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.

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