Education

SINERR offers a variety of education programs for the public, special interest groups, school groups (5th-12th grades), teachers, and coastal decision makers. Programs highlight salt marsh (estuarine) and barrier island ecology, current research efforts on the Reserve, and Sapelo's rich cultural history.

Public Tours
Public tours featuring the natural and cultural history of Sapelo are available on Wednesday and Saturday (Fridays are designated for public tours June 1 - Labor Day). Special programs and activities, such as Marsh Madness and Tabby Tour, are scheduled throughout the year. Reservations are required. Please see Visitor Center page for details.

Group Tours and School Programs
On-site programs are offered Tuesday through Saturday for groups of 10-40 people. During the school year, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays are available for group tours and lab-based science programs.

The Education Facility on Sapelo houses a 40-seat classroom with audio-visual capabilities and a wet lab equipped with work stations, microscopes, and aquaria. Lab-based programs include "Sapelo's Saltwater Systems" which incorporates field and lab activities that focus on local marsh and ocean habitats. The Sapelo Island Nature Trail, also available to visiting groups, features five barrier island systems and stretches approximately one mile from the maritime forest, through salt marsh, to Nannygoat Beach. Additional activities and topics can be developed and included at the group leader's request.

SINERR has several resources available for teachers and schools including our curriculum guide, Sapelo Island : Georgia 's Coastal Treasure. " Posters, area maps, and interactive CDs are also available for visiting groups. Sapelo: An Island in Time, A Look at Georgia's National Estuarine Research Reserve and UGA Institute, a video program featuring the ecology and science of the Reserve and UGA Marine Institute, is available for purchase. For more details on educational materials, please contact the Education Office (912) 485-2300.

For information on the national education program, please visit the National Estuarine Research Reserves website.

For information on National Estuaries Day events, visit Estuaries.gov.

Teacher Training Programs
SINERR offers a series of teacher training workshops throughout the year for groups of 10-25 people.  Programs, which run 2-5 days, are held on Sapelo Island and incorporate educational resources, field based learning activities, and lecture sessions.  Workshop topics include coastal ecology, sea turtle conservation, marine mammals, Georgia shorebirds, and marine science research. Continuing education credits are available for participants.  For information on how you can be involved with our teacher training programs, please contact the Education Office (912) 485-2300.

Coastal Training Program
The SINERR Coastal Training Program provides support, training, and information to professionals who make decisions about coastal management so they can better manage the coastal resources so vital to their economies and way of life. CTP can respond to individuals, businesses and communities by providing information on topics ranging from land use management to shellfish habitat and invasive species. CTP efforts target the entire coastline of Georgia. For information on our Coastal Training Program and a calendar of upcoming events, visit the CTP website.