Big Haynes Creek Nature Center

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Big Haynes Creek Nature Center, tucked away in Conyers, GA at the Georgia International Horse Park, offers a delightful escape into nature just 20 miles east of bustling Atlanta. Spanning 173 acres, this conservation haven caters to outdoor enthusiasts and wildlife lovers with its diverse habitats, including lush wetlands, serene forests, and vast open meadows.

The center is packed with exciting features, such as a 5,000 square foot pollinator garden certified as both a Monarch station and a National Wildlife Habitat. It's also part of the Rosalynn Carter Butterfly Trail! Visitors can wander along the scenic 2-mile Bluebird and Butterfly Trail, launch a kayak, birdwatch from observation decks, or spy on wildlife from the bird blind, where over 2,000 species of plants and animals thrive. Over 5 miles of trails welcomes hikers, horseback riders and mountain bikers alike, and feel free to bring your leashed four-legged friends along.

But that's not all! The center boasts an outdoor learning center, a free library, interactive interpretive signs along the trails, and educational outreach focused on environmental conservation, making it a top choice for school field trips and fun, family adventures. And don't miss the Herald of Herons art walk, a 1.7-mile journey featuring whimsical heron statues that double as a community art exhibit, all to raise awareness about wetland conservation. (Coming soon in July!)

Beyond its recreational charms, Big Haynes Creek Nature Center plays a pivotal role as a local drinking water reservoir.

Trail Rules and Etiquette

Quick Overview of Rules:

No grills, fires or open flame allowed.
No alcohol allowed.
No smoking allowed.
No hunting or fishing allowed.
No Motorcycles or all-terrain vehicles on trails. Motorized wheelchairs are allowed.
Dogs must be kept on a leash, and please clean up after your pets.
No profanity or loud or boisterous noise is allowed.
All bicyclists are required to wear helmets. The bike trail (Red Trail) is one direction only. Follow signage.
Organized trail events must be contracted and permitted in advance. Contact the Georgia International Horse Park at 770-860-4190.
Click here to review the Georgia International Horse Park Rules and Procedures

Trail Hours:
Trails are open from sunrise to sunset. On occasion, trails may be closed to due other events occurring in the Park.

Trail Closures:
Respect road and trail closures. Trail closures are posted on the Calendar of Events; however, trail closures can happen at any time due to safety concerns or hazardous conditions and may not be posted online. Abide by onsite signage and barricades. Call 770-860-4190 to ask for clarification if you are uncertain about the status of a trial. (The Georgia International Horse Park office is open Monday-Friday, 8:00AM-5:00PM, closed on government holidays).

Horse Rider Requirements:
All horses on Georgia International Horse Park property, whether for an event, trail ride or other purpose, must have proof of a negative EIA issued by a licensed veterinarian within the last twelve (12) months. Further, anyone with a horse on the premises must abide by all Georgia Department of Agriculture rules and policies, including, but not limited to, the prevention of equine infections disease.

Trail Etiquette:
Bicyclists yield to equestrians and pedestrians.
Pedestrians always have the right-of-way.
Leave No Trace! Carry out what you carry in.

Report Violators:
Contact the Non-Emergency Number for the City of Conyers Police: 770-483-6600

Emergencies:
Call 911

Report Maintenance and Safety Problems:
770-860-4190

Community Outreach Events

Mark your calendar for these upcoming Community Outreach events located at the Big Haynes Creek Nature Center.

Event Cancellation Notice for Lil' Witches and Warlocks Magical Moonlight Walk:

We regret to inform you that due to ongoing maintenance assessments and necessary repairs on the trails following the hurricane floods, we must cancel this upcoming event. Delays caused by the BioLab fire issue have hindered our ability to complete this work in a timely manner. We were truly looking forward to presenting a fun evening for everyone and sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Please know that we will continue our efforts to plan enjoyable events when it is safe to do so. Thank you for your understanding.

Wading in the Wetlands Art Walk

Come see our brand new public art exhibit, Herald of Herons, located on the purple trail, as Birds Georgia Master Birder and founder of WellBirds, Jack Bruce, leads participants on a winding, wetlands adventure. Marvel at the whimsical, colorful sculptures, inspired by a plethora of talented students in our community, peer through a stationary bird blind to catch a glimpse of native summer residents and wading inhabitants, listen for distinctive bird calls and “Spread your Wings & Fly” at the Great Blue Heron photo station. This 2-mile interpretative walk intertwines art and nature, while taking a long lens look at the importance of a healthy wetland habitat so our feathered friends can thrive!

There are over 2,000 plant and animal species at Big Haynes Creek Nature Center. The wetlands area invites a large number of birds including a variety of herons, king fishers, osprey, eagles, anhingas, hawks and more. Binoculars provided. Bring your own camera. Closed-toe shoes recommended.

This is a FREE family-friendly event. All ages welcome!

Space is limited so advance registration is required to secure a spot.

Click Here to Register

Please note:

-Parents must accompany kids under 12 years old.

-Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

-Pets are not permitted at this event.

**In the event of inclement weather, the scheduled program will not occur, and all registered attendees will be notified.

***Special thanks to our young community artists from Rockdale County Public Schools & Homeschool sectors, the Sketching Pad for their contributions towards this public art exhibit and to Birds Georgia for assisting with this outreach event.

Press Release

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New “Herald of Herons” Exhibit Integrates Art & Environmental Education on Wetlands Trail
at Big Haynes Creek Nature Center

(CONYERS, GA – May 30, 2024) — Visitors are invited to marvel at colorful Great Blue Heron statues designed by Rockdale County students in a permanent new art exhibit entitled “Herald of Herons” at the Georgia International Horse Park’s Big Haynes Creek Nature Center (BHCNC). The exhibit will feature 10 colorful great blue heron statues and educational signage situated along the 1.7-mile purple trail.

BHCNC contracted with Icon Poly, a family-owned company from Gibbon, Nebraska, to create ten paintable fiberglass sculptures. To bring the sculptures to life, BHCNC engaged students of all ages from Rockdale County Public Schools and the homeschool sector to submit design suggestions for the statues. More than 140 entries were collected and a panel of judges comprised of city of Conyers staff and council members, the Conyers-Rockdale Council for the Arts, and Rockdale County Master Gardeners deliberated on the top 10 winning designs. Those selections served as inspiration for the final artwork of the statues, painted by professional artists from The Sketching Pad in Olde Town Conyers.

Coordinator of Fine Arts at Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) Dr. Kirby Meng stated, “Faculty and students were thrilled to be involved and put a lot of thought and creative energy into their design choices for the Herald of Herons project. There were students that wholeheartedly considered our environmental responsibility to keep wetland habitats healthy. It was obvious that the kids understood the assignment.”

The Herald of Herons public art project will be completed by mid-July. Big Haynes Creek Nature Center will honor the students and teachers and celebrate the success of the long-awaited project with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday, July 22 at 11 a.m.

On Saturday, July 27 from 10am-12pm, a free, public educational event led by Georgia Birds Master Birder, Jack Bruce, will take participants on a 2-mile interpretive walk to enjoy the new art exhibit while taking a long lens look at the role of these incredible wading inhabitants. Register here: Link to Eventbrite registration link. https://shorturl.at/uUzJF

BHCNC visitors are also encouraged to take self-led educational walks at their own leisure to learn about the characteristics of Great Blue Herons and their connection to the wetlands web.

Student art contest winners for the Herald of Herons art exhibit are:

#103 – Kennedy Gibbs, Age 10, Grade 5, Homeschool student; Sketching Pad artist, Theme: Springtime Pollination

#30 – Tionne Brown, Age 10, Grade 4, RCPS (Flat Shoals Elementary), Theme: Kaleidoscope of Colors

#42 – Morgan Clark, Age 12, Grade 6, RCPS (General Ray Davis Middle School), Teacher: King, Theme: The Monarch Butterfly & How it Migrates Through Georgia

#60 – Natalyah Jett, Age 12, Grade 6, RCPS (General Ray Davis Middle School), Teacher: King, Theme: Starry Night inspired by Vincent Van Gogh

#49 – Izrael Bierra, Age 11, Grade 6, RCPS (General Ray Davis Middle School), Teacher: King, Theme: Stargazing

#43 – Destiny Donald, Age 7, RCPS (General Ray Davis Middle School), Teacher: King, Theme: Heron’s Habitat in the Wetlands filled with Lily Pads & Flowers

#57 – Alexandria Sands, Grade 7, RCPS (General Ray Davis Middle School), Teacher: King, Theme: Conyers Cherry Blossom Festival

#40 – Cameron Jeffries, Age 14, Grade 8, RCPS (General Ray Davis Middle School), Teacher: King, Theme: Collage of Shapes with the City of Conyers “C” Logo

#54 – Ximena Torres, Grade 8, RCPS (General Ray Davis Middle School), Teacher: King, Theme: River/Pond where Herons & Cranes Live. The metal rings in his legs represent awareness of pollution that affects animals.

#18 – Allison Hart & Paula Gutierrez, Grade 9, RCPS (Salem High School), Teacher: Dr. Jones, Theme: The Buzz on Native Flowers & Bees

The Big Haynes Creek Nature Center is open daily from sunrise to sunset. Entrance and parking are free. For more information about Big Haynes Creek Nature Center and updates/photos for this project, please contact Dawn Tanner at dawn.tanner@conyersga.gov or visit: https://www.georgiahorsepark.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/BigHaynesCreekNatureCenter.

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