Junior ranger, 2002

Dear Parents:
W:lcome! We are pleased that you and your family are participating in the Junior Ranger program. It is a wonderful opportunity for you to share time together in the outdoors and earn more about Georgia's wealth of natural, cultural and recreational resources. Please keep in mind that it is not necessary to be trained in the natural sciences to assist your child in their efforts to become a Junior Ranger. No individual, regardless of their expertise, can answer all of the questions generated by a curious child. Your willingness to provide encouragement and help your child find his/her own answers are what matters most of all. Parents will need to read the directions for young Junior Rangers.
Many of the activities required for the Junior Ranger program may be completed at sites other than Georgia's State Parks & Historic Sites-from other public lands to your own backyard. Keep in mind that the historic sites are also rich in natural resources. Some Parks and Historic Sites offer Junior Ranger Day Camps. You will need to check with individual sites to learn more.
The Georgia State Park system is one of the finest in the country. It is rich in many ways-from its natural and cultural resources to the talented and devoted people who work there. The staff at Georgia's State Parks & Historic Sites are committed to protecting our parks and sharing them with you and your family.
We would love to hear any comments you wish to share with us regarding your experience with the Junior Ranger Program. Have fun!
Sincerely,
2002 Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites, 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Suite 1352, Atlanta, Georgia 30334. Written by Cindy Reittinger, State Naturalist for Georgia State Parks. Designed by Lenz Design, Decatur, Georgia.

Welcome to the Junior Ranger Program

Georgia is rich in natural, cultural and recreational resources. As a Junior Ranger you will experience nature first-hand , explore Georgia's fascinating history and have fun enjoying recreational activities in the outdoors.
How to Becorne a Junior Ranger
Using this activity book as your guide, complete the checklist below. When you complete each activity a parent or guardian must initial the item. There is no deadline for completing the program. The same book can be u sed as Junior Rangers progress from level to level.
When you have completed all of the requirements, you may present this page at any Georgia State Park or Historic Site office to receive your badge OR send this page or a photocopy of this page to: State N atu ralist, Geor gia St a t e Parks & Historic Sit es, 2 Mar tin Luther King Jr. Drive, Suite 1352, Atlanta , GA 30334. You will receive your badge in 2-4 weeks.

Name _______________________ Age/Birthdate_ _ _ __ _ Address_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

City _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ State _ _ _ _ _ _ Zip _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ E-mail Address ________________________________

Level I Approved------.,---- - - , - - - - - - - - - - - - - Date _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

Geor~10 Stale Park or /h stonc .Sill' Heprei!INIIOtftr

Level II Approved

Date _ _ _ __ _ _ _ __

Level III Approved

(itorgiO Stot1 Park ur 1/tsttmc Stu ll~?pr.~stntcJIII'('

Date __________

Gcorgto State Park or 1-l tstoru Sit(' Ri'prr:;et~tatu t'

Check the Junior Ranger Level You Want to Achieve
(Only one badge may be earned at a time.)
0 Levell:
(Recommended for ages S-7) Must complete at least 7 activities
Level II: 0
(Recommended for ages 8 -10) Must complete at least 10 activities

Junior Ranger Checklist ~

Activity

Page

Be Aware

2-3

Georgia Pines 4

Water

5

Gone Fishing

6

Outdoor Fun

7

Wildlife

8

Fruits & Flowers 9

Long Ago

10

Whooo

11

Look Up

12

Circle of Life

13

Parent's Initials

0 Level Ill:
(Recommended for ages 11-12) Must complete at least 14 activities

The following are for level II & Ill only

Timeline

14

Dear Friend

15

Mountains to Sea 16-1 7

Rare Treasures 18

Get Involved

19

Rocks

20

GEORG LA STATE PARKS AND HI TORI C ITES JU lOR RANGER PROGRAM

Be Aware of Potential Dangers

Junior Rangers need to be aw~re of~otential danger~ and use good common sense when exploring in the outdoors. To meet th1s Jumor Ranger reqmrement you must ask an adult to read the following aloud while you listen carefully.

Poison Ivy
Poison ivy is commonly found in Georgia's State Parks. It may be found growing on the ground or as a hairy vine climbing up a tree trunk. Each leafis divided into three leaflets which may be smooth or notched. Many people develop a rash when they come in contact with this plant. Although it is not popular with people, poison ivy berries are an important food for wildlife. Find and identify poison ivy, but do not touch it.

Ticks

A small percentage of deer ticks carry the bacteria that causes Lyme

disease. Wood ticks may carry the bacteria that causes Rocky Mountain

Poison Ivy

spotted fever.Although it was first identified in the Rocky

Deer Tick

Wood Tick

Mountains, most cases occur

in the southeastern United

States. Be sure to check for

and remove any ticks after spending time in the outdoors.

Snakes

It is very unlikely that you will encounter a snake in the

wild. If, however, you should come across a snake give it

<<Actual Size>>

plenty of space. A snake's most common form of defense is

avoidance, so you need to give them room to flee . Look where

you are stepping, and never reach under rocks or into openings.

Six species of poisonous snake occur in Georgia: eastern coral snake, timber rattlesnake (and sub-

species canebrake rattlesnake), eastern diamondback rattlesnake, pygmy rattlesnake, cottonmouth

and copperhead.

Rattlesnake

2

GEORGIA STATE PARKS AN 0 HISTORI S ITE JUNIOR R GER PROGRAM

Be Prepared
Wear appropriate dress and comfortable walking shoes in the outdoors. It is wise to dress in layers so that you may remove or add layers as needed. Pay attention to local weather reports and have rain gear available if needed. Know your abilities and physical limits. Before setting out on a hike be aware of distances and trail conditions. Carry water with you when walking for extended periods of time. Hike with a buddy and always let someone know where you are going.
Exhaustion and exposure to cold temperatures, aggravated by wind and getting wet can cause hypothermia, the number one killer of outdoor recreationists. Heat stroke on the other hand, can be caused by excessive heat and a lack of fluids.

Collecting
Collecting plants and animals or their parts is illegal in a state park unless you have been issued a Scientific Research & Collection Permit. We have made an exception on the Georgia Pines activity page.

Do Not Eat Berries or Other Wild-Collected Foods
It is dangerous to eat wild-col-
lected foods as they may be poi-
sonous.

Lost Prevention Programs
Many Georgia State Parks offer programs on how to avoid getting lost in the wilderness. Check with the parks you visit to see if they offer such a program, or if they can refer you to a park that does.

Poisonous Mushroom

GEORGIA TATE PARKS AND HI STOR IC SITES JU '!OR RANGER PROGRAM

3

Georgia Pines

Pine trees are common in Georgia. Pine trees have specialized leaves called needles. Most pines can be identified by measuring the length of the pine's needles and co~ting the num~er of needles bundled together. Several different I Junior Ranger I

------------------------ kinds ofpme tree grow m our state.

1 Collection Perrnit 1

I

I

Identify Pine Trees

I

I

I

I

LEVEL I: Find and identify at least one kind of pine tree.

I

I

I

I

LEVEL II: Find and identify at least two kinds of pine trees.

I

I

LEVEL Ill: Find and identify at least three kinds of pine trees.
Tape the pine needles next to the name of the tree. To measure the length of the needles refer to the ruler on the back cover.

I

I

------- I

You are hereby permitted as a Junior Ranger to collect up to

I

I three pine needles in a state park. I

Name of Pine Tree Name of Pine Tree
arne of Pine Tree

Tape Needle Above Tape Needle Above Tape Needle Above

Cornrnon Georgia Pine Trees

Species

Number of

Length

Needles in Bundle of Needles

Virginia

2

1 .5 " - 3 "

9hortleaf

2&3

3"-5"

Pitch

3

3"-5"

Eastern White

5

3"-5"

loblolly

3

6"-9"

Slash

2&3

8"-12"

longleaf

3

12"

Habitat mountains & upper Piedmont throughout Georgia mountains of northeast Georgia mountains of north Georgia throughout Georgia except high mountains lower coastal plain coastal plain

_,. ._. - ~=::::::::::::::~========== LobloiiiJ Pine ~------------------=--=-

4

GEORG IA STATE PARKS AND HISTORIC S ITES J UNIOR RANGER PROGRAM

Water

Water is important to all living things. It comes down from the clouds as precipitation (rain and snow) and collects in many places. When raindrops hit the ground, they may percolate down through the soil or travel over the land. They may also be taken up through plant roots in the soil. An area of land that collects runoff from precipitation is referred to as a watershed.
Run off from a watershed eventually ends up in bodies of water. In Georgia we have access to many bodies of water. Some occur naturally and some are created by man. By blocking the flow of water
---------------------------------- using a dam we may create a collected body ofwater such as a pond or lake. Observe and Study Bodies of Water

LEVEll: Complete one of the following observation activities.

LEVEL II: Complete one observation activity and one water study activity.

LEVEL Ill: Complete observation activities at two different bodies of water and two water study activities.

Observation Activities
___Identify plant and animal life in a body of water: lake/pond, marsh/swamp, or river/stream

BodiJ of Water and Name of 9ite
-c
.2
~
5l
~
0

Plant/Animal Living in Water

Animal Traveling on Water

Plant/Animal at Water's Edge

Water Study Activities
___Observe wave action at the beach. Walk along the shore and identify at least three things that wash in with the waves. 1. _ __ _ __ _ _ _ _ 2. ___________________ 3.
___Visit a stream or river. Drop a leaf into the water and count how many seconds it takes to travel a certain distance (for example ten feet). Repeat three times and take the average. Divide the time into the distance to determine how fast the water flows in feet per second. Convert it to miles per hour (1 mile per hour=1.567 feet per second). When you get in your car travel that speed for a short distance.
___Visit a dam. Where does the water come from?-------------------------------Where does the water go? --------------------------------------------------What is the name of the body of water created by the dam? ____________

GEORGIA STATE PARKS AND HISTORIC SITES JUNIOR RANGER PROGRAM

6

Gone Rshing

ere are some tips for catching fish: 1. Fishing is good early in the morning and early in the evening. 2. If fish aren't biting move to a new spot. 3. Fish like cover, so fish in likely
-H--------------------------------- protected places. Go On a Fishing Trip

LEVEL I: Go fishing in a pond or lake. Have your picture taken and paste the photo on this page.

LEVEL II: Go fishing in a pond or lake AND a stream or river. You must bait your own hook and cast accurately. How does fishing differ at each site? Take a picture of the fish you caught and paste it on this page. Identify the fish and record its weight and length under the photo.

LEVEL Ill: Go fishing at a pond or lake AND a river or stream. You must bait your own hook and cast accurately. How does fishing differ at each site? Visit a fish hatchery-a site where fish are raised in pools for later release into lakes and streams. Have your picture taken at the fish hatchery and paste it on this page. Identify where the fish hatchery is located and what kind(s) of fish are raised there under the photo. To locate the nearest fish hatchery refer to the inside back cover.

Bass

Sunfish

Staple/ Paste Photo(s) Here

6

GEORGlA STATE PARKS AND HISTORIC SITES JUN IOR RANGER PROGRAM

Outdoor Fun
he following is a listing of recreational activities available in Georgia's State Parks and Historic Sites. Match the activity to the appropriate icon and circle the activities in which you have
-T--------------------------------- participated. For each circled item write where you participated in the activity. Have Fun in the Outdoors LEVEL I must match all activities with icons and participate in at least two activities.
LEVEL II must match all activities with icons and participate in at least four activities.
LEVEL Ill must match all activities with icons and participate in at least six activities.

Icon

Activity

Where You Participated

D
=g ----.,

t3

~

fD
~
r:;
m

!I

tJ

L---

It

Fishing Guided Tour/Walk Tennis Swirnrning Picnicking Hiking Bird-watching Horseback riding Boating Golf Backpacking Biking Camping

GEORGIA STATE PARKS AND HI TORI C ITE JUN IOR RANGER PROGRAM

7

Wildlife

More than 900 different kinds of amphibians, reptiles, fish, birds and mammals live in Georgia. They range from salamanders and snakes to wood storks and bears.

If you want to observe wild animals, you must be patient. Many wild creatures are wary of people, so you will need to move slowly and quietly.

WILDLIFE VIEWING AREA

Listen carefully for sounds of movement, calls or other animal sounds.

The best time to see wild animals is usually early morning and early

Look for this sign...

evening. Binoculars are helpful. Remember, do not feed wildlife or approach it indicates a good site

too closely.

for viewing wildlife.

Even if you do not see animals you may see signs of wildlife, includ-

ing tracks (footprints), scat (droppings), evidence of feeding, feathers, nests, and burrows.

-------------O-bs-e-rv-e~W-il-dl-ife-------------

lEVEl I must make at least three observations of wild animals or evidence of wildlife.

lEVEL II must make at least five observations of wild animals or evidence of wildlife.

lEVEl Ill must make at least seven observations of wild animals or evidence of wildlife.

You may want to visit one of more than 80 wildlife management areas around the state. (See Wildlife listing inside back cover.)
List Your Observations Below:

1. ---------------------------------------------------------------

2. -------------------------------------------------------------------

3. ---------------------------------------------------------------

4. -----------------------------------------------------------------

5. ---------------------------------------------------------------

6. ---------------------------------------------------------------

7. ---------------------------------------------------------------

8

GEORGIA STATE PARKS AND HI STO RI C SITES JUNIOR RANGER PROGRAM

Fruits & Flowers

More than 3,500 different kinds of plants grow in Georgia. Unlike animals, plants are easy to observe since they cannot run away! They do, however, change from season to season, so plant watching offers different opportunities at different times of the year. Spring is usually the best time to look for wildflowers, although there are some that bloom in summer and fall . Fall is usually the best time to see fruits and their seeds.
Not all plants produce flowers. Non-flowering plants include ferns and mosses. Flowering plants
---------------------------------- include trees,shrubs,grasses and wildflowers. Go On a Plant Scavenger Hunt

lEVEl I must find three of the plants, fruits , or flowers described below. lEVEl II must find five plants, fruits , or flowers as described below. lEVEl Ill must find seven plants, fruits , or flowers as described below.

Remember collecting in State Parks is not allowed-see page 2.

Put an X Next to the Plant I Fruit I or Flowers You Find:

_ _.A nut or acorn (fruits from trees)

_ _.A red flower or fruit-(red attracts hummingbirds)

_ _.A flower with at least 5 petals

_ _.A fuzzy seed that can be carried on the wind

-~A fern

-~A grass (their flowers are tiny)

__Spanish moss hanging on a tree (it is a flowering plant and not really a moss)

_ _A berry-look inside for seeds (Don't taste or put your fingers in your mouth)

__Maple fruit/seeds

_ _.A flower that attracts bees or butterflies

_ _.A fruit with tiny hooks-like burdock. These fruits stick to animals, helping to spread their seeds.

Maple 9eed

__Seeds inside a pine cone

GEORG IA STATE PARK AN D H I TORI C S ITES JUN IOR RANGER PROGRAM

Acom 9

Long Ago
eorgia has a rich and fascinating history-from ancient Indian Mounds and Revolutionary War for~s. to Nat~ve ~e~ican set~leme~ts ~nd Civil.War battle sites: See history co.me to life by
-G------------------ visitmg a Histone Site or by mvestigatmg the history of a Georg~a State Park site. Investigate History LEVEL I: Complete two activities.
LEVEL II: Complete four activities.
LEVEL Ill: Complete six activities.

Check Completed Activities and Attach a Brochure, Map or Other Evidence that You Have Visited the 9ite.
_ _Visit the first state park in Georgia and drink from the spring-Indian Springs
_ _Visit Indian Mounds: Etowah Mounds, Kolomoki Mounds or Florence Marina
_ _Tour an historic gristmill: Hamburg State Park, George L. Smith State Park or other _ _Visit a Civil War Site: Pickett's Mill Battlefield, Fort McAllister, A. H . Stephens,
Magnolia Springs, Jefferson Davis Memorial or other
_ _Visit an 18th Century Fort: Fort Yargo, Fort Morris, Fort King George _ _Visit a State Park named after a person and find out who they were:

Site Na me
_ _Visit a Plantation: Jarrell Plantation, Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation
_ _Visit a site named for a Native American or a Native American Word: ChiefVann House, New Echota, Unicoi, Amicalola, Seminole, Tugaloo
_ _Visit the site of this country's first gold rush: Dahlonega Gold Museum
_ _Visit the ruins of a colonial estate, textile mill or gristmill: Wormsloe, Sweetwater Creek, High Falls State Park
_ _.Attend a living history program (actors dressed in period costume). Who did the character (s) portray?

10

GEORG LA STATE PARKS AND HISTORIC SITES JUN IOR RANGER PROGRAM

Whooo . . . !
Venturing out into the natural world at night is a new experience for many people. In a safe outdoor environment, however, exploring nighttime wonders can be fun and exciting. To complete this Junior Ranger requirement you must attend a Ranger-led Night Hike OR take a 30 min. walk outside at night with an adult. You will need to get away from lights and noise to best enjoy your night hike.
Since you cannot see at night, you need to use your ears and your senses of touch and smell. Listen for owls, insects and other creatures rustling around on the ground. Does the air smell different at night? (Wetting your nose will increase your smelling ability !) Can you distinguish between two trees by the feel of their bark?
---------------------------------- The creatures shown on this page are nocturnal, which means they are active at night. Experience the Natural World at Night
lEVEl 1: Take a night hike and see, hear or smell at least two night creatures.
lEVEl II: Take a night hike and see, hear or smell at least three night creatures.
lEVEl Ill: Take a night hike and see, hear or smell at least four night creatures.
Circle the Creatures that you Heard, Saw, or Smelled on Your Night Hike.

Cri cke t Fi refly

Katydid-sounds like rough sandpaper rubbing t ogether

Frog

Raccoon

9kunk
GEORGIA STATE PARKS AN D HISTORIC SITES JUNIOR RANGER PROGRAM

Opossum
11

Look Up
ay or night there is something of interest in the sky above you. You can ga ze at the moon and
-D---- ----------------------------- watch vultures circle, hawks soar,clouds float by, stars twinkle and bats flutter. View Nature Above You lEVEl 1: Find one item on the daytime checklist and one item on the nighttime checklist lEVEl II: Find two items on the daytime checklist and two items on the nighttime checklist. lEVEl Ill: Find three items on each checklist.

Nighttime
___Observe the moon in two different phases. Why does the moon change shape? It doesn't. When we look at the moon we see the front of the moonpart is lit by sunlight and part is in shade.
- - -Observe a blue moon. This is a rare occurrence. A blue moon is a second full moon occurring within one month.
___Find the Big Dipper, the Little Dipper and the North Star. The North Star is at the tip of the handle of the Little Dipper.
___.At dusk look for bats fluttering in the sky.

Phases of the Moon
0

New

Waxing

Full

Waning

Common Constellations

Cassio pia th e Queen

Daytime
___Lie down on your back and look at the clouds for at least 15 minutes. Think about this while you are cloud-watching-clouds are there because of the large and mighty oceans-what does that mean?
___Watch a hawk soaring in the sky. Hawks generally hold their wings flat as they soar.
___Watch vultures circling in the sky. Vultures generally hold their wings in more of a V shape and teeter back & forth.
___Find the moon in the daytime sky. Some days during each month you can see the moon in the daytime sky.

Polaris (North Star)
* * * * Big Dipper

12

GEORGIA TATE PARKS AND HISTORI SITES JUNIOR RANGER PROGRAM

Circle of Life
As you have probably heard many times, everything in nature is connected. It is, however, such an important message that it bears repeating. Life begins and ends, animals eat plants and big animals eat small animals. Other creatures break down the dead to be recycled back into
---------------------------------- the soil and used by plants. Mother Nature is a great recycler. Nothing is wasted. Draw Different Creatures LEVEll: Find and draw two of the following.
LEVEL II: Find and draw three of the following.
LEVEL Ill: Find and draw four of the following.
Visit a State Park/Historic Site or Other Natural Area and look for Examples of the Following. Use the Space Below for Drawing.

An animal eating a plant

An animal that eats smaller animals

An earthworm

A plant that eats insects

A creature smaller than an earthworm that lives in the soil

A mushroom or shelf fungus growing on a tree

GEORG IA TATE PARKS AND HI TOR I ITES JU N IOR RANGER PROGRAM

13

Timeline
(LEVEL II AND Ill ONLY)
Georgia has a rich and fascinating history. Keeping all of the dates straight, however, can get confusing. It helps to look at a timeline to put it all in perspective. For historical events marked with a * write-in the appropriate Georgia State Historic Site. Visit at least one ofthese
historic sites. Also, add the year your grandmother was born.

Add the Following to the Timeline: Year Your Grandmother was Born

* 1733: British colonists settle in coastal Georgia. One of the first settlers is Noble
Jones. The tabby ruins of his home are preserved.

-
r---

1725

- 1750

1776: Declaration of Independence signed (signatures include three from Georgia) .

* 1779: This fort fell to the Briti sh in the
American Revolution.

~

1775

r---

1 1788: Georgia becomes the 4 th state.

I r---- 1800

* 18!29 : Gold seekers flock to the north Georgia mountains. * 1864: U. S. General William T. Sherman captures this fort .

* 18!25: The Cherokee Nation establishes a capital.

I

* 18 60: Senator Robert Toombs declares
"Defend yourselves; the enemy is at your
door... " the year before the Civil War began.

-
r---=

1825 185 0

- 18 75

19 !27: Vogel named a Georgia State Park.

1903: The Wright brothers take flight for the first time at
Kitty Hawk, NC.

* 18 65: The President of the Confederacy is
captured soon after the Civil War ends . I - - -

1900

* 193!2: U.S. President Franklin Delano

Roosevelt had this house built.

-

Lr--- 1925
,--

1969: First man walks on the moon.

19 3 9 : The first televisions are offered for sale in the U.S.

1995 : Tallulah Gorge is made a Georgia State Park.

1-- 1950

r---- 1975

1981 : The first IBM personal computer is released.

r---

'---- 200 0

14

GEORGlA STATE PARKS AND HISTORIC SITES JUN IOR RANGER PROGRAM

Dear Friend lLEVEl II AND Ill ONLY) omplete the letter below and send it to someone you know. If you do not want to tear this page
Cout of your book, you may send a photocopy. You may use as many words as you like to fill in blanks. Write a Letter to a Friend
Date: ----------------Dear ---------------------
I enjoyed my visit to _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ located near - - - - - - - - Ga.
The site is about ____miles from my home in - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Write a few sentences about the park or historic site and describe the things you did during your visit.
There is a state park within 50 miles of every Georgia resident. The nearest parks to you are {refer to the map on the back). You may
want to visit one some time!
Georgia is home to many different plants and animals. I've seen - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Did you know there are threatened and endangered species right here in Georgia? 9ome of the ones I
have read about include - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - {Refer to Rare Treasures page 18) Yours truly,
15 (;Jo:()f{(;]A STATE I'AHKS A:-..'ll HISTOHIC SITES .Jl':\!OH HA:\<;EH J'!{()(;}{A:\1

Mountains to Sea (LEVEL II AND Ill ONLY)
The natural environments found in Georgia are diverse and range from mountains to coastline. The types of plants and animals that live in each area are significantly different. They are influenced by several factors, including the geology and the climate ofthe area.The geology refers to the structure of the land and the underlying rock, while the climate refers to the predominant weather
-pat-ter-ns.------------------------------Visit Different Regions
lEVEl II: You must visit a Park or Historic Site in one of the regions described below and either visit a site in another region or obtain a park brochure from a site in another region that you would like to visit. Attach the park brochures to this page. Solve five of the riddles on the next page.
lEVEl Ill: You must visit a Park or Historic Site in one of the regions described below and either visit sites in each of the two other regions or obtain a park brochure from sites in the other regions that you would like to visit. Attach the park brochures to this page. Solve all of the riddles on the next page.
Site: ____________________________ Region: ________________________
Site: ____________________________ Region: ________________________
Site: ____________________________ Region: ________________________

Major Physiographic Regions in Georgia
Mountains & Plateau-North Georgia includes the Blue Ridge Mountain area in north Georgia and the Cumberland Plateau in the northwest corner ofthe State. Cloudland Canyon State Park in northwest Georgia is located on the Cumberland Plateau, which is composed oflimestone and sandstone.The Blue Ridge Mountains include Brasstown Bald, which is the highest point in Georgia.
P iedmont-The Piedmont includes the rolling hills between the mountains and what is called the "fall" line. The fall line marks the change from higher to lower elevations. It runs approximately from Columbus to Macon to Augusta.The soil in the piedmont is predominately red clay. Atlanta is located in the Piedmont.
Coastal P lain-The Coastal Plain covers more than half of the lower part of the state. It includes all land area that is now waterfront or used to be underwater long, long ago. The soil in the coastal plain is sandy. The Coastal Plain contains vast swamps including the Okefenokee Swamp, which is the largest swamp in the United States, as well as broad river systems like the Altamaha, which is the second largest river basin on the Atlantic Seaboard.

16

GEORGIA STATE PARKS AND HISTOR IC ITES JU lOR RANGE R PROGRAM

Mountains to 9ea (continued)
Look at the map on the back cover to see the three distinct regions-Mountains, Piedmont and Coastal Plain. Use the map to solve the Georgia State Park Riddles below.
I am a Georgia State Park with sandy soil I am named after Native Americans Gopher tortoises live in my burrows Who am I?
I am a Georgia State Park I am located in the largest swamp in the U.S. I am home to the largest reptile in North America Who am I?
I am a Georgia State Park named for a body of water I have sandy soil and salt marshes Cumberland Island can be seen from my nature trail Who am I?
I am a Georgia State Park named for a woman My namesake was a teacher The Okefenokee Swamp is my neighbor Who am I?
I am a Georgia State Park with clay soil I am named for a parasite that grows on the branches of trees I am one of the best bass-fishing spots in the U.S. Who am I?
I am a Georgia State Park with sandy soil I am known as "Georgia's Little Grand Canyon" I was named for an 1800's church settlement Who am I?
I am Georgia's highest State Park As you might guess I am in the mountains I have dark-colored cliffs Who am I?
I am Georgia's largest State Park I am named for a U.S. President I am home to Dowdell's Knob Who am I?

<;r:< >H<; L\ STATE I'AHKS A:\ll II ISTOHH' SITES .Jl T:\IOH HANGEH I'HO(;I{Al\1

17

Rare Treasures
(LEVEL II AND Ill ONLY)
D i d you know that of Georgia's 3,600 species of plants approximately 600 are considered rare and that more than 200 of our 930 animal species are rare? Many of these rare creatures are endangered species or at risk of becoming endangered. They need our protection. It is getting
---------------------------------- harder and harder to find them in the wild. See ifyou can find their names in this word search. Rare and Endangered Species Word Search

LEVEL II: Find and circle the names of all of the protected species in the word search.

LEVEL Ill: Find and circle the names of all of the protected species in the word search. Highlight the plant names in green, the birds in blue, mammals in yellow, reptiles in pink, amphibians in purple

-
Note: The Words in Parentheses are not Included in the Word Search.

~

~ Bald Eagle ~ Gopher Tortoise ~ Gray Bat ~ Green Fly Orchid ~ Green Salamander ~ (Eastern) Indigo Snake ~ (Swallow-tailed) Kite ~ Manatee ~ Pitcher Plant
(Green, Purple, Red)
.... Plum Leaf Azalea .... Pondberry
~ Red-cockaded (Woodpecker)
~ (Northern) Right Whale ~ Sea Turtle
(Green, Loggerhead, Hawksbill, Leatherback, Ridley) ~ Spotted Turtle
.... Stinking Cedar
~ Striped Newt ~ Swamp Pink ~ Wood Stork

RA DE cGN I KN I T s GG EKAN s0 GI DN I A Rs G E L A H wT H G I R B E B T 0 EcBA L DEA GL E Tp Rp K R 0 T s D 0 0 wN 0 I 0 I H
E E T A N A Mp F T B K N p E
G R E E N s A L A MA N D E R T B J ME z y I T B T F B D T XREDc0 cKADEDEN0 J E L T RuTA E s J uRE R p I T c H E R p L A N T R wT B K H s wA M p p I N K y T 0
E I v 0 F B GRA y BA TRI
D s p 0 T T E D T uR T L E s A E L A zA F A E L MuL p E

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GEORGIA STATE PARKS AND HISTORIC S ITES JU lOR RANGER PROGRAM

Get Involved
(LEVEL II AND Ill ONLY)
Agood way to get more involved in Georgia's State Park system is to talk to the park staff and volunteer to help out at a State Park. State Park Volunteer Days are scheduled at different times for each individual park; most but not all parks have a Volunteer Day. You will need to contact
---------------------------------- a park directly to find out more. Interview Someone and Help Out by Volunteering
LEVEL II: Interview a park visitor, park staff member or park volunteer.
LEVEL Ill: Participate in a State Park Volunteer Day and interview a park staff member. Name of Park Where you Volunteered:,_______ _____________

Fill Out the Following:
Person Interviewed _ _____________Date: _______ 0 Visitor OVolunteer 0 Staff, position: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
Interview Questions:
What do you like most about visiting (or working in) this park?
How many times have you visited or (how long have you worked with) this Georgia State Park?
What does the name of this Park mean?
What wildlife have you seen in this park?
Your own question: ___________________________

GEORGIA STATE PARKS AND HISTORIC SITES JUNIOR RANGER PROGRAM

19

Rocks

(LEVEL II AND Ill ONLY)

Wnd and water over time are capable oferoding the land, carving out cliffs and mountains, creating canyons and waterfalls or exposing granite outcrops. Erosion is a natural force , but it is

sometimes brought about as a result of improper land use.

Georgia has many unique geological features including canyons,

granite outcrops, waterfalls and springs. Granite outcrops are areas of

exposed bedrock (granite in this case) at the earth's surface. Georgia's

Stone Mountain is the largest granite outcrop in the world.

Natural springs appear where the water table meets the ground .I~

surface, and water flows out more or less continuously.

., ~

Waterfalls occur when a stream has a nearly vertical or very steep

descent. Amicalola Falls at 729 feet is the tallest waterfall east of the Mississippi River.

Visit One of the Following Sites and Draw or Photograph the Site's Unique Geologic Feature.
___Panola Mountain State Conservation Park, Stone Mountain, Arabia Mountain or other granite outcrop
___Cloudland Canyon State Park
___Providence Canyon Conservation Park
_ _Indian Springs State Park, Magnolia Springs State Park or other natural spring
___Amicalola Falls State Park, High Falls State Park or other waterfall
___Tallulah Gorge Park

20

GEORGIA STATE PARKS AND HISTORIC SITES JUNIOR RANGER PROGRAM

learn More About the Outdoors

Learning about the outdoors is a never-ending adventure. To learn more about topics discussed in this book as well as other related topics check out these valuable resources. All of the materials listed are available at no charge. When you call to request information identify yourself as a Junior Ranger with Georgia State Parks.

Fishing
..,.. Map of Public Fishing Areas & Fish Hatcheries in Georgia-refer to the Georgia Sport Fishing Regulations booklet available wherever fishing licenses are sold and from any Wildlife Resources Division office, (770) 918-6418
..,.. Statewide Calendar of Kid's Fishing Events, www.georgiawildlife.com
..,.. Pocket ID Guide to Georgia Fish; Read)', Set ... Go Fishing (coloring book for ages 6-7);Fishing is Funtastic (comic book for ages 8-12), (770) 918-6418
..,.. Poster of Georgia Marine Fishes, Coastal Resources Division (912) 264-7218
Georgia 9tate Parks
..,.. Brochure describing all Ga. State Parks and Historic Sites, Junior Ranger Activity Books, and volunteer opportunities (404) 656-2770, www.gastateparks.org
Hunting
..,.. Hunter Education CD & Hunter Education Classes, Wildlife Resources Division/Game Management, www.georgiawildlife.com, (770) 784-3068
Trees
..,.. Native Trees of'Georgia (book), Discovering the Great Urban Forest (activity book), What Do You Get From Trees? (brochure & handout); Georgia Forestry Commission, (770) 751-3530, www.gfc.state.ga.us

Wildlife
..,.. Birding Trails in Georgia brochuresWildlife Resources Division, (478) 9941438, www.georgiawildlife.com
..,.. Endangered Species Posters: Right Whales, Loggerhead Sea Turtles-Coastal Resource Division, (912) 264-7218
.,.. Map of Georgia Wildlife Management Areas-request the Wildlife Resource Division's General Brochure, (770) 918-6404
.,.. Georgia Wildlife Viewing Guide (View it online at www.sherpaguides.com)
..,.. Visit Regional Wildlife Centers/Wildlife Resource Division: Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center, Mansfield, Ga., (770)784-3059; Grand Bay Wildlife Center, Valdosta, Ga., (229) 333-0052
Express Yourself in Competitions Through the Georgia Department of Natural Resources
.,.. River of Words Contest, N ationall Statewide poetry and art competition, Georgia Project WET, Environmental Protection Division, (404) 675-1638
.,.. Give Wildlife a Chance Poster Contest, Local/Statewide art competition. Get your class or youth group involved, Wildlife Resources Division, (478) 994-1438

Videos
..,.. The Georgia DNR offers a variety of videotapes on a loan basis. Topics range from fishing and boating to nature, wildlife and history. (404) 657-9851, www.gadnrfilms.com

STATE PARKS
fi HISTORIC SITES

21

--52
Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites

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--CD

0 State Parks 0 State Historic Sites 0 Mountains & Plateau D Piedmont
Coastal Plain

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Coca-Cola BoHiers of Georgia is a
proud sponsor of the Junior Ranger Program

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