Local Girl Scout Reduces and Reuses for Gold Award at Autrey Mill

JOHNS CREEK, GA — Grayce Ludlow, a local Girl Scout from Troop 3015, chose her Girl Scout Gold Award project to reduce the ecological damage and economical loss caused by people depositing paper maps into the woods and trails of the Autrey Mill Nature Preserve.

The Reduce and Reuse project provides laminated maps of the trails and wooden boxes placed strategically throughout the preserve so that the maps may be borrowed and returned. According to Pam Sutton with the Autrey Mill Nature Preserve, the number of maps used is currently 75 to 100 per month. The laminated maps will be reused, therefore greatly reducing the amount of paper used and trash accumulated.

Ludlow gathered a crew to cut, assemble, stain, and install the six wooden boxes through the preserve. Fellow Girl Scouts from her troop, as well as a Brownie, Cub Scout, and Boy Scout pitched in to support this project. She is currently completing the educational and feedback portions of her project to submit the final report to the Girl Scouts Council in September.

“Working on my Girl Scout Gold Award has been a very rewarding and educational experience. The Autrey Mill Nature Preserve is a wonderful place to learn about and explore our natural surroundings. My hope is that my project will further enhance the experience,” says Ludlow.

The Autrey Mill Nature Preserve & Heritage Center is a 46-acre preserve with three miles of trails that provides a venue where visitors can learn about the past as well as appreciate nature. The property is located on 9770 Autrey Mill Road, Johns Creek, Georgia. Its purpose is to conserve its historical and natural environment while educating the community about its mission. Guided cell phone tours are available for its natural and historical assets. For more information, visit http://autreymill.org/.