Stewardship, Hiking, and Adventure
On Wednesday, October 8th, Hailey, GSU’s College Ambassador Advisor, along with her co-leaders Sarah and Malik, led a group of eleven GSU students on an afternoon hike in the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. Equipped with gloves and trash bags, the group collected trash as they hiked four miles along the East Palisades Trail, which follows the river before reaching a bamboo forest.
This trail receives heavy traffic, largely because it’s one of the few places near Atlanta where people can truly escape the city. However, the area has struggled with waste due to its proximity to Atlanta, debris buildup from flooding, and limited waste management during recent government shutdowns. By the end of the day, the group had collected over eleven bags of trash! It was incredibly rewarding to see everyone come together to help keep our public lands clean.
East Palisades is a beautiful hidden gem in the greater Atlanta area, and its accessibility also makes it an ideal spot for GSU students. It’s only about twenty minutes from campus, and the Chattahoochee National Recreation Area features over 66 miles of trail within its boundaries. It is also popular for water sports like tubing and kayaking.
The success of these stewardship outings has been impactful not only for students but also for our trip leaders and the overall program. Because of this, we’ve made an effort to include more stewardship-focused trips in our roster. This was a fantastic opportunity to explore a nearby recreation area while empowering students to care for the places they enjoy, helping to foster a culture of stewardship within the GSU outdoor program.
