By PAT NEWMAN
Staff Writer

Three years ago, the Flat Creek Nature Center was just a dream. Today, Marcia Brown, founder and environmental educator of the center, welcomes about 6,000 visitors annually.

“This is our hometown nature center,” Brown explained. “But a lot of people still don't know that we're here.” Nestled among the trees in front of the Frederick Brown Amphitheater off McIntosh Trail, the center is housed in the building formerly used by the Peachtree City Recreation Department. It is home to a variety of creatures native to Georgia, including snakes, turtles, and some exotic show animals that have been given to Brown — three iguanas and a unique species of garter snake.

Brown operates on a seven-day-a-week schedule of demand, running classes on wetland ecology, animal encounters, conservation and natural observations. “Because of my experience, I can tailor-make a class for anyone,” Brown said. She has teaching experience as well as a broad background in zoology and botany. “I ask them, what do you want to learn,” she said in talking with teachers planning class visits.

Brown is proud of her programs and emphasizes the focus on quality over quantity. “We've deliberately kept it small,” she said, noting classes summer camp sessions are limited to 15 children. She said the true testimony of the center's success is the sharing of new-found knowledge between children who have participated in the varied programs with those who have come for the first time.

Adding to the agenda of activities, is a brand new class starting Oct. 21 just for preschoolers. Called, “Knee High Naturalist,” the 90-minute session will introduce children between ages 3 and 5 to a particular animal. Brown said the class will be taught by Sandra Cawley, formerly with Zoo Atlanta, who, she said, is particularly good with preschoolers. The class will include an animal encounter, arts and crafts, story telling and a myriad of activities for the younger set. Two four-week sessions are now available.

Birthday parties are another of Brown's specialties. “We're unique in the birthday party world,” she noted. Brown meets with the birthday child before the party and discusses what they will see and do. “They become the animal expert at the party,” she has observed. “It's also interesting that the moms often stay; I guess they are kind of curious,” Brown said.

All of the planned programs and activities help defray the cost of running the center, Brown explained. “The only money we generate is through the programs. We are not subsidized by the city or county. The money is turned right around for animal care,“ she said, which can run about $12 a week.

Donations of bruised fruit and vegetables from Publix and area gardens help to defray costs, but Brown is always open to donations of paper towels and materials for craft projects. The Southern Conservation Trust actually leases the building from the city for a nominal amount each year and maintains an office there. The nature center is the “educational arm of the trust,” Brown explained.

“Our mission is to educate,“ Brown emphasized. “Through education, people will gain an appreciation of our natural world.”

Admission to the center for children is $3. There is no charge for adults. For program information, call Brown at 770-486-9363.