Volunteers Spend King Day Beautifying Blue Heron Nature Preserve

For these volunteers, the Dr. Martin Luther King holiday is a day to serve and better the community.

You wouldn't find them on the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday in bed enjoying the extra hours of sleep or lounging around the house in their pajamas watching reality show or crime drama marathons. No, about 20 volunteers spent their Monday morning and afternoon pushing wheelbarrows full of large rocks, building a fence with their hands, laying mulch, getting dirty and working hard at Buckhead's Blue Heron Nature Preserve. The volunteers of different races and ages as young as early 20s to late 60 worked side by side to help beautify the tucked-away preserve, even in temperatures as low as 44 degrees, according to The Weather Channel. The volunteers were among thousands who served their Atlanta communities by participating in various …

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St. Anne's Discovers Natural Classroom at Blue Heron

Day school to undertake educational experiences at nature preserve

From Patch Reports Youngsters at St. Anne's Day School will enjoy nature studies and enrichment programs at the Blue Heron Nature Preserve. Exploration of the natural world is a school-wide focus at the school, a ministry of St. Anne's Episcopal Church, and the Buckhead nature preserve will give the students opportunities to "connect their in-school explorations with experiences in natural settings in the wider community," according to a school announcement. “The power of nature and the competency of young children are often dismissed," Janet Reinersten, director of St. Anne’s Day School, said in a statement. "This collaboration is important because we hope to find ways for the intelligence and awareness of young children and their …

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From the Editor's Desk

Helping Out at Blue Heron Nature Preserve

A pleasant volunteering visit on Patch's Give 5 day

Patch editors give back to their communities through volunteering, especially on "Give 5 Day." For my "Give 5" contribution Thursday, I e-mailed Nancy Jones of the Blue Heron Nature Preserve, who said she had a task for me to carry out. The entrance to the nature center's trail along Nancy Creek is being improved, and Nancy said I could come by and help prepare the site for work being done this weekend. As the early afternoon sun warmed away the morning's chill, I walked over to Blue Heron, which happens to be in my North Buckhead neighborhood. When I reached the preserve's Lakemoore pond, I saw a blue heron standing in the water. Generations of the birds have visited the pond over the years, beginning with the original one that gave the …

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Buckhead Attorney Tracks Rare Falcons From the Perfect Perch

Carl Crowley has become fascinated with peregrine falcons living and loving right outside his 28th floor window.

I’ll never forget the time I looked a wild peregrine falcon in the eye. The encounter lasted at least five long minutes and is right up there with my best wildlife sightings ever. The year was 2000. The huge majestic bird appeared on the ledge of my sixth floor window at CNN Center, giving me a rare chance to stare at its intricately speckled white breast and piercing dark eyes that looked right through me. I often wonder why that regal bird chose me. Who else working in downtown Atlanta ever had a similar encounter? Carl Crowley wonders the same thing. Did the wild creatures choose him, or was he just in the right place at the right time? Since 2010, the business attorney at McGee & Oxford, whose office is on the 28th floor of Buckhead’s …

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Lisa Frank

8:11 am on Friday, March 30, 2012

GABO member Mark McShane posted some terrific photos of a peregrine falcon pair spotted at Perimeter Mall. They are multiplying! http://www.box.com/shared/2yxtdkm3ta#/shared/2yxtdkm3ta/1/247606405   more ›

Blue Heron Offers Classes

Photography, birding for children among subjects to be taught at new space

The Blue Heron Nature Preserve will offer a variety of classes this fall at its new educational laboratory, the Borrow, according to Nancy Jones, executive director. The space was renovated by Abbey Construction for the first such classes to be offered at the nature preserve, according to a news release. The work was funded by a grant from Nickelodeon, a large donation from the Community Fund and Joni Winston, plus donations from members. The classes are being taught by an impressive roster of teachers. Classes will include:  For information, e-mail Jones at nancyjljones@mindspring.com, or call 404-345-1008.   

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