BLUE IN GREEN

Blue Heron Nature Preserve celebrates 20th anniversary with new milestones

By Collin Kelley

Blue Heron Nature Preserve has plenty to celebrate in April. Not only will the North Buckhead environmental center mark its 20th anniversary on Earth Day, but also the arrival of a new executive director and the opening of phase one of the Blueway Trail.

The Roswell Road environmental center installed two new bridges connecting 30 acres of greenspace with a three-mile walking trail known as the

Blueway Trail. The project took three years to complete and Blue Heron raised over $750,000 for trail construction and improvements.

“Visitors can now travel seamlessly to all three Blue Heron properties. It’s a significant milestone as we continue to grow and evolve,” outgoing executive director Kevin McCauley said. “Plans for Phase 2 include linking Blue Heron’s trails to nearby Chastain Park and PATH400.”

A free festival is planned to introduce the new trail network to the public during the annual Earth Day Celebration on April

25. Highlights will include music, food, art, and family-friendly activities.

The nature center is also celebrating the arrival of award-winning architect and environmentalist Melody Harclerode as its new executive director. Harclerode’s credentials include stints as director of the Sandy Springs Conservancy and program coordinator at Arabia Mountain.

“We are thrilled to welcome Melody to Blue Heron,” McCauley said. “She has a passion for the natural world and brings a wealth of experience to expand the opportunities for us to bring an understanding and appreciation for this special place.”

“Blue Heron Nature Preserve has inspired children and adults about nature through the arts, education, conservation, research, and innovative projects for twenty years,” Harclerode said. “Building upon Kevin McCauley’s accomplishments, I am honored to work with the staff, board members, and volunteers, as the new executive director, to boost the impact, support, and appreciation of this amazing

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