Oxbow Meadows Environmental Center (photo courtesy of the Georgia Department of Industry, Trade and Tourism) REGION 3 Oxbow Meadows Environmental Center (photo courtesy of the Georgia Department of Industry, Trade and Tourism) SOUTHEASTERN PLAINS Bartram Educational Forest 2892 HWY 441 South, Milledgeville, GA 31061 OPERATED BY COUNTY: Baldwin Georgia Forestry Commission PUBLIC CONTACT: OFFERING John Gormly - Educational Field Trip/Educational Program, Outdoor Classroom Resource, Outdoor Coordinator Recreation TELEPHONE: (478) 445-2119 AUDIENCES SERVED Public Schools, Private Schools, Home Schools, Teachers, Scouts/Youth Groups, FAX: (478) 445-1426 General Public EMAIL: UNIQUE FEATURES [email protected] Genetically improved trees, orchards for pine seeds, test areas for evaluating the growth and health of trees. WEBSITE: www.gfc.state.ga.us EDUCATIONAL FOCUS Agriculture/Farming, Animals/Wildlife, Biodiversity, Conservation, Ecology, HOURS OF OPERATION: Environmental Health, Habitats/Ecosystems, Nature Awareness, Outdoor Monday through Friday: 8:30 AM - Recreation, Plants, Sustainability, Trees/Forests 4:30 PM, by arrangement Closed on state holidays DESCRIPTION Bartram Forest is a 2,000+ acre state property managed by the Georgia Forestry AGE/GRADE SERVED: Commission. The forest was named after the great American naturalist, William K, 1st - 12th, College, Adult Bartram, who walked through the Forest in 1775. The property includes orchards of genetically improved pine trees from which seeds are collected for the QCC: Yes reforestation of Georgia. Bartram Forest has several "progeny test plots," in which trees are evaluated for growth and disease resistance. The Georgia Forestry ARRANGEMENTS: Commission held its Forestry Field Day 2001 in Bartram Forest; consequently, People who want to visit the Forest there are many sites demonstrating many aspects of forestry, such as planting, may phone 478-445-2119 to discuss thinning, and establishing wildlife habitats in the Forest. availability and accessibility of sites within the Forest. ADDITIONAL SITE/FACILITY AMENITIES Bus Parking, Fishing - permit required, Hiking Trails, Picnic Area - Covered, PROGRAM/ADMISSION COSTS: Restrooms Free DIRECTIONS BIRD-WATCHING OPPORTUNITIES: The main office is on Hwy. 441, approximately 5 miles south of Milledgeville, GA. Feeders, Bird habitats, Birding classes or field trips WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE? Some Areas 78 For additional information, please visit www.EEinGEORGIA.org Birdsong Nature Center 2106 Meridian Road, Thomasville, GA 31792 OPERATED BY COUNTY: Grady Birdsong Nature Center PUBLIC CONTACT: OFFERING Kathleen Brady - Executive Director Educational Materials/Curriculum, Exhibit/Display, Field Trip/Educational Program, Membership, Outdoor Classroom Resource, Outreach TELEPHONE: (229) 377-4408 Program/Speaker, Public/Family Program, Star Watch Program FAX: (229) 377-8723 AUDIENCES SERVED Public Schools, Private Schools, Home Schools, Teachers, Non-formal EMAIL: Educators, Families, Scouts/Youth Groups, Special Needs, General Public, [email protected] Senior Citizen Organizations WEBSITE: UNIQUE FEATURES www.freenet.tlh.fl.us/birdsong Living Museum and Outdoor Classroom, hands-on nature and conservation education, prescribed burning, rare sightings in the bird window, butterfly life cycle HOURS OF OPERATION: in the butterfly garden, Bluebird trail - ideal for bluebird habitat Wednesday, Friday and Saturday: 9 AM - 5 PM EDUCATIONAL FOCUS Sunday: 1 PM - 5 PM Animals/Wildlife, Astronomy, Biodiversity, Conservation, Cultural Awareness, Ecology, Endangered Species, Environmental Health, Habitats/Ecosystems, AGE/GRADE SERVED: Nature Awareness, Plants, Trees/Forests, Water, Bird Sanctuary, Butterfly Pre-K (4's), Pre-K (5's), K, 1st - Garden, Prescribed Burning 12th, College, Adult, Senior DESCRIPTION QCC: Yes From the early 1800s to the present, the land known as Birdsong was transformed from pristine longleaf pine forest, to a plantation, then farm, and now ARRANGEMENTS: a center for conservation and learning. Founders Betty and Ed Komarek created Please call to schedule any group at this haven for wildlife so others will have a place to experience nature and least two weeks in advance. become inspired to protect natural resources everywhere. Birdsong is 565 acres of beautiful wildlife habitat that are open to the public four days PROGRAM/ADMISSION COSTS: a week. We offer ten miles of trails to bird watch or just hike and enjoy nature. Our Bird Window and Trails: Bird Window is an extraordinary and intimate bird viewing experience. We offer Members: Free programs for groups of school children, teacher training, and we also offer many Nonmembers: $5, children half price different programs for the public to become a part of Birdsong. Programs: (Range From) Members: $4/person and up Nonmembers: $8/person and up ADDITIONAL SITE/FACILITY AMENITIES Discounts for certain groups Bus Parking, Hiking Trails, Picnic Area - Uncovered, Restrooms, Listening Place, Bird Window, Gift Shop BIRD-WATCHING OPPORTUNITIES: Feeders, Bird habitats, Binoculars DIRECTIONS available for loan, Bird species From Thomasville, GA: Take Route 319 South, make a right at Meridian Road, checklist for site, Birding classes or (Citgo on corner) and go aprox. 5 miles we are located on the left. A little sign field trips, Knowledgeable birder on reads, "Birdsong." staff, Bird Walk Programs From Tallahassee: Take 319 North, make a left at Meridian Road, (Citgo on WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE? corner), go aprox. 5 miles and we are located on the left. A little sign reads, No "Birdsong." 79 For additional information, please visit www.EEinGEORGIA.org Brown's Mount 4182 Forsyth Road, Macon, GA 31210 OPERATED BY COUNTY: Bibb Museum of Arts and Sciences PUBLIC CONTACT: OFFERING Nikki Price - Animal Curator Educational Materials/Curriculum, Field Trip/Educational Program, Outdoor Recreation, Public/Family Program TELEPHONE: (478) 477-3232 Ext. 108 AUDIENCES SERVED FAX: (478) 477-3251 Public Schools, Private Schools, Home Schools, Teachers, Non-formal Educators, Families, Scouts/Youth Groups, Special Needs, General Public EMAIL: UNIQUE FEATURES [email protected] Pavillion, Astronomy Pad WEBSITE: EDUCATIONAL FOCUS www.masmacon.com Air, Animals/Wildlife, Astronomy, Biodiversity, Climate Change/Weather, HOURS OF OPERATION: Conservation, Ecology, Environmental Health, Geology, Habitats/Ecosystems, Outdoor Recreation, Plants, Pollution, Sustainability, Trees/Forests, Water Day and night hikes on the 2nd Saturday of each month. DESCRIPTION AGE/GRADE SERVED: A limestone capped mount above the Ocmulgee flood plain, Brown's Mount is a Pre-K (0-1), Pre-K (2's), Pre-K former homestead, farm, and poet's retreat that has been allowed to return to (3's), Pre-K (4's), Pre-K (5's), K, nature over the past 20 years. 5,500 acre Bond Swamp National Wildlife Refuge 1st - 12th, College, Adult, Senior borders property to the west. QCC: Yes ADDITIONAL SITE/FACILITY AMENITIES Bus Parking, Hiking Trails, Picnic Area - Covered, Restrooms ARRANGEMENTS: Advanced reservations only. A DIRECTIONS minimum of two weeks notice is From Macon, travel east on I-16 to exit 5, and then south for 2 miles.Turn right required for school groups. on Bondsview Road and travel .2 miles. Turn left on Joe Brown Drive and travel .4 miles. Turn left into the preserve. PROGRAM/ADMISSION COSTS: Schools: Free to Bibb County students $3 for students in other counties $3 members $5 non-members BIRD-WATCHING OPPORTUNITIES: Bird habitats, Birding classes or field trips, Knowledgeable birder on staff WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE? Some Areas 80 For additional information, please visit www.EEinGEORGIA.org Chattahoochee-Flint Georgia Youth Science & Technology Center GSW-SOE, 800 Wheatley Street, Americus, GA 31709 OPERATED BY COUNTY: Sumter Georgia Southwestern State University School of Education PUBLIC CONTACT: OFFERING Lynn Larsen - Regional Coordinator Educational Materials/Curriculum, Field Trip/Educational Program, Outreach Program/Speaker, Professional Development, Public/Family Program TELEPHONE: (229) 931-2167 AUDIENCES SERVED FAX: (229) 931-2163 Public Schools, Private Schools, Teachers, Non-formal Educators, Families, Scouts/Youth Groups EMAIL: [email protected] UNIQUE FEATURES Chattahoochee Flint GYSTC is proud to develop courses based on teacher wants WEBSITE: and needs. NA EDUCATIONAL FOCUS HOURS OF OPERATION: Agriculture/Farming, Conservation, Ecology, Gardening/Composting, Geology, NA Team Building/Problem Solving AGE/GRADE SERVED: DESCRIPTION K, 1st - 12th, College Chattahoochee-Flint GYSTC is a non-profit organization aimed at helping educate teachers and students of Georgia on various science and technology issues. QCC: Yes Environomental Education courses, including Project WET, Project WILD, and PLT are offered in the region. ARRANGEMENTS: Call for arrangements. ADDITIONAL SITE/FACILITY AMENITIES NA PROGRAM/ADMISSION COSTS: School Systems are members of DIRECTIONS GYSTC through paying dues each year. Call for costs. Call for directions. BIRD-WATCHING OPPORTUNITIES: NA WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE? Yes 81 For additional information, please visit www.EEinGEORGIA.org Grand Bay Wetland Education Center 4661 Knights Academy Road, Valdosta, GA 31605 OPERATED BY COUNTY: Lowndes Operated by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and Coastal Plains RESA PUBLIC CONTACT: Neda Hon - Coordinator OFFERING Environmental Service, Field Trip/Educational Program, Outdoor Classroom TELEPHONE: (229) 333-0052 Resource, Outreach Program/Speaker, Professional