Click the link for the full version of the Lithonia Walking Map.

You can help archaeologists on an exciting journey in search of clues to the history of an all but forgotten community.

About the project:
The Historic Preservation Division (HPD) is partnering with the Arabia Mountain Heritage Area Alliance, Inc. in a public archaeology project at the Lyon Farm in DeKalb County. Excavations are planned for April 6, 2013. The event will have two shifts. The first will be from 9am —  noon and the second will be from 1pm — 4pm. RSVPs are required. (Please note that we
have reached our limit for participants)

Who can participate?
These excavations are open to the public. We are asking community  members to come out and join us in digging up some local history. No previous experience is necessary and the general public, amateur historians, and the descendants of the people who lived on the Lyon Farm are all welcome to participate.  All participants will be trained on location to properly search for artifacts and all necessary equipment will be provided.

What is the Lyon Farm?
The Lyon Farm was settled around 1800 by a Revolutionary War soldier on land that was originally part of the Creek Nation. It remained a self-sustaining farm throughout this time and was one of the four plantations that served as the cornerstones for the Flat Rock community.

What can we discover?
As a working farm for generations, there is a high likelihood of finding interesting clues about past residents and early American lifestyles. Creek settlements were also reported in the area and there is a good chance of encountering Native American artifacts during the investigations.

Why is this important?
A site, properly excavated, tells you about the people who lived there, what they believed, and how they organized their society. This is a rare opportunity for the public to become engaged with and involved in the interpretation and understanding of the past. This project could also have a lasting impact on our community’s values, sense of place, and the future preservation and management of our historical areas.

Ready to dig?
If you are interested in participating in the excavations please RSVP online. (Please note that we
have reached our limit for participants)

The DAMNP has launched volunteer events for the 1^st Saturday of each month. Our kickoff event took place on a chilly day in February and over 20 people joined together to remove 30 large bags of trash, tires, car parts, and pounds of glass shards from the Preserve. You can ee how much fun we had here.

We kept the momentum going in March and were able to remove an invasive plant from the Preserve. The dark green leaves of the Privet look harmless enough but the non-native plant grows so fast that it chokes out other plants.  Twelve volunteers braved the freezing temperatures to come out and remove Privet from 50 square feet of the preserve. Each plant would have produced over 200 seeds every summer so our work will have a long-term impact in the Preserve.

Each of these events gave volunteers a chance to meet new people and have fun while giving back to their community. Come join us next month and create new memories with us. Make sure to email us so we can add you to our monthly volunteer email and you’ll never miss an opportunity to join the fun.

This spot is the perfect place to unplug since there is no power, no cars, and no street lights to interfere with enjoyment of the natural treasures around you. The primitive camping sites can only be reached via a ½ mile hike. The sites do not offer electricity or running water but they do have a composting toilet, picnic table, fire ring, a lamp post, and plenty of peace and quiet.

The sites are not officially open to the public yet but you will soon be able to reserve them at the Panola Mountain website. Once the spaces are open you can reserve them by clicking on the reservation button at the top of the website.

Currently these plants are vulnerable to extinction and the protected habitat at DAMNP is vital for the recovery of these two species. The goal of this project is to more than double the worldwide population of both plant species.

Trained staff from the Georgia Botanical Gardens removed samples of both plants from Arabia Mountain. The samples are being carefully tended until their new habitats are ready for them to be transplanted. Five new pools have already been excavated using heavy equipment; however they must be carefully monitored over the next 6 to 12 months to make sure they mimic natural solution pits and retain water after each rain storm. You can see the process here.

In time, the pool habitats will be protected from disturbances by a low fence and educational signage will highlight the program’s value in protecting these species. Keep any eye on your inbox to learn when the new areas are open for visitors.

This project is funded through a $10,000 grant from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, which will provide technical advice and oversight. The DAMNP just received confirmation that funding for this project will be extended for at least one more year.

The project celebrates Lithonia’s ancestors with personal and private photographs and handmade items. To visually tell the story of early Lithonia, the artist used an African costume called the Agan. The exhibit is accompanied by photographs from Sistagraphy, a collective of African-American women photographers.

The exhibition will be on display at the Stonecrest Library from March 1 – April 30 during normal library hours. There is also a special reception scheduled for March 16 from 11:00am to 1:00pm which is open to the public. Full event details can be found here.

This project was partially funded by a grant from the Arabia Mountain Heritage Area Alliance.

Join the “madness” this March with a Triple Hike Challenge!  

Dozens of amateur adventurers have already joined ranger-guided hikes to conquer three granite monadnocks in metro-Atlanta this month. Over the first two weekends, hikers scaled the peaks of Arabia, Panola, and Stone Mountains in a single day! The invigorating quest was the kickoff to the first annual “Monadnock Madness,” a family-friendly challenge to encourage people to get outdoors and explore natural treasures in their own backyard.  This event continues all month with tours, self-guided options, and a special prize for hikers who complete all three treks. Read more here.

Journeys Project Makes History Personal

Shared memory is the basis for “Redressing the Stone: The Journeys Project in Lithonia, Georgia.” You are invited to the exhibition of history and art created by visual mythologist Lynn Marshall-Linnemeier at the Stonecrest Library. The artwork celebrates the city’s ancestors with personal and private photographs and handmade items which are on display until April 30.  A special reception is also planned for March 16. Read more here.

We Want You!

Sparkling streams, vernal pools, and inspiring forests make their home in the 2,500 acres of the Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve. This special place requires quite a bit of upkeep and we couldn’t hope to preserve the area’s natural beauty without your help! Come join us at our monthly service project as we restore trails, remove harmful plants, and give back to our community! Never miss the fun by joining our monthly volunteer email list. Read more here.

New Home Needed; Shallow Pit Preferred

Finding a new home for an endangered plant species isn’t easy. Especially when that tiny plant prefers to live in a cozy pool on a granite monadnock. Recently, the DAMNP began an excavation project to create new granite pool habitats for two critically imperiled plant species: the federally threatened pool sprite and the federally endangered black-spored quillwort. The goal of this project is to more than double the worldwide population of both plant species. Read more here.

New PATH Open For Adventure

Curves ahead! New PATH features a serpentine bridge, plenty of hills, and gorgeous views. For several years, the Arabia Mountain/South River/Rockdale River PATH Trail system has terminated at the beautiful Alexander Lake Trailhead in Panola Mountain State Park.  In January, PATH, Georgia State Parks, and Rockdale County opened an additional 5.5 miles of trails beyond Alexander Lake to South Rockdale Community Park that are ready for you to explore. Read more here.

Primitive Camping at Panola

Grab your marshmallows and dust off your tent! Five new camping sites have been created near Scout Lake in Panola Mountain State Park. These sites are currently the only public camping locations within the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area. This spot is the perfect place to unplug since there is no power, no cars, and no street lights to interfere with enjoyment of the natural treasures around you. Read more here.