Eco-A and Sweetwater Creek State Park

partner in hosting Eco-Steward classes and volunteer events to promote education, community engagement, and care for the Park’s natural spaces and habitats.

 

Classes begin Sept 13, 2025  –  Limit 18 participants

For more info and to register contact: Interpretive Ranger Adrian Fox, adrian.fox@dnr.ga.gov, or contact us, or call 404-862-0118.

 

Classes and volunteer events thru Dec 2025:

Sept 13, 9:00 – 11:30 AM, Class 1 – Orientation, Yellow Trail  In this orientation class, we’ll learn how to “read” a forest, including its age, character and health, by looking at indicator trees and plants, we’ll also share ways to identify key trees.

Sept 28, 9:00 – 11:30 AM, Class 2 – Yellow Trail We’ll show the differences between habitat types, and the key indicator species for each area,   along with the geology and watershed dynamics that help shape the special character of Sweetwater Creek State Park. We’ll also continue learning tree & plant identification.

Oct 12, 1:30  4:00 PM Volunteer Event – Yellow trail (short) Help remove invasive species that threaten the native forest, and learn more about the special natural environment at  Sweetwater Creek State Park.

Oct 26, 1:30 – 4:00 PM Class 3 – Yellow Trail (long) This class will include a longer hike to the rare Longleaf Pine forest ecosystem, and we’ll also explore fall leaf color and the diversity of native hardwood trees along the way.

Nov 9, 1:30 – 4:00 PM Volunteer Event, Yellow Trail, Bridge and Shoals Help remove invasive species that threaten the native forest, and learn more about the special natural environment at Sweetwater Creek State Park.

Nov 22 9:30 – 4:00 PM Class 4 – White Trail, Jacks Hill We’ll visit a native meadow habitat, and learn more about this species ecosystem along with best landscape restoration practices. And we’ll continue learning to identify native as well as invasive species.

Dec 6 1:30 – 4:00 PM Class 5 – Forest Restoration Seasonal Methods, Purple Trail We’ll focus on safe, seasonal invasive species removal strategies and techniques, and learn how to identify evergreen invasive species.

Dec 14 1:30 – 4:00 PM Volunteer event – Yellow Trail wetland Help remove invasive species that threaten the native forest, and learn more about the special natural environment at Sweetwater Creek State Park.

(Class and volunteer dates for 2026 posted soon)

Sweetwater Creek State Park is without question one of our State’s premiere parks of the Georgia Piedmont, hosting old growth trees and forest remnants, rare endangered species, and the dramatic cascades of the Creek as well as historic ruins. The Park holds over 2,500 acres of diverse native forests, from quartzite ridges to rich wetlands and hosts nine of the thirteen ecosystems found in the Georgia Piedmont. Myriads of birds, mammals, amphibians, fish and other wildlife call Sweetwater Creek State Park their home.

 

Like many landscapes today, invasive species like Kudzu, Wisteria, English Ivy and others threaten to overtake habitats in the park, harming native species and reducing biodiversity. Heavy-handed clearing and use of chemical sprays only further harms fragile ecosystems, so careful work is needed, and Park Rangers can’t do it alone — volunteers are key to caring for this very special park!

 

Eco-Stewards will learn all aspects of the park’s landscape and ecology, and can assist Park Rangers by leading and training other volunteers, especially helping larger groups work safely without harming native species. 

 

Eco-Stewards will learn: 

• 60 or more species of trees, native and invasive plants

• how to “read” a forest 

•  old growth forest indicator species

• how to identify rare habitats 

• how to safely remove invasive species without using chemical sprays

• how to lead other volunteers

• how to work with Rangers to help plan park restoration projects. 

 

Come to just one class, or join for the year and receive and an Eco-Steward certification!

Classes and volunteer sessions are 2-3 hours each, and take place twice per month. All events are held outdoors in the Park. 

•  •  •

Cost per adult: $125 for the year (Sep 2025 – Sep 2026) or $15 per class – volunteer sessions free. We offer a 50% discount for young people under 18 (minimum age 10, families welcome). Space for the series and for individual classes is limited to 18 participants. 

 

For more information and to register:

contact Ranger Adrian Fox, adrian.fox@dnr.ga.gov, call 404-862-0118, or 

or click HERE