Clayton News Daily

Submitted

The Newman Wetlands Center's Sixth Annual Wetlands and Watershed Festival will be held on Aug. 27. It offers Southern Crescent residents of all ages an opportunity to enjoy nature while learning about our environment in a fun way.

The festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is free. The 32-acre Newman Wetlands Center of the Clayton County Water Authority is located at 2755 Freeman Road in Hampton and includes a learning exhibit center and half mile wetlands trail that gives visitors the chance to see many animal and plant species.

According to Carol Lambert, Senior Conservationist for the center, the focus of the festival is education for all ages about wetlands, our watershed and the role of people within the watershed.

Visitors may participate in wetlands and watershed activities, guided wetland walks, a scavenger hunt, children's nature crafts, face painting and enjoy live animal exhibits provided by "Bubba and Friends" of Zebulon, Georgia and others.

Plus, many environmental agencies will be on hand with exhibits and materials including: Atlanta Audubon Society, Clayton County Master Gardeners 4-H and Extension Service, Dauset Trails Nature Center, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Georgia Forestry Commission and Georgia Wildlife Federation.

Visitors will be directed to park at nearby Blalock Reservoir and shuttled to the festival throughout the day.

The Newman Wetlands Center opened in 1995 to demonstrate the importance of preserving wetland environments and to provide public education in matters of natural resource conservation.

As part of the authority's continuing commitment to the community, the Newman Wetlands Center helps provides visitors with an understanding of the crucial role that wetlands play within the watershed and the cycle of water.

For more information on the festival, call (770) 603-5606 or visit www.ccwa1.com (Community Facilities - Wetlands Center).