For the first time ever, Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area is going to have a book about it! Written by the Arabia Alliance's Communications Manager Jeff Dingler and Assistant Executive Director Brigette Jones, Images of America Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area will be part of Arcadia Publishing's bestselling photographic history series, featuring more than 200 historical images that tell the unique story of Arabia and Panola Mountains, Lithonia, Lyon Farm, Flat Rock and More. The book will be available Spring 2026. Stay tuned for a pre-order link and release date!
Trick or Treat! It's time for our Halloween Giveaway. You know the routine at this point. To participate, just email your name to jeff@arabiaalliance.org with "Halloween Giveaway" in the subject line by Friday, October 10 to enter for a chance to win. We're giving away branded gear, such as hoodies, t-shirts, bluetooth speakers, sling bag backpacks, bike tools, mugs and signed books from our Arabia Reads series!
We might not be Tyler Perry Studios, but the Arabia Alliance likes to make video content as well. And we've been busy making two new videos last month. Please check out this informative 217th Birthday Message to the late bridge builder Horace King PLUS our latest "mini-music video" from this year's Stonecrest Fest Sunset Stroll & Concert on Top of Arabia Mountain featuring the duo Anu Romesh and Ashwin Seshadri, and their bandmembers Amit "Surya" Narayan (drum) and ChinEn "King" Ai (cello). Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for more cool filmed content.
The mountain is an explosion of the popular and prolific Porter's sunflowers! It's worth a trip to the NHA in early October to see the bloom of these rare golden yellow flowers that thrive on the outcrop. If you're coming out to the Heritage Area this fall to smell the sunflowers, we highly recommend you register for some of these fun volunteer events as well! Thursday, October 2, 9-11am, Garden Volunteer day at E.M.B.A.R.C. Community Youth Farm: Get ready to roll up your sleeves and volunteer in the garden! We will work in the greenhouse, raised bed garden, and more, rain or shine! Remember to bring a water bottle and work gloves. Arrive at the main gate and park by the office. Other Garden Volunteer dates include: October 8, 22, and 29. (Registration required) Saturday, October 4, 9-11:30 am, Arabia Mountain Volunteer Stewardship Day: Come out to the Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve and help improve the health and beauty of Arabia Mountain! Join Arabia Rangers in removing invasive plants and trash and mulching trails. We’ll provide tools! BYO gloves and water! (Please register in advance) Saturday, October 4, 8:30 am - 3:30 pm, Annual South River Trash and tire Round up: The South River Watershed Alliance brings this amazing volunteer opportunity once a year! This is approximately 6 hours of very physical work. Paddling experience required. Canoe or kayak options - all gear provided. Adults only. South River Watershed Alliance will monitor weather and send an email 24 hours in advance in case of cancellation. Rain Date: October 18th. (Registration required) Wednesdays, October 8, 22 & 29, 9-11am, Garden Volunteer day at E.M.B.A.R.C Community Youth Farm: Get ready to roll up your sleeves and volunteer in the garden! We will work in the greenhouse, raised bed garden, and more rain or shine! Wear close-toed shoes and comfortable/appropriate clothing! You will be playing in the dirt. Remember to bring a water bottle and work gloves. Arrive at the main gate and park by the office. (Registration required) Saturday, October 11, 9-11am Walk the Arabia Mountain Trail for Breast Cancer Awareness With The Mayors of Stonecrest & Lithonia: This important event is co-hosted by Stonecrest Mayor Jazzmin Cobble and Lithonia Mayor Shameka Reynolds. It's dedicated to raising awareness, supporting those affected by breast cancer, and celebrating survivorship. Join us as we walk together to make a difference in the fight against breast cancer. Friday, October 31, 6-8pm Volunteer with Stonecrest Trunk or Treat at Fairington Park: City of Stonecrest, District 3 Councilwoman Alecia Washington invites you to join a family-friendly Trunk or Treat event. VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED! If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Constituentservices@stonecrestga.gov to sign up by Oct. 28, 2025. Candy donations are also welcome! Panola Mountain State Park: There are two options to becoming a regular volunteer: Register as a Georgia State Park Volunteer directly or volunteer with Friends of Georgia State Parks, a nonprofit organization to support the parks. To volunteer with a Friends Group near you, complete this Volunteer interest form. The AWARE Wildlife Center: The AWARE Wildlife Center rehabilitates Georgia’s injured and orphaned native wild animals. They also engage up to 100 weekly volunteers to carry out the cleaning, feeding, and medicating of its animal patients! If you are interested in applying to be a volunteer, please visit their website for more information.
Main Event
Other Upcoming Events
- Every SATURDAY AND SUNDAY - AWARE gives free Animal Tours every weekend from 1-2pm (weather permitting). Meet "animal ambassadors" and Georgia wildlife up close!
- Every SATURDAY in October - Head to E.M.B.A.R.C. for Yoga Saturdays from 11am-12:30pm.
- Every WEDNESDAY - Join Ranger Doffice from 4-6pm at the Arabia Mountain Nature Center for a relaxing Walk It Out Wednesday hike.
- October 3 - Enjoy a Chalk Art Walk along the PATH at the Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve from 6-8pm.
- October 4 - The Arabia Alliance will be selling books from its Arabia Reads series at the Decatur Book Festival from 10am-5pm.
- October 4 - Mark the end of our Fishing Season with the Junior Ranger Angler Fishing Celebration at Panola Mountain State Park from 10am-1pm.
- October 4 - Don't miss Stonecrest Fest from 12-8pm at Browns Mill Park.
- October 4 - Join Arborist Edward Morrow on a Tree Wellness Walk at Vaughters’ Farm from 10-11:30am.
- October 4 - Head to Panola Mountain State Park any time between 1-4pm for Indigo Tie-Dye Bandanas.
- October 5 - Join a Panola Mountain Park Ranger on a stroll for a Fall Ecology Hike from 10-11am.
- October 10 - From 10-11am, Panola Mountain State Park is offering a class on Hiking 101: Safety and Best Practices.
- October 11 - Don't miss our monthly Monastery Of The Holy Spirit Highlights And Insights Tour from 9:30am-12pm.
- October 11 - Friends of Panola Mountain is offering an Extended Hike from 9am-2pm.
- October 12 - Take part in an adventurous 10-Mile Nature Trek starting at the Arabia Mountain Nature Center, 10am-2:30pm.
- October 18 - Enjoy a Mini-Retreat Fall Color Walk with Yoga at the South River from 9am-12pm at the DeCastro Trailhead.
- October 18 - Don't miss a fun Sunset Amphibian Hike from 6-9pm at the Arabia Mountain Nature Center.
- October 23 - Let loose a little at the historic Inman Park Trolley Barn for AWARE's Wild Night Out 2025 from 6:30-9pm.
- October 23 - Have a blast at the South River Watershed Alliance's "25 in ’25: Celebrating 25 Years Of South River Advocacy" at the Patagonia store on the Beltline from 7:30-9:30pm.
- October 25 - Participate in Family Fishing at the Farm at E.M.B.A.R.C. from 9am-12pm.
- October 31- Get a little spooky at the City of Stonecrest's Trunk or Treat from 6-8pm at Fairington Park.
