Black History Month: Honoring CRNRA's Black Leaders

February is Black History Month, a time to honor and reflect on the contributions of Black Americans throughout history - including their impact on the National Park Service and CRNRA! Black Americans have played a pivotal role in shaping the parks we cherish today. Explore the stories of resilience and conservation woven into CRNRA's history as we honor the diversity that strengthens and enriches our shared natural spaces - at our park, two remarkable superintendents stand out for their resilience, vision, and commitment to community: Marvin Madry and Kevin Cherie.


Superintendent Marvin Madry


In July 1992, Marvin Madry took the helm at CRNRA during a period of intense challenges. Over his five-year tenure, he navigated a growing park system, tight budgets, and even a government shutdown. Despite these hurdles, Madry displayed exceptional strategic leadership, recognizing the park's diverse stakeholders and fostering collaboration.


Under his guidance, CRNRA developed a strategic plan that set clear goals for overcoming obstacles and enhancing the visitor experience. Madry’s dedication to building partnerships and engaging the community left an enduring mark on the park, creating a foundation for its future success.


Superintendent Kevin Cherie


Kevin Cherie’s National Park Service journey began in 1974 as a seasonal ranger at Carlsbad Caverns National Park. By 1978, he had made history as the first African American employee at Buffalo National River, where he served as a permanent Law Enforcement Ranger. Throughout his career, Cherie often broke barriers, frequently serving as the only African American in his roles.


In 2000, Cherie became Superintendent of CRNRA, bringing decades of experience and a steadfast commitment to diversity and inclusion. His leadership at CRNRA and other parks, including Canyonlands National Park and Big Bend National Park, highlighted his passion for mentorship and cultivating a more representative workforce.


Cherie later returned to Buffalo National River as superintendent in 2007, retiring in 2018 after four decades of service. Reflecting on his career in the National Park Service podcast A Sense of Place: Stories of Stewardship, he called building a diverse staff one of his most meaningful achievements.


In 2018, Cherie sat down with NPS for their podcast A Sense of Place: Stories of Stewardship from the National Park Service, remarking on his struggles and accomplishments during his tenure. The episode, titled The National Park Service Reckons with Representation, can be listened to or read here.


Honoring Their Legacy



The contributions of Marvin Madry and Kevin Cherie remind us of the transformative power of leadership and representation. Their work at CRNRA reflects the broader mission of the National Park Service: preserving our natural treasures while fostering inclusivity and community connection.


As we celebrate Black History Month, let us honor these leaders’ legacies and recommit to their vision of ensuring that our parks remain places for all people to enjoy, protect, and cherish.


For more on Kevin Cherie’s journey, listen to his episode on the NPS podcast A Sense of Place.

Support Your Local National Park

If you enjoy CRNRA, consider supporting the Chattahoochee National Park Conservancy (CNPC). Your donation helps maintain and improve our beautiful trails and river, ensuring they remain a top destination and escape for metro Atlanta. Every contribution makes a difference in preserving this natural treasure for future generations.

Support CRNRA

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June 30, 2025
ATLANTA, GA – In light of federal developments affecting the National Park Service (NPS), two Atlanta-based environmental organizations – Chattahoochee National Park Conservancy (CNPC) and Chattahoochee Riverkeeper (CRK) – have joined forces to raise awareness, encourage public action, and protect the future of Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA). Stretching across 48 miles of the Chattahoochee River and more than 7,000 acres in metro Atlanta, CRNRA consistently ranks among the top 30 most-visited units in the national park system, welcoming over 3 million visitors annually. Yet like many national parks, it now faces serious uncertainty around funding, staffing, and resources, raising concerns and more questions among the community about what preserving and protecting it will look like moving forward. As Congress debates the Fiscal Year 2026 federal budget, both organizations are urging the public to act now to prevent further cuts to the National Park Service, with funding shortfalls that threaten the prioritization of conservation and restoration efforts, resource stewardship, scientific research, and the ability to address growing maintenance needs. “This park has been chronically underfunded, but is now facing an even more significant strain. If the budget falls shorter, it will only get worse," said Brittany Jones, Executive Director of CNPC. "We are here to support this park, but we need those who care about our park to speak up now, while there's still time to shape the outcome." In May 2025, the federal administration released a FY26 budget recommendation that includes a $1.2 billion cut to the National Park Service – nearly 40% of the agency’s current funding. If enacted, it would be one of the largest reductions in NPS history, with far-reaching effects for parks nationwide, including CRNRA. Several other recent federal shifts have added pressure to park operations. Executive Orders restricting federal hiring and purchasing have made it harder for the park to bring on needed staff, procure supplies, and cover basic operational expenses – challenges that are especially difficult as visitation continues to grow. Additionally, a House proposal to eliminate $267 million in Inflation Reduction Act funding for NPS has raised concern among public land advocates. With CRNRA already understaffed, further cuts would endanger critical functions of the park. CNPC is the official nonprofit partner and friends group to CRNRA, raising funds to directly support and enhance the park through projects, community outreach, and volunteerism. CNPC is one of over 200 friends groups to national parks across America. CRK is a watchdog and advocacy organization focused on protecting the entire Chattahoochee River watershed – 430 river miles from North Georgia to Florida – through water monitoring, education, legal action, and public engagement. 48 miles of the Chattahoochee River fall within CRNRA, and CRK works directly with the park on water quality monitoring and oversight. To help people understand what’s at stake and how to help, CNPC has created a landing page explaining recent federal changes, the impact on CRNRA, and what local citizens can do to engage at chattahoocheeparks.org/updates. At the same time, CRK has launched a letter-writing tool that makes it simple to contact elected officials and urge full NPS funding at chattahoochee.org/nps. This joint effort follows a recent advocacy win: after public outcry and pressure from Georgia Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, the Department of the Interior reversed its decision to terminate the lease for the USGS South Atlantic Water Science Center in Norcross, a critical facility that maintains stream gauges that track the Chattahoochee River’s bacteria levels and water height, discharge, and temperature. Several of these gauges are located within CRNRA and are vital for ensuring safe recreation for paddlers, anglers, and families on the river. “We’re grateful for the reversal of the USGS lease termination. It’s proof that advocacy works,” said Jason Ulseth, CRK’s Riverkeeper and Executive Director. “Now, we need to keep that momentum going to protect the broader system of public lands and the park rangers who care for them.” To get involved, the two organizations are encouraging the public to take action in two key ways: Speak Up: CRK’s letter-writing tool makes it easy to advocate for adequate NPS funding and stronger environmental protections. Supporters can write to members of Congress with a few easy clicks on their website at chattahoochee.org/nps . Support the Park: CNPC invites the community to help maintain trails, preserve ecosystems, and support public access to CRNRA through donations, memberships, and volunteering. Learn more at chattahoocheeparks.org/updates . This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to supporting one of metro Atlanta’s most treasured public spaces, and a reminder that while federal decisions may be out of our hands, local action still holds power. “CRNRA belongs to all of us,” said Jones. “By working together, we can make sure it stays safe, clean, and enjoyable for future generations.” About Chattahoochee National Park Conservancy Chattahoochee National Park Conservancy is the official nonprofit partner of Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. CNPC enhances the park by building community, enriching lives, and catalyzing support to ensure a sustainable national park for future generations. Learn more at www.chattahoocheeparks.org. About Chattahoochee Riverkeeper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper’s mission is to educate, advocate, and secure the protection and stewardship of the Chattahoochee River, including its lakes, tributaries, and watershed, in order to restore and conserve their ecological health for the people and wildlife that depend on the river system and in recognition of the important ecosystem functions provided throughout the region and planet. For more information, visit www.chattahoochee.org. Media Contacts: Chattahoochee National Park Conservancy: Erin Tallent – erin.tallent@chattahoocheeparks.org Chattahoochee Riverkeeper: Rosemary Pitrone – rpitrone@chattahoochee.org
June 17, 2025
Keep Your Furry Friends Safe: Leashing Dogs at Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area Leashing your pet protects them and preserves the park's natural beauty and ensures a safe experience for everyone. SANDY SPRINGS, GA – Dogs are welcome on the trails at Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA), but pet owners must follow the basic rules to ensure the safety of their pets, other visitors, and the park itself. One of the key requirements is that all dogs must be on a 6-foot leash. CRNRA sees over 3 million visitors a year, making the trails busy with people and pets. With all the new and exciting scents and sights for a dog to explore, a visit to the park for a dog can be overwhelming. Even a well-behaved and trained pet can behave unpredictably in such an environment. Leashing your dog is a rule that is an important safety measure to protect your pet, other park visitors, and the flora and fauna of the park itself. Several past incidents in the park involving unleashed pets have caused damage and created issues for park visitors and staff alike. Incidents that highlight the importance of leashing include: Damage caused to rare and sensitive plants by unleashed dogs running off trails. CRNRA staff being bitten by unleashed dogs, with one ranger bitten three times. Park volunteers facing confrontations with aggressive dogs, prompting them to carry protective items. An unleashed dog attacking a baby beaver, which had to be euthanized due to its injuries. An unleashed dog jumping on a visitor, resulting in a broken wrist. Leashing your pet also protects them from potential dangers such as venomous snakes, coyotes, poisonous plants, and unsafe water. As a pet owner, you are responsible for your dog’s behavior and safety while in the park. To promote a safe and enjoyable experience for pets and their owners, CRNRA offers the B.A.R.K. Ranger program. This initiative educates pet owners on best practices for visiting the park with their furry friends, including the importance of leash requirements. The program is available daily at the Island Ford Visitor Center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Participants earn a certificate and have their dogs sworn in as official B.A.R.K. Rangers.  About Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area . Designated as a unit of the National Park System in 1978, Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area preserves and protects the natural and cultural resources of the 48-mile Chattahoochee River corridor from Buford Dam to Peachtree Creek. The park annually welcomes over 3,000,000 visitors. About the National Park Service : More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 430+ national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov , and on Facebook , Instagram , Twitter , and YouTube .
May 23, 2025
Looking to spend quality time with your loved ones in the great outdoors? Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA) is a natural fit for families seeking fun, fresh air, and meaningful moments together. With scenic trails, peaceful picnic spots, and hands-on learning experiences, CRNRA offers plenty of ways to connect with nature—and each other. Here are some of our favorite family-friendly activities to enjoy in the park: