Meet Tracy Begley | Director of Marketing and Communications

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tracy Begley and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tracy, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
I have worked at a private non-profit, Chattahoochee Nature Center (CNC), for the last 15 years. We believe the natural environment should be preserved and protected for future generations through our mission to connect people with nature. This is done through community programs, education, special events, partnerships, conservation efforts, a community garden, and 7 acres of native plant gardens. Our property is 127 acres along the Chattahoochee River and is the only interpretive center for the river in the Southeast. We offer the opportunity for people to relax and have fun but also provide educational opportunities through school programs and community events. Entire grades within surrounding counties will visit CNC this school year and many are from underserved areas. This may be their first opportunity to go on a nature walk or see a live native animal in person. Seeing their eyes light up and how they overcome their fears is amazing. We also have a 3-acre community garden. All produce from the community garden is donated to a local food pantry for local residents dealing with food insecurity. Since the garden began we have donated over 50 tons of fresh, locally grown produce. We could not do this without the support of volunteers and corporate support. As a non-profit we love having visitors, but through donations and community support, we are able to expand our reach to meet people where they are at to connect them to nature.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I graduated from Texas A&M with a degree in Wildlife Ecology. My intent was to go to graduate school or find research projects. I eventually moved to Arizona and began working for a specialty pesticide company. While working there I used a software program that ignited my love of technology, training, testing, and program support. While training for the program, I decided I wanted to find a way to work there. A year later I moved to Georgia and started working for a private company that supported pesticide companies and the Departments of Agriculture. As time went on I got married, had kids, and left the workforce. Eventually, I decided I was ready to start working again and I struggled with my career goals. Should I go back to IT and customer support or did I want to use my degree and go into education? I truly love being outdoors and the natural world. It was my passion and I wanted to share it with others. I decided if I was going to go into education I wanted to learn more about Georgia and be around like-minded people. I discovered the Chattahoochee Nature Center (CNC) and became a volunteer docent in 2009. I was hooked and while my job has changed I have never left! Over the next 10 years, I worked part-time as a naturalist and it filled my spirit sharing my love of nature through informal education. I grew in knowledge and as a person because of the people I worked with and the mission of CNC to connect people with nature. During that time I also worked part-time in the marketing department and in 2019 I became the project manager for a complete website redesign. I felt at that point I have found where my 2 loves intersected. I could combine my skills and passion for project management and IT support at a non-profit that also supported my love of nature and the outdoors. I became full-time in the marketing department in 2020 and became the Director of Marketing and Communications in 2023. I am hoping to further refine my project management and organizational skills into additional IT support in the coming years. My time at CNC and the people I work with on a daily basis have helped me define who I am as a person.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Of course, the first place on the itinerary would be the Chattahoochee Nature Center! I would want to introduce them to the Chattahoochee River and wetlands and share the beautiful area that I get to work in every day. Every season there is something interesting to see, smell, hear, and experience. We would walk the trails in the woodlands and along the river and spend time enjoying each other’s company and reflecting.

We would have lunch in downtown Roswell at one of the many local restaurants has to offer. Roswell is a nature lovers town and most places have outdoor seating. It is a great way to continue to enjoy outside.

The Chattahoochee River is part of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area and they have many areas for hiking, kayaking, and exploring along the river. We would stop by the welcome center at the Island Ford Visitor Center to plan out our time along the river.

The evening would end with visiting local craft breweries in the area. Visit Roswell has partnered with Alpharetta and Sandy Springs to create the Topside Tap Trail. The trail will allow you to experience 7 different breweries in North Fulton and along GA 400. Great beers, entertainment, and fun would be on the itinerary for the evening!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would dedicate my shoutout to the amazing naturalists, volunteers, and staff at the Chattahoochee Nature Center. They are an amazing group of people that are passionate about connecting people with nature. They are dedicated, creative, and inspire me every day to be a better person.

Website: https://www.chattnaturecenter.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chattahoocheenaturecenter/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/5074562/admin/feed/posts/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/cncnature

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChattahoocheeNatureCenter

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChattahoocheeNatureC/videos