Below is the April 2007 Calendar from Georgia’s State Parks & Historic Sites. More information is available at www.gastateparks.org or 1-800-864-7275.

April 2007 * Divided by region:

NORTHERN GEORGIA

Master Naturalist
Monday, April 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30, 2 - 4 p.m.
Smithgall Woods Conservation Area and Lodge - Helen
This is a chance for grownups to play in the woods. Learn the ins and outs of the natural world, including conservation issues, native and protected plants, wildlife and more. $3 parking. (706) 878-4736.

Wildflower Walk
Saturday, April 21, 1:30 p.m.
Vogel State Park - Blairsville
This guided wildflower walk through the Appalachian forest will highlight Jack-in-the- pulpits, wild azaleas and many other flowering plants. $3 plus $3 parking. (706) 745-2628.

Common Birds of Georgia
Friday, April 27, 7 - 8:30 pm
Smithgall Woods Conservation Area and Lodge - Helen
Sit back and enjoy this slide presentation of birds that can be seen in Georgia. Participants may be surprised to learn which birds are native to the area. Spring migration and bird calls will be discussed. Register in advance. $3 parking. (706) 878-3087.

Spring Wildflower Fest
Saturday, April 28
Sunday, April 29
Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge - Dawsonville
Enjoy a wildflower identification hike and learn more about edible and medicinal plants. Come and enjoy a variety of activities as we celebrate the arrival of spring at the park. $3 parking. (706) 265-4703.

Spring Wildflower & Bird Hike
Saturday, April 28, 10 a.m. & 2 p.m.
New Echota Historic Site - Calhoun
Join us along New Town Creek Trail for an easy one-mile guided hike. We’ll kick off the spring season along with the bloodroot, violets, trillium, mapapple, spring warblers and a variety of other spring wildflowers and birds found along this trail of varied habitat. Morning hike at 10 a.m. and afternoon hike at 2 p.m. $2.50-$4. (706) 624-1321.

Birding by Ear
Saturday, April 28, 8 - 10 a.m.
Smithgall Woods Conservation Area and Lodge - Helen
During the spring migration, many neo-tropical birds pass through the Smithgall Woods Conservation Area. These small birds are often difficult to see, but their songs can be heard throughout the woods. Come and learn to identify them by their songs with Lisa Hurt of the Atlanta Audubon Society. Walking shoes and binoculars are recommended. Register in advance. $3 parking. (706) 878-3087.

MIDDLE & SOUTH GEORGIA

Pictures in the Park Contest
Sunday, April 1 - Sunday, May 20
Jefferson Davis Memorial Historic Site - Fitzgerald
Take pictures of anything in the park and submit them by May 20. All photos must be at least 8x10 inches in size. The contest starts April 1 and ends May 20 at 5 p.m. Winners must be able to be at the site on June 2 to collect prizes. The winning photograph will be displayed in the museum. (229) 831-2335.

Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday, April 7, 1 - 3 p.m.
Florence Marina State Park - Omaha
Bring your basket and hunt for colorful candy eggs. A giant Easter bunny will be on hand, and prizes will be given. $3 parking. (229) 838-4706.

Astronomy Night
Saturday, April 7, 8:30 - 10 p.m.
Providence Canyon State Park - Lumpkin
Columbus State University and the Coca-Cola Space Science Center present a slide presentation followed by a viewing of the night sky through telescopes. Visitors may bring their own telescopes for instructions and/or viewing. Providence Canyon offers excellent night-sky viewing without any light pollution. $3 parking. (229) 838-6202.

62nd Commemorative Ceremony for FDR
Thursday, April 12, 1 - 2:30 p.m.
Roosevelt’s Little White House Historic Site - Warm Springs
Pay tribute to FDR on the anniversary of his death, April 12, 1945. The program includes a U.S. Marine Corps Color Guard and the U.S. Army Infantry Center Band. Jonathan Alter, Senior Editor of Newsweek and author of The Defining Moment-FDR’s First Hundred Days and the Triumph of Hope, will speak. Free after 12:30 p.m. (706) 655-5870.

Festival on The Lake
Saturday, April 14, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Florence Marina State Park - Omaha
This one-day festival includes craft vendors, primitive skills demonstrations, live music, food and games. $1 - $2 plus $3 parking. (229) 838-4706.

Sheep to Shawl Day
Saturday, April 14, 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Jarrell Plantation Historic Site - Juliette
Join this hands-on program to help shear the sheep, card and spin the wool, and weave it into a homespun shawl. $2.50-$4. (478) 986-5172.

Children’s Fishing Rodeo
Saturday, April 14, 9 - 11 a.m.
John Tanner State Park - Carrollton
Anglers 15 and younger compete by age category for prizes while testing their fishing skills on two stocked lakes. $3 parking. (770) 830-2222.

Wildflower Fever I
Saturday, April 14, 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., 2 - 4:30 p.m.
Smithgall Woods Conservation Area and Lodge - Helen
Catch the fever for spring wildflowers while exploring the conservation area with Smithgall staff volunteers Debra and Larry Davis. Each session includes a slide program and a guided hike. Register in advance. $3 parking. (706) 878-3087.

Confederate Memorial Day
Saturday, April 28, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Jefferson Davis Memorial Historic Site - Fitzgerald
The site will be giving guided tours of the grounds dressed in period clothing. $1.75-$3. (229) 831-2335.

Feathered Friends
Saturday, April 28, 1 - 2 p.m.
Providence Canyon State Park - Lumpkin
Rangers will present a program on the birds of southwest Georgia, including a slide show, bird calls and guided hike. $1 plus $3 parking. (229) 838-6202.

METRO ATLANTA

Native American Tools and Weapons
Saturday, April 7, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Etowah Indian Mounds Historic Site - Cartersville
Watch demonstrations of Native American tools and weapons. $2.50-$4. (770) 387-3747.

Saturday Mountain Hike
Saturday, April 21, 10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Panola Mountain State Park - Stockbridge
These ranger-led hikes depart from the nature center and are for participants in good physical condition. Register and pay in advance. This program must have at least five hikers or it will be cancelled. $5 plus $3 parking. (770) 389-7801.

Photographers and Artists Morning Out
Saturday, April 28, 8 - 11 a.m.
Panola Mountain State Park - Stockbridge
Photographers and artists will have access to restricted areas of the park to draw, paint or photograph scenic Panola Mountain. $5 plus $3 parking. (770) 389-7801.

Spring Mountain Bike Safari
Saturday, April 28, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Panola Mountain State Park - Stockbridge
Join a park ranger for this semi rugged mountain bike ride that takes participants through many scenic areas of Panola Mountain State Park. $5 plus $3 parking. (770) 389-7801.

Xterra Points Series Off-Road Triathlon
Saturday, April 28
Fort Yargo State Park - Winder
This off-road triathlon will include running, mountain biking, and swimming. $3 parking. (770) 867-3489.

NORBA Georgia Championship Series Race
Sunday, April 29
Fort Yargo State Park - Winder
This mountain bike race is sponsored by the National Off-Road Bicycle Association. $3 parking. (770) 867-3489.

SAM SHORTLINE EXCURSION TRAIN — CORDELE

***This train is operated by the Ga. Department of Natural Resources and often runs through Georgia Veterans State Park in Cordele.

Easter Bunny Express
April 7 - Departs Cordele at 9:30 a.m. / Returns at 5:20 p.m.
SAM Shortline Excursion Train - Cordele
Hunt for eggs as you enjoy the day on SAM Shortline. Our normal Archery Explorer schedule includes the opportunity to visit the Easter Bunny in Americus.
Adults $22.99 - $29.99
Child $12.99 - $17.99
1-877-GA RAILS
www.samshortline.com

Go Global with Habitat
April 14 - Departs Cordele at 9:30 a.m. / Returns at 5:20 p.m.
SAM Shortline Excursion Train - Cordele
Ride the train and stop at Habitat for Humanity’s Global Village & Discovery. The village features life-size replicas of Habitat houses and examples of poverty housing conditions people face from around the world.
Adults $22.99 - $29.99
Child $12.99 - $17.99
1-877-GA RAILS
www.samshortline.com

Vidalia Onion Festival Train Special
April 26 - 27
SAM Shortline Excursion Train - Vidalia
Thursday, April 26, 4 p.m.
Friday, April 27, 9 a.m.
Take a short ride on the train during Vidalia’s famous Onion Festival.
Adults $15.00 - $20.00
Child $ 8.00 - $10.00
912-537-8033

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