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Thursday, September 4 at 6:30 PM | Gresham Park Recreation Center (3113 Gresham Rd , Atlanta, GA 30316)

Join Commissioner Terry and the DeKalb County Recreation, Parks & Cultural Affairs Department for a Parkside Chat to Meet Tasha! Your SW DeKalb Park Naturalist.

Southwest DeKalb is home to stunning natural treasures — from serene trails and towering trees to winding streams — that make you feel like you’ve stepped outside the city. Join us in learning more about the incredible nature surrounding us and explore ways to get involved in protecting and enjoying it.

Interested in sharing your thoughts on what programming would make our parks more inclusive, creative, and community-centered? We’re gathering ideas from neighbors, families, and first-time visitors alike to help shape what comes next in your local parks. Whether you carry a vision, a tradition, or just a spark of curiosity, your voice matters. CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE SURVEY

About Tasha

Tasha L. J. Messer is proud to serve as the South DeKalb Park Naturalist for DeKalb County Recreation, Parks & Cultural Affairs, caring for Constitution Lakes Park, Glen Emerald Park, and the Michelle Obama Trail. She brings a deep love for nature, a passion for sharing knowledge, and a dedication to making every park she touches more welcoming and accessible.

An advocate for environmental education, sustainability, and equity, Tasha is known for creating innovative, community-centered programs that inspire people of all ages to connect with the outdoors. Drawing on years of experience as an educator, certified naturalist, and collaborator, she approaches every space with the intention of leaving it better than she found it—whether restoring trails, mentoring young birders, or leading inclusive outdoor experiences.

Her work blends curiosity, lifelong learning, and a commitment to building connections, rooted in the belief that environmental justice is social justice. For Tasha, DeKalb County is more than where she works—it’s where her family has grown and thrived. She brings that same spirit of investment and care to the communities she serves, cultivating spaces where education, stewardship, and belonging flourish, and is honored to help others discover the joy, wonder, and community that nature has to offer.