you're here. The website gives more information on how the animals and birds came to be at the Chattahoochee Nature Center.

Bird Walks - Check the website's schedule, but there are bird walks scheduled regularly, some with a representative from the Audubon Society present.

If you want to do something that will help others while you're enjoying the outdoors, the Chattahoochee Nature Center is always looking for volunteers, as well! Contact them to find out how you can help. It might be a good way to teach your kids environmental stewardship.

June 20th, 2009 - The Interpretive Center for the Chattahoochee River Watershed will be opening on this date! Sort of an interactive museum, it will have exhibits, live animals, gardens, a planted roof terrace. Learn what makes the Chattahoochee River Watershed unique. It's great that this is opening in time for Great Outdoors Month.

Historic Roswell is right near the Nature Center, as well. The historic district is 640 acres, about a quarter of which is on the National Register of Historic Places. There's shopping, dining, and lots of interesting historic buildings to see. This will mostly involve walking in town, but think about how we interact with our environments as you look at the foliage and lawns around the historic buildings.

Get out there and enjoy Great Outdoors Month!