Gifted Atlanta

You can learn the science behind some of Georgia’s most popular natural destinations by attending guided geology walks and talks this month with a noted science educator from the Fernbank Science Center.

Dr. Bill Witherspoon is co-author of the book Roadside Geology in Georgia (Mountain Press Publishing, 2013). He is an award-winning earth science teacher who has worked with K-12 students for more than 15 years.

Dr. Witherspoon’s public program schedule is as follows:

• June 6, 2014, 11:00 a.m., Amicalola Falls, walk to the falls
• June 7, 2014, 1:00 p.m., Amicalola Falls, “River Rivalries,” a presentation on how competing streams sculpted geological features including Tallulah Gorge and Amicalola Falls
• June 7, 2014, 3:30 p.m., Dahlonega Gold Museum, “Gold and Georgia,” a presentation about how gold accumulated in the Georgia mountains, leading to the Georgia gold rush
• June 14, 2014, 9:30 a.m., Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park, walk along Pine Mountain. Co-presenter at this site will be Dr. Leslie Edwards, a biogeographer from Georgia State University who will look at the unusual combination of plant life at Pine Mountain.
• June 28, 2014, 1:00 p.m., Brasstown Bald, “A Window through Time: Geology and Nature at Georgia’s Highest Summit,” co-presented with Dr. Edwards, who will discuss why some plants typically not found this far south still grow atop this mountain.
• June 29, 2014, 1:00 p.m., Anna Ruby Falls, geology walk

These events are free and open to the public, but you may have to pay admission to the venues where they are being held. Register ahead of time and you’ll receive a billion-year-old rock sample.