Wild Year At Autrey Mill Nature Preserve

Autrey Mill Nature Preserve & Heritage Center had an exciting year in 2015 and looks forward to an even bigger and better year in 2016. Having a successful fundraiser and securing financial support from area businesses played a key role in several improvements. In addition, the long-term support of area scouts and the National Charity League has also facilitated many new projects.

One of the most needed changes has been the ability to have the Visitors Center be open for several hours on Sunday. “With so many families having two working parents, it was crucial that our Visitors Center be open on Sundays for families to explore and meet our reptiles and see our animal exhibits,” said Board President Karen Daniel. “We are delighted to be able to offer this now.”

In addition, Autrey Mill has hired a heritage program manager, Kimberly Brigance, and a collections & exhibits manager, Claudette Lopez. Kimberly formerly was Director of Historic Resources with Heritage Sandy Springs. With a Master of Historic Preservation and a B.A. in Anthropology, Kimberly has visions of bringing history to life at Autrey Mill. Claudette has had a long relationship with Autrey Mill spanning 11 years. Beginning as a volunteer, she now has a Masters in Museum Studies from Johns Hopkins. Claudette will care and curate our existing collections, while starting new collections in oral history, photos and archives. She also has been our liaison with the National Charity League and works with our docent program which she began in 2012.

Over 20 Eagle Scout and Girl Scout projects were completed in 2015, totaling more than $10,000 in cost and 2,300 in volunteer hours, including a large chicken coop that houses three chickens, Luna, Chestnut and Mayflower. The chickens are a heritage breed, Plymouth Rocks, and are friendly ambassadors who help connect visitors, both young and old, with our community’s rural roots.

President Karen Daniel added, “We are still working hard to finalize a farm museum for our visitors to learn more about the agriculture history of the land on which we are situated. In addition, our butterfly garden will soon have a fence to keep out the area deer who have been making a meal of our plants meant for butterflies, bees and hummingbirds. The City of Johns Creek has also played a key role in allowing many of our improvements. I truly feel the best is yet to come.”