Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center is a 1600 acre environmental park and part of Columbus State University. It’s used for research and classes but is open to the public as well, offering a myriad of informational programs, birdwatching and nature tours and self-guided wildlife trails.

The year was 1540 and Hernando Desoto and his Army of Spanish Conquistadors were on their way down the Chattooga River heading toward Cedar Bluff, Alabama. On June 4th, 1540 they arrived and camped for almost a month on an island. It was soon named McCoy’s island, ‘Chiaha” was the name given by Desoto’s historians.