Georgia Magazine - February 2025 - 22

Above: This self-directed discovery room at the McDuffi e
Environmental Education Center in Dearing gives
students a hands-on experience with native wildlife. They
learn about ecology of water, soils and forests in outdoor
classrooms and on trails.
Continued from page 21
Morris-Zarneke says the programs and activities
" create an opportunity to pass on skills and for families
to come out and enjoy the outdoors together.
" We have a lot of folks who will say, 'I remember
fishing with my dad, but I never did it [as an adult], and
I want to learn so I can teach my child.' "
More than 124,000 visitors participated in
More than 124,000 visitors participated in
education center programs during the last fiscal year, which
ended in June. These numbers don't include the thousands
more who showed up to hike, fish or explore.
education center programs during the last fiscal year, which
ended in June. These numbers don't include the thousands
more who showed up to hike, fish or explore.
The centers are purposely situated in different ecological
The centers are purposely situated in different ecological
regions to focus on their habitats, including the tidal marshes
of Sapelo Island, the fragile ecosystem of the Okefenokee
Swamp and the forested hills of North Georgia.
While each center operates uniquely, all
regions to focus on their habitats, including the tidal marshes
of Sapelo Island, the fragile ecosystem of the Okefenokee
Swamp and the forested hills of North Georgia.
While each center operates uniquely, all
provide professional teacher training and on-site
student lessons.
provide professional teacher training and on-site
Each center has an ambassador animal
Each center has an ambassador animal
native to its region, such as alligators, gopher
tortoises, snakes and birds of prey. The
animals help educators tell the story of
their species or habitat.
22 Georgia Magazine February 2025
native to its region, such as alligators, gopher
tortoises, snakes and birds of prey. The
animals help educators tell the story of
Top right: Fish-n-Learn programs at the Charlie Elliott
Top right:
Education Center in Perry is home to a 200,000-gallon
Wildlife Center are popular with families.
native Georgia fi sh and reptiles.
" For a lot of kids, they've never been up close to any of
these animals, " Morris-Zarneke says. " Here is their chance
to get up close and touch them. "
Some centers have conference facilities and
campgrounds, and the Go Fish Education Center has an
outdoor aquarium with native fish.
" It's one of the few places-if not the only place-
in Georgia you can actually go and see Georgia species, "
in Georgia you can actually go and see Georgia species, "
Morris-Zarneke says.
Morris-Zarneke says.
Laura Berrios is a freelance writer based in Alpharetta.
Laura Berrios is a freelance writer based in Alpharetta.
these animals, " Morris-Zarneke says. " Here is their chance
to get up close and touch them. "
Above: The Go Fish
outdoor aquarium that houses more than 50 species of
I
S
T
OC
K.COM/AND
YWOR
K
S
Georgia Magazine - February 2025

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Georgia Magazine - February 2025
