Our Annual Fall Retreat is happening in person! We’ll gather Saturday, October 9th, 2021 at the open air Large Day Use Shelter at Lake Winfield Scott. Rain or shine! Proof of vaccination required.
Please note: This is a venue change from previous years and from the initial plans that were mentioned in the sponsor letter. We will still have folks staying the weekend in cabins and tents at Vogel (15 minutes away) but all events will be outdoors at Lake Winfield Scott. Some tent sites are still available at both parks. Contact the office to find out what is available and the cost. info@gafw.org or 706.867.0051
Whether you are a long-time or new member who wants to get to know us better, we hope you’ll join us for a weekend in the mountains as we welcome new leaders and explore how to carry our vision forward together. The Fall Retreat is a time to review our year, renew our commitments and inspire each other on this sometimes tedious journey to preserve, protect, and restore our national forests in Georgia. And to have some fun while we do all that!
The main gathering will be from 11:30am to 1:30pm at the historic Lake Winfield Scott shelter. Lunch will be provided. We’ll hear from our new Executive Director, our new lawyer representative, Brian Gist of the Southern Environmental Law Center, as well as Board President, Anne Heikkila and Outreach Coordinator, Andrew Linker. Before and after the lunch time program we’ll have a range of activities for you to choose from and sign up links will be available in your registration confirmation. Of course it’s entirely acceptable to bring a camp chair and relax on the shady beach with ForestWatch friends!
MEMBERSHIP INCLUDED: When you purchase a ticket to this year’s ForestWatch Fall Retreat, you will receive a complimentary Georgia ForestWatch individual membership for one full year if you are not a current Member.
$35/person with Complimentary Membership
ForestWatch Fall Retreat at LAKE WINFIELD SCOTT
We will have Raffles, Silent Auction, and ForestWatch swag for sale!
Being fully vaccinated is required.
9 – 11am Check-in at the Large Day Use Shelter at Lake Winfield Scott (near the beach and the bathhouse | See on Google Maps). There is a $5 entrance fee to the park.
9:30 – 11am – Morning Activities: Guided hikes with Mark and Linda are full, but please come enjoy each other, bring your own camp chair, and relax on the shady beach with ForestWatch folks. Paddle! Bring your own boat or use one of the spares we’ve rounded up. We hope to provide about 10 boats. Kayaks, a paddleboard, paddles, and PFDs will be available first come, first served. Check in sheet will be near the boats.
11:30 Lunch – We’ll have a variety of pre-made rollup sandwiches for you to choose from including vegetarian and vegan options + chips + homemade pasta salad (by our own Melinda Edwards) and a cookie to top it off. We’ll have sparkling waters, teas, juices, and beer.
12:00 Program – Settle in with included lunch and take in an update on all things ForestWatch:
- Brian Gist with Southern Environmental Law Center: Legislative updates
- Words from OUR NEW Executive Director, J. D. McCrary!
- Anne Heikkila, Board President: Member Meeting
- Andrew Linker, Outreach Coordinator: Outreach updates
- Cliff Shaw, Slideshow: History and shaping of Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests
2:30-4 pm – Afternoon Activities: Guided hikes with Jess and Cliff are full but we are coordinating two more activities, including a medicinal plant walk and “Bio Blitz.” Enjoy each other’s company, explore the area trails, bring your own camp chair, relax on the shady beach with ForestWatch folks. Paddle! Bring your own boat or use one of the spares we’ve rounded up. We hope to provide about 10 boats. Kayaks, a paddleboard, paddles, and PFDs will be available first come, first served. Check in sheet will be near the boats.
4:00-5:00 – Happy Hour & RAFFLE DRAWING at the Shelter – drinks + fresh snacks.
- Raffle tickets were available through registration and also available on site
- Silent Auction is online and closes Thursday October 7, 2021!!
- ForestWatch swag will be for sale during designated times
We are watching the situation with COVID, and will notify you of any change in plans if conditions seem unsafe for an in-person event.
REGISTER HERE
SILENT AUCTION!
32auctions.com/GAFW2021
The ForestWatch Silent Auction is live from noon Monday, September 27th and will run until midnight on Thursday, Oct 7th, 2021.
You don’t have to attend the Fall Retreat to bid in the auction! We’ve got a lot of items for you to choose from including:
- Biplane ride | See item
- Original art work by Catherine Ritch and Raven Waters | See items
- Chattahoochee River Paddle trip with Wildwood Outfitters | See item
- Guided Trophy Trout Fishing at Hatch Camp and Art Farm | See item
- Guided kayak trip on the Little Tennessee River with our friends at Alarka Institute. | See item
- 2 nights at a Forest Hills Resort | See item
- Patagonia gear | See item
- Handcrafted jewelry and pottery items | See items
- Guided printmaking workshop with Craig Burkhalter | See item
- Herbal Goodies for Winter Wellness from BotanosLogos | See item
