Field Notes

Featuring live music, auction items, raffle prizes, and wildlife encounters, Atlanta Wild Animal Rescue Effort (AWARE)’s Wild Night OutSIDE offers a fun, celebratory bash that supports a good cause. The event will take place at the Rockdale Art Farm (4420 Flat Bridge Rd. SW, Stockbridge, GA 30281) from 4-7 pm on October 23rd. All of […]

The last South River paddle of the 2021 season happened on Saturday, September 25th. That means that the next guided paddle down the beautiful South River won’t happen until Spring – so keep an eye out for updates in the coming months on ways to get involved in the South River. Remember that you can […]

Daisy Days 2021 has just wrapped up. Thank you to all the staff and visitors who participated in making the Triple Hike Challenge happen! The daisy bloom was, as always, stunning, and we at the Arabia Mountain NHA are so glad we got to share it with you. Keep an eye out for updates about […]

You can help support pollinators in the National Heritage Area! Did you know that the honeybee (Apis spp., seen above) is not, in fact, native to North America? Europeans brought the bees over in the 17th Century, and they have since become well-established as managed and feral bee populations throughout what is now the United […]

We have about a week left in September, and the daisies are going strong. You can still complete the Daisy Days Triple Hike Challenge by hiking three out of four mountains (Arabia, Kennesaw, Panola, and Stone) and taking photos of your trip. Once you’ve hiked all three (or four) mountains, fill out the online form […]

There are over 34 miles of trails for biking at Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area, stretching from historic downtown Lithonia all the way to the Monastery of the Holy Spirit. The trails are an important part of the community and are well-designed to create a family-friendly environment for thousands of joggers, walkers, bikers, and skaters […]

Looking for a new hiking trail? The Vaughter’s Farm Meadow Loop is a 1.25-mile trail that begins behind the popular Vaughters Barn. Not many people know that behind the barn, pleasant pathways run through meadow and woodland. This easy unpaved trail is perfect for a quick getaway and offers unbeatable views of Vaughter’s Farm, rolling […]

Parking has been crowded at Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve on the weekends. The outdoors has become a welcome respite for people during the pandemic, and we love that people are coming out and enjoying the National Heritage Area. As the two main lots (the AWARE lot at 4158 Klondike Road and the Nature Center lot at […]

Congratulations to Holly Badger, the first person to finish this year’s Daisy Days Triple Hike Challenge. Holly hiked Arabia, Kennesaw, and Panola Mountains to earn her prize.  Daisy Days runs throughout the month of September. Participants can complete the Triple Hike Challenge by hiking three of four possible mountains to earn the prize: Arabia Mountain, […]

Today, the Flat Rock community is one of the oldest Black communities in Georgia. The Lyon Farm is a key part of the community’s history. This historic site is the place where the Flat Rock ancestors endured slavery. Although the Lyon Farm is relatively small, a far cry from the massive plantations most often associated […]

Quilt making has played an important role in the history of Flat Rock, one of the oldest Black communities in Georgia. Listen as Johnny Waits and Patricia Bryant, both descendants and members of the Flat Rock community, discuss the role of quilts and quilt making in the community’s story:  Credit: Quilt Making from New South […]

Lithonia, Georgia arose as a bustling quarry town, and at one point was part of a global granite industry hub. Today, you can explore historic sites and greenspace in Lithonia as part of the National Heritage Area! A great starting point is the Lithonia Woman’s Club, located at 2564 Wiggins Street (right off of Main […]