Frequently Asked Questions

NWC is dedicated to environmental education. Guests are welcome to passively enjoy nature. They can walk our trails, read a book, bird, take photographs, write, and explore. We encourage guests to engage with nature while being respectful of other guests and the environment. 

It’s free to park and to hike at Newman Wetlands Center.

Visitors often see several species of semi-aquatic turtles, sunfish, large-mouth bass, bronze frogs, green treefrogs, black rat snakes, black racers, northern watersnakes, white-tailed deer, grey squirrels, swamp rabbits, and muskrats. We are also home to numerous bird species such as Red-shouldered Hawks, Great Blue Herons, Belted Kingfishers, Indigo Buntings, Eastern Phoebes, Red-headed Woodpeckers, & Pileated Woodpeckers. For more specifics on seasonal viewing opportunities, we encourage guests to check out iNaturalist and eBird data. 

Wildlife Viewing Permits are sold at Newman Wetlands Center. Learn more here. 

Please contact us at NewmanWetlandsCenter@ccwa.us or call us at 770-603-5606. Learn more about our guided programs here.

We do not allow pets or therapy animals on our site because the area is maintained as a wildlife sanctuary and educational facility. We do allow working certified service dogs on-site; however, if a dog described as a certified service animal is seen causing disruptions to visitors, wildlife, or plant life, their owner will be asked to leave.

Absolutely. We have several picnic and seating areas on-site that can be used for enjoying a meal. We ask that you pack out what you packed into the area including trash, fruit peels, fruit cores, nut shells, seeds, etc. Please note that these picnic areas are sometimes occupied by student groups visiting us on a field trip and may not be available. 

No. We only reserve our picnic areas for groups on-site for guided programs.

In most wetlands, water levels fluctuate based on air temperature, precipitation, and plant activity. At Newman Wetlands Center, we also have an active beaver population that is continuously altering how the water from Pate’s Creek flows by building earthen and wooden dams. You’ll have to talk with them if you don’t like the changes. 

There is no fishing at Newman Wetlands Center; however, you may enjoy fishing at one of CCWA’s public reservoirs. Click here to learn more: https://www.ccwa.us/fishing-information/