Partners and Friends of the Forest

Through a co-operative partnership with Southeast Land Preservation Trust http://www.slpt.org/ , Fulton County, the State of Georgia and private citizens, a total of 30 acres of this forested land was purchased to become the John Ripley Forbes Big Trees Forest Preserve. (JRF BTFP) In December 2006, Fulton County deeded its’ interest in the property (20 acres) over to the City of Sandy Springs http://www.sandyspringsga.org/  as part of their Recreation and Parks Department.  The Big Trees Forest Preserve, Inc, non-profit organization holds the Conservation Easement and is responsible for management of the Forest.

Learn more about Sandy Springs - http://visitsandysprings.org

Hands on Atlanta - http://www.handsonatlanta.org/ Provides and coordinates individual, group, and corporate volunteer conservation work days, providing hundreds of volunteers to spread wood chips on the trails to help prevent soil erosion and protect the natural resources. The wood chips are provided by private tree service companies.

Keep North Fulton Beautiful - http://www.kssnfb.org/home/  Educates the community in beautification, preservation, and conservation of the environment. Initiates and promotes tree education programs.

North Fulton Master Gardeners - http://www.northfultonmastergardeners.org/ Plants and maintains the Wildflower Meadow growing only native species for their beauty and outdoor education value.

The Fulton County Environment Division Adopt-A-Stream program - http://www.fultonecd.org/enviro/sub-divisions/aas.htm Utilizes the Forest as a living outdoor classroom for training community volunteers to monitor streams, which promotes better water quality. Adopt-A-Stream volunteers have monitored water quality in Powers Branch since 1998.

The Georgia Native Plant Society promotes the stewardship and conservation of Georgia's native plants and their habitats. They conserve native species by transplanting native plants rescued in other places to the JRF BTFP. - http://www.gnps.org/

The Boys Scouts of America - Utilizes the Forest for Eagle Scout candidate projects, which helps protect the natural resources of the Forest.  http://www.scouting.org/

North Springs High School provides senior students to work as interns in the Forest. This is a mentoring program where stewardship, environmental and conservation issues and ethics are work related. http://www.fultonschools.org/

Native Azalea Sponsors - Includes contributors who fund the planting of native azaleas planted along the Big Trees Loop Trail. The Georgia Native Plant Society http://www.gnps.org/, Garden Club of Georgia http://www.uga.edu/gardenclub/ and Habersham Garden Club were the first three sponsors. Several garden clubs from the Dogwood District share responsibility for supplying and stocking the bird feeders on a rotating basis.

The USDA Forest Service Southern Region, Chattahoochee National Forest - Initiated and developed a 15-stop, self-guided tour which promotes a better understanding of the importance of protecting watersheds. http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/

USDI National Park Service Southern Region, Rivers and Trails program - Provided funding to help establish the Backcountry trail system which provides convenient Forest access and protection of community natural resources. http://www.nps.gov/

Other Related Links
The University of Georgia College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences Cooperative Extension Service http://www.caes.uga.edu/extension/

Trees Sandy Springs is dedicated to protecting and nurturing “our most visible natural resources, our trees.” http://treessandysprings.org/ 

The Mushroom Club of Georgia The Mushroom Club of Georgia is an educational organization whose purpose is to promote the enjoyment, study, and exchange of information about wild mushrooms.  http://www.gamushroomclub.org/index.html

The Atlanta Audubon Society is the region’s primary education and conservation organization dedicated to birds. As an independent 501(c)(3) organization, our mission is to promote the enjoyment and understanding of birds and to conserve and restore the ecosystems that support them.http://www.atlantaaudubon.org/
Georgia Trails.com provides extensive information and links for hiking trails, biking trails and scenic driving in Georgia. http://georgiatrails.com/index.html

The Chattahoochee Nature Center specializes in youth-focused environmental education programs at its 127-acre resource center located on the Chattahoochee River in metro Atlanta. 9135 Willeo Road Roswell, GA 30075, 770-992-2055, www.chattnaturecenter.com