Sandy Creek Nature Center, Inc.
Celebrating the Past, Protecting the Future
Supporting the Nature Center since 1973
Our beloved Sandy Creek Nature Center celebrates 50 years in 2023,
and this is a time to remember, to celebrate and to look forward to the next 50 years.
Please join us for these special 50th Anniversary Events:
50 Things to do to Celebrate 50 Years Brochure
January 1-December 31, 2023
Location: Sandy Creek Nature Center
Free
Print this free brochure and head to Sandy Creek Nature Center to see how many of these 50 Ways to Celebrate 50 Years you can do over the year. Use your checklist each time you visit and do as many activities as you can. At the end of the year, present your checklist to a staff member for a Certificate of Achievement!
Call for Artists who have been INSPIRED BY NATURE
Help Sandy Creek Nature Center celebrate their 50th Anniversary! Have your art displayed in the beautiful Bogue Gallery at the ACC Library from July 9 to August 20, 2023.
Opening artist talk and reception July 16, 3pm.
Accepting applications 3/10/23 to 5/10/23.
For regulations and applications please click the "Submission Guidelines" button below
Art Show 50 Years: Inspired by Nature Opening Reception
Sunday, July 16, 2023
3-5 p.m.
Location: Athens-Clarke County Library, 2025 Baxter Street, Athens GA 30606. Downstairs meeting room.
Free, no registration required.
Art Show--50 Years: Inspired by Nature
July 9-August 20, 2023
Location: Athens-Clarke County Library, Bogue Gallery, 2025 Baxter Street, Athens GA 30606.
Free, no registration required.
Youth Art Contest: Love of Local Herpetology: Amphibians and Reptiles!
January 1-May 1, 2023
Location: Sandy Creek Nature Center
Free
Sandy Creek Nature Center is offering an art contest to encourage an awareness of local amphibians and reptiles in Clarke and surrounding counties. The contest will encourage students to research, observe and interact (within safe situations) with nature. Based off the scientific inquiry, students are encouraged to express their new knowledge through art.
Volunteer Work Day
Saturday, February 18 (inclement weather date February 25)
1 p.m.- 3 p.m.
Location: Sandy Creek Nature Center
Free, registration required by February 17
Join us in carrying on the tradition of environmental stewardship that was laid out by the Nature Center’s original founders 50 years ago. In honor of our 50th Anniversary we have planned volunteer activities for adults and youth, removing invasive plant species and weeding and maintaining the new Nature Playscape. There will also be separate hour long work activities for families with young children ages five and up. Children under 13 must be accompanied by a registered adult. Participants should plan to bring water and wear comfortable, weather appropriate clothes and closed toed shoes. All tools, including gloves, will be provided. We will have hot cocoa, coffee, and snacks to warm you up when we’re done! In case of rain, the event will be rescheduled to February 25.
Sandy Creek Nature Center Golden Anniversary Celebration and Open House
Saturday, March 18, 2023
1-4 p.m.
Location: Sandy Creek Nature Center
Free, no registration required
50 Years! Half a Century! This calls for a Party! Join us for an afternoon of fun and celebration, with special guests, speakers, entertainment, activities, and environmental education. There might even be a visit from Sandy the Frog! Mark your calendars for this special day.
50th Anniversary Celebration Schedule
1:00 Celebration Begins
1:15 Welcome from SCNC, Inc. President Emily Carr, SCNC Facility Supervisor Randy Smith, Kent Kilpatrick Director, ACC Leisure Services Dept.,
and Proclamation by Mayor Kelly Girtz (Pavilion)
2:15 Bird Walk (Meet at the front of the building)
2:30 -Music by the UGA Ecotones (Pavilion)
-Plant Walk (Meet at the front of the building)
3:00 Planetarium Program (Limited to 30 participants—sign up inside)
3:30 Music by A.M. Rodriguez and the Little Pocket Protection Band (Pavilion)
4:00 Thank You for Celebrating With Us!
Also through the afternoon:
-Guided Trail Hikes 1:45, 2:30, 3:15 (Meet at the front of the building)
-Touch an Animal Table (inside exhibit hall)
-Behind the Scenes Animal Care Tours 2:00, 2:30, 3:00 (limited space. Sign up at Animal Table in exhibit hall)
-ACC Poet Laureate Jeff Fallis
-Art Demonstration (Nature Playscape)
-Historic and Program exhibits (Classroom)
-Nature Craft (Classroom)
-Planetarium tours
Visit our Community Friends at their tables located outside the building:
-Oconee Rivers Audubon Society
-Georgia Native Plant Society East Piedmont Chapter
-Athens Astronomy Club
-Oconee River Land Trust
-Athens Greenway Commission
-Storybook Trail book authors, Jacob Wenzka and Bart King
-UGA University Archaeological Training—Sandy Creek Program
-Sandy Creek Nature Center Frog Watch Volunteers
5oth Anniversary Trail Hopper Ale Roll Out
Friday, March 24, 2023
Social Hour 6-7 p.m., Trivia Contest 7-9 p.m
Location: Athentic Brewing (108 Park Avenue, Athens)
There’s going to be a new beer in town, with a percentage of proceeds benefitting Sandy Creek Nature Center, Inc.! Join us for the kick-off event for Trail Hopper Ale, a "lightly hoppy pale ale" brewed especially for the SCNC, Inc. 50th Anniversary by Athentic Brewery. Grab a pint as you visit with us and a few of our animal friends, and then team up to play some nature and history Trivia. There will be prizes! The Taproom opens at 2pm and our events start at 6. Homy's Kitchen food truck will be there selling tacos and more, or you can bring your own picnic. Tell your friends and come have fun supporting SCNC, Inc!
Writer Janisse Ray
Saturday, May 20,2023
2-4 p.m.
Location: Sandy Creek Nature Center
Free, no registration required
Beloved Georgia nature author, Janisse Ray, will speak at the Sandy Creek Nature Center in honor of our 50 years. Author of works such as "Ecology of a Cracker Childhood" and "Wild Spectacle: Seeking Wonders in a World Beyond Humans", Janisse Ray is a writer, naturalist and environmental activist whose deep love of Georgia shines through every page. She will speak outside at the picnic pavilion, so bring a blanket or lawn chairs and make yourself comfortable. Her talk will be followed by a reception and an opportunity to speak to her purchase her books.
50 Books for 50 Years
Coming soon
Share your love of nature by donating a book to the Athens-Clarke County Library.
50th Anniversary Annual Membership Meeting/Pie Day
Sunday, September 24, 2023
Time: 3-5 p.m.
Location: Sandy Creek Nature Center
Free for Sandy Creek Nature Center Members
Time Capsule
December 2023
Location: Sandy Creek Nature Center
Join us in preparing a time capsule to be opened in another 50 years!
More information coming soon.