©Tom Wilson About This BlogHello and welcome to the Chattahoochee River NRA Science and Resource Management (SRM) Blog. Facts, trivia, photos and random bits of natural resource-focused information will be posted as it occurs, transpires, arises, befalls, ensues, or becomes a plain ol' nuisance. Postings will include the fabulous, the interesting, the unusual and the ugly. For instance we will post photos of spring ephemerals as they come into bloom in the park. Or an interesting animal caught on camera. Or, we may post current E. coli levels, sewage spills, and stream bank erosion. Stay updated on the news and natural phenomenon of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. Combating exotic plants in the park.
September 25, 2014
An array of exotic plant species are displacing the natives at Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area and may ultimately lead to ecosystem replacement. Learn what the park is doing to combat these exotic plants. SE-EPMT Activity at Sope Creek
September 18, 2014
The Southeast Exotic Plant Management Team returned to the park in September to continue the eradication of Kudzu. Assisted by park interns and volunteers, eradication efforts at Sope Creek has occured annually since 2010. Great day for Georgia Aster
May 30, 2014
The park has partnered in a Candidate Conservation Agreement (CCA) for the Georgia aster (Symphyotrichum georgianum). The signing of the CCA creates a partnership of agencies, organizations, and other entities that voluntarily agree to specific conservation measures to ensure species recovery and to avoid listing on the endangered species list. Introducing EXOT CRNRA's New Invasive Plant Eradication Protocol.
October 31, 2013
This post links to a .pdf report on the park's new method for determining when, where, and how to attack invasive plant infestations. Volunteers and park staff will use GPS units to create a database of treatment areas, including location, species, treatment method and date, and resources threatened by the infestation. The database will then be used to prioritize and schedule treatments parkwide. Southeast Coast Exotic Plant Management Team Revisits Sope Creek in April
May 06, 2013
From April 3 to April 8, the SEC-EPMT treated approximately 6 acres of privet on the former kudzu site cleared at Sope Creek last year. The work is intended to prevent privet from taking over the newly cleared kudzu area. A .pdf of their report is attached. The Park After Dark: White-Tailed Deer
January 10, 2012
Visitors to the park know it can be busy during the daytime; just visit Cochran Shoals on the weekend and you'll understand. People may be the most commonly spotted creature during the daytime, but for our animal inhabitants, the nighttime is the right time! Leave it to Mother Nature!
December 23, 2011
During the midsummer heat, as the buzzing of insects was drowning out the incessant drone of cars on Johnson Ferry Road, CRNRA received a phone call from Colonial Pipeline regarding the wetland located at the closed parking lot at Johnson Ferry South. Bald Eagle sighting
October 05, 2011
A bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) was sited this morning approximately 1 mile downstream of the Johnson Ferry Bridge. Dennis Teague called in with this exciting report. New Bee Species Found in Park
August 31, 2011
To date, 5, and possibly 7, new species of bees have been identified during a pollinator study at the Cochran Shoals unit of the park. Hornworms as Host
August 22, 2011
I asked as I was pulling invasive plants from the Boxwoods planted behind Hewlett Lodge. The shrubs seemed to be host to a variety of invasive species- Honeysuckle waving defiantly from the top, Elaeagnus' tentacle-like stems sprouting from the sides and English Ivy trying to sneak in underfoot. But this… THIS was something that brought the term "invasive" to a whole new level. Building with Bamboo
August 19, 2011
Here in the Science and Resource Management division of the park, a big challenge is managing non-native species. Few residents are unfamiliar with kudzu's amazing ability to overtake untended lots, of wisteria's lavender tendrils dripping from trees or of privet's incessant propagation mission. Yellow Jacket Bees
August 04, 2011
Recently we have received several reports from hikers at the Sope Creek unit of the park that have been stung by yellow jacket bees. Spiny Softshell Turtle (Apalone spinifera)
July 18, 2011
While most folks along the river would be (understandably) upset if you started calling them yellow-bellied, a stinkpot or a cooter, there are a few denizens of the river proud to claim such distinctive names! Great Backyard Bird Count!
February 27, 2012
The weekend of February 18, 2012 marked the 15th annual Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC), an encompassing event that engages bird watches of all ages to participate as citizen scientists for the weekend. The data collected becomes invaluable since birds are dynamic creatures rendering it impossible for scientist to document the distribution of every species in such a short period of time. That's no Snowy Owl, it's a Leucistic Red-Tailed Hawk!
January 24, 2012
The CRNRA is home to several species of birds, both year-round dwellers like the Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) and also migratory passers-through, like the Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis). In fact, we have 192 confirmed species! |
Last updated: April 14, 2015