Conservation at Tammen Park
Blue Ridge Elementary Collaboration
In a display of community collaboration and environmental stewardship, the Fannin County Chamber of Commerce & CVB, Blue Ridge Elementary, and local Master Gardeners gathered on a fall morning in October at Tammen Park. The project brought third graders from Blue Ridge Elementary to the park for hands-on STEM learning activities centered on ecology, soil science, and environmental stewardship all in alignment with the Chamber’s conservation efforts.
Pollinator Garden and Firefly Habitat: Guided by Master Gardeners, students planted milkweed to support firefly habitats, expanding on the Chamber’s “Lights Off. Fireflies On!” campaign to combat light pollution that disrupts firefly populations.
Riparian Zone Restoration: Recognizing the significance of tree planting for watershed health, students planted trees along the Toccoa River. According to Tori Arp, “planting trees along the bank of the Toccoa River helps to provide shade and a buffer to pollution runoff for one of our favorite fishing spots. Trout require clean cool water, and a healthy tree buffer keeps the Toccoa River perfect for trout.”
Soil Investigation: A hands-on comparison of soil from Blue Ridge Elementary and Tammen Park allowed students to study soil composition, observing that the loamy soil by the Toccoa River had less clay than at their school—ideal for supporting diverse plant life.
Emily Owenby, operations coordinator for Noontootla Creek Farms, guided the planning process. She played a key role in plant selection and in ensuring long-term conservation with strategic plant placement. Emily holds an Environmental Science degree from the University of North Georgia and is the founder of Noontootla’s Conservation Initiative.
Located just below Blue Ridge Dam, Tammen Park offers easy river access for kayaks, canoes, and fishing. In this recent effort, hundreds of milkweed seeds were planted at Tammen, fostering a safe habitat for fireflies in one of the county’s beloved parks.
This project at Tammen Park is part of Fannin County Chamber's broader commitment to conservation and educational outreach, including the spring 2024 community distribution of over 600 milkweed plants. “Our hope is that, through partnerships like these, we instill a lifelong commitment to conservation,” shared Christie Gribble, President & CEO of the Fannin County Chamber of Commerce.
