Explore Spring This May At The Chattahoochee Nature Center

ROSWELL, GA -- The Chattahoochee Nature Center has plenty to offer everyone this spring.

Mother’s Day Special, Sunday, May 12: Moms get in free
Pitcher Plant Toss and Peculiar Plants
Throughout May
CNC has a super funky plant on its grounds, the pitcher plant. Come learn about these horticulture oddities, where they grow, what they look like, and what they “eat.” You’ll even get to play a little game as you learn. Then visit some unique plants in gardens. Special, unique, and weird plants that are growing at CNC will be highlighted throughout the grounds. Included with General Admission and Free to CNC Members.

Pitcher plants stand out as one of nature's peculiarities, Kim Davenport, Nature Exchange Naturalist and Scheduling Assistant, said.

"Most types of plants gain their nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, from the soils in which they are planted," Davenport said in a release. "However, pitcher plants tend to grow in nutrient-poor wetland soil environments and must gain vital nutrients through other means. Pitcher plants are part of a group known as 'carnivorous plants.' These plants use specialized structures to lure and entrap insect prey and then special enzymes to slowly dissolve the prey and glean out the nutrients essential for the plants’ survival.

Pitcher plants use pitfall traps to lure and capture prey. Colorful pigments on the exterior of a pitcher plant attract insects, which are rewarded by a taste of nectar at the rim of the plant's cup. Wanting sweeter nectar, the insect begins to travel from the rim into the main cup of the plant. The surface can become slippery, and the insect eventually falls into the bottom of the plant, where it tries to climb back toward the top, only to be foiled by any combination of waxy surfaces, hair-like projections that point downwards, and other obstacles. Eventually the insect is slowly dissolved and absorbed by the plant.

Pitcher plants and other carnivorous plants do benefit the environment. When a pitcher plant dies, its decomposition releases valuable nitrogen and phosphorus into otherwise poor soils, benefiting other plant species. Pitcher plants also help in controlling insect populations, which can help keep disease and pests from humans."

EcoTinker: Interactiave Exhibits
Throughout May - Last month to tinker with these amazing exhibits
Presented by Northside Hospital
Head outdoors this spring for our nature-inspired tech and tinker stations: four stations where you can experiment and explore. New this year: We are proud to incorporate Imagination Playground materials into our stations for amazing educational engineering play. Expand your creative mind and your vocabulary when you visit. Included with General Admission and Free to CNC Members.

Artists in the Wild
Tuesdays in May, 10 am
CNC partners up with the Roswell Fine Arts Alliance to present local painters creating en plein air art throughout our grounds. Come visit with the painters and observe them at work. Included with General Admission and Free to CNC Members.

Spring STARLAB
Sunday, May 12, 1 pm
Join us for a special Mother’s Day STARLAB presentation with your young astronomers. We have a new and improved STARLAB experience for you to enjoy at CNC. Inside our inflatable planetarium you will get to observe the night sky and learn about many of the constellations right before your eyes. Two, 25-minute presentations. Included with General Admission and Free to CNC Members.

Homeschool Science Day
Tuesday, May 14, 1:45–3 pm
The wrap-up to this year’s exploration of Georgia’s eco-regions will have us putting it all together as we explore Georgia’s Web of Life. Ages 5–13. Included with General Admission and Free to CNC Members.

Registration is available online at https://ecommerce.chattnaturecenter.org/ItemList.aspx
Email scheduling@chattnaturecenter.org or call 770-992-2055 ext. 237

Family Programs
Family Canoe Day
Saturday, May 4 and 18, 10:30 am–noon
This introduction to canoeing is for first-time paddlers, families with young kids, or adults coming back to the sport. It takes place on Beaver Pond. We’ll spend extra time going over paddling techniques and equipment and will provide races, games and water squirters. Bring a picnic and enjoy the nature center grounds afterwards. CNC provides all equipment for participants and admission to CNC is included. Ages 5+. $20 general public/$10 CNC members (price per person). Register by the Thursday before each class (limited spaces).

Mother’s Day River Canoe Trip
Sunday, May 12, 1–4 pm
Celebrate mom (and grandma) with an afternoon canoe trip for the whole family. Let’s paddle to the playground at Riverside Park for a little R&R, but be careful: To beat the heat we’ll be distributing water squirters. Ages 6+. $35 general public/$30 CNC members (price per person). Register by May 9.

Memorial Day River Canoe Trip
Monday, May 27, 9 am–noon
Take advantage of this day off with a relaxing trip on the Chattahoochee River. Join our naturalists for a morning paddle and we’ll get you back in time to prepare for any summer kick-off cookouts. Ages 6+. $35 general public/$30 CNC members (price per person). Register by May 23.

Spring Birdseed Fundraiser
Pre-order April 26–May 5, Pick up in-store May 10–12
Just in time for International Migratory Bird Day. Order your Cole’s Premium Birdseed and support your feathered friends as well as CNC. Members save 15 percent on birdseed purchases.

Adult Programs
Date Night on the River
Friday, May 17, and May 24, 6 pm
It’s going to be a long summer, so get a babysitter and come relax with us on this adult-only evening paddle. We’ll open up the grounds early at 5:30 pm so you can enjoy a picnic dinner. Then at 6 pm our canoe guides will lead you on a 2½-hour sunset trip. Ages 21+. $35 general public/$30 CNC members (price per person). Register by the Wednesday before each trip.

The Nature Club: Climate Change with John Thompson
Thursday, May 23, 7–9 pm
Join author John Thompson, co-founder and chief content officer of the EcoAction Factory, as he explains the seven main human impacts on the planet and his proposed solutions to limit further ecological damage. The potluck dinner starts at 7 pm with our speaker beginning at 7:30 pm. Ages 16+. $10 general public/$5 CNC members.

River Canoe Trips
Saturdays and Sundays May, 5 pm
Join experienced CNC canoe guides on a leisurely evening 2½-hour trip, discovering what makes the Chattahoochee River so unique. The trip is a great first-time experience or a fun way to reconnect with the river you already treasure. On the trip we will look for wildlife and learn about the wetland ecosystem that is unique to metro Atlanta. All equipment is provided. Ages 6+. $30 general public/ $25 CNC members (price per person). Registration required.

Sundays on the River Concert Series
Sunday, May 12, 6–9 pm
What better way to wrap up the weekend than an evening under the stars listening to live music with friends? Live music fills the stage on the second Sundays, from May–September. Whether it’s a girls’ night, date night, or a you night, nature will provide the perfect backdrop for the evening. Bring a picnic, blanket, and plenty of food to share in this Chastain-style night of fun. Find event dates, musicians, and additional show information on our website.

On Going Programs Throughout the Month
“The Chattahoochee: Re-Imagine Our River” Film Showings: Saturdays, 11:30 AM and 3:30 PM and Sundays, 12:30 and 3:30 PM
Wildlife Feeding Time: Tuesdays and Saturdays, 4 PM
Trail Hike: Saturdays and Sundays, 1 PM
Creature Feature: Thursdays – Sundays, 2 PM
Animal Encounter: Sundays, 4 PM
Story Time by the River: First Wednesday of Each Month, 10:30 am