Leigh Callan is the founder and driving force behind the Wetlands project. She came up with the idea for the Georgia Highlands College Wetlands Nature Preserve while walking around Paris Lake in 1996. A Professor of Biology at the College, Leigh Callan planned the Wetlands, obtained funding and sponsorship, and participated in construction.

A keen and accomplished nature photographer, Dr. Callan visited the Wetlands year-round to take the photographs featured on the CyberSwamp site.