Glenn Creek Nature Preserve -
A History
The Glenn Creek Nature Preserve (GCNP) was created in 2004 to protect two acres of undeveloped watershed in Decatur, Georgia. The preserve includes old-growth forest, a creek, wildlife, and native plants. In 2020, GCNP was recognized as an important part of the "Original Forest of Atlanta” and added to the national Old-Growth Forest Network.
The preserve is an excellent example of how a community can work together to save an urban forest for its unique ecological role, utilizing passive urban forestry management to create a place of peace and natural wonder in the midst of our urban density. GCNP was created through a unique partnership between the land owner at the time, surrounding neighborhoods, and the City of Decatur, with the fiscal agency of the Georgia-Alabama Land Trust. GENA neighbor, Doug Oster purchased the original property in 1995 along with his home on Glenn Circle. In 2004, GENA neighbor, Neil Norton, and other committed neighbors formed the GCNP Alliance to raise funds to purchase and preserve the undeveloped 2½ acres of the property from development in perpetuity. Over 60 neighbors from Glennwood Estates, Decatur Heights, and Decatur contributed to the effort. The GCNP Alliance raised $65,000 towards purchasing the property, and the City of Decatur contributed $90,000 from the Georgia Governor's Greenspace Program. Doug Oster generously agreed to sell the property for half the appraised value, and the preserve was deeded over to the City of Decatur. The Georgia-Alabama Land Trust acted as fiscal agent in order to preserve it as greenspace and transfer ownership. The transaction and deed language was created by Hutch Moore, a Glennwood Estates neighbor and attorney who volunteered his time and efforts to help transfer the land ownership to the City. The vision for the preserve as a greenspace was stated in the Warranty Deed contract for the sale:
"...the Property will be used in perpetuity as a nature preserve and that it will remain in its natural undeveloped state, subject, however, to the right to initiative stream bank and forest restoration consistent with the preservation of the Conservation Values of the Property. Limited access to the Property shall be over pervious trails during daylight hours for the purpose of walking, bird watching, wildlife viewing and such other similar passive activities which are consistent with the objective of preserving and maintaining the Conservation Values of the Property."
In the over 15 years since its founding, the Glenn Creek Nature Preserve has been managed by the City of Decatur and maintained with the help of volunteers for the GCNP Alliance. In the early years, the GCNPA also benefitted from a Decatur Beer Festival grant for the purchase of tools, in addition to generous discounts from Decatur’s Intown Ace Hardware. Neil Norton estimates over 3,000 volunteer hours have been donated to keeping up the preserve during that time, with a large part coming from the Close Up Program at Decatur High School. The Close Up program was created by Chris Billingsly, a former DHS teacher, and is overseen by committed DHS civics teachers who work with student volunteers. Scout groups and dedicated neighbors also commit their time during biannual volunteer days. Volunteer projects have ranged from bridge and trail building to invasive plant removal. Volunteers can find out more information and get involved through the alliance Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Glenncreeknature/, in addition to the website http://glenncreeknaturepreserve.org that includes a more in depth history of the area.
The Glenn Creek Nature Preserve is an important natural resource for Decatur and the surrounding region. Protecting and enhancing the preserve in its natural state is critical to ensuring this vital watershed and ecosystem continues to thrive.
Written by GENA Neighbors Holly Grimes & Erin Braden (Summer 2020)