Nacoochee Valley Nature Preserve

SNCA’s Environmental Group is focused on the protection and enhancement of the natural resources of the Sautee Nacoochee community and environs. The hilly and mountainous areas of White and Habersham counties that surround the Sautee and Nacoochee valleys include major forestlands and waterways. Much of northern White County lies in the Chattahoochee National Forest, parts of which are incorporated into two of Georgia’s premier state parks, Unicoi and Smithgall Woods. The spring that gives rise to the Chattahoochee River is in the National Forest near the White County line, and the river’s headwaters cascade down the mountains toward Robertstown and the Helen Valley.

Even among those who know of the Nature Preserve, some do not know that it is an extension of SNCA and is the former location of the slave cabin and proposed heritage site. As we look forward to our next big step in Nature Preserve development building a pavilion on the valley overlook-we would like to recap major efforts involved in the transformation of this highly disturbed site into the beautiful, nature-focused place it is now. We hope this review will be a reminder that SNCA’s Nature Preserve team, like the Heritage Site and History Museum volunteers, is committed to fulfilling a vital part of SNCA’s mission: to preserve and protect our natural and cultural heritage for the benefit and enjoyment of the larger community. Actually, at the Nature Preserve we are nurturing creativity as well!

The exceptional ground work, craftsmanship and fundraising efforts by the Nature Preserve Team, as well as their significant financial outlays, reflect a determined commitment to provide area residents and visitors with peaceful recreational and hands-on educational experiences. Winter is a good time to visit the Nature Preserve, allowing observations of nature’s intricacies that often are hidden by foliage. We hope you do visit so you’ll know that there is something for everyone at SNCA!
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Open to the Public

The Nacoochee Valley Nature Preserve is open for the community to enjoy. The Nature Preserve Committee and an especially wonderful group of volunteers worked long hours, both at the site and in home workshops, to get ready for our “Open Preserve” day on October 30. While work continues on additional trails and planted areas, and plans for a pavilion on the valley overlook are developed, two areas are available for public use: an open picnic area with two tables and the woodland trail, a 1/3 mile loop accessed from the picnic area. Except for walking up the ramp to the overlook for viewing the Nacoochee Valley, please limit activities to these areas where hazards such as poison ivy have been removed to the extent possible. Currently, no water or restroom facilities are available. To minimize disturbance and allow us to keep the preserve open, please observe the following:

• Visit the preserve only during daylight hours.
• One or two cars may be parked on the entrance concrete as far from the highway as possible without disturbing the
...railroad ties that protect a planted area.
• Enter the preserve on the left side of the gate, where there is room for a person and a bicycle to pass through.
• Children under 18 must be accompanied by adults.
• Do not disturb areas under development and marked off with flagging.
• Take trash, empty bottles and cans, and any other debris with you when you leave.
• Fires for cooking or otherwise are prohibited.
• For group access and additional parking, please notify Ted Doll (706-878-2526)
...or Audrey Moylan (706-348-6363) at least 48 hours in advance to have the gate opened.

A nominal fee of $50.00 will be charged for social events and special activities.

We hope you will enjoy the preserve as much as we have enjoyed working there. It is a wonderful addition to SNCA’s recreation facilities and commitment to preservation.
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