A community restoration project using sheep to help mitigate invasive species in the The Clyde Shepherd Sheep Project.  Learn how we are continuing restoration efforts by building a new trail and introducing native plants.

The Yellow-Passionflower is the only known host plant for the passionflower bee (Anthemurgus passiflorae), a unique native and poorly understood bee that was first reported in the state of Georgia in 2021, including our restoration site at CSNP. We are working with scientists in the field to confirm these observations. Learn more about the Passionflower Bee Project

Photocredit: Rebecca Sealand

Our volunteer events are fun because we stop to smell the flowers.  We work with scientist in the field to learn more about the things we to see along the way

Green pastures aren’t healthy for horses or nature! ACE is designing a new horse paddock based on a select diversity of native plants here in the Piedmont region of the Southeast USA. If successful, this could redefine how horse pastures are built managed, providing both critically needed grassland habitat as well as happier horses alleviated from the numerous health complications associated with the modern high-carb and low diversity green grass diet typical of modern horses.

You might find Joe Sexton hiking on a rainy day, brainstorming new ways to conserve the biological world around us.  Formally trained as research scientist, Joe first studied invertebrate ecology and invasive species before further specializing into molecular and microbiology. Joe was a founding member of Georgia State University’s synthetic biology team (iGEM) and has worked on numerous drug discovery projects. He received his PhD in Microbiology at Oregon State University, where he studied the origins of social behaviors in bacteria. Joe currently studies emerging fungal diseases as a research scientist at CDC in Atlanta, GA. He sees a deep interconnection between human and environmental health, a concept often referred to as “One Health”. Joe believes ACE can help bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and needs at the local level through community engagement and strategic partnerships.  He thinks community engagement is not only essential for success, but also way more fun! Joe is always looking for an excuse to close the computer and get outside for a fun community driven project.

Bonnie Dotson is a Sunlit Earth! sponsored photographer who often documents volunteer activites at Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve. She is available to take pictures for private events and occasions so keep her in mind when looking for a photographer. She enjoys taking pictures of things that are virtuous, lovely, good and praiseworthy. I think this shows in her pictures and pass times – when she isn’t at clyde shepherd you can often find her dedicating her time to other grass-roots volunteer driven projects at clyde shepherd and other nature preserves.

Kevin is from Arkansas and earned a B.S. in Accounting at Arkansas State University. After moving to Oregon, he has worked at a not-for-profit company, NIRSA, that is committed to investing in the personal and professional development of students and professionals associated with recreation
facilities. His love of the outdoors grew while living in Oregon, where he spent most weekends out
enjoying nature. Now back in the South, he understands the importance of publicly accessible natural areas for the community. In his spare time, Kevin enjoys hiking, running, and swimming with his partner Emily and their border collie Pascal.

Josiah is from Trinidad and Tobago, where he cultivated his love for nature and animals. He is currently a master student studying school counseling and mental health. Josiah is also a Sunlit Earth! sponsored wildlife photographer who spends most of his free time chasing birds where they may be. In his downtime, he enjoys taking friends out on the trails and helping them learn more about the wildlife around them. Josiah first became involved with ACE when he initiated the Jewelweed project, an educational series of posts focusing on a native plant benefiting from the Clyde Shepherd Sheep Project. Josiah wants the world to become a more equal and kinder place. He hopes his photography can help people appreciate the connections between ourselves and the natural world, leaving us inspired to be better stewards. He believes that by learning to love and care for nature, we can learn how to do the same for each other.  You can see more of Josiahs work at https://www.instagram.com/mvp_status/

Joe Benes (Aka “BEENS”) is a trained geographer working as a commercial real estate advisor in our area. He is also a retired Chef and knows how bring the BBQ. In his spare time, he is passionate about helping his community grow. Whether it be moving sheep and connecting nature or moving your business and connecting with the area, Beens is always down to do the hard work to make it happen. Beens lives with his wife, Celeste Benes, and their dog Scully. He is also a founding member of the Clyde Shepherd Sheep Project.

Miklos is a doctoral student in community psychology at Georgia State University. His research is focused on understanding risk factors for aggression. Miklos is also the president of the Valley Brook Estates Neighborhood Association. His leadership in the Clyde Shepherd Sheep Project further highlights the value Miklos brings to our community. Miklos Halmos also enjoys gardening and hiking, spending time with his dogs, going on adventures in his Subaru, and is recently engaged to Rebecca Beasley. Founding member of the Clyde Shepherd Sheep Project.

Stephanie Rosales grew up in South Florida near the ocean and one of the most unique habitats in the world, the everglades. This prompted, her to study marine biology at Florida International University where she started to gain an interest in research. Now she dedicates the majority of her time understanding marine ecology, and conducting outreach to promote ocean conservation, science, and diversity. Although, her love of nature began with mega-fauna (think apes, marine mammals, giant squid, and elephants), her research interests are actually focused on the smallest biological entities – bacteria and viruses.

Stephanie is currently a scientist at the University of Miami’s (UM) Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies (CIMAS) and is stationed at NOAA’s Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML). Her current research is currently focused on characterizing potential causes of coral diseases and identifying bacteria that may help coral stay healthy.

Sean’s interest in the outdoors began when exploring the woods behind his grandparent’s house in Michigan. This interest grew deeper in the Pacific Northwest, where he truly began nurturing a love for hiking, rivers, and mountains. Sean completed his master’s degree in Microbiology at Oregon State University, where he studied the ecology of parasitic diseases in PNW salmon populations. Following work with the United States Geological Survey researching diseases in Pacific Herring, Sean now works as a fish health specialist for Washington Dept. Fish and Wildlife, giving him practical experience working with public and private stakeholders to sustainably balance resource management and environmental stewardship.  Through these experiences, Sean has seen firsthand the relationship between environmental health and disease, a concept later introduced to him as One Health.  Sean is excited to help ACE brainstorm ways to positively influence the connection between environmental, wildlife, and human health through community projects.

Skylar was born and raised in Georgia. He grew up paddling and fishing in many of the lakes and rivers in the state, fostering a deep love and connection to our local watersheds. Skylar studied Biology at Georgia State University, where he learned about the scientific process through active engagement with broad areas of research. Skylar studied the fundamentals of microbiology all the way up to whale shark behaviour at the Georgia Aquarium. After graduating, Skylar worked as a lab technician at The Jones Ecological Research Center at Ichauway in south Georgia studying local riverine ecosystems. Here he came to appreciate the interconnectedness of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, and became familiar with modern strategies for managing these systems.  Skylar’s passion for water led him to his current position with the U.S. Geological survey where he works as a Hydrotech, surveying and monitoring rivers throughout the state. He has also made strides to connect with other river advocates in the region in an effort to protect local waterways. In his free time Skylar enjoys hiking, camping, the company of friends and family, and boating local rivers in pursuit of the perfect catch.