The Forest is managed for the benefit of the public by Big Trees Forest Preserve, Inc., a nonprofit, 501(c)(3), volunteer organization, in a cooperative partnership with City of Sandy Springs Recreation and ParksDepartment.

MISSION: The Mission of the Big Trees Forest Preserve is: "To preserve and protect this urban Forest while linking community learning, health and well-being to the natural environment".

GENERAL POLICY: The General Policy of the Forest focuses on the different aspects of the Mission Statement as follows:

PRESERVATION: The Board of Directors is dedicated to preserving the Forest and its natural resources with a conservation easement on the 20 acres owned by the City of Sandy Springs. The 10 acres owned by the State of Georgia is pending preservation status as a "Heritage Preserve" by Executive Order of the Governor. These legal designations will preserve and protect the entire Forest in perpetuity.

PROTECTION: The Board also protects the natural resources of the Forest in several ways. One of the most obvious methods is the development of a trail system to provide a convenient and unobtrusive passageway through the Forest. Forest users are encouraged to stay on the trails at all times to prevent harm to plants and other sensitive natural resources.

Another way of protecting the Park is through the observance of the Park policy and rules posted on a sign at the park entrance. These park rules are designed to foster a heightened sense of environmental and conservation awareness for the protection and respect of the park resources. In addition, through the observance of these rules, park users will extend courtesy to other park users.

CONSERVATION: The Board also promotes the conservation of the Park's natural resources by emphasizing their wise use for forest education and passive recreational values. It is the policy of the Board to restore biological diversity by only reintroducing native plants within the Forest. This restoration project also provides a variety of food and habitat for birds and animals. It further provides more educational opportunities for the study of native plants.

Tour programs (including the self-guided tour brochure) focus on discussing forest dynamics including the history of the land, its preservation, watershed protection, storm water run-off, soil erosion, natural succession, habitat enrichment, trail design, stewardship, and management of human and natural impacts.

STEWARDSHIP: One of the most important means of protecting the natural resources of the Forest is through stewardship work performed by individual volunteers and groups such as: Hands On Atlanta (a volunteer clearing house); Georgia Native Plant Society (a consultant and promoter of Big Trees Forest as a repository for native plants); Huntcliff Garden Club and North Fulton Master Gardners (developed and maintains the native plant and wildflower education meadow); and Boy Scouts of America (Eagle Scout Projects: benches, bridges, etc.). Other contributing stewards include community-spirited companies who provide employee work days, donations, grants, and/or in kind contributions or services.

Each year, hundreds of valued volunteer stewards contribute thousands of volunteer work hours in the Forest. Big Trees Forest represents the highest standards in urban forest management and stewardship.

The Forest is managed according to the principle that: "Good stewardship on the part of Forest mangement usually promotes good stewardship on the part of Forest users." "Responsible Forest Users" are "Valued Forest Stewards".

FOREST DEVELOPMENT: It is the policy of the Board to preserve the back twenty acres of the Big Trees Forest as a generally undeveloped natural forest. The backcountry trails were designed to provide the perception of a nature walk through a remote remnant of a southern Appalachian forest.

The front ten acres have been prepared to provide a more general use and access for all ages, interest and abilities, including safe and convenient creek crossings; fencing for precipice areas; paved sidewalk for convenient wheelchair access; trail signs for easy navigation and reference; a native wildflower meadow and native plant repository for plant education; a bulletin board and information box for public communication; a 15-stop, self-guided tour about the Forest and its watershed; and a planned forest education and administration building. As much as possible, all development is designed with a rustic nature to blend naturally into the Forest landscape.

PASSIVE RECREATION: All trails in the Forest are for walking only, offering a pathway for quiet nature walks and relaxed reflection in the peaceful atmosphere of a beautiful Forest. It is in this spirit that the Board policy is to avoid all activities and facilities that conflict with this relaxed and natural environment, such as running or boisterous recreational games; swing sets, sliding boards, picnic tables, and other active recreational facilities. Also prohibited are exercise activities such a running, jogging and bike riding.

FOREST ATMOSPHERE: It is in this spirit of a relaxed atmosphere in which the most charming offering of the Forest is preserved - its sense of being a remote island of a visual, mental, and spiritual oasis.

Preserving this uniquely relaxed and peaceful atmosphere is just as important as preserving the Forest itself. It is this cherished atmosphere which is one of the greatest spiritual values of the Forest.

It is also this special atmosphere which provides a teachable opportunity to respect the Forest tranquility and the experience of each visitor who comes to enjoy it.

MISSION BALANCE: It is through this balanced mission and management practices of preservation, protection, conservation, education, stewardship, passive recreation and Forest atmosphere that links the natural environment of the Big Trees Forest Preserve to community learning, health and well-being.

SUPPORT BIG TREES FOREST: Big Trees Forest Preserve's mission and management activities are supported primarily through individual donations and corporate or government grants. Your financial support helps us manage the Forest according to its mission. Tax deductible gifts may be mailed to the John Ripley Forbes Big Trees Forest Preserve, 7645 Roswell Road, Sandy Springs, GA 30350.  For accounting purposes, the tax ID is 58-2358002. Donations are greatly appreciated and will be wisely used to maintain the Forest and support its mission.

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS: Please don't hesitate to contact the Big Trees Forest Preserve Interim Director, David Dunagan, at 770-673-0111, with any questions or comments, or to arrange a special interpretive tour or a volunteer work day for yourself or a group