Ways to Get Involved
Whether you want to further conservation, learn more about nature or share your love of the outdoors, you’ve come to the right place. National fish hatcheries provide many opportunities for you to help your community and fish and wildlife by doing what you love. Hatcheries partner with volunteers, youth groups, landowners, neighbors and residents of both urban and rural communities to make a lasting difference. There are opportunities for everyone to get involved!
VOLUNTEERS | Gain new experiences and meet new people while helping to advance fish and aquatic conservation. |
| LOCAL GROUPS | Find out how communities can work with hatcheries to conserve our shared natural resources. |
| YOUTH | Explore paid and unpaid opportunities to learn and develop leadership skills. |
| FRIENDS | Help hatcheries work effectively in our communities. |
The Friends of Chattahoochee Forest National Fish Hatchery is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that supports Chattahoochee Forest National Fish Hatchery. The Friends group recognizes the importance of the hatchery to the north Georgia area and is committed to supporting the hatchery's mission, promoting conservation ethics, education, and encouraging the sport of trout fishing. The group works closely with the hatchery to plan and carry out four annual fishing rodeos - Veterans Appreciation, Special Needs Kids, Seniors and Youth. Annual membership fees and donations secured by Friends are applied to the fishing rodeos and other environmental education events, materials and activities. The friends group is always looking for new members to join their organization.
Volunteering
Discover for yourself what tens of thousands of volunteers have learned: Volunteering for the United States Government is fun and rewarding in many ways. Master new skills. Meet new friends. Enjoy a sense of accomplishment from doing your part to further wildlife conservation for the pleasure of generations to follow. All volunteers are required to complete a volunteer service agreement form. There are three main types of volunteering opportunities at Chattahoochee Forest National Fish Hatchery:
| 1 | LOCAL/COMMUNITIY | Ages 16 and older may apply. Minimum days/hours not required. Contribute to fish production, visitor services or both. |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | RESIDENT | Live onsite for a set period of time. Contribute an average of 20 hours/person/week and work a set monthly schedule. In exchange, receive housing in the station's quarters. |
| 3 | EPOSODIC | Assist with outreach and specific events, such as annual fishing rodeos for veterans, special-needs kids, senior citizens and youth. Ages 16 and older may apply. All minors (under age 18) must have paperwork completed by guardian prior to volunteering. See events page for more details related to specific events. |
Volunteers assist staff with:
- Cleaning and maintaining facility buildings and grounds
- Maintaining raceways
- Daily care of fish
- Stocking fish
- Planning and carrying out events
- Serving as night watch guard
Our Partners
Partnerships foster creative solutions to challenging situations and often the results are greater than the sum of the parts. Chattahoochee Forest National Fish Hatchery maintains a multitude of thriving partnerships to achieve its goals in fish production and stocking, conservation of threatened and endangered species, public use opportunities and environmental education and outreach. Learn more about our local partners:
- Georgia Department of Natural Resources
- U.S. Forest Service - Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest
- Georgia Forestry Commission
- United States Army Ranger Camp Frank D. Merrill
- Fannin County Georgia Blue Ridge Chamber of Commerce
- Union County Georgia Blairsville Chamber of Commerce
- Towns County Georgia/Lake Chatuge Chamber of Commerce
- Blue Ridge Mountain Chapter 696 Trout Unlimited
- Chattahoochee/Nantahala Chapter 692 Trout Unlimited
- Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
- United States Army Corps of Engineers
- University of Georgia Mountain Research and Education Center
- Fannin County Georgia Public School System
- Union County Georgia Public School System
- Fannin County EMS
Outreach
Chattahoochee Forest National Fish Hatchery provides outreach education to the general public, school groups, organizations and agencies. Outreach is geared to promoting conservation ethics, encouraging the sport of trout fishing and exploring the great outdoors. Presentations can be tailored to meet group needs for appropriate levels of education and specific details. The Friends Group and volunteers help provide educational materials and volunteer hours assisting with outreach and events. To schedule on-site tours and presentations at the hatchery or to book the hatchery for an off-site event, please contact Project Leader Kelly Taylor.
Education Programs
Open the door to a potentially life-changing educational experience. If you land a student internship, a fellowship or a volunteer opportunity at a national wildlife refuge national wildlife refuge
A national wildlife refuge is typically a contiguous area of land and water managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the conservation and, where appropriate, restoration of fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.
Learn more about national wildlife refuge , fish hatchery or other Fish and Wildlife Service site, you’re bound to come away with new insights and excitement about conservation.
Youth Conservation Corps
What is the Youth Conservation Corps?
It is a summer youth employment program that engages young people in meaningful work and educational experiences on public lands while developing an ethic of environmental stewardship and civic responsibility. YCC programs are generally eight to 10 weeks long. Participants are paid the minimum wage for a 40-hour work week. Most YCC opportunities are non-residential programs that provide paid daytime work.
Who is eligible?
Youth 15 through 18 who are permanent residents of the United States, are eligible for employment without regard to social, economic, racial or ethnic backgrounds. Youth with physical or other challenges who can effectively participate in most YCC activities are eligible. Participants must have no history of serious criminal or other antisocial behavior that might endanger their safety or that of others. Participants also must have or be able to obtain a work permit as required under the laws of their state and have a Social Security number or applied for one.
Junior Ranger
No matter who you are or where you live, fishing is a great way to spend time outdoors with friends and family. For safe and enjoyable fishing trips, visit national fish hatcheries, national parks and national wildlife refuges. It you’re ready to learn, explore and have fun, fishing is for you.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Park Service created a Junior Ranger program about fishing. Junior rangers are typically between the ages of 5 and 13, but anyone can participate. Learn about the basics of fishing. Then plan an exciting trip to a national wildlife refuge, national park or national fish hatchery that offers great fishing opportunities.
For more information about the Junior Ranger program at Chattahoochee Forest National Fish Hatchery and how kids can earn a Junior Ranger badge and receive it on-site or by mail, please contact Project Leader Kelly Taylor.
