Close Menu
On Common Ground News – 24/7 local newsOn Common Ground News – 24/7 local news
  • Home
  • Local News
    • Atlanta
    • DeKalb
    • Rockdale
    • Gwinnett
    • City of Stonecrest
  • Legal Notices
  • HelpLines
  • Crime
  • Coming Up
  • Business
  • Education
  • Life
    • People
    • Restaurants
    • Travel
    • Explore
    • Special Events
    • Community Calendar
    • 2021 Graduates
    • COVID-19
  • Op/Ed
  • Obituaries
What's Hot

DeKalb County delays water, sewer rate hike to finalize customer support plan

July 1, 2025

DeKalb County buys key government complex on Memorial Drive after 25 years of leasing property

July 1, 2025

Big Haynes Creek Nature Center in Conyers, GA shines in acclaimed new hiking guide

July 1, 2025
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
[Valid RSS]
On Common Ground News – 24/7 local newsOn Common Ground News – 24/7 local news
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
  • Home
  • Local News
    • Atlanta
    • DeKalb
    • Rockdale
    • Gwinnett
    • City of Stonecrest
  • Legal Notices
  • HelpLines
  • Crime
  • Coming Up
  • Business
  • Education
  • Life
    • People
    • Restaurants
    • Travel
    • Explore
    • Special Events
    • Community Calendar
    • 2021 Graduates
    • COVID-19
  • Op/Ed
  • Obituaries
On Common Ground News – 24/7 local newsOn Common Ground News – 24/7 local news
Home»Local News»Preserve manager Robby Astrove celebrates 10 years at Arabia

Preserve manager Robby Astrove celebrates 10 years at Arabia

0
By On Common Ground News on July 26, 2021 Local News
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

 

Longtime Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve Ranger reflects on successes, years ahead. 

 

 

STONECREST, GA– For 10 years, Arabia Mountain  Preserve Manager Robby Astrove (often simply known as Ranger Robby) has worked to conserve the landscapes of Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve and educate the public about this rare and beautiful natural resource right in Atlanta’s backyard. Since his first day on the job at the Nature Preserve on July 20, 2011, Astrove has guided thousands of people on hikes, showcased the striking rare plants found on the area’s rock outcrops, and inspired countless visitors with his wonder for and knowledge of the natural world.

Ranger Robby has been tireless in his dedication to conservation and the natural landscapes of the Nature Preserve. As well as collaborating with staff and volunteers to maintain trails and facilities, expand community engagement and create interpretive signage, he has worked to significantly increase the educational hikes and tours offered at the Nature Preserve.

“I’m just really proud of our delivery on experiential education,” Robby said. “It’s one thing just to have people come to the park, but it’s another to provide an experience and opportunity with a guide and a ranger. It’s the difference between coming here and just having a good time versus coming here and leaving with a lifelong memory.”

Robby has also seen a lot change over 10 years – most of all, the number of people who come to visit the Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve.

“We always used to say that Arabia Mountain was DeKalb County’s best-kept secret, and over the course of 10 years we’ve had that secret get out. And we’ve had a lot of great success getting the story of the land and the people out,” Robby said.

Ranger Robby’s first day on the job at Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve July 20, 2011. Seen here picking up litter along the trail.  

 

 

With more people, though, Ranger Robby and his team have had to deal with new land management problems:

“It’s a double-edged sword – I love seeing people out here, enjoying nature and connecting. But we do have a sensitive landscape, and with the success of sharing the place comes the impact of having more people in the Nature Preserve,” Robby said.

Ranger Robby emphasizes Leave No Trace hiking as essential to enjoying the landscape while also preserving the wild species that call it home. That means that visitors must hike with care when exploring Arabia Mountain’s massive rock outcrops.

Dotting the surface of the rock are countless “solution pits,” patches of sand, water and mud that erosion has created in the rock face. In these innocuous patches thrive a variety of rare and endangered plant species, including the vibrant red diamorpha that dots the outcrop in winter and spring. A simple way to conserve the landscape is to “stay on the gray,” a phrase Ranger Robby tells guests often. It means to stick to the bare granite when hiking on the outcrop and avoid any of the solution pits.

Arabia Mountain Heritage Area Alliance Executive Director Revonda Cosby praised Ranger Robby’s tireless dedication: “These words come to mind when I think of Robby Astrove – steward, steward, real naturalist. This guy is the epitome of a steward, and he is a real naturalist in every sense of the word. We hope he stays around another ten years! Over the past decade, he has created programs that serve a diverse DeKalb County. He has put maintenance and stewardship protocols in place that are repeatable, and he has worked extremely hard to attract and retain the best staff he can.”

Looking ahead, Ranger Robby says he wants to “continue to strengthen our mission for conservation, preservation and education.” That includes focusing on protecting the natural landscape and inspiring future generations of environmental stewards to conserve Arabia Mountain for years to come.

 

Post Views: 3,852
Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
On Common Ground News

Related Posts

DeKalb County delays water, sewer rate hike to finalize customer support plan

July 1, 2025

DeKalb County buys key government complex on Memorial Drive after 25 years of leasing property

July 1, 2025

Big Haynes Creek Nature Center in Conyers, GA shines in acclaimed new hiking guide

July 1, 2025
Add A Comment
Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

Latest Post

DeKalb County delays water, sewer rate hike to finalize customer support plan

July 1, 2025

DeKalb County buys key government complex on Memorial Drive after 25 years of leasing property

July 1, 2025

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest news updates from OCGNews.

RSS On Common Ground News – 24/7 local news
  • DeKalb County delays water, sewer rate hike to finalize customer support plan July 1, 2025
    DECATUR, GA– DeKalb County is delaying a planned 10% increase in water and sewer rates, originally scheduled to begin on July 1, 2025. County officials announced Monday(June 30) that the delay will allow time to finalize a partnership contract with the Urban League of Greater Atlanta, which will serve as the County’s official customer advocate. […]
Recent Comments
  • Isaac McNeill on Here’s a look at the aftermath of the tornado that hit Rockdale County.
  • G on DeKalb County: Mother convicted after confronting man who molested her daughter
  • Jo Handy-Sewell on Southwest DeKalb High’s tennis team wins off the court with community service to help feed those in need
About Us
About Us

On Common Ground News is published 24/7 by On Common Ground, Inc (OCGNEWS.COM).
The news outlet was founded in April, 1995.

Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
Latest Posts
  • DeKalb County delays water, sewer rate hike to finalize customer support plan
  • DeKalb County buys key government complex on Memorial Drive after 25 years of leasing property
  • Big Haynes Creek Nature Center in Conyers, GA shines in acclaimed new hiking guide
  • Gwinnett County Police seeking leads in vehicle stolen during transport

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest news updates from OCGNews.

© 2025 On Common Ground News.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie SettingsAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT
Manage Cookie Consent
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Manage options Manage services Manage {vendor_count} vendors Read more about these purposes
View preferences
{title} {title} {title}