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1900s: There were several significant changes in the natural landscape in the early 1900’s. The land was home to a brick factory until the early 1920’s. In 1940, a new road left a vulnerable dead end in the property that became the site of extensive trash dumping. The land was logged and farmed through the mid-1970’s.

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1972: A group of motivated Athens-area citizens enlisted the help of environmental philanthropist John Ripley Forbes to create a Nature Center in Athens.

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1973: The group set the plan in motion to make Sandy Creek Nature Center a reality. The land was selected and secured later that year. What was then known as the Northeast Georgia Nature Center opened.

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1977: The first building now known as the Fireside Classroom was completed.

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1980: SCNC grew to 20,000 program participants.

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1981: The board deeded the Nature Center to Clarke County, which assumed responsibility for its day-to-day operations and funding.

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1985: Allen House was moved from Timothy Road to Sandy Creek Nature Center.

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1986: Summer-Sandy Creek Day Camp began.

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1990: The name of the Nature Center was officially changed to Sandy Creek Nature Center. Sandy Creek Greenway trail, now called Cook's Trail, connected the Nature Center to Sandy Creek Park.

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1992: Walker Hall was built.

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1998: The Environment, Natural Science, and Appropriate Technology (ENSAT) Interpretive Center was dedicated and opened for use.

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2001: The program numbers expanded; over 700 children attended day camp, and over 15,000 people participated in general recreation activities.

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2003: The center reported over 40,000 visitors including school children, and the North Oconee Greenway connection to Sandy Creek provided an added influx of joggers, hikers and other visitors.

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2004: A second SPLOST initiative was passed for continued development of the ENSAT building including new exhibits and improved visitor services.  

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2010: The expansion began and was completed in 2012.

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2012: The newly named Education & Visitor Center was dedicated and officially opened in October.

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2013: ADA Boardwalk connection from the parking lot to the pavilion was completed.

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2015: Donation of $55,100 made to Athens-Clarke County and work began on the Managed Forest Project.

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2015: Fundraising begins for backyard Playscape Project.

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2016: ADA Trail is completed into a loop with $44,000 donation to ACC. The relationship between Sandy Creek Nature Center, Inc, and Athens-Clarke County Department of Leisure Services was formalized with a renewing Partnership Agreement.

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2019: Fundraising goal for Nature Playscape met.

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2019:  SPLOST proposal for Exhibit Upgrades accepted.

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2019- Awarded grant from The Riverview Foundation for outside restroom upgrades.

 

2020- Fundraising for Brick Factory Interpretive area begins

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2021: Construction of the Nature Playscape complete.

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