Tucked along the banks of the Chattahoochee River in Roswell, a remarkable place has been quietly doing extraordinary work for five decades. The Chattahoochee Nature Center — known affectionately to generations of North Georgia families simply as “CNC” — is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026, marking a milestone that reflects both the power of grassroots community action and the enduring importance of connecting people with the natural world.
Founded in 1976 by local citizen activists determined to preserve green space in metro Atlanta, CNC has grown into one of Georgia’s premier nature centers, welcoming more than 150,000 visitors annually. What began as a scrappy effort to save a patch of riverside land has evolved into a nationally recognized model for environmental education, wildlife rehabilitation and native plant conservation.
From 6.7 Acres to 127 — A Story of Growth
The origin story of CNC is one of vision meeting opportunity. Conservationists John Ripley Forbes and Frank McCamey searched for suitable local green space to preserve, considering Bulloch Hall and the Roswell Mill areas before being redirected by Roy Wood — an official with the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation — to a large privately owned tract on the Chattahoochee River. The land, formerly known as the American Adventures Club, was for sale, and, after months of negotiation, the initial 6.7 acres was purchased. The property included a building for offices and exhibits, a pond and woodland areas for trails.
That modest footprint was just the beginning. Over five decades, CNC has grown from that original 6.7-acre site into a 127-acre environmental learning center that encourages outdoor discovery and connection with the natural world. The expansion has been steady and purposeful — each new acre, each new building, each new program adding another layer to the center’s mission.
Key milestones along the way include the completion of the marsh boardwalk and expansion of wildlife habitats in the 1980s; the debut of Camp Kingfisher in the 1990s; the addition of the Discovery Center, the Ben Brady Lakeside Pavilion and a new wildlife rehabilitation center in the 2000s; the establishment of the Unity Garden in the 2010s; and the launch of the $9.7 million “Growing Tomorrow’s Nature Enthusiasts” capital campaign and the opening of the River Boardwalk Trail in the 2020s.
A Place for All Things Wild
Today, CNC offers something for every nature lover. Six wooded hiking trails, including an ADA-compliant River Boardwalk Trail, wind through beautiful Georgia Piedmont forest, offering year-round birding and wildlife sightings for beginners and experienced hikers alike. Canoe tours led by naturalists take visitors out onto the Chattahoochee, where guides share the river’s ecological and cultural history. The Wildlife Walk features native Georgia raptors and reptiles in naturalistic habitats, cared for by staff members who hold state and federal rehabilitation licenses.
The gold-level Leadership in Energy Efficient Design-certified Discovery Center Museum and Nature Exchange — the only nature exchange in the Southeast — offers hands-on exhibits that tell the Chattahoochee River’s story, while visitors also are invited to picnic, explore butterfly and native plant gardens and meander along the river boardwalk. A documentary film, “Reimagine the Chattahoochee,” runs daily in the on-site theater, deepening visitors’ appreciation for this often-overlooked North Georgia treasure.
Celebrating 50 Years in Style
The anniversary celebration is every bit as lively as you’d expect from an organization that has spent 50 years making nature fun. CNC launched a 50 Things to Do at Chattahoochee Nature Center challenge, encouraging visitors to complete activities across four themed categories — Adventure, Artistic, Health and Wellness, and Flora and Fauna — with monthly prize drawings beginning in July.
The official birthday festivities are set for late June. The 50th Birthday Celebration kicks off June 24, with an adventure-filled evening of archery, canoeing and more. Camp Kingfisher alumni also are invited to reconnect with their beloved summer home. On June 25, the community is encouraged to don 1970s-inspired attire for Celebrating the ’70s at Sunset Sips, featuring live music and groovy energy. The week culminates June 28 with a free, family-friendly community celebration open to all.
Looking Ahead
As CNC steps into its next half-century, the organization shows no signs of slowing down. CEO Natasha Rice reflects on the journey with pride and purpose.
“From rehabilitating injured animals to inspiring curiosity and environmental stewardship in the next generation, it’s incredibly rewarding to see our mission in action,” she says. “We remain committed to protecting the beauty and biodiversity of our environment through meaningful experiences that celebrate the Chattahoochee River region for the next 50 years and beyond.”
For North Georgia residents and visitors alike, the Chattahoochee Nature Center is more than a day-trip destination — it’s a living reminder of what communities can accomplish when they choose to protect the wild places around them. Here’s to 50 more years of wonder along the river.
For more information or to plan your visit, go to chattnaturecenter.org.
