The First Annual Wild and Wooly Art and Nature Music Festival was held May 5th at the North Georgia Community Center. The festival was held by the Georgia ForestWatch to raise awareness and funds.Inside the center, vendors were set up selling nature-themed items including photos, glass art, pottery, jewelry, paintings, and glass and wood crafts. Monteen McCord, of “Hawk Talk,” did a live Birds of Prey presentation.

Musicians, including Bill Pound, Marlin Bracket, Laurence Holden and Marie Dinkle, and the Dill Pickle Trio, entertained the crowd on the portico.

Charlie Seabrook was on hand to sign copies of his new book, “World of the Salt Marsh.” Children’s craft time and storytelling was also featured. Raffle drawings were also held with prizes that included overnight stays with dinner and breakfast at the Amicalola Falls Lodge and the Len Foote Hike Inn, items from Patagonia, and a large framed photograph by Peter McIntosh.

Georgia ForestWatch is celebrating their 25th year. They recently welcomed their new executive director, Mary Topa. According to Board Member David Govus, Georgia ForestWatch “watches the management of 865,000 acres of forest in addition to watching the decisions that the forest service makes, and protects the watershed.” They are also interested in conserving taxpayer money while limiting wasteful and useless projects.”

For more information about Georgia ForestWatch, visit www.gafw.org.