The Georgia ForestWatch Fall Retreat is almost here!
We hope you will join us this year at the Georgia ForestWatch Fall Retreat & Annual Membership Meeting at beautiful Vogel State Park.  Everyone is welcome!  We have many fun activities and amazing speakers lined up, as well as wonderful food and music. Come see for yourself!

Saturday activities start at 10:00am. Help us celebrate ForestWatch's 30th anniversary, and learn about ForestWatch's tumultuous beginnings from those folks who helped shape our history - Jim Sullivan, Brent Martin, and more.  A panel of experts will discuss the challenges we faced and how a group of dedicated volunteers helped protect the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests.
Program of Events on Saturday, October 8th


8:00am | Registration and hike sign up - Continental breakfast/coffee/tea

10:00am | Morning Program     
  • Welcome from Mary Topa, Executive Director
  • Our Tumultuous Beginnings, by Jim Sullivan
  • Developing our Identity, by Brent Martin
  • Georgia ForestWatch Panel - Moderator, Charles Seabrook
    • Jim Sullivan, Field Botanist & Forest Health Program contractor with the Georgia Forestry Commission
    • Brent Martin, The Wilderness Society, Southern Appalachian Regional Director
    • Sarah Francisco, Southern Environmental Law Center 
12:30pm | Lunch  
  • Fall Harvest Soup Cook-off - Register your entry to share with others and compete for prizes!  
1:30-5:00pm | Afternoon Fun
  • Hikes with Peter McIntosh (Photography Hike) & Jess Riddle (Plant Identification Hike)
  • Hike on your own or just catch up with friends!
5:00pm   | Business meeting & raffle winner announcements
 
5:30pm  | Cocktail hour & BBQ Dinner 
 
We have a wonderful selection of raffle items, including clothing from Patagonia, a hand-made quilt by Lynda Doll, pottery by Brenda Smith, a bi-plane ride provided by Cal and Sandi Tax, and more! Stick around after the business meeting and join us for cocktail hour, an outdoor BBQ dinner, and live music provided by Jim Sullivan, Marie Dunkle and friends. We'll close out the evening with a campfire and storytelling, and an owl prowl with Janet Westervelt.
 

The Annual Membership Meeting will be held at 5:00pm on Saturday, October 8th, 2016, at Vogel State Park in conjunction with our annual Fall Retreat.  In accordance with our bylaws, the members have the opportunity to elect or affirm two At-Large Directors during this meeting.  If you would like more information about the process, please contact our office at info@gafw.org or at 706-867-0051.  
 
Cost: $15/student, $25/pers on, $40/Couple. Kids 12 and under are FREE. Includes all programming, continental breakfasts, drinks, soup lunch, BBQ dinner and vegetarian entrees.
 
Space is limited, so be sure to call our office at 706-867-0051 and register for this wonderful event, or email us at info@gafw.org .